Gideon
Israelite / Jew Hebrew, tribe of Manasseh · Conquest & Judges · Old Testament
- Also called
- Jerubbaal, Gedeon
- Name means
- Hewer; one who cuts down
- Role
- Judge who delivered Israel from Midian
- When
- The days of the judges
What they did
Called while threshing wheat in hiding, he threw down his father's altar of Baal. With only three hundred men, trumpets and lamps, he routed the Midianites, and he refused to be made king.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
God reduced his army so that Israel would know the victory was the LORD's. He is listed among the heroes of faith (Hebrews 11:32).
And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour. Judges 6:12 (KJV)
Bible references
And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour. Judges 6:12 (KJV)
Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar. Judges 6:32 (KJV)
And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place. Judges 7:7 (KJV)
And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you. Judges 8:23 (KJV)
And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Hebrews 11:32 (KJV)
Family
- Father
- Joash the Abiezrite
- Spouse(s)
- Many wives; a concubine in Shechem
- Children
- Seventy sons including Jether and Abimelech
Named Jerubbaal after destroying Baal's altar (Judges 6:32).