Judges 6 29

Judges 6:29 kjv

And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they inquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing.

Judges 6:29 nkjv

So they said to one another, "Who has done this thing?" And when they had inquired and asked, they said, "Gideon the son of Joash has done this thing."

Judges 6:29 niv

They asked each other, "Who did this?" When they carefully investigated, they were told, "Gideon son of Joash did it."

Judges 6:29 esv

And they said to one another, "Who has done this thing?" And after they had searched and inquired, they said, "Gideon the son of Joash has done this thing."

Judges 6:29 nlt

The people said to each other, "Who did this?" And after asking around and making a careful search, they learned that it was Gideon, the son of Joash.

Judges 6 verses

Judges 6 29 Meaning

Judges 6:29 reveals the immediate aftermath of Gideon's divinely commanded act of destroying the Baal altar and Asherah pole belonging to his father, Joash, in Ophrah. Upon discovering the sacrilege at daybreak, the men of the city collectively questioned who performed such a provocative deed. Following a thorough investigation, they unequivocally identified Gideon, son of Joash, as the perpetrator. This verse marks the shift from Gideon's secret obedience to his public revelation and subsequent confrontation with his community.

Judges 6 29 Context

Judges chapter 6 sets the scene during a time of severe oppression of Israel by the Midianites, inflicted as divine judgment for Israel's pervasive idolatry. The narrative introduces Gideon, initially a fearful and self-doubting figure. God calls Gideon to deliver Israel, surprisingly addressing him as "Mighty Warrior" (v. 12). Despite his hesitations, Gideon is instructed by the Lord to destroy the Baal altar and Asherah pole belonging to his own father (Judg 6:25-27), a significant act given his household's likely involvement in local idolatry. This private act of obedience is crucial, yet it sets up a public challenge. Verse 29 is the immediate reaction to this covert demolition. The people's inquiry reveals the depth of Baal worship within Ophrah and their collective commitment to their false god, leading to their demand for Gideon's death in the following verse. This initial crisis tests Gideon's newfound faith and his family's loyalty.

Judges 6 29 Word analysis

• And they said (וַיֹּאמְר֧וּ - vayyomeru): A direct and immediate reaction, indicating a collective response from the community, not just a few individuals.
• one to another (אִ֣ישׁ אֶל־רֵעֵ֔הוּ - ish el re'ehu): Literally "man to his neighbor," showing mutual questioning and collaborative discussion among the townspeople. It suggests widespread perplexity and a collective need for an explanation.
• Who hath done this thing? (מִ֣י עָשָׂ֔ה הַדָּבָ֖ר הַזֶּ֑ה - mi asah haddavar hazzeh): A question fueled by outrage. "This thing" refers specifically to the destruction of the Baal altar and Asherah pole (Judg 6:27-28), considered an affront to their deities and local religious order.
• And when they inquired (וַיִּדְרְשׁ֖וּ - vayyidreshu): From the Hebrew root darash, meaning "to seek," "to search diligently," or "to investigate." This signifies a formal and careful probe, indicative of their serious intent to uncover the perpetrator.
• and asked (וַיְבַקְשׁוּ - vayvaqshu): From the Hebrew root baqash, also meaning "to seek," "to search for," or "to require." The pairing with darash creates a powerful intensifier, emphasizing a thorough, insistent, and relentless investigation, not merely a casual inquiry. This was a communal "detective work."
• they said (וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ - vayyomeru): The conclusion drawn from their investigation, presented as an affirmed and accepted truth by the community.
• Gideon the son of Joash (גִּדְע֣וֹן בֶּן־יוֹאָ֑שׁ - Gid'on ben Yo'ash): Clear identification by name and patronymic. This detail grounds the event within the family structure, which will become significant as Joash's role emerges. His identity is now publicly exposed.
• hath done this thing (עָשָׂ֖ה הַדָּבָ֖ר הַזֶּֽה - asah haddavar hazzeh): A definitive attribution of the action, a direct accusation resulting from their diligent search.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "They said one to another, Who hath done this thing?": This initial response highlights the collective bewilderment and the communal importance of the desecrated idol. The inquiry begins from a place of righteous indignation concerning their false gods.
• "And when they inquired and asked, they said...": This phrase strongly conveys the thoroughness and determination of the community's investigation. They weren't satisfied until they found an answer, revealing their dedication to the local Baal cult and their desire for justice against its perceived assailant. The doubling of verbs for "seeking" emphasizes this investigative zeal.
• "Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing.": The ultimate conclusion reached, clearly identifying Gideon. This precise naming, including his father, immediately raises the stakes for Gideon and involves his family directly, setting the stage for Joash's critical intervention in the next verses.

Judges 6 29 Bonus section

• The collective investigation in Ophrah illustrates a societal emphasis on order and the swift administration of justice or retaliation within ancient Israelite (or Canaanite-influenced) communal structures when a severe perceived transgression occurred, particularly in religious matters.
• Gideon's fear (implied by doing the work at night, Judg 6:27) was a reasonable human reaction to the potential consequences of defying deeply ingrained religious practices, often punishable by death (cf. Dt 13:6-10). The very next verse (Judg 6:30) confirms their murderous intent.
• This immediate identification and communal rage also subtly highlights Israel's misplaced zeal. They were zealous for Baal, the oppressor's god, rather than for the Lord, who could deliver them. Their anger is not against Midian, but against Gideon for challenging their idolatry.
• The fact that it was his father's altar and Asherah pole emphasizes the deeply personal and familial dimension of Gideon's mission, foreshadowing the complex dynamic with his father Joash in the following verses.

Judges 6 29 Commentary

Judges 6:29 serves as a crucial transition point for Gideon. His first act of obedience to the Lord—the destruction of the idols—was performed under the cover of night due to his fear of the community. However, this verse reveals that actions in God's service, especially those challenging prevailing cultural norms or idolatrous practices, rarely remain hidden for long. The community's "inquiry" was not an indifferent observation but an indignant search for the one who had offended their gods. This demonstrates the deep entrenchment of Baal worship in Israel, where loyalty to false gods was strong enough to prompt a communal investigation and outrage. The definitive identification of Gideon thrusts him from the shadows of his fear into direct confrontation with those he is called to deliver. His identity being uncovered immediately places him in a perilous position, testing his willingness to stand firm on God's side despite immediate threat. It shows that obedience to God often comes with a public cost, revealing one's true allegiance and preparing them for further trials.