Lexical Definition
Γεδεών Gedeṓn (ghed-eh-own') Gideon N:N-M-P
of Hebrew origin (גִּדְעוֹן)
Gedeon (in the King James Version).
- Gedeon (i.e. Gid(e)on), an Israelite
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Γεδεών | Gideon | LXX.Judg.6.11 • LXX.Judg.6.13 • LXX.Judg.6.15 • LXX.Judg.6.17 • LXX.Judg.6.24 • LXX.Judg.6.29 • LXX.Judg.6.34 • LXX.Judg.7.1 • LXX.Judg.7.2 • LXX.Judg.7.4 • LXX.Judg.7.5 • LXX.Judg.7.7 • LXX.Judg.7.20 • LXX.Judg.7.24 • LXX.Judg.7.25 • LXX.Judg.8.13 • LXX.Judg.8.22 • LXX.Judg.8.23 • LXX.Judg.8.24 • LXX.Judg.8.27 • LXX.Judg.8.27 • LXX.Judg.8.30 • LXX.Judg.8.32 • LXX.Judg.8.35 • Heb.11.32 |
| Gideon ascended | LXX.Judg.8.11 | |
| Gideon came | LXX.Judg.7.13 • LXX.Judg.8.4 | |
| Gideon died | LXX.Judg.8.33 | |
| Gideon entered | LXX.Judg.7.19 | |
| Gideon heard | LXX.Judg.7.15 | |
| Gideon knew | LXX.Judg.6.22 | |
| Gideon rose early | LXX.Judg.6.38 | |
| Gideon said | LXX.Judg.6.22 • LXX.Judg.6.36 • LXX.Judg.6.39 • LXX.Judg.8.7 • LXX.Judg.8.9 • LXX.Judg.8.19 | |
| Gideon took | LXX.Judg.6.27 | |
| for Gideon | LXX.Judg.7.18 | |
| of Gideon | LXX.Judg.7.14 • LXX.Judg.8.28 | |
| Γεδεων | Gideon | LXX.Judg.6.19 |
Abbott-Smith
Γεδεών, ὁ, indecl. in LXX and NT, in FlJ, Ant., v. 6, 3 and 4 -ῶνος (Heb. גִּדְעוֹן),
Gideon (Jg 6-8): He 11:32.†
Abbott-Smith References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Judges | 6:1 |
| Hebrews | 11:32 |
Profile
Male • A Judge • Judge of Israel; defeated Midianites; tested and reassured by God.
Judge living before Israel's Monarchy
Gideon, also called Jerubbaal or Jerubbesheth, was a judge of Israel who, with God's help, defeated the Midianites and delivered Israel from oppression.
- A Judge living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jdg.6.11;
- referred to as Gideon גִּדְעוֹן, or Jerubbaal יְרֻבַּעַל, or Jerubbesheth יְרֻבֶּשֶׁת, or Gideon Γεδεών;
- a son of Joash יוֹאָשׁ;
- father of Jether יֶתֶר, Abimelech אֲבִימֶלֶךְ and Jotham יוֹתָם.
Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal or Jerubbesheth, was a judge of Israel during the period of the judges, as recorded in the book of Judges, chapters 6-8. He is also mentioned in Hebrews 11:32 as an example of faith. Gideon was the son of Joash, from the clan of Abiezer in the tribe of Manasseh (Judges 6:11, 15). During a time when Israel was oppressed by the Midianites, God called Gideon to deliver His people (Judges 6:14). Gideon initially doubted his ability to save Israel, but God reassured him through various signs, including a fleece wet with dew (Judges 6:36-40). Gideon destroyed the altar of Baal and the Asherah pole, earning him the name Jerubbaal, which means "let Baal contend against him" (Judges 6:25-32).
With a reduced army of 300 men, chosen by God, Gideon defeated the Midianites through a surprise attack, using trumpets, empty jars, and torches (Judges 7:1-25). He pursued the Midianite kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, and captured them (Judges 8:4-21). After the victory, the Israelites asked Gideon to rule over them, but he refused, stating that only God should rule over Israel (Judges 8:22-23). However, Gideon made an ephod from the gold taken from the Midianites, which became a snare to him and his family (Judges 8:24-27).
Gideon had seventy sons and many wives, including a concubine from Shechem who bore him a son named Abimelech (Judges 8:29-31). After Gideon's death, Abimelech killed his seventy brothers and became king of Shechem, but his rule was short-lived and ended in his death (Judges 9). Gideon is remembered as a deliverer of Israel, and his story is referenced in 1 Samuel 12:11 and 2 Samuel 11:21. The name Jerubbesheth (2 Samuel 11:21) is a variation of Jerubbaal, with "besheth" (meaning "shame") replacing "baal" to avoid using the name of the pagan god.
All entries for Gideon or Jerubbaal or Jerubbesheth: גִּדְעוֹן ☩ Γεδεών ☩ יְרֻבַּעַל ☩ יְרֻבֶּשֶׁת