Introduction:
Jerubba'al, also known as Gideon, is a significant figure in the Book of Judges in the Old Testament. His account is primarily found in Judges chapters 6 to 8. Jerubba'al is remembered as a judge of Israel who led the Israelites to victory against the Midianites, demonstrating faith and obedience to God.

Name and Meaning:
The name Jerubba'al means "Let Baal contend against him," which was given to Gideon after he destroyed the altar of Baal. This act of defiance against the Canaanite god Baal marked the beginning of Gideon's mission to deliver Israel from idolatry and oppression.

Biblical Account:
The narrative of Jerubba'al begins with the Israelites suffering under the oppression of the Midianites due to their disobedience to God. In Judges 6:11-12 , the Angel of the LORD appears to Gideon while he is threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. The Angel addresses him, saying, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior."

Gideon is initially hesitant and questions his ability to save Israel, citing his family's low status. However, God reassures him in Judges 6:16 , "Surely I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites as one man."

Destruction of Baal's Altar:
In obedience to God's command, Gideon destroys his father's altar to Baal and cuts down the Asherah pole beside it. He builds an altar to the LORD in its place, earning him the name Jerubba'al. This act incites anger among the townspeople, but Gideon's father, Joash, defends him, suggesting that if Baal is a god, he can contend for himself.

The Call to Battle:
Gideon gathers an army to fight the Midianites, but God instructs him to reduce the number of his troops to ensure that the victory is attributed to divine intervention rather than human strength. In Judges 7:7 , the LORD says, "With the three hundred men who lapped I will save you and deliver the Midianites into your hand."

Victory Over the Midianites:
Gideon and his 300 men defeat the Midianites through a surprise night attack, using trumpets and torches concealed in jars. The Midianites are thrown into confusion and turn on each other, leading to a decisive victory for Israel.

Aftermath and Legacy:
Following the victory, the Israelites ask Gideon to rule over them, but he declines, saying in Judges 8:23 , "I will not rule over you, nor will my son. The LORD shall rule over you." Despite this, Gideon makes an ephod from the spoils of war, which becomes a snare to him and his family, leading Israel back into idolatry.

Gideon has many sons, including Abimelech, who later causes strife in Israel. Despite his flaws, Gideon is remembered as a man of faith, as noted in Hebrews 11:32, where he is listed among the heroes of faith.

Significance:
Jerubba'al's account highlights themes of faith, obedience, and the dangers of idolatry. His life serves as a reminder of God's power to deliver and the importance of relying on divine strength rather than human might.Jerubba'al (11 Occurrences)

Judges 6:32
Therefore on that day he was called Jerubba'al, that is to say, "Let Ba'al contend against him," because he pulled down his altar.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 7:1
Then Jerubba'al (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him rose early and encamped beside the spring of Harod; and the camp of Mid'ian was north of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 8:29
Jerubba'al the son of Jo'ash went and dwelt in his own house.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 8:35
and they did not show kindness to the family of Jerubba'al (that is, Gideon) in return for all the good that he had done to Israel.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 9:1
Now Abim'elech the son of Jerubba'al went to Shechem to his mother's kinsmen and said to them and to the whole clan of his mother's family,
(DBY RSV)

Judges 9:2
"Say in the ears of all the citizens of Shechem, 'Which is better for you, that all seventy of the sons of Jerubba'al rule over you, or that one rule over you?' Remember also that I am your bone and your flesh."
(DBY RSV)

Judges 9:16
"Now therefore, if you acted in good faith and honor when you made Abim'elech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubba'al and his house, and have done to him as his deeds deserved--
(DBY RSV)

Judges 9:19
if you then have acted in good faith and honor with Jerubba'al and with his house this day, then rejoice in Abim'elech, and let him also rejoice in you;
(DBY RSV)

Judges 9:24
that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubba'al might come and their blood be laid upon Abim'elech their brother, who slew them, and upon the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to slay his brothers.
(DBY RSV)

Judges 9:57
and God also made all the wickedness of the men of Shechem fall back upon their heads, and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubba'al.
(DBY RSV)

1 Samuel 12:11
And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelt in safety.
(See RSV)

Jerubba'al (11 Occurrences)
Jerubba'al. Jerub-baal, Jerubba'al. Jerub-baal's . Multi-Version
Concordance Jerubba'al (11 Occurrences). Judges 6:32 Therefore ...
/j/jerubba'al.htm - 9k

Abim'elech (58 Occurrences)
... Judges 9:1 Now Abim'elech the son of Jerubba'al went to Shechem to his mother's
kinsmen and said to them and to the whole clan of his mother's family, (DBY RSV ...
/a/abim'elech.htm - 22k

Acted (98 Occurrences)
... Judges 9:16 "Now therefore, if you acted in good faith and honor when you made
Abim'elech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubba'al and his house, and ...
/a/acted.htm - 37k

Jerub-baal (8 Occurrences)
Jerub-baal. Jerubbaal, Jerub-baal. Jerubba'al . Multi-Version Concordance ... (See
NIV). Jerubbaal, Jerub-baal. Jerubba'al . Reference Bible.
/j/jerub-baal.htm - 8k

Ba'al (55 Occurrences)
... Judges 6:32 Therefore on that day he was called Jerubba'al, that is to say, "Let
Ba'al contend against him," because he pulled down his altar. ...
/b/ba'al.htm - 22k

Pulled (84 Occurrences)
... Judges 6:32 Therefore on that day he was called Jerubba'al, that is to say, "Let
Ba'al contend against him," because he pulled down his altar. (DBY RSV). ...
/p/pulled.htm - 33k

Kinsmen (74 Occurrences)
... Judges 9:1 Now Abim'elech the son of Jerubba'al went to Shechem to his mother's
kinsmen and said to them and to the whole clan of his mother's family, (DBY RSV ...
/k/kinsmen.htm - 28k

Jo'ash (44 Occurrences)
... the ascent of Heres. (DBY RSV). Judges 8:29 Jerubba'al the son of Jo'ash
went and dwelt in his own house. (DBY RSV). Judges 8:32 And ...
/j/jo'ash.htm - 19k

Jerub-baal's (3 Occurrences)
Jerub-baal's. Jerubba'al, Jerub-baal's. Jerubbesheth . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(See NIV). Jerubba'al, Jerub-baal's. Jerubbesheth . Reference Bible.
/j/jerub-baal's.htm - 7k

Deserved (11 Occurrences)
... Judges 9:16 "Now therefore, if you acted in good faith and honor when you made
Abim'elech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubba'al and his house, and ...
/d/deserved.htm - 10k

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