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.

JUDGES 6:15KJV
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Judges 6:15 (KJV)

What does Judges 6:15 mean?

Judges 6:15 shows Gideon expressing doubt and insecurity when God calls him to save Israel, pointing out that his family is poor and he is the least important member. Gideon questions how he could possibly deliver Israel given his low status and lack of resources.

Gideon is speaking to the Lord (often understood as an angel or messenger of God) after being told he will save Israel from their enemies. Gideon's response highlights his sense of inadequacy—he comes from a poor family in the tribe of Manasseh, and he sees himself as the least significant in his father's house. This sets the stage for the story, showing that God chooses unlikely people for important tasks.

The Hebrew behind Judges 6:15

  • "poor" — דַּל (dal): This word means "low," "weak," or "insignificant." Gideon is not just saying his family lacks money, but that they are unimportant or powerless in their tribe.
  • "least" — צָעִיר (tsa‘ir): This word means "smallest" or "youngest." Gideon is emphasizing that, even within his already insignificant family, he is the least significant or youngest member.
  • "save" — יָשַׁע (yasha‘): This word means "to deliver" or "to rescue." Gideon is questioning how someone like him could possibly be the deliverer of Israel.

Why Judges 6:15 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that God only calls the strong or important; Gideon's doubts and low status highlight that God often works through those who feel unqualified.
  • The verse emphasizes Gideon's humility and honesty, which become key themes in his story and help explain his later actions and struggles.
  • Understanding Gideon's background makes the rest of the narrative more powerful, as it shows how dramatic his transformation and leadership will be.

Where else these words appear

“family” Hebrew H504 · used in 8 verses

  • Deuteronomy 7:13 And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
  • Deuteronomy 28:18 Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
  • Psalms 8:7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;

“Oh” Hebrew H994 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 43:20 And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:
  • Exodus 4:13 And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.
  • Judges 13:8 Then Manoah intreated the LORD, and said, O my Lord, let the man of God which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born.

“least” Hebrew H6810 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 19:31 And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth:
  • Genesis 48:14 And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim's head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh's head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn.
  • Psalms 119:141 I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.

“wherewith” Hebrew H4100 · used in 27 verses

  • Genesis 4:10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.
  • Numbers 23:8 How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied?
  • Psalms 78:40 How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!