Who Was Gideon in the Bible?
Who Was Gideon in the Bible? Gideon was a reluctant judge whom God used to defeat the Midianites with only 300 men, demonstrating that victory comes from God, not human strength.
Key verse: Judges 6:12 (KJV)
Gideon was a reluctant judge whom God used to defeat the Midianites with only 300 men, demonstrating that victory comes from God, not human strength.
Gideon was a reluctant judge whom God used to defeat the Midianites with only 300 men, demonstrating that victory comes from God, not human strength.
"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
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The Biblical Answer
When God called Gideon, he was hiding in a winepress, threshing wheat in secret for fear of the Midianites. The angel of the Lord greeted him as a 'mighty man of valour,' though Gideon felt anything but mighty. He tested God with a fleece — twice — before obeying. God then deliberately reduced Gideon's army from 32,000 to just 300 so that Israel could not boast in its own strength. Armed only with trumpets, torches, and clay pitchers, the 300 men routed the vast Midianite army. Gideon's story is a powerful reminder that God delights in using the weak and unlikely, that He is patient with our doubts, and that His power is made perfect in our weakness.
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."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Does the Bible Say About Courage?
The Bible commands courage rooted not in self-confidence but in God's presence — 'Be strong and of a good courage' because the Lord goes with you.
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.'
Who Was Moses?
Moses was the great deliverer and lawgiver of Israel who led the Exodus from Egypt and received the Ten Commandments from God.
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.
Deep Dive Commentary
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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 in the Bible?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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