What does Judges 8:13 mean?

By God's power, Gideon has won the battle against Israel's enemies (Judges 6:14). He has destroyed those who had oppressed his people for so long (Judges 6:1–5). The man who once described his clan as the weakest of his tribe and himself as the least in his father's house (Judges 6:15) has become Israel's relentless deliverer (Judges 2:16).

This verse cast Gideon in a heroic, almost epic way by using his full name: Gideon the son of Joash. He returns victorious from the decisive battle against Midian by way of something called the "ascent of Heres." It's unknown now where or what this is, but the picture of Gideon making his way up and out is a noble one.

Gideon is not entirely done with his list of tasks, however. He chooses to use this route so he can fulfill a grim promise to the towns of Succoth and Penuel (Judges 8:4–9).