This image heightens the danger, and the theme of fear. But it is ironic in light of God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 22:1–24 that his seed will be as sand on the seashore. If Gideon had recalled that, he would have been greatly encouraged, also since God had added to the promise that Abraham’s “offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies” (Genesis 22:17).
12 And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the people of the East lay along the valley like locusts in abundance, and their camels were without number, as the sand that is on the seashore in abundance.