Topical Encyclopedia Introduction: Jerubbaal, also known as Gideon, is a significant figure in the Old Testament, particularly in the Book of Judges. His account is a testament to God's power and faithfulness, as well as the importance of obedience and faith in God's promises. The name "Jerubbaal" means "Let Baal contend," reflecting Gideon's role in challenging the worship of Baal in Israel. Biblical Account: Jerubbaal's account is primarily found in Judges 6-8. He was the son of Joash, from the tribe of Manasseh, and lived in Ophrah. During his time, the Israelites were oppressed by the Midianites due to their disobedience to God. The angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon while he was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. The angel addressed him as a "mighty warrior" and commissioned him to save Israel from Midian's hand (Judges 6:12). Call and Commission: Initially hesitant and doubtful of his own abilities, Gideon asked for signs to confirm God's will. He famously laid out a fleece, asking for dew to appear on the fleece while the ground remained dry, and then the reverse, which God granted (Judges 6:36-40). Strengthened by these signs, Gideon obeyed God's command to tear down his father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. In its place, he built an altar to the LORD and offered a sacrifice (Judges 6:25-27). This act earned him the name Jerubbaal, as the people said, "Let Baal contend with him" (Judges 6:32). Victory Over the Midianites: Gideon's most notable achievement was his victory over the Midianites with a significantly reduced army. God instructed Gideon to reduce his army from 32,000 to 300 men to ensure that the victory would be attributed to divine intervention rather than human strength (Judges 7:2-7). Armed with trumpets, jars, and torches, Gideon's men surrounded the Midianite camp at night. At Gideon's signal, they blew the trumpets, broke the jars, and shouted, causing confusion and panic among the Midianites, who turned on each other and fled (Judges 7:19-22). Leadership and Legacy: After the victory, the Israelites asked Gideon to rule over them, but he refused, declaring that the LORD would rule over Israel (Judges 8:22-23). However, he made an ephod from the gold collected from the spoils of war, which later became a snare to him and his family, as it led Israel into idolatry (Judges 8:24-27). Gideon had many sons, including Abimelech, who later caused strife and bloodshed in Israel. Despite his flaws, Gideon is remembered as a judge who delivered Israel from oppression and is listed among the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11:32 . Theological Significance: Jerubbaal's account highlights the themes of faith, obedience, and God's sovereignty. His life demonstrates that God often chooses unlikely individuals to accomplish His purposes, emphasizing that victory comes through reliance on God rather than human strength. Gideon's transformation from a hesitant young man to a leader of Israel serves as an encouragement to believers to trust in God's calling and provision. Smith's Bible Dictionary Jerubbaal or Jerubbaal(contender with Baal), the surname of Gideon, which he acquired in consequence of destroying the altar of Baal, when his father defended him from the vengeance of the Abiezrites. (Judges 6:32) Strong's Hebrew 3378. Yerubbaal -- "let Baal contend," a name of Gideon... Yerubbaal. 3379 . "let Baal contend," a name of Gideon. Transliteration: Yerubbaal Phonetic Spelling: (yer-oob-bah'-al) Short Definition: Jerubbaal. ... Jerubbaal. ... /hebrew/3378.htm - 6k Library The Crowning of Abimelech 'Fit, Though Few' Fragment xviii. And this was not Without Meaning; but that by ... A Rich Man who was a Thief Christ is Himself Present in Baptism, So that we Need not Consider ... On Fortitude. ... The Choice of Gideon was a Figure of Our Lord's Incarnation, The The King after Man's Heart The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus The Israelites Resources Why is Gideon referred to as Jerubbaal? | GotQuestions.orgQuestions about Judges | GotQuestions.org Who was Gideon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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