Keraia
Judges 6

Judges 6:25

Gideon Destroys Baal’s Altar · Judges 6:25–32
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Translations

Modern
On that very night the LORD said to Gideon, “Take your father’s young bull and a second bull seven years old, tear down your father’s altar to Baal, and cut down the Asherah pole beside it.
Traditional
And it came to pass the same night, that the Lord said unto him, Take thy father’s young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it:
Literal
And it came to pass that night, that YHWH said to him, “Take the young bull, that of your father, and the second bull, of seven years, and tear down the altar of Baal that is to your father, and cut down the Asherah pole that is beside it.
Latin
…nocte illa dixit Dominus ad eum: Tolle taurum patris tui, et alterum taurum annorum septem, destruesque aram Baal, quæ est patris tui, et nemus, quod circa aram est, succide.

Original

Hebrew
English
On that very night the LORD said to Gideon, “Take your father’s young bull and a second bull seven years old, tear down your father’s altar to Baal, and cut down the Asherah pole beside it.

Notes

Judges 6:25

In Canaanite worship, Baal was a god of storms and fertility, and Asherah was often shown as a sacred tree.

Judges 6:25–32

In an act commanded by God, Gideon destroyed a community altar to Baal and its Asherah pole.

Judges 6:11–32

Gideon met the angel of the Lord and became a hero. He destroyed the mixed Baal religion of his family and town. He then called his people to fight for the Lord.

Theme notes and profiles

Gideon Social Chaos in Judges

Events

People

Asherah: Canaanite goddess; associated with wooden poles, idolatry Baal: Canaanite god, "Lord/God of the Covenant"

Glossary

Abiezer Abiezrite Amalek, Amalekites Armageddon Asher (Tribe) Cattle Gideon Gilead (Place) Joash Judges, Book of Midian, Midianite Numbers, Book of

Topics

Altar used in Idolatrous Worship Baal: An Idol of the Phoenicians, God of the Sun: Altars of, Destroyed by Gideon Courage: The Courage of Conviction: Gideon, in Destroying the Altar of Baal Decision: Gideon Gideon: He Destroys the Altar of Baal, and Builds One to the Lord Groves: Destroyed by Gideon Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Baal Judge: Gideon Obedience: Gideon Priests: On Special Occasions Persons not of Aaron's Family Acted As Religious Zeal: Gideon