Judges 6:13

KJV

And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where [be] all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Gideon {H1439} said {H559} unto him, Oh {H994} my Lord {H113}, if {H3426} the LORD {H3068} be with us, why then is all this befallen {H4672} us? and where be all his miracles {H6381} which our fathers {H1} told {H5608} us of, saying {H559}, Did not the LORD {H3068} bring us up {H5927} from Egypt {H4714}? but now the LORD {H3068} hath forsaken {H5203} us, and delivered {H5414} us into the hands {H3709} of the Midianites {H4080}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Excuse me, sir," answered Gid'on, "but if ADONAI is with us, then why is all this happening to us? And where are all his miracles our ancestors told us about when they said, 'Didn't ADONAI bring us up from Egypt?' For now ADONAI has abandoned us and handed us over to Midyan."

Berean Standard Bible

“Please, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all His wonders of which our fathers told us, saying, ‘Has not the LORD brought us up out of Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hand of Midian.”

American Standard Version

And Gideon said unto him, Oh, my lord, if Jehovah is with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where are all his wondrous works which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not Jehovah bring us up from Egypt? but now Jehovah hath cast us off, and delivered us into the hand of Midian.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 6:13 captures Gideon's raw and poignant lament in response to the Angel of the LORD's startling address. Amidst Israel's severe and prolonged oppression by the Midianites, Gideon articulates a profound crisis of faith, questioning the very presence and historical faithfulness of God. His words reflect a deep human struggle with doubt and despair, contrasting the miraculous deliverance of the Exodus with their current perceived abandonment and subjugation, thereby setting the stage for God's patient yet powerful engagement with his chosen deliverer.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 6:13 directly follows the Angel of the LORD's seemingly incongruous greeting to Gideon in [Judges 6:12](/judges/6-12 "Judges 6:12 - The Angel's Greeting to Gideon"): "The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valor." This divine salutation stands in stark contrast to Gideon's immediate circumstances—he is secretly threshing wheat in a winepress, a desperate act driven by fear of the Midianites. Gideon's response in verse 13 is a direct, impassioned challenge to the Angel's declaration, articulating the tangible suffering of Israel and the apparent absence of God's promised presence and power. This lament is not met with divine rebuke but rather with a patient and persistent reaffirmation of God's presence and a commissioning for deliverance, as seen in the subsequent verses (e.g., [Judges 6:14-16](/judges/6-14 "Judges 6:14-16 - God Commissions Gideon")). Gideon's doubt serves as a narrative device to highlight God's grace and unwavering commitment to His covenant people, even when they are unfaithful and questioning.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Judges documents a recurring cycle of apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance in Israel's history. By the time of Judges 6, Israel had endured seven years of brutal oppression under the Midianites (cf. [Judges 6:1](/judges/6-1 "Judges 6:1 - Israel Oppressed by Midian")). The Midianites, along with their Amalekite and "children of the east" allies, were nomadic raiders who would sweep into Israelite territory after the harvest, destroying crops and livestock, leaving the land desolate and its inhabitants impoverished. This forced the Israelites to abandon their homes and hide in fortified places, caves, and mountain strongholds (cf. [Judges 6:2](/judges/6-2 "Judges 6:2 - Israel's Hiding Places")). Gideon's act of threshing wheat in a winepress, a place typically used for grape pressing and offering concealment, vividly illustrates the extreme fear and desperation that permeated Israelite society. The memory of the Exodus from Egypt, a foundational event of divine liberation and miraculous provision, would have been deeply ingrained in Israel's collective consciousness, making their current state of affairs all the more perplexing and disheartening, fueling Gideon's lament.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 6:13 introduces several crucial themes that resonate throughout the book and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the **problem of suffering** and the human tendency to **doubt God's presence and goodness** when faced with prolonged adversity. Gideon's lament encapsulates the theological dilemma of theodicy: if the LORD is truly with His people, why do they endure such immense hardship? His appeal to the Exodus (cf. [Exodus 12](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover and Exodus")) highlights the theme of **remembering God's past faithfulness** as a benchmark for present expectation, even when current circumstances seem to contradict divine promises. Furthermore, the verse sets up a powerful **contrast between perceived abandonment and divine reality**. Gideon's conclusion that "the LORD hath forsaken us" is immediately challenged by the very presence of the Angel of the LORD, who is initiating a plan for Israel's deliverance. This tension between human perception and God's unchanging truth is a central motif, ultimately demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His covenant, even in the midst of His people's disobedience and doubt.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Oh my Lord (Hebrew, _ʼâdôwn'_):** While the KJV translates "Oh my Lord," the Hebrew phrase `bî ʼâdôwn` (H994, H113) combines an interjection of entreaty or lament (`bî`) with the respectful address `ʼâdôwn`. The term `ʼâdôwn` (H113) signifies "sovereign," "controller," "lord," or "master," applicable to both human and divine figures. In this context, Gideon uses it as a deferential form of address to a superior or significant person, expressing a tone of humble petition, exasperation, and a plea for attention. It conveys Gideon's respect for the speaker, but not yet his full recognition of the speaker's divine identity as the Angel of the LORD.
* **Miracles (Hebrew, _pâlâʼ'_):** The Hebrew word `pâlâʼ` (H6381) refers to "wonders," "marvelous deeds," or "extraordinary acts." It denotes something difficult, great, or wonderful, often implying divine intervention that is beyond human comprehension or capability. Gideon's question, "where be all his miracles," specifically evokes God's supernatural interventions, particularly those associated with the Exodus from Egypt—the plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, and the miraculous provision in the wilderness. His query is not merely a historical inquiry but a desperate cry for God to replicate His past powerful acts in their current time of dire need, highlighting the perceived absence of divine intervention in their present suffering.
* **Forsaken (Hebrew, _nâṭash'_):** The verb `nâṭash` (H5203) means "to abandon," "to leave," "to neglect," or "to desert." Gideon's use of this word expresses his profound sense of abandonment by God, implying a breach of covenant or a withdrawal of divine care and protection. The poignant irony lies in the fact that God had not truly forsaken Israel; rather, Israel's own disobedience had led to their oppression, and God was, at that very moment, initiating their deliverance through Gideon, demonstrating His enduring faithfulness despite their unfaithfulness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us?":** Gideon's opening words are a direct, emotionally charged challenge to the Angel's preceding declaration ("The LORD is with thee"). He employs a rhetorical question to articulate his deep skepticism and anguish. The conditional clause, "if the LORD be with us," sets up a premise that Gideon immediately refutes with the stark, undeniable reality of their suffering, encapsulated in "why then is all this befallen us?" "All this" refers to the seven years of Midianite oppression, the destruction of their livelihoods, and their forced hiding. This clause encapsulates the classic problem of theodicy: how can a good and powerful God be present when His people are suffering so greatly?
* **"and where [be] all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?":** This segment further elaborates on Gideon's profound doubt by appealing to Israel's foundational history. He contrasts their current plight with the glorious past when God intervened miraculously to deliver them from Egyptian bondage. The question "where be all his miracles" is a lament, implying that God's power and willingness to act supernaturally are conspicuously absent in their present crisis. The specific reference to the Exodus ("Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?") serves as the ultimate benchmark for divine faithfulness and power, making their current situation seem like a betrayal of that historical precedent.
* **"but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.":** This concluding statement is Gideon's bitter and despairing conclusion. He asserts that God has not only ceased His miraculous interventions but has actively abandoned them ("forsaken us") and, worse, has "delivered us into the hands of the Midianites." This reflects a common human tendency to attribute suffering directly to God's active judgment or abandonment, rather than seeing it as a consequence of their own actions or a period of divine discipline designed to bring them back to Him. It underscores his profound sense of hopelessness and perceived divine betrayal, revealing a limited understanding of God's covenant faithfulness and His methods of discipline and deliverance.

#### Literary Devices
Gideon's speech in Judges 6:13 is rich with **rhetorical questions**, serving not to seek information but to express profound frustration, doubt, and despair. The repeated "why" and "where" questions highlight his internal struggle and challenge the perceived reality of God's presence. There is a strong element of **lament**, a common biblical genre where an individual or community voices their suffering and questions God's justice or faithfulness. Gideon employs **historical allusion** by referencing the Exodus, a pivotal event in Israel's history, to create a stark **contrast** between God's past mighty acts of deliverance and His perceived inaction in the present. This contrast emphasizes the depth of Israel's current distress and Gideon's sense of abandonment. Finally, the entire interaction is steeped in **irony**, as Gideon laments God's perceived absence while speaking directly to the Angel of the LORD, a manifestation of God's very presence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Gideon's lament in Judges 6:13 directly confronts the timeless theological problem of suffering (theodicy): if God is truly good and all-powerful, why do His people experience such profound hardship? His words articulate the common human tendency to equate God's presence with the absence of pain or immediate deliverance, leading to doubt and despair when circumstances contradict this expectation. However, the broader narrative of Judges consistently reveals that Israel's suffering was often a direct consequence of their covenant disobedience, a disciplinary measure designed to bring them to repentance and back into right relationship with God. God had not truly forsaken them; rather, He was patiently waiting for their cry for help and, in this instance, was already initiating their deliverance through the very encounter Gideon was having. This verse thus serves as a powerful reminder that God's faithfulness is not contingent on our immediate perception of His presence or the absence of trials, but on His unchanging character and unwavering covenant promises. It invites us to look beyond immediate circumstances to God's broader redemptive plan and His steadfast love.

* [Deuteronomy 31:6](/deuteronomy/31-6 "Deuteronomy 31:6 - God's Promise to Never Forsake")
* [Psalm 44:23-24](/psalms/44-23-24 "Psalm 44:23-24 - A Lament and Plea for God's Help")
* [Isaiah 49:15-16](/isaiah/49-15-16 "Isaiah 49:15-16 - God's Unwavering Love for Zion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Gideon's raw and honest outpouring of doubt and despair in Judges 6:13 offers profound comfort and instruction for believers today. It normalizes the human experience of questioning God's presence and goodness when faced with overwhelming adversity, prolonged suffering, or perceived divine silence. God does not condemn Gideon for his lament; instead, He patiently engages with him, affirming His presence and commissioning him for a great task. This teaches us that true faith is not the absence of doubt, but the willingness to bring our doubts, fears, and frustrations honestly before God, trusting that He is big enough to handle our questions and that His faithfulness remains even when our circumstances seem bleak. We are encouraged to remember God's past acts of deliverance, both in biblical history and in our personal lives, and His unchanging character, allowing these truths to anchor us when our feelings of abandonment threaten to overwhelm. Our perception of God's absence does not negate His reality; He is always present, working His sovereign purposes, even when we cannot discern them or when His methods of discipline feel severe.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life have you felt like Gideon, questioning God's presence or faithfulness amidst prolonged suffering or unanswered prayers?**
* **How does remembering God's past faithfulness, both in your life and in biblical history (e.g., the Exodus, Christ's work), help to counter present doubts and feelings of abandonment?**
* **What does Gideon's interaction with the Angel of the LORD teach us about how God responds to our honest questions, laments, and expressions of doubt?**

### FAQ
**Did God truly forsake Israel, as Gideon claimed?**

Answer: No, God did not truly forsake Israel in the sense of abandoning His covenant promises or His people. Gideon's perception that "the LORD hath forsaken us" was a human interpretation based on their current suffering and the absence of immediate, overt miraculous intervention. The biblical narrative, particularly the book of Judges, consistently shows that Israel's oppression was a consequence of their own disobedience and idolatry (e.g., [Judges 2:11-15](/judges/2-11-15 "Judges 2:11-15 - Israel's Disobedience and Judgment")). This suffering was a form of divine discipline, designed to bring them to repentance and back into right relationship with God. The very appearance of the Angel of the LORD to Gideon, initiating a plan for deliverance, demonstrates that God was actively engaged with His people, even in their perceived abandonment. His faithfulness remained, even when His people were unfaithful, underscoring His enduring covenant love.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Gideon's lament in Judges 6:13, expressing a profound sense of abandonment and questioning God's presence in suffering, finds its ultimate answer and fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Where Gideon perceived God's forsakenness, the New Testament reveals God's eternal commitment to be "God with us" (Immanuel) through His Son. Jesus, the true and greater deliverer, did not come to a people who merely *felt* forsaken, but to a humanity truly lost in sin and separated from God (cf. [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). The ultimate act of divine non-forsaking is seen in God sending His Son, not abandoning humanity to its plight (cf. [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Furthermore, Jesus himself experienced the deepest form of perceived abandonment on the cross, crying out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (cf. [Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")). This cry, however, was not an admission of God's actual abandonment of His Son, but a profound identification with humanity's sin and a necessary step in bearing the full weight of divine judgment, ultimately leading to victory over sin and death. Through Christ's suffering and resurrection, the "miracles" Gideon longed for are surpassed by the ultimate miracle of salvation and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, ensuring that God will never leave nor forsake His people (cf. [Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - God Will Never Leave You")). Thus, Gideon's doubt is transformed into a profound assurance for those who trust in Christ, knowing that God is indeed with us, even in our deepest trials, and His faithfulness endures forever.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 77:7

Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?

Psalms 77:9

Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.

2 Chronicles 15:2

And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The LORD [is] with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.

Isaiah 59:1

¶ Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

Isaiah 59:2

But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid [his] face from you, that he will not hear.

Psalms 44:1

¶ To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil. We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, [what] work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.

Deuteronomy 30:17

But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;