Who Was Gideon?
Who Was Gideon? Gideon was a reluctant judge whom God used to defeat the vast Midianite army with just 300 men, demonstrating that God's power is made perfect in weakness.
Key verse: Judges 6:12 (KJV)
Gideon was a reluctant judge whom God used to defeat the vast Midianite army with just 300 men, demonstrating that God's power is made perfect in weakness.
Gideon was a reluctant judge whom God used to defeat the vast Midianite army with just 300 men, demonstrating that God's power is made perfect in weakness.
"And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour." — Judges 6:12 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he was hiding in a winepress, threshing wheat secretly for fear of the Midianites who had oppressed Israel for seven years. God called him 'thou mighty man of valour' — seeing not who Gideon was but who he would become. Gideon tested God twice with a fleece before accepting his mission. God then deliberately reduced Gideon's army from 32,000 to just 300 men, so that 'Israel may not vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me' (Judges 7:2). Armed with only trumpets, torches, and clay pitchers, the 300 routed the entire Midianite camp as God caused the enemy to turn on each other in confusion. Gideon's story is a powerful lesson about God using unlikely people and impossible odds to display His glory. It teaches that God looks not at outward appearances but at willingness, and that obedience to God's unusual instructions can produce extraordinary results.
Key Scripture References
"And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour."
"And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand."
"And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers... and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
Who Was Samson?
Samson was an Israelite judge with supernatural strength given by God, whose life of great potential was marred by moral compromise but ended in a final act of faith.
Who Was Joshua?
Joshua was Moses' successor who led the Israelites into the Promised Land, conquering Canaan through faith and obedience to God's commands.
Who Was King David?
David was the shepherd boy who became Israel's greatest king, known as 'a man after God's own heart' and an ancestor of Jesus Christ.
Who Was Melchizedek in the Bible?
Melchizedek was a mysterious king of Salem and priest of the Most High God who blessed Abraham and received tithes from him.
Who Was Abraham in the Bible?
Abraham was the father of the Jewish nation, called by God from Ur of the Chaldees, and known as the 'father of faith.'
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Who Was Gideon in the Bible?
People & Characters
Who Was Gideon in the Bible?
People & Characters
Who Was Melchizedek in the Bible?
People & Characters
Gideon in the Bible
The Reluctant Warrior
Bible Characters Quiz
Patriarchs, prophets, kings, and disciples — how well do you know them?
Bible Verses About Dealing with Difficult People
10 curated KJV verses
Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Judges. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Judges on day 64 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “Who Was Gideon?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
Frequently Asked Questions
Keep Going
Continue Exploring Scripture
You've found one resource — here are more ways to go deeper into God's Word.
Today's Verse
Start each day with a hand-picked KJV verse and reflection.
Verses by Topic
Find what the Bible says about love, anxiety, strength, and 500+ more topics.
Bible Miracles
Discover the signs and wonders of God recorded in Scripture.
Angels & Spiritual Warfare
Angels, demons, and the armor of God — what the KJV really teaches about the unseen battle.
Bible Genealogies & Family Trees
Visual KJV family trees — the line of Jesus, the sons of Noah, the twelve tribes, and more.
Women of the Bible
Eve, Sarah, Ruth, Esther, Mary — the matriarchs, prophetesses, queens, and disciples of Scripture.