Judges 6:15

And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family [is] poor in Manasseh, and I [am] the least in my father's house.

And he said {H559} unto him, Oh {H994} my Lord {H136}, wherewith {H4100} shall I save {H3467} Israel {H3478}? behold, my family {H504}{H505} is poor {H1800} in Manasseh {H4519}, and I am the least {H6810} in my father's {H1} house {H1004}.

But Gid'on answered him, "Forgive me, my Lord, but with what am I to save Isra'el? Why, my family is the poorest in M'nasheh, and I'm the youngest person in my father's house!"

“Please, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I save Israel? Indeed, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house.”

And he said unto him, Oh, Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is the poorest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.

Commentary

In Judges 6:15, we hear Gideon's humble, almost incredulous, response to the Angel of the Lord's declaration that he is a "mighty man of valour" (Judges 6:12) and will deliver Israel from the Midianites. His words reveal profound self-doubt and a realistic assessment of his personal and familial standing.

Context

This verse is set during a period of severe oppression for Israel, as they suffered under the brutal raids of the Midianites for seven years. The Israelites had hidden in dens and caves, and their crops and livestock were constantly plundered. Gideon, a farmer, was secretly threshing wheat in a winepress to avoid detection when the Angel of the Lord appeared to him with a divine commission. Gideon's immediate reaction is one of questioning and self-abasement, highlighting the immense gap between God's view of him and his own perception as a seemingly insignificant individual chosen for such a monumental task of Israel's deliverance.

Key Themes

  • Profound Humility and Self-Doubt: Gideon's protest — "Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel?" — is not defiance but a genuine expression of his perceived inadequacy. He identifies his family as "poor in Manasseh" and himself as "the least in my father's house," indicating a lack of social standing, wealth, or influence that he believes is necessary for such a monumental task. This initial unworthiness is a common trait among those God calls.
  • God's Choice of the Weak: This verse beautifully illustrates a recurring biblical principle: God often chooses the seemingly insignificant or weak to accomplish His mighty purposes. This ensures that the glory for any victory goes to Him, not to human strength or capability. This theme resonates strongly with 1 Corinthians 1:27, where Paul speaks of God choosing the "foolish things of the world to confound the wise."
  • Reliance on Divine Strength: Gideon's question implies he recognizes the task is beyond human capability. His honesty about his weakness sets the stage for God to demonstrate His power through him, laying the foundation for a faith-filled journey where God's strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). This highlights that God's calling is always accompanied by His enabling power.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "poor" here is dal (דַּל), which can signify not only economic poverty but also weakness, insignificance, or low social standing within the community. Similarly, "least" comes from tsa'ir (צָעִיר), often meaning the youngest or the most unimportant member of a family or clan. These terms underscore Gideon's deep sense of unworthiness and lack of credentials for leading a national deliverance movement against the Midianites, making God's choice of him all the more remarkable and emphasizing God's sovereign hand in history.

Practical Application

Gideon's initial reaction is highly relatable to many individuals today. We often feel overwhelmed and inadequate when faced with a significant calling or challenge, whether in personal life, career, or ministry. This verse offers immense encouragement, reminding us that God does not necessarily call the equipped, but He equips the called. Our perceived weaknesses, self-doubt, or lack of resources are not barriers to God's work, but rather opportunities for His power and glory to be uniquely displayed through us. It teaches us to trust God's assessment and empowerment over our own limitations and feelings of unworthiness.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 9:21

    And Saul answered and said, [Am] not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?

  • Exodus 3:11

    ¶ And Moses said unto God, Who [am] I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?

  • Exodus 4:10

    ¶ And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I [am] not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I [am] slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

  • Jeremiah 1:6

    Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I [am] a child.

  • Ephesians 3:8

    Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

  • Micah 5:2

    But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, [though] thou be little among the thousands of Judah, [yet] out of thee shall he come forth unto me [that is] to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth [have been] from of old, from everlasting.

  • Jeremiah 50:45

    Therefore hear ye the counsel of the LORD, that he hath taken against Babylon; and his purposes, that he hath purposed against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely the least of the flock shall draw them out: surely he shall make [their] habitation desolate with them.