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.
An angel of the Lord came and sat under an oak tree in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash from the clan of Abiezer. His son Gideon was secretly threshing wheat by the winepress, hiding it from the Midianites.
God's angel comes to meet Gideon, who is secretly working to hide his grain from enemy raiders who have been stealing from his people.
📚 Historical Context
The Midianites had been oppressing Israel for seven years, regularly raiding their crops and livestock, leaving the Israelites impoverished and hiding. Gideon was threshing wheat in an unusual location (a winepress instead of an open threshing floor) to keep it secret from the Midianite raiders. This was during the period of the Judges, when Israel repeatedly fell into cycles of disobedience, oppression, and deliverance.
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.