Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.

JUDGES 6:32KJV
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Judges 6:32 (KJV)

What does Judges 6:32 mean?

Judges 6:32 explains that Gideon was given the name Jerubbaal, which means "let Baal contend against him," because he had destroyed Baal's altar. The people used this name to say that if Baal was truly a god, he could defend himself against Gideon for tearing down his altar.

The verse takes place after Gideon, at God's command, tore down an altar to Baal, a false god worshiped by many Israelites at the time. The people of the town were angry and wanted to punish Gideon, but his father Joash challenged them, saying Baal should defend his own honor if he was real. The new name, Jerubbaal, became a reminder of this challenge and the event.

The Hebrew behind Judges 6:32

  • יְרֻבַּעַל (Yerubbaal): This name means "let Baal contend" or "let Baal plead." The name itself is a statement, not just a label, reflecting the challenge that Baal should defend himself if he is truly a god.
  • רִיב (riv, "plead" or "contend"): This word is used for legal disputes or arguments. Here, it suggests a courtroom-like challenge, putting Baal on trial to see if he has any real power.
  • בַּעַל (Baal): This is the name of the Canaanite god whose altar was destroyed. The verse centers on whether Baal has any power to respond to Gideon's actions.

Why Judges 6:32 matters

  • Judges 6:32 highlights the turning point where the people are forced to question Baal's power, setting the stage for Gideon's leadership and God's supremacy.
  • The verse shows that even Gideon's father, who had previously supported Baal worship, now publicly doubts Baal's ability to defend himself, shifting the community's perspective.
  • The naming of Gideon as Jerubbaal becomes a lasting symbol in the story, reminding everyone that Baal did not and could not act against Gideon, underlining the impotence of idols compared to Israel's God.

Where else these words appear

“Jerubbaal” Hebrew H3378 · used in 13 verses

  • Judges 7:1 Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.
  • Judges 9:2 Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.
  • Judges 9:24 That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them; and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren.

“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.