Judges 6:26

And build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.

And build {H1129} an altar {H4196} unto the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} upon the top {H7218} of this rock {H4581}, in the ordered place {H4634}, and take {H3947} the second {H8145} bullock {H6499}, and offer {H5927} a burnt sacrifice {H5930} with the wood {H6086} of the grove {H842} which thou shalt cut down {H3772}.

and build a proper altar to ADONAI your God on top of this strong-point. Then take the second bull; and offer it as a burnt offering, using the wood of the sacred pole you cut down."

Then build a proper altar to the LORD your God on the top of this stronghold. And with the wood of the Asherah pole you cut down, take the second bull and offer it as a burnt offering.”

and build an altar unto Jehovah thy God upon the top of this stronghold, in the orderly manner, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt-offering with the wood of the Asherah which thou shalt cut down.

Commentary

Historical and Cultural Context

Judges 6:26 is part of the narrative of Gideon, one of Israel's judges, called by God to deliver the Israelites from the oppressive Midianites. The people of Israel had fallen into idolatry, worshiping Baal and Asherah, which led to their subjugation (Judges 6:1). This verse follows a divine command given to Gideon by the Angel of the Lord to tear down his father's altar to Baal and cut down the accompanying Asherah pole (Judges 6:25). The "rock" mentioned here is the very place where the Angel of the Lord had miraculously consumed Gideon's offering with fire, confirming the divine commission (Judges 6:21), making it a sacred site for a new, true altar.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Purity of Worship: God demands exclusive and uncompromised worship. Gideon is commanded not only to destroy pagan altars but immediately replace them with an altar to the LORD, signifying a return to true devotion.
  • Obedience and Transformation: The act of building an altar to Yahweh with the wood from the pagan Asherah pole is a powerful symbol of transformation. What was once used for idolatry is now consecrated for holy purposes, demonstrating God's ability to redeem and repurpose.
  • Divine Authority: This command underlines God's absolute authority over all other deities and His insistence on His people's loyalty. It's a direct challenge to the prevalent Canaanite religious practices.
  • Covenant Renewal: By commanding the destruction of idols and the building of a legitimate altar, God initiates a process of covenant renewal with His people, calling them back to their foundational relationship with Him.

Linguistic Insights

The term "grove" in the KJV refers to the Hebrew word 'asherah' (אֲשֵׁרָה), which is not merely a collection of trees but a sacred wooden pole or tree associated with the Canaanite goddess Asherah, consort of Baal. These poles were central to pagan worship and often stood beside altars to Baal. The command to use its wood for the LORD's sacrifice starkly illustrates the triumph of Yahweh over false gods.

The phrase "ordered place" translates the Hebrew 'ma'arakah' (מַעֲרָכָה), which can mean an arrangement, a battle line, or a prepared place. Here, it suggests a designated or properly arranged spot for the altar, indicating that even in this immediate act of worship, order and reverence were important.

Related Scriptures

This command echoes God's earlier instructions to Israel upon entering the Promised Land to destroy pagan altars, break down their images, and cut down their Asherah poles (Deuteronomy 7:5). The burnt offering itself is a foundational act of worship throughout the Old Testament, detailed extensively in books like Leviticus 1:3-4, symbolizing complete dedication and atonement.

Practical Application

For believers today, this verse offers profound lessons. It reminds us that God desires exclusive worship and calls us to identify and dismantle "idols" in our own lives—anything that takes precedence over God's rightful place. Just as the Asherah wood was repurposed, we are called to allow God to transform and repurpose areas of our lives that were once given over to unholy pursuits for His glory. It emphasizes the importance of immediate and decisive obedience to God's commands, even when it means going against cultural norms or personal comfort, trusting that such obedience leads to true spiritual freedom and renewal.

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Cross-References

  • 1 Corinthians 14:40 (4 votes)

    Let all things be done decently and in order.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:33 (3 votes)

    For God is not [the author] of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

  • 2 Samuel 24:18 (3 votes)

    ¶ And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.