Judges 6:32 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Therefore on that day Gideon was called Jerubbaal, that is to say, "Let Baal contend against him," because he broke down his altar.

NIV: So because Gideon broke down Baal’s altar, they gave him the name Jerub-Baal that day, saying, "Let Baal contend with him."

NASB: Therefore on that day he named Gideon Jerubbaal, that is to say, 'Let Baal contend against him,' because he had torn down his altar.

CSB: That day he was called Jerubbaal, since Joash said, "Let Baal contend with him," because he tore down his altar.

NLT: From then on Gideon was called Jerub-baal, which means 'Let Baal defend himself,' because he broke down Baal’s altar.

KJV: Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.

NKJV: Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, “Let Baal plead against him, because he has torn down his altar.”

In a beautiful moment, Gideon's father Joash comes forcefully to his son's defense. He is protecting Gideon against the men of the town who want revenge. The neighbors were convinced Gideon must be killed to defend the honor of Baal and to earn his favor after his sacred altar was desecrated (Judges 6:25–30).

Joash replied with two main responses. One was legal—and physical—the other was theological. First, Joash reminded everyone of his legal right to kill anyone who attacked his son.

Second, he reminded the people of their own pagan beliefs: if Baal was a god, he should be able to contend for himself. Trying to kill Gideon would be an insult to Baal, suggesting he didn't have the ability to do so himself.

That remarkably clear logic stuck, and even became Gideon's new name. From then on, Gideon was often called by the nickname "Jerubbaal." This comes from a Hebrew word his father used three times in his challenging response (Judges 6:31). The word riyb means "to struggle or contend." Gideon's new title essentially means "let Baal fight for himself." As such, Gideon's successful career and life will become evidence of Baal's powerlessness, as much as a testimony to Yahweh's power to defend whomever He will.

Judges 6:28–35 describes what happens when Gideon's neighbors discover he has toppled the Baal altar and Asherah pole and replaced them with an altar to Yahweh. They demand Gideon's father Joash let them kill Gideon. Joash defends his son, challenging Baal to fight his own battles, if he cares to. This earns Gideon the nickname Jerubbaal, implying his conflict with Baal. When the Midianites return on another raid to take Israel's food (Judges 6:1–5), God empowers Gideon and people from several tribes to battle against Midian and her allies from east of the Jordan.

Israel follows the sad pattern of the book of Judges, and once again turns to evil and idols. God turns them over to the Midianites. These foreign raiders spend the next seven years invading and consuming Israel's crops and livestock. Israel cries for help to the Lord. His first step is to send a prophet to remind them of God's goodness and their disobedience. The Lord then appears to Gideon, commanding him to save Israel because God will be with him. Gideon obeys God's command to tear down a Baal altar and build one to Yahweh in its place. He calls his countrymen to follow him and asks for signs from God.

The book of Judges contains a series of stories with a common theme: Israel falls into sin, suffers, and is rescued by God, only to fall once again (Judges 1—2). The next phase in Israel's downward spiral comes after 40 years of peace, won by Deborah and Barak (Judges 4—5). Israel is punished for sin through the Midianites. After seven years, the Israelites cry out for help. The Lord appears to Gideon, challenging the timid man to lead the battle against Israel's oppressors. Empowered by the Spirit, Gideon calls for his people to follow him, but still asks the Lord for signs. Gideon's successful campaigns are depicted in chapters 7 and 8.

The Book of Judges describes Israel's history from the death of Joshua to shortly before Israel's first king, Saul. Israel fails to complete God's command to purge the wicked Canaanites from the land (Deuteronomy 7:1–5; 9:4). This results in a centuries-long cycle where Israel falls into sin and is oppressed by local enemies. After each oppression, God sends a civil-military leader, labeled using a Hebrew word loosely translated into English as "judge." These appointed rescuers would free Israel from enemy control and govern for a certain time. After each judge's death, the cycle of sin and oppression begins again. This continues until the people of Israel choose a king, during the ministry of the prophet-and-judge Samuel (1 Samuel 1—7).