Who Was Gideon in the Bible — In Biblical Context
Gideon was a judge of Israel whom God used to defeat the Midianites with just 300 men, demonstrating that victory belongs to God, not human strength.
Gideon was a judge of Israel whom God used to defeat the Midianites with just 300 men, demonstrating that victory belongs to God, not human strength.
"And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house. And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee." — Judges 6:15-16 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
Gideon's story is found in Judges 6-8. When the Midianites oppressed Israel, God called Gideon—a man from the weakest clan who considered himself the least in his family. Gideon tested God with a fleece twice before accepting his commission. God then deliberately reduced Gideon's army from 32,000 to just 300 men so that Israel would know the victory was God's, not theirs. Armed only with trumpets, jars, and torches, Gideon's small band threw the Midianite camp into confusion and routed them. Gideon's story powerfully illustrates that God uses the weak and unlikely to accomplish His purposes.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Judges 6:15-16, sits inside Judges 6. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house. And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee."
Supporting Passages
"And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand."
"The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon."
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