1439. Gidon
Lexical Summary
Gidon: Gideon

Original Word: גִּדְעוֹן
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Gid`own
Pronunciation: ghee-DOHN
Phonetic Spelling: (ghid-ohn')
KJV: Gideon
NASB: Gideon
Word Origin: [from H1438 (גָּדַע - cut down)]

1. feller (i.e. warrior)
2. Gidon, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Gideon

From gada'; feller (i.e. Warrior); Gidon, an Israelite -- Gideon.

see HEBREW gada'

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from gada
Definition
a judge of Isr.
NASB Translation
Gideon (38).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
גִּדִעוֺן proper name, masculine judge of Israel Judges 6:11,13,19 36t. Judges 6-8; — called also יְרֻבַּעַל (q. v.) Judges 6:32; Judges 7:1 etc., & יְרֻבֶּשֶׁת (q. v.) 2 Samuel 11:21.

Topical Lexicon
Historical Setting

Gideon arises during the Midianite oppression in the era of the Judges, roughly midway between the conquest under Joshua and the institution of the monarchy. The seven-year Midianite domination (Judges 6:1-6) was God’s disciplinary response to Israel’s idolatry, leaving the tribes impoverished and fearful. Gideon’s ministry therefore unfolds as part of the recurring cycle of apostasy, oppression, repentance, deliverance and rest that characterizes the book.

Family Background and Early Life

Judges 6:11 situates Gideon in Ophrah of the clan of Abiezer within the tribe of Manasseh. His father Joash owned a Baal altar and an Asherah pole (Judges 6:25-26), indicating the syncretism permeating Israel. Gideon self-identifies as “the least in my father’s house” (Judges 6:15), underscoring the divine prerogative to employ unlikely instruments.

Call and Commission

“The Angel of the LORD appeared to him and said, ‘The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor’” (Judges 6:12). The Christophanic Messenger commissions Gideon to “save Israel from the hand of Midian” (Judges 6:14). The transforming address—mighty warrior to a man hiding in a winepress—reveals that God’s calling confers the capacity required for His work.

Confirmed by Signs

1. Consuming fire on the rock (Judges 6:19-21).
2. Dew on the fleece only (Judges 6:36-38).
3. Dew on the ground only (Judges 6:39-40).

These signs, graciously granted, secure Gideon’s faith without divine rebuke, showcasing God’s patience toward growing trust.

Consecration through Covenant Purging

Before public deliverance, private holiness is demanded. Gideon destroys the Baal altar and Asherah pole (Judges 6:25-27). The changed name “Jerubbaal” (“Let Baal contend”) becomes a perpetual reminder that the living God alone rescues (Judges 6:32).

Reduction of the Army

Thirty-two thousand volunteers diminish to three hundred by two divine tests (Judges 7:1-8). The improbable number highlights that “Israel could not boast against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me’” (Judges 7:2).

The Night Raid and Victory

Armed with trumpets, pitchers and torches, Gideon’s band encircles the Midianite camp. At the signal they cry, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!” (Judges 7:20). Panic and self-slaughter ensue among the enemy (Judges 7:21-22). Subsequent pursuit involves Ephraim, Naphtali and Manasseh, leading to the deaths of Oreb and Zeeb (Judges 7:24-25) and finally of Zebah and Zalmunna (Judges 8:18-21).

Governance and Refusal of Kingship

The men of Israel request dynastic rule: “Rule over us… you, your son, and your grandson” (Judges 8:22). Gideon replies, “I will not rule over you… the LORD will rule over you” (Judges 8:23). He thereby upholds Yahweh’s kingship, though his later actions blur the distinction.

The Ephod and Spiritual Decline

Gideon fashions an ephod from Midianite spoils (Judges 8:24-27). Intended perhaps as memorial or cultic vestment, it becomes “a snare to Gideon and his household,” and Israel again “prostituted themselves after it” (Judges 8:27). Thus the judge who tore down an idolatrous altar inadvertently provides occasion for fresh idolatry.

Family, Succession and Aftermath

Gideon fathers seventy sons and a concubine-born son, Abimelech (Judges 8:30-31). After Gideon dies “at a good old age” (Judges 8:32), Abimelech murders his brothers and briefly seizes power (Judges 9). The narrative underscores how partial obedience and private compromises reverberate destructively after a leader’s passing.

Later Biblical References

• “Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon)” appears as a marker of past deliverance in 1 Samuel 12:11.
Psalm 83:11 petitions God to do to future foes as He did to “Oreb and Zeeb… all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,” invoking Gideon’s victory as precedent.
Hebrews 11:32 lists Gideon among the faithful who “through faith conquered kingdoms,” securing him a place in the “cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1).

Theological and Practical Lessons

1. God’s strength is perfected in human weakness; the least clan and smallest band rout overwhelming odds.
2. Deliverance is inseparable from covenant fidelity; Baal’s altar must fall before Midian’s camp.
3. Spiritual leadership demands vigilance; an article intended for worship may become an idol if misused.
4. Faith grows through divine accommodation; Gideon’s fleeces illustrate that patient assurance can nurture courage without excusing unbelief.
5. Temporary victories do not guarantee lasting reform; succeeding generations must personally embrace covenant loyalty.

Christological Foreshadowing

Gideon’s title “mighty man of valor” and his Spirit-empowered deliverance (Judges 6:34) prefigure the greater Deliverer who defeats the true oppressors of God’s people. The motif of victory with improbable means anticipates salvation accomplished not by “sword or by spear,” but through the weakness of the cross (compare 1 Corinthians 1:18-25).

Summary

Gideon stands as a divinely chosen judge whose humble beginnings, Spirit-filled courage and decisive faith secured Israel’s liberation from Midian. His life simultaneously warns of the hazards of incomplete consecration and models trust in the LORD who alone saves.

Forms and Transliterations
גִ֠דְעוֹן גִּדְע֑וֹן גִּדְע֔וֹן גִּדְע֖וֹן גִּדְע֗וֹן גִּדְע֜וֹן גִּדְע֤וֹן גִּדְע֥וֹן גִּדְעוֹן֙ גִּדְעוֹן֩ גִדְע֔וֹן גִדְע֖וֹן גִדְע֗וֹן גִדְע֜וֹן גִדְעֽוֹן׃ גדעון גדעון׃ וְגִדְע֣וֹן וּלְגִדְע֗וֹן וּלְגִדְעֽוֹן׃ וגדעון ולגדעון ולגדעון׃ לְגִדְע֥וֹן לגדעון giḏ‘ōwn ḡiḏ‘ōwn giḏ·‘ō·wn ḡiḏ·‘ō·wn gidOn lə·ḡiḏ·‘ō·wn ləḡiḏ‘ōwn legidon ū·lə·ḡiḏ·‘ō·wn ūləḡiḏ‘ōwn ulegidon vegidon wə·ḡiḏ·‘ō·wn wəḡiḏ‘ōwn
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Judges 6:11
HEB: אֲבִ֣י הָֽעֶזְרִ֑י וְגִדְע֣וֹן בְּנ֗וֹ חֹבֵ֤ט
NAS: as his son Gideon was beating
KJV: and his son Gideon threshed
INT: Joash the Abiezrite Gideon his son was beating

Judges 6:13
HEB: וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֵלָ֤יו גִּדְעוֹן֙ בִּ֣י אֲדֹנִ֔י
NAS: Then Gideon said to him, O
KJV: And Gideon said unto him, Oh
INT: said then Gideon O my lord

Judges 6:19
HEB: וְגִדְע֣וֹן בָּ֗א וַיַּ֤עַשׂ
NAS: Then Gideon went in and prepared
KJV: And Gideon went in, and made ready
INT: Gideon went and prepared

Judges 6:22
HEB: וַיַּ֣רְא גִּדְע֔וֹן כִּֽי־ מַלְאַ֥ךְ
NAS: When Gideon saw that he was the angel
KJV: And when Gideon perceived
INT: saw Gideon for was the angel

Judges 6:22
HEB: ס וַיֹּ֣אמֶר גִּדְע֗וֹן אֲהָהּ֙ אֲדֹנָ֣י
KJV: of the LORD, Gideon said,
INT: he said Gideon Alas Lord

Judges 6:24
HEB: וַיִּבֶן֩ שָׁ֨ם גִּדְע֤וֹן מִזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ לַֽיהוָ֔ה
NAS: Then Gideon built an altar
KJV: Then Gideon built an altar
INT: built there Gideon an altar to the LORD

Judges 6:27
HEB: וַיִּקַּ֨ח גִּדְע֜וֹן עֲשָׂרָ֤ה אֲנָשִׁים֙
NAS: Then Gideon took ten
KJV: Then Gideon took ten
INT: took Gideon ten men

Judges 6:29
HEB: וַיְבַקְשׁ֔וּ וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ גִּדְעוֹן֙ בֶּן־ יוֹאָ֔שׁ
NAS: they said, Gideon the son
KJV: they said, Gideon the son
INT: and inquired said Gideon the son of Joash

Judges 6:34
HEB: לָבְשָׁ֖ה אֶת־ גִּדְע֑וֹן וַיִּתְקַע֙ בַּשּׁוֹפָ֔ר
NAS: came upon Gideon; and he blew
KJV: came upon Gideon, and he blew
INT: of the LORD came Gideon blew A trumpet

Judges 6:36
HEB: וַיֹּ֥אמֶר גִּדְע֖וֹן אֶל־ הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים
NAS: Then Gideon said to God,
KJV: And Gideon said unto God,
INT: said Gideon to God

Judges 6:39
HEB: וַיֹּ֤אמֶר גִּדְעוֹן֙ אֶל־ הָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔ים
NAS: Then Gideon said to God,
KJV: And Gideon said unto God,
INT: said Gideon to God

Judges 7:1
HEB: יְרֻבַּ֜עַל ה֣וּא גִדְע֗וֹן וְכָל־ הָעָם֙
NAS: Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all
KJV: Then Jerubbaal, who [is] Gideon, and all the people
INT: Jerubbaal he who Gideon all manner the people

Judges 7:2
HEB: יְהוָה֙ אֶל־ גִּדְע֔וֹן רַ֗ב הָעָם֙
NAS: said to Gideon, The people
KJV: said unto Gideon, The people
INT: the LORD to Gideon many the people

Judges 7:4
HEB: יְהוָ֜ה אֶל־ גִּדְע֗וֹן עוֹד֮ הָעָ֣ם
NAS: said to Gideon, The people
KJV: said unto Gideon, The people
INT: the LORD to Gideon are still the people

Judges 7:5
HEB: יְהוָ֜ה אֶל־ גִּדְע֗וֹן כֹּ֣ל אֲשֶׁר־
NAS: said to Gideon, You shall separate
KJV: said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth
INT: and the LORD to Gideon everyone who

Judges 7:7
HEB: יְהוָ֜ה אֶל־ גִּדְע֗וֹן בִּשְׁלֹשׁ֩ מֵא֨וֹת
NAS: said to Gideon, I will deliver
KJV: said unto Gideon, By the three
INT: and the LORD unto Gideon the three hundred

Judges 7:13
HEB: וַיָּבֹ֣א גִדְע֔וֹן וְהִ֨נֵּה־ אִ֔ישׁ
NAS: When Gideon came, behold,
KJV: And when Gideon was come,
INT: came Gideon behold A man

Judges 7:14
HEB: אִם־ חֶ֛רֶב גִּדְע֥וֹן בֶּן־ יוֹאָ֖שׁ
NAS: the sword of Gideon the son
KJV: This [is] nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son
INT: lo the sword of Gideon the son of Joash

Judges 7:15
HEB: וַיְהִי֩ כִשְׁמֹ֨עַ גִּדְע֜וֹן אֶת־ מִסְפַּ֧ר
NAS: When Gideon heard the account
KJV: And it was [so], when Gideon heard
INT: become heard Gideon the account of the dream

Judges 7:18
HEB: וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֖ם לַיהוָ֥ה וּלְגִדְעֽוֹן׃ פ
NAS: For the LORD and for Gideon.'
KJV: [The sword] of the LORD, and of Gideon.
INT: and say the LORD Gideon

Judges 7:19
HEB: וַיָּבֹ֣א גִ֠דְעוֹן וּמֵאָה־ אִ֨ישׁ
NAS: So Gideon and the hundred men
KJV: So Gideon, and the hundred men
INT: came Gideon and the hundred men

Judges 7:20
HEB: חֶ֥רֶב לַֽיהוָ֖ה וּלְגִדְעֽוֹן׃
NAS: A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!
KJV: The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.
INT: A sword the LORD Gideon

Judges 7:24
HEB: וּמַלְאָכִ֡ים שָׁלַ֣ח גִּדְעוֹן֩ בְּכָל־ הַ֨ר
NAS: Gideon sent messengers
KJV: And Gideon sent messengers
INT: messengers sent Gideon throughout the hill

Judges 7:25
HEB: הֵבִ֙יאוּ֙ אֶל־ גִּדְע֔וֹן מֵעֵ֖בֶר לַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃
NAS: and Zeeb to Gideon from across
KJV: and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side
INT: brought to Gideon across the Jordan

Judges 8:4
HEB: וַיָּבֹ֥א גִדְע֖וֹן הַיַּרְדֵּ֑נָה עֹבֵ֣ר
NAS: Then Gideon and the 300 men
KJV: And Gideon came to Jordan,
INT: came and Gideon to the Jordan crossed

39 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 1439
39 Occurrences


giḏ·‘ō·wn — 33 Occ.
lə·ḡiḏ·‘ō·wn — 1 Occ.
ū·lə·ḡiḏ·‘ō·wn — 3 Occ.
wə·ḡiḏ·‘ō·wn — 2 Occ.

1438
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