Lexical Definition

‎גִּדְעוֹן‎ Gidʻôwn (ghid-ohn') Gideon ^N:N-M-P
from ‎גָּדַע‎; feller (i.e. warrior)

Gideon.

• § Gideon = "hewer"
• Gidon, an Israelite

1) youngest son of Joash of the Abiezrites, fifth judge of Israel who led the Israelites against the Midianites

See Greek: Γεδεών

Extended Information

• A Judge living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jdg.6.11
• son of: Joash (יוֹאָשׁ)
• father of: Jether (יֶתֶר), Abimelech (אֲבִימֶלֶךְ) and Jotham (יוֹתָם); also called Jerubbaal at Jdg.6.32 7.1 8.29, 35 9.1, 2, 5, 16, 19, 24, 28, 57 1xJerubbesheth at 2Sa.11.21

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎גִּדִעוֺן‎ proper name, masculine judge of Israel Judg 6:11; Judg 6:13; Judg 6:19 + 36 t. Judg 6-8; — called also ‎יְרֻבַּעַל‎ (q. v.) Judg 6:32; Judg 7:1 etc., & ‎יְרֻבֶּשֶׁת‎ (q. v.) 2Sam 11:21.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

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

Related Profiles:

• Joash (father)
• Jether (child)
• Abimelech (child)
• Jotham (child)