גִּדְעוֹן
Gidon, an Israelite
Definition
Gideon is a proper name meaning 'feller' or 'warrior,' derived from the Hebrew verb meaning to cut down or hew. In the Bible, Gideon is the son of Joash the Abiezrite, a judge of Israel who delivered the Israelites from Midianite oppression (Judges 6-8). His story is marked by a transformation from a fearful thresher hiding in a winepress (Judges 6:11) to a mighty warrior and leader, earning him the name 'Jerubbaal' (meaning 'let Baal contend') after destroying his father's altar to Baal (Judges 6:32). He is also remembered for testing God with the fleece (Judges 6:36-40) and leading a small, divinely chosen army to victory.
Biblical Usage
The name Gideon appears exclusively in the Book of Judges (chapters 6-8), where it is used 37 times to refer to the judge and deliverer of Israel. It is used in narrative contexts detailing his call by an angel (Judges 6:11-24), his military campaigns (Judges 7), and his later life, including the episode of the ephod (Judges 8:22-27). The usage consistently identifies him as a central, heroic figure in the period of the judges.
Etymology
Derived from the Hebrew root גָּדַע (gādaʿ, H1438), meaning 'to cut off, cut down, hew.' The name Gideon (גִּדְעוֹן) is a noun form meaning 'feller,' 'hewer,' or 'warrior,' one who cuts down enemies. This root is also seen in words related to chopping trees (Isaiah 10:33) and is fitting for a military leader.
Semantic Range
Gideon's story is theologically significant for illustrating God's power working through human weakness and doubt. His initial fear and requests for signs (Judges 6:15, 6:36-40) highlight God's patience and grace in calling imperfect people. The reduction of his army (Judges 7:2-7) underscores that victory comes from God's strength, not human might. His later creation of an ephod that becomes a snare (Judges 8:27) serves as a warning about idolatry and the corruption of success.
In ancient Israelite culture, names often conveyed character or destiny. 'Gideon' as 'warrior' or 'feller' reflected the martial role expected of a deliverer (judge) who would 'cut down' Israel's enemies. His story also reflects the socio-political context of the Judges period—tribal, decentralized leadership, constant threat from surrounding peoples like the Midianites, and the tension between faithfulness to Yahweh and Canaanite religious practices.
Jerubbaal (Yerubbaʿal, H3378) — A name given to Gideon meaning 'let Baal contend,' highlighting his conflict with Baal worship (Judges 6:32).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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