Judges 6:29
New International Version
They asked each other, “Who did this?” When they carefully investigated, they were told, “Gideon son of Joash did it.”

New Living Translation
The people said to each other, “Who did this?” And after asking around and making a careful search, they learned that it was Gideon, the son of Joash.

English Standard Version
And they said to one another, “Who has done this thing?” And after they had searched and inquired, they said, “Gideon the son of Joash has done this thing.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Who did this?” they said to one another. And after they had investigated thoroughly, they were told, “Gideon son of Joash did it.”

King James Bible
And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they inquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing.

New King James Version
So they said to one another, “Who has done this thing?” And when they had inquired and asked, they said, “Gideon the son of Joash has done this thing.”

New American Standard Bible
So they said to one another, “Who did this thing?” And when they searched and inquired, they said, “Gideon the son of Joash did this thing.”

NASB 1995
They said to one another, “Who did this thing?” And when they searched about and inquired, they said, “Gideon the son of Joash did this thing.”

NASB 1977
And they said to one another, “Who did this thing?” And when they searched about and inquired, they said, “Gideon the son of Joash did this thing.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And they said to one another, “Who did this thing?” And when they searched about and inquired, they said, “Gideon the son of Joash did this thing.”

Amplified Bible
So they said to one another, “Who has done this thing?” When they searched about and inquired, they were told, “Gideon the son of Joash did it.”

Christian Standard Bible
They said to each other, “Who did this? ” After they made a thorough investigation, they said, “Gideon son of Joash did it.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They said to each other, “Who did this?” After they made a thorough investigation, they said, “Gideon son of Joash did it.”

American Standard Version
And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they inquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing.

Contemporary English Version
"Who could have done such a thing?" they asked. And they kept on asking, until finally someone told them, "Gideon the son of Joash did it."

English Revised Version
And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they inquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They asked each other, "Who did this?" While they were investigating the matter, someone said, "Gideon, son of Joash, did this."

Good News Translation
They asked each other, "Who did this?" They investigated and found out that Gideon son of Joash had done it.

International Standard Version
They asked each other, "Who did this thing?" When they looked into it and asked around, they concluded, "Joash's son Gideon did it."

Majority Standard Bible
“Who did this?” they said to one another. And after they had investigated thoroughly, they were told, “Gideon son of Joash did it.”

NET Bible
They said to one another, "Who did this?" They investigated the matter thoroughly and concluded that Gideon son of Joash had done it.

New Heart English Bible
And they 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."

Webster's Bible Translation
And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they inquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing.

World English Bible
They 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.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And they say to one another, “Who has done this thing?” And they inquire and seek, and they say, “Gideon son of Joash has done this thing.”

Young's Literal Translation
And they say one to another, 'Who hath done this thing?' and they inquire and seek, and they say, 'Gideon son of Joash hath done this thing.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will say a man to his neighbor, Who did this word? And they will enquire and search, and they will say, Gideon, son of Joash did this word.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they said one to another: Who hath done this? And when they inquired for the author of the fact, it was said: Gedeon the son of Joas did all this.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they said one to another, “Who has done this?” And when they inquired everywhere as to the author of the deed, it was said, “Gideon, the son of Joash, did all these things.”

New American Bible
They asked one another, “Who did this?” They inquired and searched until they were told, “Gideon, son of Joash, did it.”

New Revised Standard Version
So they said to one another, “Who has done this?” After searching and inquiring, they were told, “Gideon son of Joash did it.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they said one to another, Who has done this thing? And when they had asked and enquired, they said, Gideon the son of Joash has done this thing.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they were saying, each man to his neighbor: “Who did this work?” And they asked and they investigated and they were saying: “Gedun son of Yoash did this work!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And they said one to another: 'Who hath done this thing?' And when they inquired and asked, they said: 'Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And a man said to his neighbour, Who has done this thing? and they enquired and searched, and learnt that Gedeon the son of Joas had done this thing.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Gideon Destroys Baal's Altar
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. 29“Who did this?” they said to one another. And after they had investigated thoroughly, they were told, “Gideon son of Joash did it.” 30Then the men of the city said to Joash, “Bring out your son. He must die, because he has torn down Baal’s altar and cut down the Asherah pole beside it.”…

Cross References
Judges 2:11-13
And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals. / Thus they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and they followed after various gods of the peoples around them. They bowed down to them and provoked the LORD to anger, / for they forsook Him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.

Judges 3:7
So the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs.

Judges 10:6
And again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD. They served the Baals, the Ashtoreths, the gods of Aram, Sidon, and Moab, and the gods of the Ammonites and Philistines. Thus they forsook the LORD and did not serve Him.

1 Kings 18:21
Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word.

1 Kings 19:10
“I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.”

2 Kings 17:16
They abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God and made for themselves two cast idols of calves and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the host of heaven and served Baal.

2 Kings 21:3
For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed, and he raised up altars for Baal. He made an Asherah pole, as King Ahab of Israel had done, and he worshiped and served all the host of heaven.

Jeremiah 2:28
But where are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them rise up in your time of trouble and save you if they can; for your gods are as numerous as your cities, O Judah.

Jeremiah 11:13
Your gods are indeed as numerous as your cities, O Judah; the altars of shame you have set up—the altars to burn incense to Baal—are as many as the streets of Jerusalem.’

Hosea 2:13
I will punish her for the days of the Baals when she burned incense to them, when she adorned herself with rings and jewelry, and went after her lovers. But Me she forgot,” declares the LORD.

Hosea 13:1-2
When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling; he was exalted in Israel. But he incurred guilt through Baal, and he died. / Now they sin more and more and make for themselves cast images, idols skillfully made from their silver, all of them the work of craftsmen. People say of them, “They offer human sacrifice and kiss the calves!”

Matthew 6:24
No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Matthew 12:25-26
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. / If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?

Luke 11:17-18
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and a house divided against a house will fall. / If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? After all, you say that I drive out demons by Beelzebul.

John 4:22-24
You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. / But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. / God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”


Treasury of Scripture

And they said one to another, Who has done this thing? And when they inquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash has done this thing.

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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














Who did this?
This phrase reflects the immediate reaction of the townspeople upon discovering the destruction of the altar of Baal. The Hebrew root for "who" (מִי, mi) is a common interrogative pronoun, indicating a search for identity and responsibility. In the context of ancient Israel, where community and familial ties were strong, such a question underscores the gravity of the act. The destruction of a communal religious symbol would have been seen as a direct challenge to the prevailing social and religious order.

they asked one another
The phrase suggests a communal inquiry, highlighting the collective nature of the society. In ancient Israel, decisions and investigations were often communal, reflecting the tribal and familial structures. This communal approach is consistent with the Hebrew culture, where elders and leaders would gather to discuss and resolve issues. The act of asking "one another" indicates a shared concern and a desire for accountability within the community.

And after they had investigated thoroughly
The thorough investigation implies a methodical and serious approach to uncovering the truth. The Hebrew root for "investigated" (דָּרַשׁ, darash) means to seek, inquire, or require. This reflects the importance of justice and truth in the community. The investigation would have involved questioning witnesses, examining evidence, and possibly consulting with local leaders or elders. This process underscores the seriousness of the offense and the community's commitment to maintaining order and religious fidelity.

they concluded
The conclusion reached by the townspeople indicates a definitive decision. The Hebrew root for "concluded" (אָמַר, amar) can mean to say, speak, or declare. This suggests that the investigation led to a clear and authoritative statement. In the context of ancient Israel, such a conclusion would carry significant weight, potentially leading to social or legal consequences for the individual identified.

Gideon son of Joash did it
This identification of Gideon as the perpetrator is pivotal in the narrative. Gideon, whose name in Hebrew (גִּדְעוֹן, Gid'on) means "hewer" or "one who cuts down," is identified as the one who destroyed the altar of Baal. This act of defiance against idolatry marks the beginning of Gideon's role as a judge and deliverer of Israel. The mention of "son of Joash" situates Gideon within his family and tribal context, emphasizing the personal and communal implications of his actions. Joash, as the head of the family, would have been directly affected by his son's actions, highlighting the tension between familial loyalty and religious conviction. This moment sets the stage for Gideon's divine calling and the subsequent deliverance of Israel from Midianite oppression, illustrating the theme of God using unlikely individuals to fulfill His purposes.

(29) They said.--We are not told that Gideon's servants betrayed his secret, but suspicion would naturally fall on so brave and prominent a worshipper of Jehovah as Gideon was; and it is rarely that actions which require so much effort and so many coadjutors can be kept secret. Gideon had proved himself to be what his name signifies--"a hewer." A man so brave and so patriotic must have stood almost alone among a cringing and apostate people.

Verse 29. - They said, Gideon hath, etc. No doubt one of the ten servants (ver. 27) employed by him had spoken about it.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Who
מִ֥י (mî)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

did
עָשָׂ֖ה (‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

this?”
הַזֶּ֑ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

they said
וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

one
אִ֣ישׁ (’îš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

another.
רֵעֵ֔הוּ (rê·‘ê·hū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow

And after they had investigated thoroughly,
וַֽיִּדְרְשׁוּ֙ (way·yiḏ·rə·šū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1875: To tread, frequent, to follow, to seek, ask, to worship

they were told,
וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

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

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Joash
יוֹאָ֔שׁ (yō·w·’āš)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3101: Joash

did
עָשָׂ֖ה (‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

it.”
הַזֶּֽה׃ (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that


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OT History: Judges 6:29 They said one to another Who has (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 6:28
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