The Call of Gideon

Judges 6

After Israel is oppressed by Midian, an angel of the Lord appears to Gideon threshing wheat in hiding and calls him to save Israel, confirming the call with fire consuming an offering on a rock. Gideon tears down his father's altar of Baal by night, is renamed Jerubbaal, and twice tests the Lord's promise of victory with a fleece of wool, once wet and once dry.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonAGAIN the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord delivered them into the hand of Madiam seven years.

BrentonAnd the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord gave them into the hand of Madiam seven years.

GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ τὸ πονηρὸν ἐνώπιον Κυρίου, καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτοὺς Κύριος ἐν χειρὶ Μαδιὰμ ἑπτὰ ἔτη.

KJVAnd the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.

JPSAnd the children of Israel did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.

ThomsonAnd the hand of Madiam prevailed against Israel, so that because of Madiam, the Israelites made for themselves those dens which are in the mountains, and those caves and strongholds in cliffs.

BrentonAnd the hand of Madiam prevailed against Israel: and the children of Israel made for themselves because of Madiam the caves in the mountains, and the dens, and the holes in the rocks.

GreekΚαὶ ἴσχυσε χεὶρ Μαδιὰμ ἐπὶ Ἰσραήλ· καὶ ἐποίησαν ἑαυτοῖς οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ ἀπὸ προσώπου Μαδιὰμ τὰς τρυμαλιὰς τὰς ἐν τοῖς ὄρεσι, καὶ τὰ σπήλαια, καὶ τὰ κρεμαστά.

KJVAnd the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.

JPSAnd the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel; and because of Midian the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and the caves, and the strongholds.

ThomsonAnd when the Israelites had sown, Madiam and Amelek came up, and the children of the east came up with them,

BrentonAnd it came to pass when the children of Israel sowed, that Madiam and Amalec went up, and the children of the east went up together with them.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ἐὰν ἔσπειραν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ ἀνέβαινον Μαδιὰμ καὶ Ἀμαλὴκ, καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ ἀνατολῶν συνανέβαινον αὐτοῖς, καὶ παρενέβαλον εἰς αὐτοὺς,

KJVAnd so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them;

JPSAnd so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east; they came up against them;

Thomsonand encamped against them, and destroyed their fruits, all the way to Gaza. In all the land of Israel they did not leave sustenance for life, nor among the herds a bull or a jackass.

BrentonAnd they encamped against them, and destroyed their fruits until they came to Gaza; and they left not the support of life in the land of Israel, not even ox or ass among the herds.

Greekκαὶ διέφθειρον τοὺς καρποὺς αὐτῶν ἕως ἐλθεῖν εἰς Γάζαν· καὶ οὐ κατελείποντο ὑπόστασιν ζωῆς ἐν τῇ γῇ Ἰσραὴλ, οὐδὲ ἐν τοῖς ποιμνίοις ταῦρον καὶ ὄνον.

KJVAnd they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass.

JPSand they encamped against them, and destroyed the produce of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance in Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass.

ThomsonFor they came up with cattle. And their tents were pitched like locusts for multitude; and they and their camels were innumerable. And they came into the land of Israel, and wasted it;

BrentonFor they and their stock came up, and their tents were with them, as the locust in multitude, and there was no number to them and their camels; and they came to the land of Israel, and laid it waste.

GreekὍτι αὐτοὶ καὶ αἱ κτήσεις αὐτῶν ἀνέβαινον, καὶ αἱ σκηναὶ αὐτῶν παρεγίνοντο, καθὼς ἀκρὶς εἰς πλῆθος, καὶ αὐτοῖς καὶ ταῖς καμήλοις αὐτῶν οὐκ ἦν ἀριθμός· καὶ ἤρχοντο εἰς τὴν γῆν Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ διέφθειρον αὐτήν.

KJVFor they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.

JPSFor they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came in as locusts for multitude; both they and their camels were without number; and they came into the land to destroy it.

Thomsonso that Israel was greatly impoverished by the Madiamites.

BrentonAnd Israel was greatly impoverished because of Madiam.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπτώχευσεν Ἰσραὴλ σφόδρα ἀπὸ προσώπου Μαδιάμ.

KJVAnd Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD.

JPSAnd Israel was brought very low because of Midian; and the children of Israel cried unto the LORD.

ThomsonAnd when the children of Israel cried to the Lord because of Madiam,

BrentonAnd the children of Israel cried to the Lord because of Madiam.

GreekΚαὶ ἐβόησαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ πρὸς Κύριον ἀπὸ προσώπου Μαδιάμ.

KJVAnd it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of the Midianites,

JPSAnd it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of Midian,

Thomsonthe Lord sent a prophet to the children of Israel, and He said to them, Thus saith the Lord the God of Israel. It was I Who brought you up from the land of Egypt.

BrentonAnd the Lord sent a prophet to the children of Israel; and he said to them, Thus says the Lord God of Israel, I am he that brought you up out of the land of Egypt, and I brought you up out of the house of your bondage.

GreekΚαὶ ἐξαπέστειλε Κύριος ἄνδρα προφήτην πρὸς τοὺς νἱοὺς Ἰσραήλ· καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς, τάδε λέγει Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς Ἰσραὴλ, ἐγώ εἰμι ὃς ἀνήγαγον ὑμᾶς ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου, καὶ ἐξήγαγον ὑμᾶς ἐξ οἴκου δουλείας ὑμῶν·

KJVThat the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage;

JPSthat the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel; and he said unto them: ‘Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel: I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage;

ThomsonI brought you out of a house of your bondage, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all those who are afflicting you, and drove them out from before you, and gave you this their land,

BrentonAnd I delivered you out of the hand of Egypt, and out of the hand of all that afflicted you, and I cast them out before you; and I gave you their land.

Greekκαὶ ἐῤῥυσάμην ὑμᾶς ἐκ χειρὸς Αἰγύπτου καὶ ἐκ χειρὸς πάντων τῶν θλιβόντων ὑμᾶς, καὶ ἐξέβαλον αὐτοὺς ἐκ προσώπου ὑμῶν· καὶ ἔδωκα ὑμῖν τὴν γῆν αὐτῶν.

KJVAnd I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land;

JPSand I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drove them out from before you, and gave you their land.

Thomsonand said to you, I the Lord am your God. You shall not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But you have not hearkened to My voice.

BrentonAnd I said to you, I am the Lord your God: ye shall not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell; but ye hearkened not to my voice.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπα ὑμῖν, ἐγὼ Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ὑμῶν· οὐ φοβηθήσεσθε τοὺς θεοὺς τοῦ Ἀμοῤῥαίου, ἐν οἷς ὑμεῖς κάθησθε ἐν τῇ γῇ αὐτῶν· καὶ οὐκ εἰσηκούσατε τῆς φωνῆς μου.

KJVAnd I said unto you, I am the LORD your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.

JPSAnd I said unto you: I am the LORD your God; ye shall not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell; but ye have not hearkened unto My voice.’

ThomsonThen there came an angel of the Lord, and sat under the fir tree, which is at Ephratha, in the land of father Joas, the Esdrite. Now Gideon, his son, was beating out corn in the wine press, with an intent to flee from before Madiam.

BrentonAnd an angel of the Lord came, and sat down under the fir tree, which was in Ephratha in the land of Joas father of Esdri; and Gedeon his son was threshing wheat in a wine-press in order to escape from the face of Madiam.

GreekΚαὶ ἦλθεν ἄγγελος Κυρίου, καὶ ἐκάθισεν ὑπὸ τὴν τερέμινθον τὴν ἐν Ἐφραθὰ ἐν γῇ Ἰωὰς πατρὸς τοῦ Ἐσδρί· καὶ Γεδεὼν ὁ υἱὸς αὐτοῦ ῥαβδίζων σῖτον ἐν ληνῷ εἰς ἐκφυγεῖν ἀπὸ προσώπου τοῦ Μαδίαμ.

KJVAnd there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.

JPSAnd the angel of the LORD came, and sat under the terebinth which was in Ophrah, that belonged unto Joash the Abiezrite; and his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.

ThomsonAnd the angel of the Lord appeared to him, and said to him, The Lord is with thee—the Mighty Lord of Hosts.

BrentonAnd the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty in strength.

GreekΚαὶ ὤφθη αὐτῷ ὁ ἄγγελος Κυρίου, καὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτὸν, Κύριος μετὰ σοῦ, ἰσχυρὸς τῶν δυνάμεων.

KJVAnd the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.

JPSAnd the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him: ‘The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.’

ThomsonWhereupon Gideon said to him, With me, my lord! But if the Lord is with us, why have these evils befallen us? And where are all His wondrous works, of which our fathers have told us, saying, Hath not the Lord brought us up out of Egypt? But He hath now cast us off, and delivered us into the hand of Madiam.

BrentonAnd Gedeon said to him, Be gracious with me, my Lord: but if the Lord is with us, why have these evils found us? and where are all his miracles, which our fathers have related to us, saying, Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt? and now he has cast us out, and given us into the hand of Madiam.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτὸν Γεδεὼν, ἐν ἐμοὶ, Κύριέ μου· καὶ εἰ ἔστι Κύριος μεθʼ ἡμῶν, εἰς τί εὗρεν ἡμᾶς τὰ κακὰ ταῦτα; καὶ ποῦ ἐστι πάντα τὰ θαυμάσια αὐτοῦ, ἃ διηγήσαντο ἡμῖν οἱ πατέρες ἡμῶν, λέγοντες, μὴ οὐχὶ ἐξ Αἰγύπτου ἀνήγαγεν ἡμᾶς Κύριος; καὶ νῦν ἐξέῤῥιψεν ἡμᾶς καὶ ἔδωκεν ἡμᾶς ἐν χειρὶ Μαδίαμ.

KJVAnd Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.

JPSAnd Gideon said unto him: ‘Oh, my lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where are all His wondrous works which our fathers told us of, saying: Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath cast us off, and delivered us into the hand of Midian.’

ThomsonThen the angel of the Lord turned towards him and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel out of the hand of Madiam. Behold I have sent thee.

BrentonAnd the angel of the Lord turned to him, and said, Go in this thy strength, and thou shalt save Israel out of the hand of Madiam: behold, I have sent thee.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπέστρεψε πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ ἄγγελος Κυρίου, καὶ εἶπε, πορεύου ἐν τῇ ἰσχύϊ σου ταύτῃ, καὶ σώσεις τὸν Ἰσραὴλ ἐκ χειρὸς Μαδιάμ· ἰδοὺ ἐξαπέστειλά σε.

KJVAnd the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?

JPSAnd the LORD turned towards him, and said: ‘Go in this thy might, and save Israel from the hand of Midian; have not I sent thee?’

ThomsonUpon which Gideon said to him, Me, my lord! How can I save Israel? Behold my thousand is weak in Manasses; and I am the least in my father’s house.

BrentonAnd Gedeon said to him, Be gracious with me, my Lord: whereby shall I save Israel? behold, my thousand is weakened in Manasse, and I am the least in my father's house.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτὸν Γεδεὼν, ἐν ἐμοὶ, Κύριέ μου, ἐν τίνι σώσω τὸν Ἰσραήλ; ἰδοὺ ἡ χιλιάς μου ἠσθένησεν ἐν Μανασσῇ, καὶ ἐγώ εἰμι μικρότερος ἐν οἴκῳ τοῦ πατρός μου.

KJVAnd he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.

JPSAnd he said unto him: ‘Oh, my lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is the poorest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.’

ThomsonAnd the angel of the Lord said to him, The Lord will be with thee, and thou shalt smite Madiam like one man.

BrentonAnd the angel of the Lord said to him, The Lord shall be with thee, and thou shalt smite Madiam as one man.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ ἄγγελος Κυρίου, Κύριος ἔσται μετὰ σοῦ, καὶ πατάξεις τὴν Μαδιὰμ ὡσεὶ ἄνδρα ἕνα.

KJVAnd the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.

JPSAnd the LORD said unto him: ‘Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.’

ThomsonWhereupon Gideon said to him, If I have found favour in thy sight, and thou wilt now do for me all that thou hast said to me,

BrentonAnd Gedeon said to him, If now I have found mercy in thine eyes, and thou wilt do this day for me all that thou hast spoken of with me,

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτὸν Γεδεὼν, εἰ δὴ εὗρον ἔλεος ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς σου, καὶ ποιήσεις μοι σήμερον πᾶν ὅτι, ἐλάλησας μετʼ ἐμοῦ,

KJVAnd he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me.

JPSAnd he said unto him: ‘If now I have found favour in thy sight, then show me a sign that it is thou that talkest with me.

Thomsongo not away, I beseech thee, from this place till I come to thee, and bring out the sacrifice, and set it before thee. And he said, I will assuredly tarry till thou return.

Brentondepart not hence until I come to thee, and I will bring forth an offering and offer it before thee: and he said, I will remain until thou return.

Greekμὴ χωρισθῇς ἐντεῦθεν ἕως τοῦ ἐλθεῖν με πρὸς σὲ, καὶ ἐξοίσω τὴν θυσίαν καὶ θύσω ἐνώπιόν σου· καὶ εἶπεν, ἐγώ εἰμι καθίσομαι ἕως τοῦ ἐπιστρέψαι σε.

KJVDepart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present, and set it before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou come again.

JPSDepart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth my present, and lay it before thee.’ And he said: ‘I will tarry until thou come back.’

ThomsonThereupon Gideon went, and prepared a kid of the goats, and unleavened cakes of an epha of barley meal; and having put the flesh in a basket, and the soup in a pot, he brought them out to him under the fir tree, and set them before him.

BrentonAnd Gedeon went in, and prepared a kid of the goats, and an ephah of fine flour unleavened; and he put the flesh in the basket, and poured the broth into the pot, and brought them forth to him under the turpentine tree, and drew nigh.

GreekΚαὶ Γεδεὼν εἰσῆλθε, καὶ ἐποίησεν ἔριφον αἰγῶν καὶ οἰφὶ ἀλεύρου ἄζυμα, καὶ τὰ κρέα ἔθηκεν ἐν τῷ κοφίνῳ, καὶ τὸν ζωμὸν ἔβαλεν ἐν τῇ χύτρᾳ, καὶ ἐξήνεγκεν αὐτὰ πρὸς αὐτὸν ὑπὸ τὴν τερέμινθον, καὶ προσήγγισε.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of meal; the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the terebinth, and presented it.

ThomsonThen the angel of God said to him, Take the flesh, and unleavened cakes, and lay them on that rock, and pour out the soup close by. And when he had done so,

BrentonAnd the angel of God said to him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and put them on that rock, and pour out the broth close by: and he did so.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ Θεοῦ, λάβε τὰ κρέα καὶ τὰ ἄζυμα, καὶ θὲς πρὸς τὴν πέτραν ἐκείνην, καὶ τὸν ζωμὸν ἐχόμενα ἔκχεε· καὶ ἐποιήσεν οὕτως.

KJVAnd the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.

JPSAnd the angel of God said unto him: ‘Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth.’ And he did so.

Thomsonthe angel of the Lord stretched out the point of the staff in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and fire came up out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and the angel of the Lord vanished out of his sight.

BrentonAnd the angel of the Lord stretched out the end of the rod that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened bread; and fire came up out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened bread, and the angel of the Lord vanished from his sight.

GreekΚαὶ ἐξέτεινεν ὁ ἄγγελος Κυρίου τὸ ἄκρον τῆς ῥάβδου τῆς ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἥψατο τῶν κρεῶν καὶ τὼν ἀζύμων· καὶ ἀνέβη πῦρ ἐκ τῆς πέτρας, καὶ κατέφαγε τὰ κρέα καὶ τοὺς ἀζύμους· καὶ ὁ ἄγγελος Κυρίου ἐπορεύθη ἀπʼ ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτοῦ.

KJVThen the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.

JPSThen the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there went up fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.

ThomsonWhen Gideon saw that it was an angel of the Lord, he said, Alas! alas! O Lord, my lord! For I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face.

BrentonAnd Gedeon saw that he was an angel of the Lord; and Gedeon said, Ah, ah, Lord my God! for I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face.

GreekΚαὶ εἶδε Γεδεὼν, ὅτι ἄγγελος Κυρίου οὗτός ἐστι· καὶ εἶπε Γεδεὼν, ἆ ἆ, Κύριέ μου Κύριε, ὅτι εἶδον τὸν ἄγγελον Κυρίου πρόσωπον πρὸς πρόσωπον.

KJVAnd when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon said, Alas, O LORD God! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to face.

JPSAnd Gideon saw that he was the angel of the LORD; and Gideon said: ‘Alas, O Lord GOD! forasmuch as I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face.’

ThomsonAnd the Lord said to him, Peace be to thee. Fear not. Thou shalt not die.

BrentonAnd the Lord said to him, Peace be to thee, fear not, thou shalt not die.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Κύριος, εἰρήνη σοι, μὴ φοβοῦ, οὐ μὴ ἀποθάνῃς.

KJVAnd the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.

JPSAnd the LORD said unto him: ‘Peace be unto thee; fear not; thou shalt not die.’

ThomsonUpon which Gideon built there an altar to the Lord, and called it Peace of the Lord. To this day it is still at Ephratha, which belonged to father Esdri.

BrentonAnd Gedeon built there an altar to the Lord, and called it The peace of the Lord, until this day, as it is still in Ephratha of the father of Esdri.

GreekΚαὶ ᾠκοδόμησεν ἐκεῖ Γεδεὼν θυσιαστήριον τῷ Κυρίῳ, καὶ ἐπεκάλεσεν αὐτῷ, εἰρήνη Κυρίου, ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης, ἔτι αὐτοῦ ὄντος ἐν Ἐφραθὰ πατρὸς τοῦ Ἐσδρί.

KJVThen Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

JPSThen Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it a‘Adonai-shalom’; unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

ThomsonAnd on that same night the Lord said to him, Take the young bull—the bull belonging to thy father, the second bull of seven years old, and having demolished the altar of Baal which is for thy father, and destroyed the arbour near it,

BrentonAnd it came to pass in that night, that the Lord said to him, Take the young bullock which thy father has, even the second bullock of seven years old, and thou shalt destroy the altar of Baal which thy father has, and the grove which is by it thou shalt destroy.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῇ νυκτὶ ἐκείνῃ, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Κύριος, λάβε τὸν μόσχον τὸν ταῦρον ὅς ἐστι τῷ πατρί σου, καὶ μόσχον δεύτερον ἑπταετῇ, καὶ καθελεῖς τὸ θυσιαστήριον τοῦ Βάαλ ὅ ἐστι τῷ πατρί σου, καὶ τὸ ἄλσος τὸ ἐπʼ αὐτὸ ὀλοθρεύσεις.

KJVAnd 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:

JPSAnd it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him: ‘Take thy father’s bullock, and the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the Asherah that is by it;

Thomsonthou shalt build an altar to the Lord thy God, on the top of Maozi, in the parade; and thou shalt take the second bull, and offer whole burnt offerings on the wood of the arbour which thou hast demolished.

BrentonAnd thou shalt build an altar to the Lord thy God on the top of this Maozi in the ordering it, and thou shalt take the second bullock, and shalt offer up whole-burnt-offerings with the wood of the grove, which thou shalt destroy.

GreekΚαὶ οἰκοδομήσεις θυσιαστήριον τῷ Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ σου ἐπὶ κορυφὴν Μαωζὶ τούτου ἐν τῇ παρατάξει καὶ λήψῃ τὸν μόσχον τὸν δεύτερον, καὶ ἀνοίσεις ὁλοκαυτώματα ἐν τοῖς ξύλοις τοῦ ἄλσοῦς, οὗ ἐξολοθρεύσεις.

KJVAnd build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.

JPSand build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this stronghold, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt-offering with the wood of the Asherah which thou shalt cut down.’

ThomsonSo Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the Lord had spoken to him. But as he was afraid of doing it by day, because of his father’s house, and the men of the city, he did it by night.

BrentonAnd Gedeon took ten men of his servants, and did as the Lord spoke to him: and it came to pass, as he feared the house of his father and the men of the city if he should do it by day, that he did it by night.

GreekΚαὶ ἔλαβε Γεδεὼν δέκα ἄνδρας ἀπὸ τῶν δούλων ἑαυτοῦ, καὶ ἐποίησεν ὃν τρόπον ἐλάλησε πρὸς αὐτὸν Κύριος· καὶ ἐγενήθη ὡς ἐφοβήθη τὸν οἶκον τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ καὶ τοὺς ἄνδρας τῆς πόλεως τοῦ ποιῆσαι ἡμέρας, καὶ ἐποίησε νυκτός.

KJVThen 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.

JPSThen Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had spoken unto him; and it came to pass, because he feared his father’s household and the men of the city, so that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.

ThomsonAnd when the men of the city arose early in the morning, and lo! the altar of Baal was pulled down, and the arbour near it destroyed, and they saw the second bull which he had offered on the altar which he had built,

BrentonAnd the men of the city rose up early in the morning; and behold, the altar of Baal had been demolished, and the grove by it had been destroyed; and they saw the second bullock, which Gedeon offered on the altar that had been built.

GreekΚαὶ ὤρθρισαν οἱ ἄνδρες τῆς πόλεως τοπρωΐ· καὶ ἰδοὺ καθῄρητο τὸ θυσιαστήριον τοῦ Βάαλ, καὶ τὸ ἄλσος τὸ ἐπʼ αὐτῷ ὠλόθρευτο· καὶ εἶδον τὸν μόσχον τὸν δεύτερον, ὃν ἀνήνεγκεν ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον τὸ ᾠκοδομημένον.

KJVAnd when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered upon the altar that was built.

JPSAnd when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was broken down, and the Asherah was cut down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered upon the altar that was built.

Thomsonthey said one to another, Who hath done this? And when they had made diligent inquiry, and found, and knew that Gideon, son of Joas, had done the deed,

BrentonAnd a man said to his neighbour, Who has done this thing? and they enquired and searched, and learnt that Gedeon the son of Joas had done this thing.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν ἀνὴρ πρὸς τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ, τίς ἐποίησε τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο; καὶ ἐπεζήτησαν καὶ ἠρεύνησαν, καὶ ἔγνωσαν ὅτι Γεδεὼν υἱὸς Ἰωὰς ἐποίησε τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο.

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

JPSAnd 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.’

Thomsonthe men of the city said to Joas, Bring out thy son, and let him be put to death, because he hath pulled down the altar of Baal, and because he hath destroyed the arbour which was beside it.

BrentonAnd the men of the city said to Joas, Bring out thy son, and let him die, because he has destroyed the altar of Baal, and because he has destroyed the grove that is by it.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπαν οἱ ἄνδρες τῆς πόλεως πρὸς Ἰωὰς, ἐξένεγκε τὸν υἱόν σου, καὶ ἀποθανέτω, ὅτι καθεῖλε τὸ θυσιαστήριον τοῦ Βάαλ, καὶ ὅτι ὠλόθρευσε τὸ ἄλσος τὸ ἐπʼ αὐτῷ.

KJVThen the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he may die: because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the grove that was by it.

JPSThen the men of the city said unto Joash: ‘Bring out thy son, that he may die; because he hath broken down the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the Asherah that was by it.’

ThomsonWhereupon Gideon, son of Joas, said to all the men who had risen up against him, Do you now plead for Baal, and will you save him? Whoever shall plead for Baal, let him be put to death this morning. If he is a god, let him plead for himself, because somebody hath pulled down his altar.

BrentonAnd Gedeon the son of Joas said to all the men who rose up against him, Do ye now plead for Baal, or will ye save him? whoever will plead for him, let him be slain this morning: if he be a god let him plead for himself, because one has thrown down his altar.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Γεδεὼν υἱὸς Ἰωὰς τοῖς ἀνδράσι πᾶσιν, οἳ ἐπανέστησαν αὐτῷ, μὴ ὑμεῖς νῦν δικάζεσθε ὑπὲρ τοῦ Βάαλ; ἢ ὑμεῖς σώσετε αὐτόν; ὃς ἐὰν δικάσηται αὐτῷ, θανατωθήτω ἕως πρωΐ· εἰ θεός ἐστι, δικαζέσθω αὐτῷ, ὅτι καθεῖλε τὸ θυσιαστήριον αὐτοῦ.

KJVAnd Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar.

JPSAnd Joash said unto all that stood against him: ‘Will ye contend for Baal? or will ye save him? he that will contend for him, shall be put to death before morning; if he be a god, let him contend for himself, because one hath broken down his altar.’

ThomsonSo this gave him on that day the name of Jerobaal, since he said, Let Baal plead for himself, because this altar of his is pulled down.

BrentonAnd he called it in that day Jerobaal, saying, Let Baal plead thereby, because his altar has been thrown down.

GreekΚαὶ ἐκάλεσεν αὐτὸ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ Ἱεροβάαλ, λέγων, δικαζέσθω ἐν αὐτῷ ὁ Βάαλ, ὅτι καθῃρέθη τὸ θυσιαστήριον αὐτοῦ.

KJVTherefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.

JPSTherefore on that day he was called Jerubbaal, saying: ‘Let Baal contend against him, because he hath broken down his altar.’

Thomson—

BrentonAnd all Madiam, and Amalek, and the sons of the east gathered themselves together, and encamped in the valley of Jezrael.

GreekΚαὶ πᾶσα Μαδιὰμ, καὶ Ἀμαλὴκ, καὶ υἱοὶ ἀνατολῶν συνήχθησαν ἐπὶ τοαυτὸ, καὶ παρενέβαλον ἐν τῇ κοιλάδι Ἰεζραέλ.

KJVThen all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east were gathered together, and went over, and pitched in the valley of Jezreel.

JPSNow all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east assembled themselves together; and they passed over, and pitched in the valley of Jezreel.

ThomsonNow all Madiam, and Amalek, and the children of the east, had assembled together and encamped in the valley of Jesrael. And the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, and he sounded a horn, and called out Abiezer after him.

BrentonAnd the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gedeon, and he blew with the horn, and Abiezer came to help after him.

GreekΚαὶ πνεῦμα Κυρίου ἐνέδυσε τὸν Γεδεὼν, καὶ ἐσάλπισεν ἐν κερατίνῃ, καὶ ἐβόησεν Ἀβιέζερ ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ.

KJVBut the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.

JPSBut the spirit of the LORD clothed Gideon; and he blew a horn; and Abiezer was gathered together after him.

ThomsonHe also sent messengers to all Manasses, and through Aser, and through Zabulon, and through Nephthaleim. And when they came up to meet him,

BrentonAnd Gedeon sent messengers into all Manasse, and into Aser, and into Zabulon, and into Nephthali; and he went up to meet them.

GreekΚαὶ ἀγγέλους ἐξαπέστειλεν εἰς πάντα Μανασσῆ, καὶ ἐν Ἀσὴρ, καὶ ἐν Ζαβουλὼν, καὶ ἐν Νεφθαλί· καὶ ἀνέβη εἰς συνάντησιν αὐτῶν.

KJVAnd he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered after him: and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.

JPSAnd he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; and they also were gathered together after him; and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.

ThomsonGideon said to God, If Thou wilt save Israel by my hand, as Thou hast spoken,

BrentonAnd Gedeon said to God, If thou wilt save Israel by my hand, as thou hast said,

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Γεδεὼν πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν, εἰ σὺ σώζεις ἐν χειρί μου τὸν Ἰσραὴλ, καθὼς ἐλάλησας,

KJVAnd Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said,

JPSAnd Gideon said unto God: ‘If Thou wilt save Israel by my hand, as Thou hast spoken,

Thomsonbehold I lay this fleece of wool on the threshing floor; If there be dew on this fleece only, and all the ground be dry, then I shall know that Thou wilt save Israel by my hand as Thou hast spoken.

Brentonbehold, I put the fleece of wool in the threshing-floor: if there be dew on the fleece only, and drought on all the ground, I shall know that thou wilt save Israel by my hand, as thou hast said.

Greekἰδοὺ ἐγὼ τίθημι τὸν πόκον τοῦ ἐρίου ἐν τῇ ἅλωνι· ἐὰν δρόσος γένηται ἐπὶ τὸν πόκον μόνον, καὶ ἐπὶ πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν ξηρασία, γνώσομαι ὅτι σώσεις ἐν χειρί μου τὸν Ἰσραὴλ, καθὼς ἐλάλησας.

KJVBehold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said.

JPSbehold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing-floor; if there be dew on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the ground, then shall I know that Thou wilt save Israel by my hand, as Thou hast spoken.’

ThomsonThis was accordingly done. And when he arose early the next morning he pressed the fleece, and wringed out the dew from the fleece, a bowl full of water.

BrentonAnd it was so: and he rose up early in the morning, and wrung the fleece, and dew dropped from the fleece, a bowl full of water.

GreekΚαὶ ἐγένετο οὕτως· καὶ ὤρθρισε τῇ ἐπαύριον, καὶ ἐξεπίασε τὸν πόκον, καὶ ἔσταξε δρόσος ἀπὸ τοῦ πόκου πλήρης λεκάνη ὕδατος.

KJVAnd it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water.

JPSAnd it was so; for he rose up early on the morrow, and pressed the fleece together, and wrung dew out of the fleece, a bowlful of water.

ThomsonThen Gideon said to God, Let not, I beseech Thee, Thy anger be kindled against me: let me, I pray Thee, make one trial more with the fleece; and let it be dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground let there be dew.

BrentonAnd Gedeon said to God, Let not, I pray thee, thine anger be kindled with me, and I will speak yet once; I will even yet make one trial more with the fleece: let now the drought be upon the fleece only, and let there be dew on all the ground.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Γεδεὼν πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν, μὴ δὴ ὀργισθήτω ὁ θυμός σου ἐν ἐμοὶ, καὶ λαλήσω ἔτι ἅπαξ· πειράσω δὴ καί γε ἔτι ἅπαξ ἐν τῷ πόκῳ· καὶ γενέσθω ἡ ξηρασία ἐπὶ τὸν πόκον μόνον, καὶ ἐπὶ πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν γενηθήτω δρόσος.

KJVAnd Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew.

JPSAnd Gideon said unto God: ‘Let not Thine anger be kindled against me, and I will speak but this once: let me make trial, I pray Thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew.’

ThomsonAnd God did so that night; and it was dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground there was dew.

BrentonAnd God did so in that night; and there was drought on the fleece only, and on all the ground there was dew.

GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησεν ὁ Θεὸς οὕτως ἐν τῇ νυκτὶ ἐκείνῃ· καὶ ἐγένετο ξηρασία ἐπὶ τὸν πόκον μόνον, καὶ ἐπὶ πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν ἐγενήθη δρόσος.

KJVAnd God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.

JPSAnd God did so that night; for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.