Charles Ellicott Commentary Judges 6:4

"and they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance in Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass." — Judges 6:4 (ASV)

They encamped against them. —It is not implied that there were any battles. The Israelites were too wretched and helpless to offer any resistance. These Arabs would swarm over the Jordan, at the fords of Bethshean, about harvest-time, and would sweep away the produce of the rich plain of Jezreel and the whole Shephelah, even as far south as Gaza. (Compare to the Scythian invasion, alluded to in Zephaniah 2:5-6.)

Destroyed the increase of the earth. —You shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it (Leviticus 26:16). (Deuteronomy 28:51; Micah 6:15.)

No sustenance for Israel. —No support of life, or, as some render the word, “nothing alive.”

Sheep. —The margin has, “or goat.” The word means “smaller cattle.”