Judges 6:31

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

Translations

Modern
But Joash said to all who stood against him, “Are you contending for Baal? Are you trying to save him? Whoever pleads his case will be put to death by morning! If Baal is a god, let him contend for himself with the one who has torn down his altar.”
Traditional
And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar.
Literal
And Joash said to all who stood against him, “Would you plead for Baal, if you would save him? The one who would plead for him shall be put to death by the morning! If he is a god, let him plead for himself because has been torn down his altar.”
Latin
Quibus ille respondit: Numquid ultores estis Baal, ut pugnetis pro eo? qui adversarius est ejus, moriatur antequam lux crastina veniat: si deus est, vindicet se de eo, qui suffodit aram ejus.

Original

Hebrew
English
But Joash said to all who stood against him, “Are you contending for Baal? Are you trying to save him? Whoever pleads his case will be put to death by morning! If Baal is a god, let him contend for himself with the one who has torn down his altar.”

Notes

Gideon's father, Joash, was the first to follow Gideon's leadership. He left Baal for the Lord, even though he was the keeper of the Baal shrine.

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

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

Events

People

Baal: Canaanite god, "Lord/God of the Covenant" Joash: The father of Gideon, a judge of Israel

Glossary

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

Topics

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 Iconoclasm: Destroyed by Gideon Idolatry: Folly of Joash: Father of Gideon Judge: Gideon Persecution of Gideon Religious Zeal: Gideon