Judges 6:27
New International Version
So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the LORD told him. But because he was afraid of his family and the townspeople, he did it at night rather than in the daytime.

New Living Translation
So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the LORD had commanded. But he did it at night because he was afraid of the other members of his father’s household and the people of the town.

English Standard Version
So Gideon took ten men of his servants and did as the LORD had told him. But because he was too afraid of his family and the men of the town to do it by day, he did it by night.

Berean Standard Bible
So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the LORD had told him. But because he was too afraid of his father’s household and the men of the city, he did it by night rather than in the daytime.

King James Bible
Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said unto him: and so it was, because he feared his father's household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.

New King James Version
So Gideon took ten men from among his servants and did as the LORD had said to him. But because he feared his father’s household and the men of the city too much to do it by day, he did it by night.

New American Standard Bible
Then Gideon took ten men from his servants and did as the LORD had spoken to him; and because he was too afraid of his father’s household and the men of the city to do it by day, he did it by night.

NASB 1995
Then Gideon took ten men of his servants and did as the LORD had spoken to him; and because he was too afraid of his father’s household and the men of the city to do it by day, he did it by night.

NASB 1977
Then Gideon took ten men of his servants and did as the LORD had spoken to him; and it came about, because he was too afraid of his father’s household and the men of the city to do it by day, that he did it by night.

Legacy Standard Bible
So Gideon took ten men of his servants and did as Yahweh had spoken to him; and now it happened that because he was too afraid of his father’s household and the men of the city to do it by day, he did it by night.

Amplified Bible
Then Gideon took ten men of his servants and did just as the LORD had told him; but because he was too afraid of his father’s household (relatives) and the men of the city to do it during daylight, he did it at night.

Christian Standard Bible
So Gideon took ten of his male servants and did as the LORD had told him. But because he was too afraid of his father’s family and the men of the city to do it in the daytime, he did it at night.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So Gideon took 10 of his male servants and did as the LORD had told him. But because he was too afraid of his father’s household and the men of the city to do it in the daytime, he did it at night.

American Standard Version
Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as Jehovah had spoken unto him: and it came to pass, because he feared his father's household and the men of the city, so that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.

Contemporary English Version
Gideon chose ten of his servants to help him, and they did everything God had said. But since Gideon was afraid of his family and the other people in Ophrah, he did it all at night.

English Revised Version
Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had spoken unto him: and it came to pass, because he feared his father's household and the men of the city, so that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Gideon took ten of his servants and did what the LORD had told him to do. However, he didn't do anything during the day. He was too afraid of his father's family and the men of the city, so he did it at night.

Good News Translation
So Gideon took ten of his servants and did what the LORD had told him. He was too afraid of his family and the people in town to do it by day, so he did it at night.

International Standard Version
So Gideon went with ten men who were his servants and did just what the LORD had told him to do, though he did it at night because he was too afraid of his father's family and the leading men of the city to do it during the day.

Majority Standard Bible
So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the LORD had told him. But because he was too afraid of his father?s household and the men of the city, he did it by night rather than in the daytime.

NET Bible
So Gideon took ten of his servants and did just as the LORD had told him. He was too afraid of his father's family and the men of the city to do it in broad daylight, so he waited until nighttime.

New Heart English Bible
Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had spoken to him: and it came about, because he feared his father's household and the men of the city, so that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said to him: and so it was, because he feared his father's household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.

World English Bible
Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as Yahweh 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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Gideon takes ten men of his servants, and does as YHWH has spoken to him, and it comes to pass, because he has been afraid of the house of his father, and the men of the city, to do [it] by day, that he does [it] by night.

Young's Literal Translation
And Gideon taketh ten men of his servants, and doth as Jehovah hath spoken unto him, and it cometh to pass, because he hath been afraid of the house of his father, and the men of the city, to do it by day, that he doth it by night.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Gideon will take ten men of his servants, and he will do as Jehovah spake to him: and it will be as he will fear the house of his father and the men of the city doing in the day, and he will do in the night.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then Gedeon taking ten men of his servants, did as the Lord had commanded him. But fearing his father's house, and the men of that city, he would not do it by day, but did all by night.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, Gideon, taking ten men from his servants, did just as the Lord had instructed him. But fearing his father’s household, and the men of that city, he was not willing to do it by day. Instead, he completed everything by night.

New American Bible
So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the LORD had commanded him. But he was too afraid of his family and of the townspeople to do it by day; he did it at night.

New Revised Standard Version
So Gideon took ten of his servants, and did as the LORD had told him; but because he was too afraid of his family and the townspeople to do it by day, he did it by night.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said to him; and because he was afraid of doing it by day, because of his father's household and the men of the town, he did it by night.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Gedun took ten men of his Servants and he did according to what LORD JEHOVAH said to him, and because he was afraid of the household of his father and of the men of the city to work by day, he worked in the night
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had spoken unto him; and it came to pass, because he feared his father's household and the men of the city, so that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Gedeon took ten men of his servants, and did as the Lord spoke to him: and it came to pass, as he feared the house of his father and the men of the city if he should do it by day, that he did it by night.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Gideon Destroys Baal's Altar
26Then build a proper altar to the LORD your God on the top of this stronghold. And with the wood of the Asherah pole you cut down, take the second bull and offer it as a burnt offering.” 27So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the LORD had told him. But because he was too afraid of his father’s household and the men of the city, he did it by night rather than in the daytime. 28When the men of the city got up in the morning, there was Baal’s altar torn down, with the Asherah pole cut down beside it and the second bull offered up on the newly built altar.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 15:24
Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; I have transgressed the LORD’s commandment and your instructions, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.

Acts 5:29
But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.

Matthew 10:28
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Proverbs 29:25
The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.

John 12:42-43
Nevertheless, many of the leaders believed in Him. But because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue. / For they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

Luke 12:4-5
I tell you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. / But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear the One who, after you have been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!

1 Kings 18:30-32
Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” So all the people approached him, and he repaired the altar of the LORD that had been torn down. / And Elijah took twelve stones, one for each tribe of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come and said, “Israel shall be your name.” / And with the stones, Elijah built an altar in the name of the LORD. Then he dug a trench around the altar large enough to hold two seahs of seed.

Hebrews 11:32-34
And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, / who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, / quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.

Exodus 20:3-5
You shall have no other gods before Me. / You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath. / You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,

Galatians 1:10
Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

2 Kings 23:4-5
Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests second in rank, and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal, Asherah, and all the host of heaven. And he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel. / Josiah also did away with the idolatrous priests ordained by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem—those who had burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven.

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.


Treasury of Scripture

Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said to him: and so it was, because he feared his father's household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.

and did

Deuteronomy 4:1
Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.

Matthew 16:24
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

John 2:5
His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

he did it

Psalm 112:5
A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.

John 3:2
The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

Jump to Previous
Afraid City House Household Night Rather Servants Ten
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Afraid City House Household Night Rather Servants Ten
Judges 6
1. The Israelites for their sin are oppressed by Midian
8. A prophet rebukes them
11. An angel sends Gideon for their deliverance
17. Gideon's present is consumed with fire
24. Gideon destroys Baal's altar; offers a sacrifice upon the altar Jehovah-shalom
28. Joash defends his son, and calls him Jerubbaal
33. Gideon's army
36. Gideon's signs














So Gideon took
The name "Gideon" means "hewer" or "one who cuts down," which is fitting given his role in cutting down the altars of Baal. This act of taking signifies a decisive action, a step of obedience in response to God's command. Gideon's willingness to act, despite his fear, is a testament to his emerging faith and leadership.

ten of his servants
The number ten often symbolizes completeness or God's law in the Bible. Gideon's choice to take ten servants may reflect a strategic decision to ensure the task's completion. It also indicates that Gideon had some influence and resources, as he could command the assistance of ten men.

and did as the LORD had told him
This phrase highlights Gideon's obedience to God's command. The Hebrew root for "did" (עשׂה, 'asah) implies action and accomplishment. Gideon's actions are a direct response to divine instruction, demonstrating his growing trust in God's plan despite personal fears.

But because he was afraid
Fear is a natural human emotion, and Gideon's fear is acknowledged here. The Hebrew word for "afraid" (ירא, yare) can also mean reverence or awe. Gideon's fear is not just of physical harm but also of the social and familial repercussions of his actions.

of his family and the men of the city
This phrase indicates the social pressure and potential backlash Gideon faced. His family and the townspeople were likely entrenched in Baal worship, and his actions would have been seen as a direct challenge to their beliefs and practices. This context underscores the courage required to follow God's command.

he did it at night
The choice to act at night reflects Gideon's strategic thinking and caution. Nighttime provided cover and reduced the risk of immediate confrontation. This decision shows that while Gideon was obedient, he was also prudent, balancing faith with wisdom.

rather than in the daytime
This contrast between night and day emphasizes the clandestine nature of Gideon's actions. It also symbolizes the spiritual battle between darkness (idolatry) and light (obedience to God). Gideon's nighttime action foreshadows the eventual revelation and triumph of God's will in the light of day.

(27) Ten men of his servants.--This shows Gideon's independent position, and also that he had tried to keep his own household free from the guilt of idolatry amid the all but universal defection.

His father's household.--The Abi-ezrites.

The men of the city.--Of whom many may have been of Canaanite race.

Verse 27. - Then, i.e. the next night. He would have done it the next day; but even his father's household, as well as the men of Ophrah generally, were so infected with the idolatry of the times, that he was afraid of being interrupted by violence.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So Gideon
גִּדְע֜וֹן (giḏ·‘ō·wn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1439: Gideon -- a judge of Israel

took
וַיִּקַּ֨ח (way·yiq·qaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

ten
עֲשָׂרָ֤ה (‘ă·śā·rāh)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 6235: Ten

of his servants
מֵֽעֲבָדָ֔יו (mê·‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

and did
וַיַּ֕עַשׂ (way·ya·‘aś)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

as
כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

the LORD
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

had told him.
דִּבֶּ֥ר (dib·ber)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

But because
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

he was too afraid
יָרֵא֩ (yā·rê)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

of his father’s
אָבִ֜יו (’ā·ḇîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

household
בֵּ֨ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

and
וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-)
Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

the men
אַנְשֵׁ֥י (’an·šê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of the city,
הָעִ֛יר (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

he did [it]
וַיַּ֥עַשׂ (way·ya·‘aś)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

by night
לָֽיְלָה׃ (lā·yə·lāh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity

[rather than]
מֵעֲשׂ֥וֹת (mê·‘ă·śō·wṯ)
Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

in the daytime.
יוֹמָ֖ם (yō·w·mām)
Adverb
Strong's 3119: Daytime, by day


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OT History: Judges 6:27 Then Gideon took ten men of his (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 6:26
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