# Gideon

## Facts:

Gideon was an Israelite man whom God raised up to deliver the Israelites from their enemies.

* During the time when Gideon lived, a people group called the Midianites kept attacking the Israelites and destroying their crops.
* Even though Gideon was afraid, God used him to lead the Israelites to fight against the Midianites and defeat them.
* Gideon also obeyed God by taking down altars to the false gods Baal and Asherah.
* He not only led the people in defeating their enemies but also encouraged them to obey and worship Yahweh, the one true God.

(Translation suggestions: [How to Translate Names](rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names))

(See also: [Baal](../names/baal.md), [Asherah](../names/asherim.md), [deliver](../other/deliverer.md), [Midian](../names/midian.md), [Yahweh](../kt/yahweh.md))

## Bible References:

* [Hebrews 11:32-34](rc://en/tn/help/heb/11/32)
* [Judges 6:11](rc://en/tn/help/jdg/06/11)
* [Judges 6:23](rc://en/tn/help/jdg/06/23)
* [Judges 8:17](rc://en/tn/help/jdg/08/17)

## Examples from the Bible stories:

* __[16:5](rc://en/tn/help/obs/16/05)__ The angel of Yahweh came to __Gideon__ and said, “God is with you, mighty warrior. Go and save Israel from the Midianites.”
* __[16:6](rc://en/tn/help/obs/16/06)__ __Gideon’s__ father had an altar dedicated to an idol. God told __Gideon__ to tear down that altar.
* __[16:8](rc://en/tn/help/obs/16/08)__ There were so many of them (Midianites) that they could not be counted. __Gideon__ called the Israelites together to fight them.
* __[16:8](rc://en/tn/help/obs/16/08)__ __Gideon__ called the Israelites together to fight them. __Gideon__ asked God for two signs so he could be sure that God would use him to save Israel.
* __[16:10](rc://en/tn/help/obs/16/10)__ 32,000 Israelite soldiers came to __Gideon__, but God told him this was too many.
* __[16:12](rc://en/tn/help/obs/16/12)__ Then __Gideon__ returned to his soldiers and gave each of them a horn, a clay pot, and a torch.
* __[16:15](rc://en/tn/help/obs/16/15)__ The people wanted to make __Gideon__ their king.
* __[16:16](rc://en/tn/help/obs/16/16)__ Then __Gideon__ used the gold to make a special garment like the high priest used to wear. But the people started worshiping it as if it were an idol.

## Word Data:

* Strong’s: H1439, H1441