Judges 6:32

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

Therefore on that day {H3117} he called {H7121} him Jerubbaal {H3378}, saying {H559}, Let Baal {H1168} plead {H7378} against him, because he hath thrown down {H5422} his altar {H4196}.

Therefore on that day Gid'on was given the name Yeruba'al [let Ba'al defend], because they said, "Let Ba'al defend himself against him, since he destroyed his altar."

So on that day Gideon was called Jerubbaal, that is to say, โ€œLet Baal contend with him,โ€ because he had torn down Baalโ€™s altar.

Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal contend against him, because he hath broken down his altar.

Commentary

Judges 6:32 recounts a pivotal moment in the story of Gideon, marking a new identity for him after his audacious act of destroying the altar of Baal. This verse solidifies his prophetic new name, Jerubbaal, given by his own father.

Context of Judges 6:32

This verse follows Gideon's initial encounter with the angel of the Lord and his subsequent obedience to God's command. God had instructed Gideon to tear down his father Joash's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it, replacing it with an altar to the Lord (Judges 6:25-26). Gideon, though fearful, carried out the command under the cover of night. When the townspeople discovered what had happened, they demanded Gideon's death. However, his father Joash, surprisingly, defended him in Judges 6:31, challenging Baal to defend himself if he truly were a god. It is in this context that Gideon is given the name Jerubbaal, a name that would define his future actions as a deliverer.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Confrontation with Idolatry: The very act of destroying Baal's altar, and the subsequent naming, represents a direct challenge from God to the pervasive Canaanite worship of Baal. It underscores God's sovereignty over all false gods and His demand for exclusive worship.
  • God's Vindication of His Servant: By proposing that Baal plead his own case, Joash effectively declares Baal to be powerless. Gideon's new name, Jerubbaal, becomes a lasting testimony to Baal's impotence and God's power to vindicate those who obey Him. This act of defiance against Baal's followers sets the stage for Gideon's role in delivering Israel from Midianite oppression.
  • Courage in Obedience: Despite his initial fear and hesitation (Judges 6:27), Gideon obeyed God's difficult command. This act of faith began to transform him from a timid farmer into a mighty warrior for God, a theme that continues throughout the book of Judges.

Linguistic Insights

The name Jerubbaal (Hebrew: Yฤ•rubbaโ€˜al) is highly significant. It is derived from the Hebrew root rib, meaning "to contend," "to strive," or "to plead," combined with Baal, the prominent Canaanite storm and fertility god. Thus, the name literally means "Let Baal contend" or "Baal strives." This name serves as a constant reminder of the divine challenge Gideon issued to Baal worship, and of Baal's inability to defend himself or his altar, highlighting the futility of idol worship.

Practical Application

Judges 6:32 encourages believers today to identify and confront "altars" of idolatry in their own lives โ€“ anything that takes precedence over God, whether it be wealth, power, comfort, or worldly approval. It reminds us that true spiritual authority belongs only to the Lord. Like Gideon, we are called to exhibit courage in our faith, even when it is unpopular or challenging, trusting that God will vindicate His truth and empower us to stand against the false gods and ideologies of our age. This verse also highlights how God can use unexpected individuals and circumstances to accomplish His purposes, even through seemingly ordinary people who choose to obey Him.

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

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 12:11

    And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe.

  • 2 Samuel 11:21

    Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman cast a piece of a millstone upon him from the wall, that he died in Thebez? why went ye nigh the wall? then say thou, Thy servant Uriah the Hittite is dead also.

  • Judges 7:1

    ยถ Then Jerubbaal, who [is] Gideon, and all the people that [were] with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.

  • Hosea 9:10

    I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstripe in the fig tree at her first time: [but] they went to Baalpeor, and separated themselves unto [that] shame; and [their] abominations were according as they loved.

  • Jeremiah 11:13

    For [according to] the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and [according to] the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to [that] shameful thing, [even] altars to burn incense unto Baal.