And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.

JUDGES 6:12KJV
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Judges 6:12 (KJV)

What does Judges 6:12 mean?

Judges 6:12 describes how the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon and greeted him by saying that the LORD is with him, calling him a "mighty man of valour." This greeting is both an announcement of God's presence and an affirmation of Gideon's potential, even though Gideon does not see himself as brave or strong at this moment.

In this scene, Gideon is hiding from the Midianites, threshing wheat in secret. The angel (a messenger from God) addresses Gideon directly, using language that highlights courage and strength. The verse sets up the contrast between how Gideon sees himself—fearful and insignificant—and how God sees him, which becomes important for the events that follow in Gideon's story.

The Hebrew behind Judges 6:12

  • "angel" (מַלְאָךְ, mal'akh): This word means "messenger" and can refer to a human or a supernatural messenger. Here, it signals a direct message from God to Gideon, giving weight to the words spoken.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing that the message comes from the God of Israel, not a generic deity.
  • "mighty" (גִּבּוֹר, gibbor): This word often means "strong" or "warrior." Calling Gideon "gibbor" is striking because he does not appear strong or heroic at this point.
  • "valour" (חַיִל, chayil): This word means "strength," "ability," or "valor," and is often used for warriors or people of standing. The phrase "mighty man of valour" is a title usually reserved for proven heroes, making it surprising when applied to Gideon in his fearful state.

Why Judges 6:12 matters

  • The verse challenges assumptions about who God chooses to use, showing that God sees potential where people see weakness or fear.
  • The greeting from the angel sets the tone for Gideon's story, where God's perspective and calling will shape Gideon's identity and actions.
  • Understanding the original Hebrew words highlights the irony and encouragement in the angel's message, as Gideon is called a "mighty man of valour" before he has done anything to earn that title.