Judges 6:14 (KJV)

What does Judges 6:14 mean?

Judges 6:14 describes how the LORD directly addresses Gideon, commanding him to go with the strength he has and promising that he will save Israel from the Midianites, because God Himself is sending him. The verse shows God’s personal call and assurance to Gideon that he is chosen for this task.

In this scene, the LORD (often understood as God’s personal name in the Hebrew Bible) speaks to Gideon, who is hesitant and unsure. The Israelites are suffering under Midianite oppression, and Gideon is being called out of obscurity to become their deliverer. God’s words emphasize that Gideon’s ability comes not from himself, but from being sent by God.

The Hebrew behind Judges 6:14

• LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, highlighting that the call comes from the covenant God of Israel, not a distant or generic deity.
• might (כֹּחַ, koach): This word means strength or ability, and here it points to whatever strength Gideon already has, not some new or miraculous power. God is telling Gideon to use what he already possesses.
• save (יָשַׁע, yasha): This verb means to deliver or rescue. The focus is on God using Gideon as the means to bring Israel out of danger.
• sent (שָׁלַח, shalach): This word means to send out with a purpose. God’s sending gives Gideon authority and backing, making the mission possible.

Why Judges 6:14 matters

• This verse clarifies that God often calls ordinary people, using the abilities they already have, rather than waiting for them to become extraordinary first.
• The emphasis on God’s sending (“have not I sent thee?”) shifts the focus from Gideon’s doubts about himself to the certainty of God’s purpose and presence.
• In the wider story, this moment marks the turning point where Gideon moves from fear to action, showing how God’s word can change a person’s direction and confidence.