Judges 6 19

Judges 6:19 kjv

And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it.

Judges 6:19 nkjv

So Gideon went in and prepared a young goat, and unleavened bread from an ephah of flour. The meat he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot; and he brought them out to Him under the terebinth tree and presented them.

Judges 6:19 niv

Gideon went inside, prepared a young goat, and from an ephah of flour he made bread without yeast. Putting the meat in a basket and its broth in a pot, he brought them out and offered them to him under the oak.

Judges 6:19 esv

So Gideon went into his house and prepared a young goat and unleavened cakes from an ephah of flour. The meat he put in a basket, and the broth he put in a pot, and brought them to him under the terebinth and presented them.

Judges 6:19 nlt

Gideon hurried home. He cooked a young goat, and with a basket of flour he baked some bread without yeast. Then, carrying the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot, he brought them out and presented them to the angel, who was under the great tree.

Judges 6 verses

Judges 6 19 Meaning

This verse describes Gideon's immediate and generous obedience in preparing a substantial meal of a young goat, meat, broth, and unleavened bread from a significant amount of flour. This elaborate preparation, carried out under a specific terebinth tree, was intended as an offering for his divine guest, the "Angel of the Lord," signifying his hospitality and readiness to heed the divine instruction. His actions set the stage for a powerful display of God's presence and acceptance.

Judges 6 19 Context

Judges chapter 6 introduces Gideon as a man threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the oppressive Midianites, who had plundered Israel's crops and livestock for seven years. The Israelites are in dire poverty and despair, crying out to the Lord. The "Angel of the Lord" appears to Gideon, hailing him as a "mighty man of valor" and declaring that the Lord is with him. Gideon expresses his profound doubts, questioning God's presence and power given Israel's suffering. As a response to Gideon's request for a sign to confirm the identity of his divine visitor, this verse details Gideon's act of obedience in preparing a substantial offering.

Judges 6 19 Word analysis

• Then Gideon went in: This signifies immediate action and obedience. Gideon did not hesitate, but promptly moved from his outdoor threshing site to his dwelling place to prepare what was requested. It shows his commitment to his guest and his readiness to engage with the divine.

• prepared a young goat:

  • Hebrew: gedi (גְּדִי). This was a common animal for sacrifice or for significant hospitality in ancient Israel. It represented a valuable item, indicating the substantial nature of Gideon's offering and his earnestness. Such animals were typically consumed in communal meals or given to esteemed guests.

• and unleavened bread:

  • Hebrew: matstsah (מַצּוֹת). Bread made without yeast. Its use is significant in religious contexts, especially for the Passover (Exod 12:8), indicating haste and purity. In temple sacrifices, unleavened bread was required for grain offerings and peace offerings (Lev 2:4; Lev 7:12), signifying holiness and freedom from corruption.

• from an ephah of flour:

  • Hebrew: ephah (אֵיפָה). An ancient Hebrew dry measure, equivalent to about 22 liters (or approximately 20-40 pounds), enough to make a large quantity of bread (many loaves). This demonstrates Gideon's generosity and the magnitude of the meal prepared, far exceeding what would be typical for just one person. It underscores his dedication in seeking confirmation from his divine guest.

• He put the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot: These details show careful preparation and presentation. The basket suggests solid food (meat), while the pot holds liquid (broth). This ensures both components are distinct and can be offered as intended.

• and brought them out to Him: "Him" refers to the Angel of the Lord. Gideon’s action is personal service, showing honor and submission. It’s an act of worship.

• under the terebinth:

  • Hebrew: 'elah (אֵלָה). A type of large, long-lived tree, often translated as oak or terebinth. These trees often served as natural meeting places and, unfortunately, sometimes became sites for pagan worship (Isa 1:29; Hos 4:13). Its mention here contextualizes the specific location of the divine encounter and Gideon’s presentation, placing a sacred divine act within a potentially pagan landscape.

• and presented them: This denotes a formal act of offering, emphasizing the reverential posture of Gideon towards his visitor. It goes beyond merely serving a meal; it is an act of presenting an offering.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "prepared a young goat and unleavened bread from an ephah of flour": This entire phrase depicts a substantial, ritually pure, and generous offering. The items prepared are significant not only for hospitality but also because they align with elements used in Israelite sacrifices (kid as burnt or sin offering; unleavened bread in various grain and peace offerings), subtly foreshadowing God’s acceptance by fire.
  • "He put the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot and brought them out to Him": This sequence of actions highlights the care, reverence, and personal service involved. Gideon's hands-on approach indicates his dedication to the divine visitor, anticipating His consumption. The distinction between solid and liquid will be significant in the next verse when the angel separates them before the fire consumes them.

Judges 6 19 Bonus section

The "Angel of the Lord" appearing to Gideon is a common theme in the Old Testament, often interpreted by theologians as a Christophany – a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. The language used frequently blurs the distinction between the Angel and the Lord Himself (Yahweh), supporting this view. The willingness of this divine figure to engage in such an intimate interaction as sharing a meal (which turns into a sacrifice) underlines God's condescension and desire for a personal relationship with His people. Gideon's selection of a terebinth tree, a prominent landmark often linked to pagan worship in Canaanite culture, for this sacred encounter can be seen as God reclaiming these spaces for true worship, demonstrating His ultimate authority over all land and its associations. Gideon's offerings also echo foundational events like the Passover (unleavened bread for liberation) and Abraham's hospitality (Gen 18), tying his unique calling into the larger narrative of God's redemptive history.

Judges 6 19 Commentary

Judges 6:19 is a pivotal moment showcasing Gideon's prompt, generous, and diligent response to a divine encounter. His preparation of a young goat, ample unleavened bread, meat in a basket, and broth in a pot, all presented under the terebinth tree, signifies both customary Middle Eastern hospitality and, more profoundly, the preparation of a ritual sacrifice. Though he believes he is simply preparing a meal for a man, his meticulousness and choice of items (especially unleavened bread) inadvertently follow sacred norms for offerings to God. This obedience, stemming from his earnest desire for a sign, serves as a test of Gideon's faith and readies him for the awe-inspiring revelation of God's power through the subsequent consumption of the offering by fire, confirming the identity of the "Angel of the Lord" and establishing divine approval for Gideon’s improbable mission. This scene exemplifies how genuine devotion and humble service, even if misunderstood by the individual at the time, are noticed and honored by God, setting the stage for mighty works.