Verse 1:[1] Then (Judg. 6:32) Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.
[Near the spring of Harod] It is certain that it was not far from mount Gilboa. It has its name from the present history, from חָרַד/harad, to tremble in fear, either, because from there the fearful withdrew (Bonfrerius, Piscator, Junius); or, from the fear of the Midianites routed there: or, from the fear of Saul. This appears to be the spring of which Scripture makes mention in 1 Samuel 29:1, because it was situated in Jezreel (Junius, Piscator, Malvenda).
[On the north side of the high hill] That is, of Mount Gilboa: For this valley was situated between mount Gilboa on the South, and mount Hermon on the North (Bonfrerius).
[מִגִּבְעַ֥ת הַמּוֹרֶ֖ה[2]] By the hill Hammoreh, or Moreh (Montanus, Tigurinus); by the rock from which a watch was accessible (Munster out of Jonathan). On this side of the hill of Moreh (Junius and Tremellius, Pagnine), that is, of the Javelin-thrower, or Informant. The name appears to be had from the archers that pursued Saul when he was fleeing, 1 Samuel 31:3; for they think that this was one of the mountains of Gilboa. But I think rather that it was named from the seasonal/early rains with which that hill bathed (Piscator out of Junius). יוֹרֶה is seasonal/early rain (Malvenda).
[In the valley] Namely, of Jezreel (Bonfrerius).
[1] Hebrew: וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֙ם יְרֻבַּ֜עַל ה֣וּא גִדְע֗וֹן וְכָל־הָעָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִתּ֔וֹ וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ עַל־עֵ֣ין חֲרֹ֑ד וּמַחֲנֵ֤ה מִדְיָן֙ הָיָה־ל֣וֹ מִצָּפ֔וֹן מִגִּבְעַ֥ת הַמּוֹרֶ֖ה בָּעֵֽמֶק׃
[2] מוֹרֶה is related to the verbal root יָרָה, to shoot or hurl, or to point out.
Matthew Henry: 'Here...Gideon applies himself with all possible care and industry to do the part of a good general, in leading on the hosts of Israel against the Midianites (Judges 7:1): He rose up early, as one whose heart was upon his business, and who was afraid of losing time. Now that he is sure God is with him he is impatient of delay. He pitched near a famous well, that his army might not be distressed for want of water, and gained the higher ground, which possibly might be some advantage to him, for the Midianites were beneath him in the valley. Note, Faith in God's promises must not slacken, but rather quicken, our endeavours. When we are sur…