Judges 6:11

¶ And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which [was] in Ophrah, that [pertained] unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide [it] from the Midianites.

And there came {H935} an angel {H4397} of the LORD {H3068}, and sat {H3427} under an oak {H424} which was in Ophrah {H6084}, that pertained unto Joash {H3101} the Abiezrite {H33}: and his son {H1121} Gideon {H1439} threshed {H2251} wheat {H2406} by the winepress {H1660}, to hide {H5127} it from {H6440} the Midianites {H4080}.

Then the angel of ADONAI came and sat under the pistachio tree in 'Ofrah that belonged to Yo'ash the Avi'ezri. His son Gid'on was threshing wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from Midyan.

Then the angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites.

And the angel of Jehovah came, and sat under the oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.

Commentary

Judges 6:11 marks the pivotal introduction of Gideon, one of Israel's most significant judges. The verse vividly portrays the dire circumstances of Israel under Midianite oppression and sets the stage for God's unexpected call to a seemingly ordinary man.

Context

This verse opens a new chapter in the book of Judges, which chronicles Israel's cyclical pattern of disobedience, foreign oppression, cries for deliverance, and God raising a judge. At this point, Israel had suffered under the brutal hand of the Midianites for seven years, a period characterized by widespread desolation and fear. The Midianites, along with the Amalekites and "children of the east," would raid Israel's land after harvests, destroying their crops and livestock, leaving the Israelites impoverished and hiding in caves and strongholds. It is against this backdrop of national distress and personal desperation that the narrative of Gideon begins.

Key Themes

  • Divine Initiative: The "angel of the LORD" actively seeks out Gideon, demonstrating God's sovereign intervention even when His people are at their lowest point. This highlights that God initiates salvation and deliverance.
  • Oppression and Desperation: Gideon's unusual act of threshing wheat in a winepress, normally an enclosed pit, rather than an open threshing floor, underscores the extreme fear and oppression Israel endured. They were forced to hide even their most basic livelihood.
  • God Meets Us Where We Are: The Lord finds Gideon not in a place of strength or prominence, but in a place of fear and vulnerability, engaged in a humble, hidden task. This illustrates God's willingness to use the weak and fearful for His mighty purposes.
  • Preparation for a Call: This verse sets the stage for Gideon's divine commissioning, revealing his initial state of fear and setting up the dramatic transformation that will occur as he responds to God's call.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "angel of the LORD" (Hebrew: malak Yahweh) is significant. In many Old Testament contexts, this figure is understood not merely as a created angel but as a Christophany—a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. The subsequent dialogue in Judges 6, where the angel accepts worship and identifies Himself with God, supports this interpretation. The term "Ophrah" identifies a specific location belonging to Joash the Abiezrite, grounding the narrative in a particular setting. The act of "threshing wheat by the winepress" is crucial; typical threshing required an open, windy area to separate grain from chaff. Gideon's choice of a winepress, a secluded, often underground area, vividly portrays his desperate attempt to hide his meager harvest from the raiding Midianites, emphasizing the severity of the oppression.

Related Scriptures

Practical Application

Judges 6:11 offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that God sees our struggles, fears, and hidden anxieties, even when we feel insignificant or forgotten. Just as the Lord found Gideon in his place of fear, God often calls us to serve Him not when we feel strongest, but when we are most dependent on Him. Our current circumstances, no matter how desperate or humble, do not limit God's ability to use us for His purposes. This verse is a powerful reminder that God's initiative in our lives often precedes our awareness of His plan, and He equips those He calls, even if they are initially fearful and lacking in confidence.

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Cross-References

  • Joshua 17:2

    There was also [a lot] for the rest of the children of Manasseh by their families; for the children of Abiezer, and for the children of Helek, and for the children of Asriel, and for the children of Shechem, and for the children of Hepher, and for the children of Shemida: these [were] the male children of Manasseh the son of Joseph by their families.

  • Hebrews 11:32

    ¶ And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and [of] Barak, and [of] Samson, and [of] Jephthae; [of] David also, and Samuel, and [of] the prophets:

  • Judges 13:3

    And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou [art] barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son.

  • Judges 8:2

    And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? [Is] not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?

  • Isaiah 63:9

    In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

  • Judges 2:1

    ¶ And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you.

  • Judges 2:5

    And they called the name of that place Bochim: and they sacrificed there unto the LORD.