And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they enquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing.

JUDGES 6:29KJV
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Judges 6:29 (KJV)

What does Judges 6:29 mean?

Judges 6:29 describes how the people in Gideon's town reacted after discovering that someone had destroyed the altar of Baal and cut down the Asherah pole. They questioned each other about who was responsible, investigated, and eventually learned that Gideon, the son of Joash, was the one who had done it.

The verse takes place after Gideon secretly obeyed God's command to tear down the altar to Baal and build an altar to the Lord. The townspeople are confused and alarmed, so they discuss among themselves ("said one to another") and make a deliberate effort to find out who did it. Their inquiry leads them to identify Gideon as the person responsible, setting up the conflict that follows in the next verses.

The Hebrew behind Judges 6:29

  • The word "enquired" (דָּרַשׁ, darash) means to seek out or investigate carefully. This shows that the townspeople did not just ask casually—they put effort into finding the truth.
  • The word "asked" (בָּקַשׁ, baqash) means to search or request. Together with "enquired," it emphasizes how determined the people were to get to the bottom of what happened.
  • The word "thing" (דָּבָר, davar) is a general Hebrew word for "matter" or "event." In this context, it refers to the specific act of destroying the altar, highlighting the seriousness of the event in the eyes of the community.

Why Judges 6:29 matters

  • This verse shows that Gideon's actions did not go unnoticed and that the community took the desecration of Baal's altar very seriously, which helps explain the tension in the following verses.
  • The careful investigation by the townspeople reveals how important the worship of Baal had become in Israel at that time, setting the stage for Gideon's role as a reformer.
  • Understanding the determination of the people to find the culprit adds weight to the danger Gideon faced, making his obedience to God more significant.

Where else these words appear

“Gideon” Hebrew H1439 · used in 37 verses

  • Judges 6:11 And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
  • Judges 7:5 So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.
  • Judges 8:11 And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host: for the host was secure.

“Joash” Hebrew H3101 · used in 41 verses

  • Judges 6:11 And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
  • 2 Kings 13:10 In the thirty and seventh year of Joash king of Judah began Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteen years.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:25 Then the king of Israel said, Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son;