Judges 6:32 Made Simple

KJV ORIGINAL

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

Close to the original. Clear modern English.

✦ MADE SIMPLE

So that day they gave him the name Jerubbaal, saying, 'Let Baal defend himself against him, since he tore down Baal's altar.'

⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE

The writer is explaining how Gideon got his nickname 'Jerubbaal' after he destroyed the altar of the false god Baal - essentially meaning 'let Baal fight his own battles.'

📚 Historical Context

This occurs after Gideon destroyed his father's altar to Baal and the Asherah pole beside it, following God's direct command. The Israelites had been worshipping these Canaanite fertility gods alongside the true God, which was forbidden. When the townspeople discovered what Gideon had done and wanted to kill him, his father Joash defended him with this clever response that became Gideon's new name.

Explore Similar Verses

Judges 7:1

Then Jerubbaal (who is Gideon) and all the people with him got up early in the morning and set up camp beside the spring of Harod. The Midianite army was camped north of them, by the hill of Moreh, down in the valley.

Judges 8:35

The people of Israel didn't show kindness to Gideon's family (Gideon was also called Jerubbaal), even though he had done so much good for all of Israel.

Judges 9:2

Please speak privately to all the men of Shechem and ask them: 'What would be better for you - to have all seventy sons of Jerubbaal rule over you, or to have just one person rule over you? And remember that I am your own family - your bone and flesh.'

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