Topical Encyclopedia Introduction: Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal, is a prominent figure in the Book of Judges, chapters 6 to 8, in the Old Testament. He is recognized as a judge of Israel, a military leader, and a man of faith who delivered Israel from the oppression of the Midianites. His account is a testament to God's power working through human weakness and obedience. Background and Call: Gideon was the son of Joash, from the tribe of Manasseh, and lived in Ophrah. During his time, the Israelites were suffering under the oppression of the Midianites due to their disobedience to God. The Midianites, along with the Amalekites and other eastern peoples, would invade Israel, destroying crops and livestock, leaving the Israelites impoverished and in hiding. Gideon's call to leadership came while he was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. The Angel of the LORD appeared to him, addressing him as a "mighty warrior" and declaring that the LORD was with him (Judges 6:12). Despite his initial doubts and feelings of inadequacy, Gideon was assured by God that he would save Israel from the Midianites. Signs and Obedience: Gideon requested a sign to confirm God's promise, and the Angel of the LORD consumed his offering with fire (Judges 6:21). Strengthened by this sign, Gideon obeyed God's command to destroy his father's altar to Baal and the Asherah pole beside it, replacing them with an altar to the LORD. This act earned him the name Jerubbaal, meaning "Let Baal contend against him" (Judges 6:32). The Fleece Test: Despite his growing faith, Gideon sought further confirmation of God's will through the famous fleece test. He asked God to make a fleece wet with dew while the ground remained dry, and then the reverse. God graciously granted both requests, strengthening Gideon's resolve (Judges 6:36-40). The Battle Against Midian: Gideon gathered an army from the tribes of Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali. However, God instructed him to reduce the number of his troops to ensure that the victory would be attributed to divine intervention rather than human strength. From an initial 32,000 men, Gideon's army was reduced to 300 (Judges 7:2-7). Armed with trumpets, jars, and torches, Gideon's 300 men surrounded the Midianite camp at night. At Gideon's signal, they blew the trumpets, broke the jars, and shouted, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!" (Judges 7:20). The Midianites, in confusion and panic, turned on each other and fled, leading to a decisive victory for Israel. Aftermath and Leadership: Following the victory, the Israelites asked Gideon to rule over them, but he refused, declaring that the LORD would rule over Israel (Judges 8:23). However, he requested gold earrings from the plunder, which he used to make an ephod. Unfortunately, this ephod became a snare to Gideon and his family, as it led Israel into idolatry (Judges 8:27). Gideon had many wives and seventy sons, and after his death, Israel quickly turned back to idolatry, forgetting the LORD and the deliverance He had provided through Gideon (Judges 8:33-35). Legacy: Gideon's account is a powerful reminder of God's ability to use unlikely individuals to accomplish His purposes. His life illustrates the importance of faith, obedience, and reliance on God's strength rather than human might. Despite his flaws, Gideon is remembered in the "Hall of Faith" in Hebrews 11:32, where his faith is commended. References: · Judges 6-8, Berean Standard Bible · Hebrews 11:32, Berean Standard Bible Strong's Hebrew 6888. Tsererah -- a city toward which Gideon's enemies fled... 6887d, 6888. Tsererah. 6889 . a city toward which Gideon's enemies fled. Transliteration: Tsererah Phonetic Spelling: (tser-ay-raw') Short Definition: Zererah ... /hebrew/6888.htm - 6k Library Gideon's Fleece Gideon's Altar Gideon's Fleece. Judg 6:37-40 Gideon's Brave Band God Still Sifting. The Story of Gideon and his Three Hundred Soldiers A Battle Without a Sword 'Fit, Though Few' A Willing People. Irresistible Logic. Thesaurus Gideon's (1 Occurrence)... Multi-Version Concordance Gideon's (1 Occurrence). Judges ... more. And the land had rest forty years in the days of Gideon. (See NIV). ... /g/gideon's.htm - 6k Gideon (45 Occurrences) Jether (8 Occurrences) Zebah (9 Occurrences) Zalmunna (9 Occurrences) Nobah (2 Occurrences) Ophrah (9 Occurrences) Judges (117 Occurrences) Jotham (26 Occurrences) Gideo'ni (5 Occurrences) Resources Who was Gideon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgIs it acceptable to "lay out a fleece" before God in prayer? | GotQuestions.org Why is Gideon referred to as Jerubbaal? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Gideon's (1 Occurrence)Judges 8:28 Subtopics Related Terms |
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