Judges 6 27

Judges 6:27 kjv

Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said unto him: and so it was, because he feared his father's household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.

Judges 6:27 nkjv

So Gideon took ten men from among his servants and did as the LORD had said to him. But because he feared his father's household and the men of the city too much to do it by day, he did it by night.

Judges 6:27 niv

So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the LORD told him. But because he was afraid of his family and the townspeople, he did it at night rather than in the daytime.

Judges 6:27 esv

So Gideon took ten men of his servants and did as the LORD had told him. But because he was too afraid of his family and the men of the town to do it by day, he did it by night.

Judges 6:27 nlt

So Gideon took ten of his servants and did as the LORD had commanded. But he did it at night because he was afraid of the other members of his father's household and the people of the town.

Judges 6 verses

Judges 6 27 Meaning

Judges 6:27 describes Gideon's initial act of obedience to the Lord's command to destroy the altar of Baal and cut down the Asherah pole. Despite his obedience, his deep fear of his father's household and the people of his city led him to perform this act of defilement under the cover of night, rather than during the day as would have been customary or expected for a bold prophetic act.

Judges 6 27 Context

Judges chapter 6 sets the scene in the period of the Judges, a time characterized by a recurring cycle of apostasy, divine judgment through oppression (in this case, by the Midianites), Israel's cry for help, and God raising a deliverer. Gideon, initially presented as a fearful and humble man (threshing wheat in a winepress to hide from Midianites), is supernaturally called by the Angel of the Lord. Despite his persistent doubts and demands for signs, God patiently reaffirms His commission to Gideon. The specific command preceding verse 27 (Judges 6:25-26) instructs Gideon to dismantle his father's altar to Baal, cut down the associated Asherah pole, and build an altar to the Lord. This act of destroying the community's primary idol was a direct confrontation with the pervasive Canaanite religious system and a polemic against the false deities that held Israel captive. It was also an initial step in Gideon's personal spiritual warfare against the prevailing idolatry in his own family and town.

Judges 6 27 Word analysis

• Then Gideon (וַיִּקַּח גִּדְעוֹן - wayyiqqaḥ Gid'on):

  • Then: Signifies the immediate action following the divine command given in Judges 6:25-26. It denotes a prompt response.
  • Gideon: Hebrew Gid'on (גִּדְעוֹן), meaning "hewer" or "feller." This name is deeply significant as it anticipates his role not only as a military deliverer but first as one who hews down idols.

• took ten men of his servants (עֲשָׂרָה אֲנָשִׁים מֵעֲבָדָיו - ‘ăśārāh ’ănāšîm mē‘ăḇādāw):

  • took: Implies Gideon gathered help for a task too large or sensitive for him alone.
  • ten men: A significant number, suggesting the scale of the task (demolishing an altar and cutting a large pole) required labor. It also points to the necessary manpower for an action potentially resisted by locals.
  • of his servants: Hebrew ‘abādāyw (עֲבָדָיו), meaning "his servants" or "household servants." This indicates Gideon held a certain status, having a retinue of help. It implies they were under his authority, which allowed him to act without broader community involvement at this stage.

• and did as the Lord had told him (וַיַּעַשׂ כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר יְהוָה אֵלָיו - wayya‘as ka’ăšer dibber YHWH ’ēlayw):

  • did: Action verb, showing execution of the command.
  • as the Lord had told him: ka’ăšer dibber YHWH ’ēlayw literally means "as the Lord had spoken to him." This phrase directly affirms Gideon's obedience to a specific, divine instruction from Yahweh (יהוה - YHWH, the covenant name of God). This obedience, even with reservations, is central to Gideon's call and God's working through him. It is a fundamental act of faith.

• but because he feared (כִּי יָרֵא - kî yārē’):

  • but: Introduces a contrast or a mitigating circumstance to his obedience.
  • because he feared: Hebrew yārē’ (יָרֵא), meaning "to fear," "to be afraid of." This reveals Gideon's primary motivation for his method of operation. It's human fear, a lack of bold faith at this initial stage. This fear of man is contrasted with the ideal 'fear of the Lord,' which produces courage.

• his father's household (בֵּית אָבִיו - bêṯ ’āḇîw):

  • father's household: His immediate family, from whom resistance and disapproval were expected. The primary idolatry was in his own family. Gideon's father was Baal's priest.

• and the men of the city (וְאֲנְשֵׁי הָעִיר - wə’anšê hā‘îr):

  • men of the city: The wider community, implying public opposition, possibly violence or social ostracism. They were worshippers of Baal and would likely react aggressively to the defilement of their deity.

• too much to do it by day (מֵעֲשׂוֹת בְּיוֹמָם - mē‘ăśôṯ bəyômām):

  • too much: Emphasizes the overwhelming nature of his fear. It limited his options for action.
  • to do it by day: Performing the act openly in daylight would signify bold public defiance and potentially lead to immediate reprisal.

• he did it by night (וַיַּעַשׂ בַּלַּיְלָה - wayya‘as ballaylāh):

  • he did it: Reaffirms that despite his fear, he still acted on the command.
  • by night: The time chosen reflects his caution and fear. This decision, though born of fear, allowed the task to be completed without direct confrontation at that moment. God, in His grace, allowed for this initial act of hesitant obedience, demonstrating He works with imperfect vessels.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Then Gideon took ten men of his servants and did as the Lord had told him": This segment highlights the immediate and direct obedience to God's command. Despite his earlier reservations and requests for signs, Gideon demonstrates a foundational act of faith. The requirement for ten servants signifies that this was not a simple, private task but a significant demolition, potentially facing human and spiritual resistance. This demonstrates that Gideon used the resources available to him to fulfill the command, even before full boldness was developed.
  • "but because he feared his father's household and the men of the city too much to do it by day, he did it by night": This section introduces the profound human element of fear. Gideon's obedience is not absolute boldness but tempered by overwhelming trepidation regarding familial and communal backlash. This fear of man modified the manner of his obedience (doing it by night) but did not negate the act itself. God allows for this imperfect, cautious obedience, demonstrating His patience and understanding of human weakness. It illustrates a first step of faith, which is often mixed with trepidation, paving the way for greater courage later.

Judges 6 27 Bonus section

The act of destroying the idols at night indicates a strategic pragmatism on Gideon's part, even if rooted in fear. It allowed the completion of the divine command without immediately escalating to confrontation. This temporary avoidance of conflict facilitated the primary objective – the dismantling of idolatry – which God prioritized over the manner of its execution. Gideon's fear of "his father's household" underscores the deep penetration of Baal worship even within seemingly faithful Israelite families and highlights the personal cost of obedience. God's tolerance of Gideon's method reveals His patience; He values the completed obedience over the initial display of perfect courage. This was a crucial test of Gideon's resolve, establishing him as Yahweh's chosen instrument against Midian, who would progressively shed his fear for bolder actions. It also signifies that dismantling spiritual strongholds often begins with private conviction before moving into public declaration.

Judges 6 27 Commentary

Judges 6:27 presents a vivid picture of Gideon's character at the dawn of his mission: a mixture of genuine obedience and palpable fear. Despite having just experienced divine encounters and specific instructions from the Lord, his human weakness and self-preservation instinct dominate. The command to destroy Baal's altar was not merely a physical act but a spiritual and public declaration against pervasive idolatry; hence the local outrage mentioned in subsequent verses. Gideon's decision to act "by night" due to "fear" (יָרֵא) of his own family and the townspeople demonstrates that faith often begins with faltering steps. God, in His infinite wisdom and patience, accepted this hesitant obedience. He often uses flawed individuals and works with them where they are, transforming them as they step out in even small acts of faith. This act by night was not defiance but a pragmatic concession to his overwhelming fear, a compromise of courage, not of the command itself. It serves as a reminder that God’s call to obedience sometimes begins quietly, allowing room for growth in boldness.

• Example for practical usage: When facing a challenging task for God, even if initial steps are taken cautiously or secretly due to personal fears or perceived external opposition, God acknowledges and uses that beginning obedience. The goal is not instant fearlessness but faithful progression, no matter how small or hidden the first steps might be.