And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar.

JUDGES 6:31KJV
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Judges 6:31 (KJV)

What does Judges 6:31 mean?

Judges 6:31 shows Joash defending his son Gideon after Gideon destroyed the altar of Baal. Joash challenges the angry crowd, saying that if Baal is truly a god, he can defend himself without human help, and anyone who tries to defend Baal should be put to death.

Joash is speaking to the townspeople who want to punish Gideon for tearing down Baal’s altar. Instead of siding with them, Joash turns the argument around, questioning Baal’s power and suggesting that a real god should not need people to fight his battles. This moment shifts the focus from Gideon’s actions to the weakness of Baal, setting the stage for Gideon’s leadership.

The Hebrew behind Judges 6:31

  • The word "plead" (רִיב, riv) appears several times and means to argue, contend, or defend in a legal sense. Joash uses this word to challenge the idea that Baal needs human defenders, emphasizing that a true god would not need people to argue his case.
  • "Baal" (בַּעַל, baʿal) is the name of a Canaanite deity. The repeated mention draws attention to the contrast between Israel’s God and Baal, highlighting the central conflict in the story.
  • "God" (אֱלֹהִים, elohim) is used here to refer to Baal, but it is the same word often used for the God of Israel. This underlines Joash’s challenge: if Baal is truly a god, he should be able to act on his own behalf.

Why Judges 6:31 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Joash, though previously an idol worshiper, recognizes the weakness of Baal when confronted with his son’s bold action.
  • It highlights a turning point where the people are forced to reconsider their loyalty to Baal, as Joash’s logic exposes the idol’s powerlessness.
  • The verse sets up Gideon’s rise as a leader who challenges false worship, showing that even those who once supported idols can change their perspective when confronted with truth.

Where else these words appear

“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;

“down” Hebrew H5422 · used in 41 verses

  • Exodus 34:13 But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:
  • 2 Kings 11:18 And all the people of the land went into the house of Baal, and brake it down; his altars and his images brake they in pieces thoroughly, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of the LORD.
  • Psalms 52:5 God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.

“plead” Hebrew H7378 · used in 59 verses

  • Genesis 26:20 And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him.
  • Nehemiah 13:17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the sabbath day?
  • Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.

“Baal” Hebrew H1168 · used in 68 verses

  • Judges 2:11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:
  • 1 Kings 22:53 For he served Baal, and worshipped him, and provoked to anger the LORD God of Israel, according to all that his father had done.
  • 2 Chronicles 23:17 Then all the people went to the house of Baal, and brake it down, and brake his altars and his images in pieces, and slew Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.