Berean Standard Bible

Judges 6

1Again the Israelitesבְנֵי־ יִשְׂרָאֵ֛לve.nei- Yis.ra.'ElH1121 H3478didוַיַּעֲשׂ֧וּvai.ya.'a.SuH6213evilהָרַ֖עha.Ra'H7451in the sightבְּעֵינֵ֣יbe.'ei.NeiH5869of the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah.wehH3068;so Heיְהוָ֛הYah.wehH3068delivered themוַיִּתְּנֵ֧םvai.yi.te.NemH5414into the handבְּיַד־be.yad-H3027of Midianמִדְיָ֖ןmid.YanH4080for sevenשֶׁ֥בַעShe.va'H7651yearsשָׁנִֽים׃sha.NimH8141,

2and the handיַד־yad-H3027of Midianמִדְיָ֖ןmid.YanH4080prevailedוַתָּ֥עָזva.Ta.'ozH5810againstעַל־'al-H5921Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לYis.ra.'ElH3478.Because ofמִפְּנֵ֨יmi.pe.NeiH6440the Midianitesמִדְיָ֜ןmid.YanH4080,the Israelitesבְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗לbe.Nei Yis.ra.'ElH1121 H3478אֶת־'et-H853preparedעָשֽׂוּ'a.SuH6213sheltersהַמִּנְהָרוֹת֙ha.min.ha.rOtH4492for themselvesאֲשֶׁ֣ר'a.SherH834in the mountainsבֶּֽהָרִ֔יםbe.ha.RimH2022וְאֶת־ve.'EtH853,cavesהַמְּעָר֖וֹתha.me.'a.RotH4631וְאֶת־ve.'EtH853,and strongholdsהַמְּצָדֽוֹת׃ha.me.tza.DotH4679.

3Wheneverוְהָיָ֖ה אִם־ve.ha.Yah 'im-H1961 H518the Israelitesיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לYis.ra.'ElH3478planted their cropsזָרַ֣עza.Ra'H2232,the Midianitesמִדְיָ֧ןmid.YanH4080,Amalekitesוַֽעֲמָלֵ֛קva.'a.ma.LekH6002,and other peopleוּבְנֵי־u.ve.nei-H1121of the eastקֶ֖דֶםKe.demH6924would come upוְעָלָ֨הve.'a.LahH5927and invadeוְעָל֥וּve.'a.LuH5927themעָלָֽיו׃'a.LavH5921,

4encampingוַיַּחֲנ֣וּvai.ya.cha.NuH2583against themעֲלֵיהֶ֗ם'a.lei.HemH5921as far asעַד־ בּוֹאֲךָ֖'ad- bo.'a.KhaH5704 H935Gazaעַזָּ֑ה'a.ZahH5804and destroyingוַיַּשְׁחִ֙יתוּ֙vai.yash.Chi.tuH7843אֶת־'et-H853the produceיְב֣וּלye.VulH2981of the landהָאָ֔רֶץha.'A.retzH776.They leftיַשְׁאִ֤ירוּyash.'I.ruH7604Israelבְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לbe.Yis.ra.'ElH3478with noוְלֹֽא־ve.lo'-H3808sustenanceמִֽחְיָה֙mich.YahH4241,neither sheepוְשֶׂ֥הve.SehH7716nor oxenוָשׁ֖וֹרva.ShorH7794nor donkeysוַחֲמֽוֹר׃va.cha.MorH2543.

5Forכִּ֡יkiH3588the Midianitesהֵם֩hemH1992cameוּבָ֤אוּvu.ba'uH935with their livestockוּמִקְנֵיהֶ֨ם יַעֲל֜וּu.mik.nei.Hem ya.'a.LuH4735 H5927and their tentsוְאָהֳלֵיהֶ֗םve.'o.ho.lei.HemH168like a greatלָרֹ֔בla.RoH7230swarmכְדֵֽי־khe.dei-H1767of locustsאַרְבֶּה֙'ar.BehH697. Theyand their camelsוְלִגְמַלֵּיהֶ֖םve.lig.ma.lei.HemH1581were innumerableאֵ֣ין מִסְפָּ֑ר'ein mis.ParH369 H4557,and they enteredוַיָּבֹ֥אוּvai.ya.Vo.'uH935the landבָאָ֖רֶץva.'A.retzH776to ravage itלְשַׁחֲתָֽהּ׃le.sha.cha.TahH7843.

6Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֛לYis.ra.'ElH3478was greatlyמְאֹ֖דme.'OdH3966impoverishedוַיִּדַּ֧לvai.yi.DalH1809byמִפְּנֵ֣יmi.pe.NeiH6440Midianמִדְיָ֑ןmid.YanH4080,and the Israelitesבְנֵֽי־ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לve.nei- Yis.ra.'ElH1121 H3478cried outוַיִּזְעֲק֥וּvai.yiz.'a.KuH2199toאֶל־'el-H413the LORDיְהוָֽה׃ פYah.wehH3068.

7Nowוַיְהִ֕יvay.HiH1961whenכִּֽי־ki-H3588the Israelitesבְנֵֽי־ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לve.nei- Yis.ra.'ElH1121 H3478cried outזָעֲק֥וּza.'a.KuH2199toאֶל־'el-H413the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah.wehH3068because ofעַ֖ל אֹד֥וֹת'al 'o.DotH5921 H182Midianמִדְיָֽן׃mid.YanH4080,

8Heיְהוָ֛ה אִ֥ישׁYah.weh 'ishH3068 H376sentוַיִּשְׁלַ֧חvai.yish.LachH7971אֶל־'el-H413themבְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לbe.Nei Yis.ra.'ElH1121 H3478a prophetנָבִ֖יאna.Vi'H5030,who toldוַיֹּ֨אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559them, “This is whatכֹּה־koh-H3541the LORDיְהוָ֣ה׀Yah.wehH3068,the Godאֱלֹהֵ֣י'e.lo.HeiH430of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֗לYis.ra.'ElH3478,saysאָמַ֥ר'a.MarH559:Iאָנֹכִ֞י'a.no.KhiH595broughtהֶעֱלֵ֤יתִיhe.'e.Lei.tiH5927you up out ofאֶתְכֶם֙'et.KhemH853Egyptמִמִּצְרַ֔יִםmi.mitz.Ra.yimH4714וָאֹצִ֥יאva.'o.Tzi'H3318אֶתְכֶ֖ם'et.KhemH853,out of the houseמִבֵּ֥יתmi.BeitH1004of slaveryעֲבָדִֽים׃'a.va.DimH5650.

9I deliveredוָאַצִּ֤לva.'a.TzilH5337youאֶתְכֶם֙'et.KhemH853out of the handsמִיַּ֣דmi.YadH3027of Egyptמִצְרַ֔יִםmitz.Ra.yimH4713andוּמִיַּ֖דu.mi.YadH3027allכָּל־kol-H3605your oppressorsלֹחֲצֵיכֶ֑םlo.cha.tzei.KhemH3905.I drove them outוָאֲגָרֵ֤שׁva.'a.ga.ReshH1644אוֹתָם֙'o.TamH853before youמִפְּנֵיכֶ֔םmi.pe.nei.KhemH6440and gaveוָאֶתְּנָ֥הva.'e.te.NahH5414youאֶת־'et-H853their landאַרְצָֽם׃'ar.TzamH776.

10And I saidוָאֹמְרָ֣הva.'o.me.RahH559to you: ‘Iאֲנִי֙'a.NiH589am the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah.wehH3068your Godאֱלֹהֵיכֶ֔ם'e.lo.hei.KhemH430.You must notלֹ֤אlo'H3808fearתִֽירְאוּ֙ti.re.'UH3372אֶת־'et-H853the godsאֱלֹהֵ֣י'e.lo.HeiH430of the Amoritesהָאֱמֹרִ֔יha.'e.mo.RiH567,in whoseאֲשֶׁ֥ר'a.SherH834landבְּאַרְצָ֑םbe.'ar.TzamH776youאַתֶּ֖ם'a.TemH859dwellיוֹשְׁבִ֣יםyo.she.VimH3427.’But you did notוְלֹ֥אve.Lo'H3808obey Meשְׁמַעְתֶּ֖ם בְּקוֹלִֽי׃ פshe.ma'.Tem be.ko.LiH8085 H6963.”

The Call of Gideon

11Then the angelמַלְאַ֣ךְmal.'AkhH4397of the LORDיְהוָ֗הYah.wehH3068cameוַיָּבֹ֞אvai.ya.Vo'H935and sat downוַיֵּ֙שֶׁב֙vai.Ye.shevH3427underתַּ֤חַתTa.chatH8478the oakהָֽאֵלָה֙ha.'e.LahH424אֲשֶׁ֣ר'a.SherH834in Ophrahבְּעָפְרָ֔הbe.'a.fe.RahH6084thatאֲשֶׁ֥ר'a.SherH834belonged to Joashלְיוֹאָ֖שׁle.yo.'AshH3101the AbiezriteH33,where his sonבְּנ֗וֹbe.NoH1121Gideonוְגִדְע֣וֹןve.gid.'onH1439was threshingחֹבֵ֤טcho.VetH2251wheatחִטִּים֙chi.TimH2406in a winepressבַּגַּ֔תba.GatH1660to hide itלְהָנִ֖יסle.ha.NisH5127fromמִפְּנֵ֥יmi.pe.NeiH6440the Midianitesמִדְיָֽן׃mid.YanH4080.

12And the angelמַלְאַ֣ךְmal.'AkhH4397of the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah.wehH3068appearedוַיֵּרָ֥אvai.ye.Ra'H7200toאֵלָ֖יו'e.LavH413Gideonand saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֔יוvai.Yo.mer 'e.LavH559 H413, “The LORDיְהוָ֥הYah.wehH3068is with youעִמְּךָ֖'i.me.KhaH5973,O mighty manגִּבּ֥וֹרgi.BorH1368of valorהֶחָֽיִל׃he.Cha.yilH2428.”

13“Pleaseבִּ֣יbiH994,my Lordאֲדֹנִ֔י'a.do.NiH113,”Gideonגִּדְעוֹן֙gid.'OnH1439repliedוַיֹּ֨אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559אֵלָ֤יו'e.LavH413, “if the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah.wehH3068isוְיֵ֤שׁve.YeshH3426with usעִמָּ֔נוּ'i.Ma.nuH5973,whyוְלָ֥מָּהve.La.mahH4100has allכָּל־kol-H3605thisזֹ֑אתZotH2063happened to usמְצָאַ֖תְנוּme.tza.'At.nuH4672?And whereוְאַיֵּ֣הve.'ai.YehH346are allכָֽל־khol-H3605His wondersנִפְלְאֹתָ֡יוnif.le.'o.TavH6381of whichאֲשֶׁר֩'a.SherH834our fathersאֲבוֹתֵ֜ינוּ'a.vo.Tei.nuH1toldסִפְּרוּ־si.pe.ru-H5608us,sayingלֵאמֹ֗רle.MorH559, ‘Has notהֲלֹ֤אha.Lo'H3808the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah.wehH3068brought us upהֶעֱלָ֣נוּhe.'e.La.nuH5927out of Egyptמִמִּצְרַ֙יִם֙mi.mitz.Ra.yimH4714?’But nowוְעַתָּה֙ve.'a.TahH6258the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah.wehH3068has forsaken usנְטָשָׁ֣נוּne.ta.Sha.nuH5203and delivered usוַֽיִּתְּנֵ֖נוּvai.yi.te.Ne.nuH5414into the handבְּכַף־be.khaf-H3709of Midianמִדְיָֽן׃mid.YanH4080.”

14The LORDיְהוָ֔הYah.wehH3068turnedוַיִּ֤פֶןvai.Yi.fenH6437to himאֵלָיו֙'e.LavH413and saidוַיֹּ֗אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559, “Goלֵ֚ךְlekhH1980in the strength you haveבְּכֹחֲךָ֣ זֶ֔הbe.kho.cha.Kha ZehH3581 H2088and saveוְהוֹשַׁעְתָּ֥ve.ho.sha'.TaH3467אֶת־'et-H853Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לYis.ra.'ElH3478from the handמִכַּ֣ףmi.KafH3709of Midianמִדְיָ֑ןmid.YanH4080.Am I notהֲלֹ֖אha.Lo'H3808sending youשְׁלַחְתִּֽיךָ׃she.lach.Ti.khaH7971?”

15“Pleaseבִּ֣יbiH994,my Lordאֲדֹנָ֔י'a.do.NaiH136,” Gideonrepliedוַיֹּ֤אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559אֵלָיו֙'e.LavH413, “howבַּמָּ֥הba.MahH4100can I saveאוֹשִׁ֖יעַ'o.Shi.a'H3467אֶת־'et-H853Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לYis.ra.'ElH3478?Indeedהִנֵּ֤הhi.NehH2009,my clanאַלְפִּי֙'al.PiH505is the weakestהַדַּ֣לha.DalH1800in Manassehבִּמְנַשֶּׁ֔הbim.na.ShehH4519,and Iוְאָנֹכִ֥יve.'a.no.KhiH595am the youngestהַצָּעִ֖ירha.tza.'IrH6810in my father’sאָבִֽי׃'a.ViH1houseבְּבֵ֥יתbe.VeitH1004.”

16“Surelyכִּ֥יkiH3588I will beאֶהְיֶ֖ה'eh.YehH1961with youעִמָּ֑ךְ'i.MakhH5973,”the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah.wehH3068repliedוַיֹּ֤אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559אֵלָיו֙'e.LavH413, “and you will strike downוְהִכִּיתָ֥ve.hi.ki.TaH5221allthe Midianitesמִדְיָ֖ןmid.YanH4080אֶת־'et-H853as oneאֶחָֽד׃'e.ChadH259manכְּאִ֥ישׁke.'IshH376.”

17Gideon answeredוַיֹּ֣אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559אֵלָ֔יו'e.LavH413, “Ifאִם־ נָ֛א'im- na'H518 H4994I have foundמָצָ֥אתִיma.Tza.tiH4672favorחֵ֖ןchenH2580in Your sightבְּעֵינֶ֑יךָbe.'ei.Nei.khaH5869,giveוְעָשִׂ֤יתָve.'a.Si.taH6213mea signא֔וֹת'otH226that it is Youשָׁאַתָּ֖הsha.'a.TahH859speakingמְדַבֵּ֥רme.da.BerH1696with meעִמִּֽי׃'i.MiH5973.

18Pleaseנָ֨אna'H4994do notאַל־'al-H408departתָמֻ֤שׁta.MushH4185from thisמִזֶּה֙mi.ZehH2088placeuntilעַד־'ad-H5704I returnבֹּאִ֣יbo.'IH935to Youאֵלֶ֔יךָ'e.Lei.khaH413.Let me bringוְהֹֽצֵאתִי֙ve.ho.tze.TiH3318אֶת־'et-H853my offeringמִנְחָתִ֔יmin.cha.TiH4503and setוְהִנַּחְתִּ֖יve.hi.nach.TiH5117itbefore Youלְפָנֶ֑יךָle.fa.Nei.khaH6440.”And the LORD saidוַיֹּאמַ֕רvai.yo.MarH559, “Iאָנֹכִ֥י'a.no.KhiH595will stayאֵשֵׁ֖ב'e.ShevH3427untilעַ֥ד'adH5704you returnשׁוּבֶֽךָ׃shu.Ve.khaH7725.”

19So Gideonוְגִדְע֣וֹןve.gid.'onH1439went inבָּ֗אBa'H935and preparedוַיַּ֤עַשׂvai.Ya.'asH6213a young goatגְּדִֽי־ עִזִּים֙ge.di- 'i.ZimH1423 H5795and unleavened breadמַצּ֔וֹתma.TzotH4682and an ephahוְאֵיפַת־ve.'ei.fat-H374of flourקֶ֣מַחKe.machH7058.He placedשָׂ֣םsamH7760the meatהַבָּשָׂר֙ha.ba.SarH1320in a basketבַּסַּ֔לba.SalH5536and the brothוְהַמָּרַ֖ק שָׂ֣םve.ha.ma.Rak samH4839 H7760in a potבַּפָּר֑וּרba.pa.RurH6517and brought them outוַיּוֹצֵ֥אvai.yo.Tze'H3318to presentוַיַּגַּֽשׁ׃ סvai.ya.GashH5066to Himאֵלָ֛יו'e.LavH413אֶל־'el-H413underתַּ֥חַתTa.chatH8478the oakהָאֵלָ֖הha.'e.LahH424.

20And the angelמַלְאַ֣ךְmal.'AkhH4397of Godהָאֱלֹהִ֗יםha.'E.lo.HimH430saidוַיֹּ֨אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559to himאֵלָ֜יו'e.LavH413, “Takeקַ֣חkachH3947אֶת־'et-H853the meatהַבָּשָׂ֤רha.ba.SarH1320andוְאֶת־ve.'EtH853the unleavened breadהַמַּצּוֹת֙ha.ma.tzOtH4682,layוְהַנַּח֙ve.ha.NachH5117themonאֶל־'el-H413thisהַלָּ֔זha.LazH1975rockהַסֶּ֣לַעha.Se.la'H5553,andוְאֶת־ve.'EtH853pour outשְׁפ֑וֹךְshe.FokhH8210the brothהַמָּרַ֖קha.ma.RakH4839.”And Gideon didוַיַּ֖עַשׂvai.Ya.'asH6213soכֵּֽן׃KenH3651.

21Then the angelמַלְאַ֣ךְmal.'AkhH4397of the LORDיְהוָ֗הYah.wehH3068אֶת־'et-H853extendedוַיִּשְׁלַ֞חvai.yish.LachH7971the tipקְצֵ֤הke.TzehH7097of the staffהַמִּשְׁעֶ֙נֶת֙ha.mish.'E.netH4938thatאֲשֶׁ֣ר'a.SherH834was in his handבְּיָד֔וֹbe.ya.DoH3027and touchedוַיִּגַּ֥עvai.yi.Ga'H5060the meatבַּבָּשָׂ֖רba.ba.SarH1320and the unleavened breadוּבַמַּצּ֑וֹתu.vam.ma.TzotH4682.And fireהָאֵ֜שׁha.'EshH784flaredוַתַּ֨עַלva.Ta.'alH5927fromמִן־min-H4480the rockהַצּ֗וּרha.TzurH6697and consumedוַתֹּ֤אכַלva.To.khalH398אֶת־'et-H853the meatהַבָּשָׂר֙ha.ba.SarH1320וְאֶת־ve.'EtH853and the unleavened breadהַמַּצּ֔וֹתha.ma.TzotH4682.Then the angelוּמַלְאַ֣ךְu.mal.'AkhH4397of the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah.wehH3068vanishedהָלַ֖ךְha.LakhH1980from his sightמֵעֵינָֽיו׃me.'ei.NavH5869.

22When Gideonגִּדְע֔וֹןgid.'onH1439realizedוַיַּ֣רְאvai.Yar'H7200thatכִּֽי־ki-H3588itה֑וּא סHu'H1931wasthe angelמַלְאַ֥ךְmal.'AkhH4397of the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah.wehH3068,heגִּדְע֗וֹןgid.'onH1439saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559, “Oh noאֲהָהּ֙'a.HahH162,Lordאֲדֹנָ֣י'a.do.NaiH136GODיְהוִ֔ה כִּֽי־ עַל־ כֵּ֤ןYah.weh ki- 'al- kenH3069 H3588 H5921 H3651!I have seenרָאִ֙יתִי֙ra.'I.tiH7200the angelמַלְאַ֣ךְmal.'AkhH4397of the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah.wehH3068faceפָּנִ֖יםpa.NimH6440toאֶל־'el-H413faceפָּנִֽים׃pa.NimH6440!”

23But the LORDיְהוָ֛הYah.wehH3068saidוַיֹּ֨אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559to him, “Peaceשָׁל֥וֹםsha.LomH7965be with you.Do notאַל־'al-H408be afraidתִּירָ֑אti.Ra'H3372,for you will notלֹ֖אlo'H3808dieתָּמֽוּת׃ta.MutH4191.”

24So Gideonגִּדְע֤וֹןgid.'onH1439builtוַיִּבֶן֩vai.yi.VenH1129an altarמִזְבֵּ֙חַ֙miz.Be.achH4196to the LORDלַֽיהוָ֔הla.Yah.wehH3068thereשָׁ֨םshamH8033and calledוַיִּקְרָא־vai.yik.ra'-H7121itThe LORDיְהוָ֖הYah.wehH3068Is Peaceשָׁל֑וֹםsha.LomH7965.Toעַ֚ד'adH5704thisהַזֶּ֔הha.ZehH2088dayהַיּ֣וֹםhai.YomH3117it standsעוֹדֶ֕נּוּo.De.nuH5750in Ophrahבְּעָפְרָ֖תbe.'a.fe.RatH6084of the AbiezritesH33.

Gideon Destroys Baal’s Altar

25וַיְהִי֮vay.HiH1961On that veryהַהוּא֒ha.Hu'H1931nightבַּלַּ֣יְלָהba.Lay.lahH3915the LORDיְהוָ֗הYah.wehH3068saidוַיֹּ֧אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559to Gideon, “Takeקַ֤חkachH3947אֶת־'et-H853your father’sלְאָבִ֔יךָle.'a.Vi.khaH1young bullפַּר־ הַשּׁוֹר֙par- ha.shOrH6499 H7794אֲשֶׁ֣ר'a.SherH834and a secondהַשֵּׁנִ֖יha.she.NiH8145bullוּפַ֥רu.FarH6499sevenשֶׁ֣בַעShe.va'H7651years oldשָׁנִ֑יםsha.NimH8141,tear downוְהָרַסְתָּ֗ve.ha.ras.TaH2040אֶת־'et-H853your father’sלְאָבִ֔יךָle.'a.Vi.khaH1altarמִזְבַּ֤חmiz.BachH4196to Baalהַבַּ֙עַל֙ha.Ba.'alH1168אֲשֶׁ֣ר'a.SherH834וְאֶת־ve.'EtH853,and cut downתִּכְרֹֽת׃tikh.RotH3772the Asherah poleהָאֲשֵׁרָ֥הha.'a.she.RahH842אֲשֶׁר־'a.Sher-H834beside itעָלָ֖יו'a.LavH5921.

26Then buildוּבָנִ֨יתָu.va.Ni.taH1129a properבַּמַּֽעֲרָכָ֑הba.ma.'a.ra.KhahH4634altarמִזְבֵּ֜חַmiz.Be.achH4196to the LORDלַיהוָ֣הla.Yah.wehH3068your Godאֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ'e.lo.Hei.khaH430onעַ֣ל'alH5921the topרֹ֧אשׁroshH7218of thisהַזֶּ֖הha.ZehH2088strongholdהַמָּע֛וֹזha.ma.'ozH4581.And with the woodבַּעֲצֵ֥יba.'a.TzeiH6086of the Asherah poleהָאֲשֵׁרָ֖הha.'a.she.RahH842אֲשֶׁ֥ר'a.SherH834you cut downתִּכְרֹֽת׃tikh.RotH3772,takeוְלָֽקַחְתָּ֙ve.la.kach.TaH3947אֶת־'et-H853the secondהַשֵּׁנִ֔יha.she.NiH8145bullהַפָּ֣רha.ParH6499and offerוְהַעֲלִ֣יתָve.ha.'a.Li.taH5927it as a burnt offeringעוֹלָ֔הo.LahH5930.”

27So Gideonגִּדְע֜וֹןgid.'onH1439tookוַיִּקַּ֨חvai.yi.KachH3947tenעֲשָׂרָ֤ה'a.sa.RahH6235of his servantsאֲנָשִׁים֙ מֵֽעֲבָדָ֔יו'a.na.Shim me.'a.va.DavH582 H5650and didוַיַּ֕עַשׂvai.Ya.'asH6213asכַּאֲשֶׁ֛רka.'a.SherH834the LORDיְהוָ֑ה וַיְהִ֡יYah.weh vay.HiH3068 H1961had told himדִּבֶּ֥ר אֵלָ֖יוdi.Ber 'e.LavH1696 H413.But becauseכַּאֲשֶׁ֣רka.'a.SherH834he was too afraidיָרֵא֩ya.Re'H3372אֶת־'et-H853of his father’sאָבִ֜יו'a.VivH1householdבֵּ֨יתbeitH1004andוְאֶת־ve.'EtH853the menאַנְשֵׁ֥י'an.SheiH582of the cityהָעִ֛ירha.'IrH5892,he didמֵעֲשׂ֥וֹתme.'a.SotH6213itby nightלָֽיְלָה׃La.ye.lahH3915rather thanוַיַּ֥עַשׂvai.Ya.'asH6213in the daytimeיוֹמָ֖םyo.MamH3119.

28When the menאַנְשֵׁ֤י'an.SheiH582of the cityהָעִיר֙ha.'IrH5892got upוַיַּשְׁכִּ֜ימוּvai.yash.Ki.muH7925in the morningבַּבֹּ֔קֶרba.Bo.kerH1242,there wasוְהִנֵּ֤הve.hi.NehH2009Baal’sהַבַּ֔עַלha.Ba.'alH1168altarמִזְבַּ֣חmiz.BachH4196torn downנֻתַּץ֙nu.TatzH5422,with the Asherah poleוְהָאֲשֵׁרָ֥הve.ha.'a.she.RahH842אֲשֶׁר־'a.Sher-H834cut downכֹּרָ֑תָהko.Ra.tahH3772beside itעָלָ֖יו'a.LavH5921וְאֵת֙ve.'EtH853and the secondהַשֵּׁנִ֔יha.she.NiH8145bullהַפָּ֣רha.ParH6499offered upהֹֽעֲלָ֔הho.'a.LahH5927onעַל־'al-H5921the newly builtהַבָּנֽוּי׃ha.ba.NuiH1129altarהַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַha.miz.Be.achH4196.

29“Whoמִ֥יmiH4310didעָשָׂ֖ה הַדָּבָ֣ר'a.Sah ha.da.VarH6213 H1697thisהַזֶּ֑הha.ZehH2088?”they saidוַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙vai.yo.me.RuH559toאֶל־'el-H413oneאִ֣ישׁ'ishH376anotherרֵעֵ֔הוּre.'E.huH7453.And after they had investigated thoroughlyוַֽיִּדְרְשׁוּ֙ וַיְבַקְשׁ֔וּvai.yid.re.Shu vay.vak.ShuH1875 H1245,they were toldוַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּvai.Yo.me.RuH559, “Gideonגִּדְעוֹן֙gid.'OnH1439sonבֶּן־ben-H1121of Joashיוֹאָ֔שׁyo.'AshH3101didעָשָׂ֖ה הַדָּבָ֥ר'a.Sah ha.da.VarH6213 H1697itהַזֶּֽה׃ha.ZehH2088.”

30Then the menאַנְשֵׁ֤י'an.SheiH582of the cityהָעִיר֙ha.'IrH5892saidוַיֹּ֨אמְר֜וּvai.Yo.me.RuH559toאֶל־'el-H413Joashיוֹאָ֔שׁyo.'AshH3101, “Bring outהוֹצֵ֥אho.Tze'H3318אֶת־'et-H853your sonבִּנְךָ֖bin.KhaH1121.He must dieוְיָמֹ֑תve.ya.MotH4191,becauseכִּ֤יkiH3588he has torn downנָתַץ֙na.TatzH5422אֶת־'et-H853Baal’sהַבַּ֔עַל וְכִ֥יha.Ba.'al ve.KhiH1168 H3588altarמִזְבַּ֣חmiz.BachH4196and cut downכָרַ֖תkha.RatH3772the Asherah poleהָאֲשֵׁרָ֥הha.'a.she.RahH842אֲשֶׁר־'a.Sher-H834beside itעָלָֽיו׃'a.LavH5921.”

31But Joashיוֹאָ֡שׁyo.'AshH3101saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559to allלְכֹל֩le.KholH3605whoאֲשֶׁר־'a.Sher-H834stoodעָמְד֨וּ'a.me.DuH5975against himעָלָ֜יו'a.LavH5921, “Are youהַאַתֶּ֣ם׀ha.'a.TemH859contendingתְּרִיב֣וּןte.ri.VunH7378for Baalלַבַּ֗עַלla.Ba.'alH1168אִם־'im-H518?Are youאַתֶּם֙'a.TemH859trying to save himתּוֹשִׁיע֣וּןto.shi.'UnH3467אוֹת֔וֹ'o.ToH853?Whoeverאֲשֶׁ֨ר'a.SherH834pleads his caseיָרִ֥יבya.RivH7378will be put to deathיוּמַ֖תyu.MatH4191byעַד־'ad-H5704morningהַבֹּ֑קֶרha.Bo.kerH1242!Ifאִם־'im-H518Baalהוּא֙hu'H1931is a godאֱלֹהִ֥ים'E.lo.HimH430,let him contendיָ֣רֶבYa.revH7378for himselfwithכִּ֥יkiH3588the one who has torn downנָתַ֖ץna.TatzH5422אֶֽת־'et-H853his altarמִזְבְּחֽוֹ׃miz.be.ChoH4196.”

32So on that dayבַיּוֹם־ הַה֖וּאvai.yom- ha.Hu'H3117 H1931Gideon was calledוַיִּקְרָא־vai.yik.ra'-H7121Jerubbaalיְרֻבַּ֣עַלye.ru.Ba.'alH3378,that is to sayלֵאמֹ֑רle.MorH559, “Let Baalהַבַּ֔עַלha.Ba.'alH1168contendיָ֤רֶבYa.revH7378with him,”becauseכִּ֥יkiH3588he had torn downנָתַ֖ץna.TatzH5422אֶֽת־'et-H853Baal’saltarמִזְבְּחֽוֹ׃ פmiz.be.ChoH4196.

The Sign of the Fleece

33Then allוְכָל־ve.kholH3605the Midianitesמִדְיָ֧ןmid.YanH4080,Amalekitesוַעֲמָלֵ֛קva.'a.ma.LekH6002,and other peopleוּבְנֵי־u.ve.nei-H1121of the eastקֶ֖דֶםKe.demH6924gatheredנֶאֶסְפ֣וּne.'es.FuH622togetherיַחְדָּ֑וyach.DavH3162,crossed overוַיַּעַבְר֥וּvai.ya.'av.RuH5674the Jordan,and campedוַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּvai.ya.cha.NuH2583in the Valleyבְּעֵ֥מֶקbe.'E.mekH6010of Jezreelיִזְרְעֶֽאל׃yiz.re.'ElH3157.

34So the Spiritוְר֣וּחַve.Ru.achH7307of the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah.wehH3068came uponלָבְשָׁ֖הla.ve.ShahH3847אֶת־'et-H853Gideonגִּדְע֑וֹןgid.'onH1439,who blewוַיִּתְקַע֙vai.yit.Ka'H8628the ram’s hornבַּשּׁוֹפָ֔רba.sho.FarH7782and ralliedוַיִזָּעֵ֥קvai.yi.za.'EkH2199the Abiezritesאֲבִיעֶ֖זֶר'a.vi.'E.zerH44behind himאַחֲרָֽיו׃'a.cha.RavH310.

35ה֖וּאhu'H1931Calling themוַיִזָּעֵ֥קvai.yi.za.'EkH2199to armsאַחֲרָ֑יו'a.cha.RavH310, Gideonsentשָׁלַ֣חsha.LachH7971messengersוּמַלְאָכִים֙u.mal.'a.KhimH4397throughoutבְּכָל־be.kholH3605Manassehמְנַשֶּׁ֔הme.na.ShehH4519,as well asגַּם־gam-H1571שָׁלַ֗חsha.LachH7971וּמַלְאָכִ֣יםu.mal.'a.KhimH4397Asherבְּאָשֵׁ֤רbe.'a.SherH836,Zebulunוּבִזְבֻלוּן֙u.viz.vu.LunH2074,and Naphtaliוּבְנַפְתָּלִ֔יu.ve.naf.ta.LiH5321,so that they came upוַֽיַּעֲל֖וּvai.ya.'a.LuH5927to meet himלִקְרָאתָֽם׃lik.ra.TamH7122.

36Then Gideonגִּדְע֖וֹןgid.'onH1439saidוַיֹּ֥אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559toאֶל־'el-H413Godהָאֱלֹהִ֑יםha.'E.lo.HimH430, “Ifאִם־ יֶשְׁךָ֞'im- yesh.KhaH518 H3426You are going to saveמוֹשִׁ֧יעַmo.Shi.a'H3467Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לYis.ra.'ElH3478by my handבְּיָדִ֛יbe.ya.DiH3027אֶת־'et-H853,asכַּאֲשֶׁ֥רka.'a.SherH834You have saidדִּבַּֽרְתָּ׃di.Bar.taH1696,

37then beholdהִנֵּ֣הhi.NehH2009,Iאָנֹכִ֗י'a.no.KhiH595will placeמַצִּ֛יגma.TzigH3322אֶת־'et-H853a fleeceגִּזַּ֥תgi.ZatH1492of woolהַצֶּ֖מֶרha.Tze.merH6785on the threshing floorבַּגֹּ֑רֶןba.Go.renH1637.Ifאִ֡ם'imH518there isיִהְיֶ֨הyih.YehH1961dewטַל֩talH2919onlyעַֽל־ לְבַדָּ֗הּ'al- le.va.DahH905 H5921onוְעַל־ve.'al-H5921the fleeceהַגִּזָּ֜הha.gi.ZahH1492and allכָּל־kol-H3605the groundהָאָ֙רֶץ֙ha.'A.retzH776is dryחֹ֔רֶבCho.revH2721,then I will knowוְיָדַעְתִּ֗יve.ya.da'.TiH3045thatכִּֽי־ki-H3588You are going to saveתוֹשִׁ֧יעַto.Shi.a'H3467Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לYis.ra.'ElH3478by my handבְּיָדִ֛יbe.ya.DiH3027אֶת־'et-H853,asכַּאֲשֶׁ֥רka.'a.SherH834You have saidדִּבַּֽרְתָּ׃di.Bar.taH1696.”

38And that is whatכֵ֕ןkhenH3651happenedוַיְהִי־vay.hi-H1961.When Gideon aroseוַיַּשְׁכֵּם֙vai.yash.KemH7925the next morningמִֽמָּחֳרָ֔תmi.mo.cho.RatH4283,he squeezedוַיָּ֖זַרvai.Ya.zarH2115אֶת־'et-H853the fleeceהַגִּזָּ֑הha.gi.ZahH1492and wrungוַיִּ֤מֶץvai.Yi.metzH4680outמִן־min-H4480the dewטַל֙ הַגִּזָּ֔הtal ha.gi.ZahH2919 H1492—a bowlfulמְל֥וֹא הַסֵּ֖פֶלme.Lo' ha.Se.felH4393 H5602of waterמָֽיִם׃Ma.yimH4325.

39Then Gideonגִּדְעוֹן֙gid.'OnH1439saidוַיֹּ֤אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559toאֶל־'el-H413Godהָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔יםha.'E.lo.HimH430, “Do notאַל־'al-H408be angryיִ֤חַר אַפְּךָ֙Yi.char 'a.pe.KhaH2734 H639with me;let me speakוַאֲדַבְּרָ֖הva.'a.da.be.RahH1696one more timeאַ֣ךְ הַפָּ֑עַם'akh ha.Pa.'amH389 H6471.Please allow meנָּא־ רַק־na'- rak-H4994 H7535one moreהַפַּ֙עַם֙ha.Pa.'amH6471testאֲנַסֶּ֤ה'a.na.SehH5254with the fleeceבַּגִּזָּ֔הba.gi.ZahH1492.This timeנָ֨אna'H4994let it beיְהִי־ye.hi-H1961dryחֹ֤רֶב אֶל־ הַגִּזָּה֙ לְבַדָּ֔הּCho.rev 'el- ha.gi.Zah le.va.DahH2721 H413 H1492 H905,and the groundהָאָ֖רֶץha.'A.retzH776יִֽהְיֶה־yih.yeh-H1961coveredוְעַל־ כָּל־ve.'al- kol-H3605 H5921with dewטָּֽל׃TalH2919.”

40And thatהַה֑וּאha.Hu'H1931nightבַּלַּ֣יְלָהba.Lay.lahH3915Godאֱלֹהִ֛ים'E.lo.HimH430didוַיַּ֧עַשׂvai.Ya.'asH6213soכֵּ֖ןkenH3651.Onlyלְבַדָּ֔הּ וְעַל־le.va.Dah ve.'al-H905 H5921the fleeceהַגִּזָּה֙ha.gi.ZahH1492wasוַיְהִי־vay.hi-H1961dryחֹ֤רֶב אֶל־Cho.rev 'el-H2721 H413,and dewטָֽל׃ פTalH2919coveredכָּל־ הָ֥יָהkol- Ha.yahH1961 H3605the groundהָאָ֖רֶץha.'A.retzH776.

The Call of Gideon

Gideon Destroys Baal’s Altar

The Sign of the Fleece

Commentaries on Judges 6