Judges 6 25

Judges 6:25 kjv

And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it:

Judges 6:25 nkjv

Now it came to pass the same night that the LORD said to him, "Take your father's young bull, the second bull of seven years old, and tear down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the wooden image that is beside it;

Judges 6:25 niv

That same night the LORD said to him, "Take the second bull from your father's herd, the one seven years old. Tear down your father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it.

Judges 6:25 esv

That night the LORD said to him, "Take your father's bull, and the second bull seven years old, and pull down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the Asherah that is beside it

Judges 6:25 nlt

That night the LORD said to Gideon, "Take the second bull from your father's herd, the one that is seven years old. Pull down your father's altar to Baal, and cut down the Asherah pole standing beside it.

Judges 6 verses

Judges 6 25 Meaning

Judges 6:25 recounts the Lord's direct instruction to Gideon to destroy his father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. It further commanded Gideon to build an altar to the Lord on top of the stronghold and offer a specific burnt sacrifice using the wood of the Asherah pole. This verse marks Gideon's first act of obedience to God's specific commands, immediately following his call to deliver Israel. It signifies a radical turning away from the idolatry pervasive even within his own household, symbolizing a necessary internal spiritual cleansing before embarking on national deliverance.

Judges 6 25 Context

This verse is pivotal, occurring directly after the Angel of the Lord confirms Gideon's commission and miraculously accepts his offering, reassuring him of peace and divine presence (Jdg 6:12-24). Israel was severely oppressed by the Midianites and Amalekites for their idolatry (Jdg 6:1-6). Gideon's call (Jdg 6:11-14) is for him to deliver Israel, but before he can deliver his people from external enemies, he must cleanse his own household and community of the internal spiritual corruption—the worship of Baal and Asherah. His father Joash, a leader in his community, was actively involved in this idolatry. God's command in verse 25 is thus a critical test of Gideon's obedience and a necessary act of national spiritual restoration, beginning with his own home. It sets the stage for God to empower him further.

Judges 6 25 Word analysis

• And it came to pass (וַיְהִי - vay’hi): This common Hebrew narrative opener signifies a sequential event, often indicating divine orchestration or a divinely appointed timing. Here, it marks the immediate initiation of a key action following God's instruction and reassurance to Gideon.
• the same night (בַּלַּיְלָה הַהוּא - ballaylah hahu): Emphasizes the immediacy and specificity of God's command and Gideon's required response. God expects prompt obedience, and Gideon acts without delay, even if under cover of darkness.
• that the Lord (יְהוָה - YHWH): Refers to the covenant God of Israel, the one true God, highlighting the divine source of the command.
• said to him (אָמַר לוֹ - amar lo): Direct, authoritative instruction from God to Gideon.
• Take (לָקַח - lakach): A command implying active acquisition or seizing. Gideon is to take personal responsibility for the act.
• your father’s bull (פַּר אָבִיךָ - par avicha): Specifies ownership. It directly challenges the source of family wealth and security, which might be linked to pagan prosperity.
• the second bull (הַפַּר הַשֵּׁנִי - happar hashsheyni): Interpreted by some scholars as indicating a choice, possibly a specific animal prepared for idol sacrifice or one designated by the Lord. This phrase suggests a very particular command, perhaps highlighting a prime animal or distinguishing it from an ordinary one.
• seven years old (שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים - sheva shanim): Symbolically significant. Seven is often a number of completion or perfection in the Bible. It could subtly allude to the seven years of Midianite oppression, implying this sacrifice initiates the end of that period or that Gideon, as Israel's deliverer, is of a significant age of accountability or readiness.
• and tear down (וְהָרַסְתָּ - vehārastā): A strong, decisive verb meaning to pull down, demolish, or utterly destroy. It signifies a complete eradication, not merely disabling or moving.
• the altar of Baal (מִזְבַּח הַבַּעַל - mizbach habba'al): Refers to the Canaanite storm and fertility god, worshipped widely in Israel, symbolizing Israel's pervasive apostasy and direct affront to YHWH.
• that your father has (אֲשֶׁר לְאָבִיךָ - asher l’avicha): Explicitly links the idolatry to Gideon's own family, making the challenge personal and profound. Gideon must confront and correct the sin within his immediate household.
• and cut down (וְכָרַתָּ - vekārattā): A decisive verb meaning to cut off, cut down, or eliminate. This reinforces the command for total removal.
• the Asherah pole (הָאֲשֵׁרָה - ha'asherah): Refers to a cultic wooden pole or tree associated with Asherah, a Canaanite goddess of fertility, often paired with Baal. This command directly targets another major pagan symbol.
• that is beside it (אֲשֶׁר עָלָיו - asher alav): Indicates the direct association of Asherah worship with the Baal altar, often co-located at cult sites.
• and build (וּבָנִיתָ - uvānītā): A constructive verb, contrasting with the destructive commands. It signifies reconstruction and redirection of worship.
• an altar to the Lord your God (מִזְבֵּחַ לַיהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - mizbeach lYHWH Eloheicha): Replaces pagan worship with true worship. The emphasis on "your God" strengthens the personal relationship Gideon is called to reaffirm.
• on top of this stronghold (עַל רֹאשׁ הַמָּעוֹז הַזֶּה - al rosh hamma'oz hazzeh): "Stronghold" (ma'oz) might refer to a fortress, an elevated place, or even Gideon's ancestral dwelling. Building it "on top" suggests a prominent, visible location, proclaiming God's sovereignty. This location may have been formerly dedicated to pagan worship, thus consecrating it to YHWH.
• with the layer of stones (בַּמַּעֲרָכָה - bamma'arachah): Implies an ordered arrangement of stones for an altar, as prescribed in Mosaic Law (e.g., Exod 20:25), signifying proper worship.
• and take the second bull (וְלָקַחְתָּ אֶת הַפַּר הַשֵּׁנִי - velakachta et happar hashsheyni): Repeats the specific bull for sacrifice, ensuring the correct one is used.
• and offer a burnt offering (וְהַעֲלֵיתָ עוֹלָה - vehahaleta olah): The olah or burnt offering was a sacrifice wholly consumed by fire, symbolizing complete dedication and atonement, here offered to the Lord.
• with the wood of the Asherah pole (בַּעֲצֵי הָאֲשֵׁרָה אֲשֶׁר תִּכְרֹת - ba'atzei ha'asherah asher tikrot): This detail is profoundly symbolic. The instrument of pagan worship is now consumed in the fire as fuel for the sacrifice to the Lord, demonstrating God's triumph over idols and the complete desecration of the false gods. It signifies that even symbols of paganism must be fully repurposed for God's glory.

Judges 6 25 Bonus section

• The tension in Gideon's immediate obedience: The very next verse (Jdg 6:27) indicates that Gideon took ten of his servants and carried out the commands at night "because he was afraid of his father’s household and the men of the town." This highlights the human element of fear even in obedience, but emphasizes that fear did not negate his obedience, only influenced its execution. It reveals that courageous acts are not necessarily free of fear but are carried out despite it.
• The "seven years old" bull, correlating with the seven years of Midianite oppression, suggests a divine reversal: the very things associated with Israel's bondage are now used for their deliverance and return to God. This bull may have been specifically associated with the fertility cult of Baal or dedicated to it, making its use in Yahweh's burnt offering an ultimate insult to the false god.
• This act can be seen as Gideon’s personal reformation, mirroring the national reformation God desires to bring through him. His commitment to pure worship of YHWH is tested and confirmed first in his private sphere, proving him worthy of the public responsibility. It shows that revival always begins with internal spiritual cleansing.

Judges 6 25 Commentary

Judges 6:25 presents a radical and essential command from God to Gideon: dismantle idolatry at its core, starting within his own family and community, before undertaking national deliverance. This isn't merely a tactical military instruction, but a profound spiritual one. The specificity of the command—destroying the Baal altar and Asherah pole, building an altar to the Lord in the same spot, and using the chopped-down Asherah wood as fuel for the sacrifice—demonstrates God's zero tolerance for syncretism. This act of purification is a non-negotiable prerequisite for divine favor and victory. It illustrates that genuine transformation must begin personally, spiritually, and often involves direct confrontation with deeply ingrained systems of ungodliness, even those perpetuated by one’s own family. It’s a testament to God's demand for exclusive worship and Gideon's burgeoning, though fearful, faith as he embarks on his divinely appointed task.