Jehovah-shalom
The Meaning of the Name
Jehovah-shalom combines the covenant name of God, Yahweh (rendered "Jehovah" or "the LORD"), with the Hebrew word "shalom," which means far more than the absence of conflict. Shalom encompasses wholeness, well-being, completeness, and harmony. When Gideon named the altar "The LORD is Peace" (Judges 6:24), he was declaring that God Himself is the source of total well-being and security. This is one of several compound names of God in the Old Testament that reveal specific aspects of His character.
The Context: Gideon's Call
The naming of this altar occurred during one of Israel's darkest periods. The Midianites had oppressed Israel for seven years, destroying crops and livestock so severely that the Israelites hid in caves and dens (Judges 6:1-6). When the Angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he was secretly threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites (Judges 6:11). The Angel greeted him with the surprising words, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior" (Judges 6:12), a declaration that seemed to contradict everything Gideon was experiencing.
The Promise of Peace
During the encounter, Gideon realized he had been speaking face to face with a divine messenger and was terrified, believing he would die. In ancient Israelite belief, seeing God directly meant death (Exodus 33:20). But the LORD spoke directly to him: "Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die" (Judges 6:23). This pronouncement of peace in the midst of fear and national crisis was transformative. God was not merely calming Gideon's immediate anxiety; He was commissioning him for a mission and assuring him of divine protection and presence throughout it.
The Altar at Ophrah
In response to this encounter, Gideon built an altar at Ophrah and named it Jehovah-shalom (Judges 6:24). The text notes that the altar still stood at Ophrah at the time the book of Judges was composed, serving as a lasting memorial to God's peaceful reassurance. Building altars to commemorate divine encounters was a common practice among the patriarchs and leaders of Israel. Abraham built altars at Shechem (Genesis 12:7), Jacob at Bethel (Genesis 35:7), and Moses at Rephidim (Exodus 17:15). Each altar served as a physical testimony to God's faithfulness.
Other Compound Names of God
Jehovah-shalom belongs to a family of compound divine names that each highlight a different aspect of God's nature. Jehovah-jireh means "The LORD Will Provide," named by Abraham at Mount Moriah (Genesis 22:14). Jehovah-nissi means "The LORD Is My Banner," named by Moses after victory over the Amalekites (Exodus 17:15). Jehovah-rapha means "The LORD Who Heals" (Exodus 15:26). Together, these names paint a comprehensive picture of a God who provides, protects, heals, and gives peace.
The Fulfillment in Christ
The peace that Gideon experienced finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Isaiah prophesied a coming ruler who would be called the "Prince of Peace" whose government and peace would have no end (Isaiah 9:6-7). Jesus told His disciples, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you" (John 14:27). Paul declared that Christ Himself "is our peace" (Ephesians 2:14), embodying the very reality that Gideon's altar commemorated.
Biblical Context
Jehovah-shalom appears in Judges 6:24, where Gideon names an altar after the Angel of the LORD assures him of peace. The broader context is Judges 6:1-40, describing Israel's oppression under Midian and Gideon's commissioning as deliverer. The passage is part of the cyclical pattern in Judges where Israel sins, suffers oppression, cries out to God, and receives a deliverer.
Theological Significance
Jehovah-shalom reveals that peace is not merely a state of circumstances but an attribute of God's own character. God grants peace even in the midst of national crisis and personal fear. This name teaches that true peace comes not from the removal of external threats but from the presence of God Himself. It anticipates the New Testament revelation that Christ is our peace, reconciling humanity to God and breaking down barriers of hostility.
Historical Background
Ophrah, where Gideon built the altar, was a town in the territory of the clan of Abiezer within the tribe of Manasseh. Its exact location is debated, with proposals including et-Taiyibeh and Afula in the Jezreel Valley region. The Midianite oppression described in Judges 6 reflects historical patterns of nomadic raiders from the eastern desert attacking settled agricultural communities in ancient Canaan, a phenomenon well documented in ancient Near Eastern sources. The use of camels by the Midianites (Judges 6:5) represents one of the earliest references to domesticated camels used in warfare.