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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/judges/6.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/judges/6.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />So because Gideon broke down Baal&#8217s altar, they gave him the name Jerub-Baal that day, saying, &#8220Let Baal contend with him.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/6.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />From then on Gideon was called Jerub-baal, which means “Let Baal defend himself,” because he broke down Baal’s altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/6.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Therefore on that day Gideon was called Jerubbaal, that is to say, “Let Baal contend against him,” because he broke down his altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So on that day Gideon was called Jerubbaal, that is to say, “Let Baal contend with him,” because he had torn down Baal’s altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/6.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/6.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, “Let Baal plead against him, because he has torn down his altar.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Therefore on that day he named Gideon Jerubbaal, that is to say, “Let Baal contend against him,” because he had torn down his altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/6.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Therefore on that day he named him Jerubbaal, that is to say, &#8220Let Baal contend against him,&#8221 because he had torn down his altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Therefore on that day he named him Jerubbaal, that is to say, “Let Baal contend against him,” because he had torn down his altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Therefore on that day he named him Jerubbaal, that is to say, “Let Baal contend against him,” because he had torn down his altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Therefore on that day he named Gideon Jerubbaal, meaning, “Let Baal plead,” because he had torn down his altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />That day Gideon was called Jerubbaal, since Joash said, “Let Baal contend with him,” because he tore down his altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />That day, Gideon&#8217s father called him Jerubbaal, saying, &#8220Let Baal plead his case with him,&#8221 because he tore down his altar. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/6.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal contend against him, because he hath broken down his altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />That same day, Joash changed Gideon's name to Jerubbaal, explaining, "He tore down Baal's altar, so let Baal take revenge himself." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/6.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath broken down his altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />So that day they nicknamed Gideon "Jerubbaal" [Let Baal Defend Himself], because they said, "When someone tears down Baal's altar, let Baal defend himself."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/6.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />From then on Gideon was known as Jerubbaal, because Joash said, "Let Baal defend himself; it is his altar that was torn down." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/6.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So that very day he named Gideon Jerubbaal, that is, "Let Baal fight," since he had torn down his altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So on that day Gideon was called Jerubbaal, that is to say, ?Let Baal contend with him,? because he had torn down Baal?s altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/6.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />That very day Gideon's father named him Jerub-Baal, because he had said, "Let Baal fight with him, for it was his altar that was pulled down." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Therefore on that day he named him Jerubbaal, saying, "Let Baal contend against him, because he has broken down his altar."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/6.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Therefore on that day he named him Jerub-Baal, saying, “Let Baal contend against him, because he has broken down his altar.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And he calls him, on that day, Jerubba‘al, saying, “The Ba‘al pleads against him, because he has broken down his altar.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And he calleth him, on that day, Jerubbaal, saying, 'The Baal doth plead against him, because he hath broken down his altar.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will call to him in that day, Baal will be powerful, saying, Baal will be mighty against him because he threw down his altar.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />From that day Gedeon was called Jerobaal, because Joss had said: Let Baal revenge himself on him that hath cast down his altar. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />From that day, Gideon was called Jerubbaal, because Joash had said, “Let Baal avenge himself against him who has overturned his altar.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/6.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So on that day Gideon was called Jerubbaal, because of the words, “Let Baal take action against him, since he dismantled his altar.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Therefore on that day Gideon was called Jerubbaal, that is to say, “Let Baal contend against him,” because he pulled down his altar.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Therefore on that day he called Gideon Nedo-baal, saying, Let Baal judge him, because he has thrown down his altar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/6.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he called him in that day, NeduBaal, and he said: “Baala shall judge him who tore down his altar!”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/6.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Therefore on that day he was called Jerubbaal, saying: 'Let Baal contend against him, because he hath broken down his altar.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/6.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he called it in that day Jerobaal, saying, Let Baal plead thereby, because his altar has been thrown down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/6-32.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=1816" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/judges/6.htm">Gideon Destroys Baal's Altar</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">31</span>But Joash said to all who stood against him, “Are you contending for Baal? Are you trying to save him? Whoever pleads his case will be put to death by morning! If Baal is a god, let him contend for himself with the one who has torn down his altar.” <span class="reftext">32</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: ḇay·yō·wm- (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">So on that day</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: ha·hū (Art:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: way·yiq·rā- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">Gideon was called</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3378.htm" title="3378: yə·rub·ba·‘al (N-proper-ms) -- Let Baal contend, a name of Gideon. From riyb and Ba'al; Baal will contend; Jerubbaal, a symbol. Name of Gideon.">Jerubbaal,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">that is to say,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1168.htm" title="1168: hab·ba·‘al (Art:: N-proper-ms) -- Baal -- a heathen god. The same as ba'al; Baal, a Phoenician deity.">“Let Baal</a> <a href="/hebrew/7378.htm" title="7378: yā·reḇ (V-Qal-Imperf.Jus-3ms) -- Or ruwb; a primitive root; properly, to toss, i.e. Grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. Hold a controversy; to defend.">contend</a> <a href="/hebrew/bōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">with him,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/5422.htm" title="5422: nā·ṯaṣ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To pull down, break down. A primitive root; to tear down.">he had torn down</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4196.htm" title="4196: miz·bə·ḥōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- An altar. From zabach; an altar.">Baal’s altar.</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-21.htm">1 Kings 18:21</a></span><br />Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him. But if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people did not answer a word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-40.htm">1 Kings 18:40</a></span><br />Then Elijah ordered them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let a single one escape.” So they seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered them there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/13-6.htm">Deuteronomy 13:6-10</a></span><br />If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you embrace, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods” (which neither you nor your fathers have known, / the gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, whether from one end of the earth or the other), / you must not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity, and do not spare him or shield him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3</a></span><br />You shall have no other gods before Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/34-14.htm">Exodus 34:14</a></span><br />For you must not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-10.htm">1 Samuel 12:10</a></span><br />Then they cried out to the LORD and said, ‘We have sinned, for we have forsaken the LORD and served the Baals and Ashtoreths. Now deliver us from the hands of our enemies, that we may serve You.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/23-5.htm">2 Kings 23:5</a></span><br />Josiah also did away with the idolatrous priests ordained by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem—those who had burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/11-12.htm">Jeremiah 11:12-13</a></span><br />Then the cities of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem will go and cry out to the gods to which they have been burning incense, but these gods certainly will not save them in their time of disaster. / Your gods are indeed as numerous as your cities, O Judah; the altars of shame you have set up—the altars to burn incense to Baal—are as many as the streets of Jerusalem.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/2-28.htm">Jeremiah 2:28</a></span><br />But where are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them rise up in your time of trouble and save you if they can; for your gods are as numerous as your cities, O Judah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/2-17.htm">Hosea 2:17</a></span><br />For I will remove from her lips the names of the Baals; no longer will their names be invoked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-24.htm">Matthew 6:24</a></span><br />No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/4-10.htm">Matthew 4:10</a></span><br />“Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus told him. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/14-15.htm">Acts 14:15</a></span><br />“Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/8-4.htm">1 Corinthians 8:4-6</a></span><br />So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one. / For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords), / yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-20.htm">1 Corinthians 10:20-21</a></span><br />No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. / You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he has thrown down his altar.</p><p class="hdg">Jerubbaal.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/12-11.htm">1 Samuel 12:11</a></b></br> 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 dwelled safe.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/11-21.htm">2 Samuel 11:21</a></b></br> Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/11-13.htm">Jeremiah 11:13</a></b></br> For <i>according to</i> the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and <i>according to</i> the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to <i>that</i> shameful thing, <i>even</i> altars to burn incense unto Baal.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/hosea/9-10.htm">Hosea 9:10</a></b></br> I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: <i>but</i> they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto <i>that</i> shame; and <i>their</i> abominations were according as they loved.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/6-31.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/judges/6-31.htm">Baal</a> <a href="/judges/6-30.htm">Ba'al</a> <a href="/judges/6-30.htm">Baal's</a> <a href="/joshua/3-14.htm">Broke</a> <a href="/judges/6-31.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/judges/2-3.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/judges/6-31.htm">Contend</a> <a href="/2_samuel/11-22.htm">Jerubbaal</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-11.htm">Jerub-Baal</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-11.htm">Jerubba'al</a> <a href="/judges/6-31.htm">Plead</a> <a href="/judges/6-30.htm">Pulled</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/9-25.htm">Thrown</a> <a href="/judges/6-30.htm">Torn</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/13-20.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/judges/8-33.htm">Baal</a> <a href="/1_kings/16-32.htm">Ba'al</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-22.htm">Baal's</a> <a href="/judges/7-19.htm">Broke</a> <a href="/judges/7-19.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/judges/8-27.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-10.htm">Contend</a> <a href="/judges/7-1.htm">Jerubbaal</a> <a href="/judges/7-1.htm">Jerub-Baal</a> <a href="/judges/7-1.htm">Jerubba'al</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-36.htm">Plead</a> <a href="/judges/8-17.htm">Pulled</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-21.htm">Thrown</a> <a href="/judges/14-6.htm">Torn</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 6</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/6-1.htm">The Israelites for their sin are oppressed by Midian</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/6-8.htm">A prophet rebukes them</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/6-11.htm">An angel sends Gideon for their deliverance</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/6-17.htm">Gideon's present is consumed with fire</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/6-24.htm">Gideon destroys Baal's altar; offers a sacrifice upon the altar Jehovah-shalom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/6-28.htm">Joash defends his son, and calls him Jerubbaal</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/6-33.htm">Gideon's army</a></span><br><span class="reftext">36. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/6-36.htm">Gideon's signs</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/6.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/judges/6.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>So on that day Gideon was called Jerubbaal</b><br>The name "Jerubbaal" is significant as it marks a turning point in Gideon's life and mission. The name means "Let Baal contend," indicating a challenge to the Canaanite god Baal. This renaming signifies Gideon's role as a leader who opposes idolatry and stands for the worship of Yahweh. The act of renaming is common in the Bible, often reflecting a change in character or mission, similar to Abram becoming Abraham (<a href="/genesis/17-5.htm">Genesis 17:5</a>) or Simon becoming Peter (<a href="/matthew/16-18.htm">Matthew 16:18</a>).<p><b>that is to say, “Let Baal contend with him,”</b><br>This phrase underscores the challenge posed to Baal, a prominent deity in Canaanite religion, often associated with fertility and storms. By tearing down Baal's altar, Gideon directly confronts the false god, inviting Baal to defend his own honor. This reflects the biblical theme of the impotence of idols compared to the power of the true God, as seen in Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (<a href="/1_kings/18-20.htm">1 Kings 18:20-40</a>).<p><b>because he had torn down Baal’s altar</b><br>Gideon's act of tearing down the altar is a bold declaration against idolatry, aligning with the first commandment (<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3</a>). This action is a physical manifestation of spiritual reformation, a common theme in the Old Testament where leaders like Hezekiah and Josiah also destroy idols to restore true worship (<a href="/2_kings/18-4.htm">2 Kings 18:4</a>, <a href="/2_kings/23-4.htm">2 Kings 23:4-20</a>). Archaeological evidence of Canaanite altars and high places provides context for the prevalence of such worship practices in ancient Israel. Gideon's actions foreshadow Christ's cleansing of the temple (<a href="/john/2-13.htm">John 2:13-16</a>), symbolizing the removal of corruption and the restoration of true worship.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/gideon.htm">Gideon</a></b><br>A judge of Israel, chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites. He is central to this passage as he obeys God's command to tear down the altar of Baal.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/baal.htm">Baal</a></b><br>A Canaanite deity worshiped by many in Israel during this time. The altar of Baal represents the idolatry that had infiltrated Israelite society.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/joash.htm">Joash</a></b><br>Gideon's father, who initially built the altar to Baal. He defends Gideon's actions by suggesting that Baal should defend himself if he is truly a god.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/o/ophrah.htm">Ophrah</a></b><br>The hometown of Gideon, where the altar of Baal was located and where this event took place.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerubbaal.htm">Jerubbaal</a></b><br>The name given to Gideon, meaning "Let Baal contend," signifying the challenge to Baal's power and the beginning of Gideon's leadership.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_in_obedience.htm">Courage in Obedience</a></b><br>Gideon's actions demonstrate the courage required to obey God, even when it means going against cultural norms or family traditions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/challenge_idolatry.htm">Challenge Idolatry</a></b><br>Just as Gideon challenged the worship of Baal, Christians are called to identify and challenge modern forms of idolatry in their lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>The event underscores God's sovereignty over false gods and idols, reminding believers of His ultimate power and authority.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a></b><br>Gideon's faith was not passive; it required action. Believers are encouraged to put their faith into action in tangible ways.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/identity_in_god.htm">Identity in God</a></b><br>Gideon's new name, Jerubbaal, signifies a new identity and mission. Christians are reminded of their identity in Christ and their mission to live for Him.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_6.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 6</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_gideon_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal, in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/summarize_gideon's_bible_story..htm">What is the summary of Gideon's story in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_baal's_altar_destruction.htm">Judges 6:25-27: Is there any archaeological evidence supporting the destruction of Baal's altar in Gideon's hometown?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_ezekiel_8's_view_on_idols_compare.htm">How does the severe condemnation of these idolatries in Ezekiel 8 align or conflict with other biblical accounts of tolerating foreign gods?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/6.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(32) <span class= "bld">He called him.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">people called him, he got the name of. </span>The phrase is impersonal. (<span class= "ital">Vocatus est, </span>Vulg.; <span class= "ital">hiess man ihn, </span>Luther.)<p><span class= "bld">Jerubbaal.</span>--The name meant, "Let Baal strive;" but might also mean, "let it be striven with Baal," or "Baal's antagonist," and this gave the name a more ready currency. It is possible that the name may have been yet more allusive, since from the Palmyrene inscriptions it appears that there was a deity named <span class= "ital">Jaribolos </span>(Mover's <span class= "ital">Ph?nizier, </span>1:434). If in <a href="/2_samuel/11-21.htm" title="Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone on him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went you near the wall? then say you, Your servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.">2Samuel 11:21</a> we find the name <span class= "ital">Jerubbesheth, </span>this is only due to the fondness of the Jews for avoiding the names of idols, and changing them into terms of insult. It was thus that they literally interpreted the law of <a href="/exodus/23-13.htm" title="And in all things that I have said to you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of your mouth.">Exodus 23:13</a> (comp. <a href="/joshua/23-7.htm" title="That you come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves to them:">Joshua 23:7</a>). It was a part of that <span class= "ital">contumelia numinum </span>with which the ancients charged them (Plin. xiii. 9). I have adduced other instances in <span class= "ital">Language and Languages, </span>p. 232. (Longmans.) Bosheth means "shame," <span class= "ital">i.e., </span>"that shameful thing," and was a term of scorn for Baal (<a href="/hosea/9-10.htm" title="I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the first ripe in the fig tree at her first time: but they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves to that shame; and their abominations were according as they loved.">Hosea 9:10</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/11-13.htm" title="For according to the number of your cities were your gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have you set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense to Baal.">Jeremiah 11:13</a>). We have two other instances of this change in the case of the sons of Saul. Whether from a faithless syncretism, or a tendency to downright apostasy, he called one of his sons Esh-baal, <span class= "ital">i.e., </span>"man of Baal," and another Merib-baal (<a href="/context/1_chronicles/8-33.htm" title="And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.">1Chronicles 8:33-34</a>); but the Jews angrily and contemptuously changed these names into Ishbosheth and Mephibosheth (<a href="/2_samuel/2-10.htm" title="Ishbosheth Saul's son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.">2Samuel 2:10</a>; <a href="/2_samuel/4-4.htm" title="And Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.">2Samuel 4:4</a>). Ewald, however, and others have conjectured that both Baal and Bosheth may, at one time, have had more harmless associations (see especially <a href="/2_samuel/5-20.htm" title="And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD has broken forth on my enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim.">2Samuel 5:20</a>), and it appears that there was a Baal among the ancestors of Saul (<a href="/1_chronicles/8-30.htm" title="And his firstborn son Abdon, and Zur, and Kish, and Baal, and Nadab,">1Chronicles 8:30</a>). The LXX. write the name Hierobalos; and Eusebius (Praep. Evang. i. 9), quoting from Philo Byblius, tells us that a Gentile historian named Sanchoniatho, of Berytus, whom he praises for his accuracy in Jewish history and geography, had received assistance "from Hierombalos, the priest of the god Iao." Some have supposed that this is an allusion to Gideon, under the name Jerubbaal. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 32.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Jerubbaal</span>, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> <span class="accented">Jarov Baal</span>, let Baal plead. In <a href="/judges/7-1.htm">Judges 7:1</a>; <a href="/judges/8-29.htm">Judges 8:29, 35</a>; <a href="/judges/9-1.htm">Judges 9:1</a>, etc., <span class="accented">Jerubbaal</span> is used as the synonym of <span class="accented">Gideon</span>, just as in English history Coeur de Lion is used as a synonym for Richard. The name <span class="accented">Jerubbaal</span> appears as <span class="accented">Jerubbesheth</span>; <span class="accented">besheth</span> or <span class="accented">bosheth</span>, meaning <span class="accented">shame</span>, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> a shameful idol, being substituted for Baal, as in the name <span class="accented">Ishbosheth</span>, for <span class="accented">Eshbaal</span> (see <a href="/2_samuel/2-8.htm">2 Samuel 2:8</a>; <a href="/1_chronicles/8-33.htm">1 Chronicles 8:33</a>). <p> CHAPTER 6:33-40 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/6-32.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">So on that day</span><br /><span class="heb">בַיּוֹם־</span> <span class="translit">(ḇay·yō·wm-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Gideon was called</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקְרָא־</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·rā-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Jerubbaal,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְרֻבַּ֣עַל</span> <span class="translit">(yə·rub·ba·‘al)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3378.htm">Strong's 3378: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jerubbaal -- 'let Baal contend', a name of Gideon</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that is to say,</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵאמֹ֑ר</span> <span class="translit">(lê·mōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Let Baal</span><br /><span class="heb">הַבַּ֔עַל</span> <span class="translit">(hab·ba·‘al)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1168.htm">Strong's 1168: </a> </span><span class="str2">Baal -- a heathen god</span><br /><br /><span class="word">contend</span><br /><span class="heb">יָ֤רֶב</span> <span class="translit">(yā·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7378.htm">Strong's 7378: </a> </span><span class="str2">To toss, grapple, to wrangle, controversy, to defend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with him,”</span><br /><span class="heb">בּוֹ֙</span> <span class="translit">(bōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">because</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he had torn down</span><br /><span class="heb">נָתַ֖ץ</span> <span class="translit">(nā·ṯaṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5422.htm">Strong's 5422: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pull down, break down</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his altar.</span><br /><span class="heb">מִזְבְּחֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(miz·bə·ḥōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4196.htm">Strong's 4196: </a> </span><span class="str2">An altar</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/6-32.htm">Judges 6:32 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/6-32.htm">Judges 6:32 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/6-32.htm">Judges 6:32 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/6-32.htm">Judges 6:32 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/6-32.htm">Judges 6:32 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/6-32.htm">Judges 6:32 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/6-32.htm">Judges 6:32 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/6-32.htm">Judges 6:32 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/6-32.htm">Judges 6:32 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/6-32.htm">Judges 6:32 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/6-32.htm">OT History: Judges 6:32 Therefore on that day he named him (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/6-31.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 6:31"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 6:31" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/6-33.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 6:33"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 6:33" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>