Gideon's divine commissioning occurs while Israel hides in caves from oppressors, uniquely pairing military calling with national cowardice across his 22 biblical appearances.
Judges 6
Gideon's Call and the Angel's Visit
1The children of Israel did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight, so the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.
2The hand of Midian prevailed against Israel; and because of Midian the children of Israel made themselves the dens which are in the mountains, the caves, and the strongholds.
3So it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites, the Amalekites, and the children of the east came up against them.
4They encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, until you come to Gaza. They left no sustenance in Israel, and no sheep, ox, or donkey.
5For they came up with their livestock and their tents. They came in as locusts for multitude. Both they and their camels were without number; and they came into the land to destroy it.
6Israel was brought very low because of Midian; and the children of Israel cried to the LORD.
7When the children of Israel cried to the LORD because of Midian,
8The LORD sent a prophet to the children of Israel; and he said to them, “The LORD, the God of Israel, says, ‘I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you out of the house of bondage.
9I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of all who oppressed you, and drove them out from before you, and gave you their land.
10I said to you, “I am the LORD your God. You shall not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell.” But you have not listened to my voice.’”
11The LORD’s angel came and sat under the oak which was in Ophrah, that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite. His son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press, to hide it from the Midianites.
12The LORD’s angel appeared to him, and said to him, “The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!”
13Gideon said to him, “Oh, my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? Where are all his wondrous works which our fathers told us of, saying, ‘Didn’t the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the LORD has cast us off, and delivered us into the hand of Midian.”
14The LORD looked at him, and said, “Go in this your might, and save Israel from the hand of Midian. Haven’t I sent you?”
15He said to him, “O Lord, how shall I save Israel? Behold, my family is the poorest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”
16The LORD said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.”
17He said to him, “If now I have found favor in your sight, then show me a sign that it is you who talk with me.
18Please don’t go away until I come to you, and bring out my present, and lay it before you.” He said, “I will wait until you come back.”
19Gideon went in and prepared a young goat and unleavened cakes of an ephah of meal. He put the meat in a basket and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out to him under the oak, and presented it.
20The angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened cakes, and lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth.” He did so.
21Then the LORD’s angel stretched out the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the meat and the unleavened cakes; and fire went up out of the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened cakes. Then the LORD’s angel departed out of his sight.
22Gideon saw that he was the LORD’s angel; and Gideon said, “Alas, Lord GOD! Because I have seen the LORD’s angel face to face!”
23The LORD said to him, “Peace be to you! Don’t be afraid. You shall not die.”
24Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD, and called it “The LORD is Peace.” To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
Gideon Destroys the Altar of Baal
25That same night, the LORD said to him, “Take your father’s bull, even the second bull seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the Asherah that is by it.
26Then build an altar to the LORD your God on the top of this stronghold, in an orderly way, and take the second bull, and offer a burnt offering with the wood of the Asherah which you shall cut down.”
27Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had spoken to him. Because he feared his father’s household and the men of the city, he could not do it by day, but he did it by night.
28When the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was broken down, and the Asherah was cut down that was by it, and the second bull was offered on the altar that was built.
29They said to one another, “Who has done this thing?” When they inquired and asked, they said, “Gideon the son of Joash has done this thing.”
30Then the men of the city said to Joash, “Bring out your son, that he may die, because he has broken down the altar of Baal, and because he has cut down the Asherah that was by it.”
31Joash said to all who stood against him, “Will you contend for Baal? Or will you save him? He who will contend for him, let him be put to death by morning! If he is a god, let him contend for himself, because someone has broken down his altar!”
32Therefore on that day he named him Jerub-Baal, saying, “Let Baal contend against him, because he has broken down his altar.”
33Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east assembled themselves together; and they passed over, and encamped in the valley of Jezreel.
34But the LORD’s Spirit came on Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered together to follow him.
35He sent messengers throughout all Manasseh, and they also were gathered together to follow him. He sent messengers to Asher, to Zebulun, and to Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.
36Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have spoken,
37behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I’ll know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have spoken.”
38It was so; for he rose up early on the next day, and pressed the fleece together, and wrung the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water.
39Gideon said to God, “Don’t let your anger be kindled against me, and I will speak but this once. Please let me make a trial just this once with the fleece. Let it now be dry only on the fleece, and on all the ground let there be dew.”
40God did so that night; for it was dry on the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.
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Theme
After seven years of Midianite oppression due to Israel's disobedience, God calls Gideon to be a deliverer. Despite Gideon's initial doubts about his qualifications and God's presence with Israel, the angel of the Lord confirms his calling through miraculous signs. Gideon then courageously destroys his father's altar to Baal, replacing it with an altar to the Lord, demonstrating his commitment to God's mission despite local opposition.
Context
This chapter begins the Gideon narrative, marking a transition from Israel's lowest point under foreign oppression to God raising up their most famous judge.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-6 Midianite Oppression of Israel Israel's disobedience leads to seven years of devastating raids by Midian and allied forces.
- 7-10 God's Response Through a Prophet God sends a prophet to remind Israel of His past deliverance and their failure to obey.
- 11-24 The Angel Calls Gideon The angel of the Lord appears to Gideon, commissioning him as Israel's deliverer despite his protests of inadequacy.
- 25-32 Gideon Destroys Baal's Altar Gideon obeys God's command to tear down his father's altar to Baal and build an altar to the Lord.
- 33-40 Gideon Seeks Confirmation As enemy forces gather, Gideon requests and receives miraculous signs with a fleece to confirm God's promise.
Gideon's Call and the Angel's Visit
6:1–6:24 narrative dialogue hopeful
Israel's disobedience leads to Midianite oppression, prompting their cry to the LORD. An angel appears to Gideon, calling him to deliver Israel despite his doubts and fears.
person_contrast
Gideon's divine commissioning occurs while Israel hides in caves from oppressors, uniquely pairing military calling with national cowardice across his 22 biblical appearances.
Gideon Destroys the Altar of Baal
6:25–6:40 narrative narration defiant
Gideon obeys God's command to destroy his father's altar to Baal and build an altar to the LORD. Despite opposition from the townspeople, Joash defends his son's actions, and Gideon begins gathering an army.
person_contrast
Gideon's nighttime destruction of Baal's altar marks the only instance where his military calling begins with dismantling idolatry rather than defeating foreign enemies.
Insights
Gideon's nighttime destruction of Baal's altar marks the only instance where his military calling begins with dismantling idolatry rather than defeating foreign enemies.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Judges 6:2 1 reference
Judges 6:3 1 reference
Judges 6:4 3 references
Lexicals 3
1 Samuel 15:3 Lexical
Now go and strike Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and don’t spare them; but kill both man and woman, inf…
Joshua 6:21 Lexical
They utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, both young and old, and ox, sheep, and donkey, with…
1 Samuel 22:19 Lexical
He struck Nob, the city of the priests, with the edge of the sword—both men and women, children and nursing babies, and…
Judges 6:5 1 reference
Judges 6:11 3 references
Lexicals 3
Judges 8:32 Lexical
Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in the tomb of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezri…
Judges 7:14 Lexical
His fellow answered, “This is nothing other than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel. God has delivere…
Judges 7:24 Lexical
Gideon sent messengers throughout all the hill country of Ephraim, saying, “Come down against Midian and take the waters…
Judges 6:12 1 reference
Judges 6:13 1 reference
Judges 6:15 1 reference
Judges 6:21 1 reference
Judges 6:22 5 references
Lexicals 5
Ezekiel 11:13 Lexical
When I prophesied, Pelatiah the son of Benaiah died. Then I fell down on my face, and cried with a loud voice, and said,…
Joshua 7:7 Lexical
Joshua said, “Alas, Lord GOD, why have you brought this people over the Jordan at all, to deliver us into the hand of th…
Jeremiah 14:13 Lexical
Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, the prophets tell them, ‘You will not see the sword, neither will you have famine; b…
Jeremiah 1:6 Lexical
Then I said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I don’t know how to speak; for I am a child.”
Ezekiel 9:8 Lexical
While they were killing, and I was left, I fell on my face, and cried, and said, “Ah Lord GOD! Will you destroy all the…
Judges 6:24 1 reference
Judges 6:25 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Chronicles 33:3 Lexical
For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; and he raised up altars for the Baals, mad…
2 Kings 21:3 Lexical
For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he raised up altars for Baal, and made a…
2 Chronicles 34:4 Lexical
They broke down the altars of the Baals in his presence; and he cut down the incense altars that were on high above them…
1 Kings 18:26 Lexical
They took the bull which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noo…
Exodus 34:13 Lexical
but you shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and you shall cut down their Asherah poles;
Judges 6:26 5 references
Lexicals 5
Exodus 34:13 Lexical
but you shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and you shall cut down their Asherah poles;
1 Kings 14:23 Lexical
For they also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every gre…
Deuteronomy 16:21 Lexical
You shall not plant for yourselves an Asherah of any kind of tree beside the LORD your God’s altar, which you shall make…
Jeremiah 17:2 Lexical
Even their children remember their altars and their Asherah poles by the green trees on the high hills.
2 Chronicles 33:3 Lexical
For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; and he raised up altars for the Baals, mad…
Judges 6:27 1 reference
Judges 6:28 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Chronicles 33:3 Lexical
For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; and he raised up altars for the Baals, mad…
2 Chronicles 34:4 Lexical
They broke down the altars of the Baals in his presence; and he cut down the incense altars that were on high above them…
Exodus 34:13 Lexical
but you shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and you shall cut down their Asherah poles;
2 Kings 21:3 Lexical
For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he raised up altars for Baal, and made a…
1 Kings 18:26 Lexical
They took the bull which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noo…
Judges 6:29 1 reference
Judges 6:30 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Chronicles 34:4 Lexical
They broke down the altars of the Baals in his presence; and he cut down the incense altars that were on high above them…
2 Chronicles 33:3 Lexical
For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; and he raised up altars for the Baals, mad…
Exodus 34:13 Lexical
but you shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and you shall cut down their Asherah poles;
2 Chronicles 34:7 Lexical
He broke down the altars, beat the Asherah poles and the engraved images into powder, and cut down all the incense altar…
2 Chronicles 31:1 Lexical
Now when all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah and broke the pillars in pie…
Judges 6:31 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Chronicles 23:17 Lexical
All the people went to the house of Baal, broke it down, broke his altars and his images in pieces, and killed Mattan th…
2 Chronicles 34:4 Lexical
They broke down the altars of the Baals in his presence; and he cut down the incense altars that were on high above them…
2 Chronicles 33:3 Lexical
For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; and he raised up altars for the Baals, mad…
2 Kings 11:18 Lexical
All the people of the land went to the house of Baal, and broke it down. They broke his altars and his images in pieces…
1 Kings 18:26 Lexical
They took the bull which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noo…
Judges 6:32 4 references
Lexicals 4
2 Chronicles 33:3 Lexical
For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; and he raised up altars for the Baals, mad…
2 Kings 11:18 Lexical
All the people of the land went to the house of Baal, and broke it down. They broke his altars and his images in pieces…
2 Chronicles 23:17 Lexical
All the people went to the house of Baal, broke it down, broke his altars and his images in pieces, and killed Mattan th…
2 Chronicles 34:4 Lexical
They broke down the altars of the Baals in his presence; and he cut down the incense altars that were on high above them…
Judges 6:33 3 references
Lexicals 3
Judges 7:12 Lexical
The Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like locusts for multitude; a…
Judges 7:1 Lexical
Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people who were with him, rose up early and encamped beside the spring of Har…
1 Samuel 17:2 Lexical
Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and encamped in the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array again…
Judges 6:34 3 references
Lexicals 3
Judges 7:20 Lexical
The three companies blew the trumpets, broke the pitchers, and held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in…
Judges 7:19 Lexical
So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outermost part of the camp in the beginning of the middle wa…
Judges 7:18 Lexical
When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then blow the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and shout…
Judges 6:35 5 references
Lexicals 5
Deuteronomy 27:13 Lexical
These shall stand on Mount Ebal for the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
Judges 4:10 Lexical
Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali together to Kedesh. Ten thousand men followed him; and Deborah went up with him.
2 Chronicles 30:11 Lexical
Nevertheless some men of Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.
Joshua 21:6 Lexical
The children of Gershon had thirteen cities by lot out of the families of the tribe of Issachar, out of the tribe of Ash…
Judges 7:23 Lexical
The men of Israel were gathered together out of Naphtali, out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued Midian.
Judges 6:39 5 references
Lexicals 5
Genesis 18:32 Lexical
He said, “Oh don’t let the Lord be angry, and I will speak just once more. What if ten are found there?” He said, “I wil…
Exodus 10:17 Lexical
Now therefore please forgive my sin again, and pray to the LORD your God, that he may also take away from me this death.…
Numbers 24:10 Lexical
Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. Balak said to Balaam, “I called you to curse my e…
Psalms 37:8 Lexical
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don’t fret; it leads only to evildoing.
2 Kings 23:26 Lexical
Notwithstanding, the LORD didn’t turn from the fierceness of his great wrath, with which his anger burned against Judah,…
Interlinear
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Lemma
Morphology
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Theological Significance
Translation Notes
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Historical Context
Places and events in this chapter
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Timeline
Exodus
c. 1446 BCIsrael's miraculous deliverance from Egyptian slavery under Moses' leadership, including the ten plagues and Red Sea crossing. This foundational event established Israel as God's chosen nation.
God's prophet reminds Israel of their exodus deliverance before announcing current judgment.
Gideon's Call and the Angel's Visit