The valley of Jezreel was not far from Gideon’s hometown of Ophrah. This valley stretched right across northern Israel. It was the most fertile land in the whole of Palestine. It was vital for Israel’s economy. So by yearly raiding this area, the three groups from the east were effectively stealing the food out of Israelite mouths.
33 Now all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the people of the East came together, and they crossed the Jordan and encamped in the Valley of Jezreel.