King James Version

What Does Judges 6:11 Mean?

Judges 6:11 in the King James Version says “And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: ...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And 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. Gideon: Gr. Gedeon to hide: Heb. to cause it to flee”

Judges 6:11 · KJV

Context

9

And 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;

10

And 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.

11

And 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. Gideon: Gr. Gedeon to hide: Heb. to cause it to flee

12

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

13

And 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.

Read Judges 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
After the prophet's rebuke, the narrative shifts to Gideon's introduction through an angelic visitation. The Angel of the LORD (mal'ak Yahweh, מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה) is a divine theophany—God Himself appearing in visible form (verse 14 identifies Him as Yahweh directly). He sits under the oak in Ophrah belonging to Joash the Abiezrite, Gideon's father. The detail about the oak (elah, אֵלָה) suggests a known landmark, possibly associated with previous worship or significant events. Gideon is threshing wheat in the winepress—an unusual location revealing the depths of Midianite intimidation. Winepresses were typically in valleys, partially underground, offering concealment that outdoor threshing floors couldn't provide.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Angel of the LORD appears throughout the Old Testament (Genesis 16:7, 22:11, Exodus 3:2) in theophanies that Reformed theology generally interprets as pre-incarnate appearances of Christ. Ophrah's location in Manasseh territory placed it in the path of Midianite raids from the east. Abiezer was a clan within Manasseh (Joshua 17:2, Numbers 26:30). Threshing normally occurred on elevated, open threshing floors where wind could separate chaff from grain, but fear drove Gideon to hidden, inefficient winepress threshing.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Angel of the LORD's appearance to fearful Gideon demonstrate God's grace in seeking out the weak and fearful?
  2. What activities in your life are you 'hiding in a winepress'—doing fearfully and inefficiently because of intimidation?
  3. How does God's initiative in calling Gideon (rather than Gideon seeking God) illustrate the doctrine of divine election?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיָּבֹ֞א1 of 20

“And there came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

מַלְאַ֣ךְ2 of 20

“an angel”

H4397

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

יְהוָ֗ה3 of 20

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וַיֵּ֙שֶׁב֙4 of 20

“and sat”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

תַּ֤חַת5 of 20
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

הָֽאֵלָה֙6 of 20

“under an oak”

H424

an oak or other strong tree

אֲשֶׁ֣ר7 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בְּעָפְרָ֔ה8 of 20

“which was in Ophrah”

H6084

ophrah, the name of an israelite and of two places in palestine

אֲשֶׁ֥ר9 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לְיוֹאָ֖שׁ10 of 20

“that pertained unto Joash”

H3101

joash, the name of six israelites

אֲבִ֣י11 of 20
H0
הָֽעֶזְרִ֑י12 of 20

“the Abiezrite”

H33

an abiezrite or descendant of abiezer

וְגִדְע֣וֹן13 of 20

“Gideon”

H1439

gidon, an israelite

בְּנ֗וֹ14 of 20

“and his son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

חֹבֵ֤ט15 of 20

“threshed”

H2251

to knock out or off

חִטִּים֙16 of 20

“wheat”

H2406

wheat, whether the grain or the plant

בַּגַּ֔ת17 of 20

“by the winepress”

H1660

a wine-press (or vat for holding the grapes in pressing them)

לְהָנִ֖יס18 of 20

“to hide”

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

מִפְּנֵ֥י19 of 20

“it from”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

מִדְיָֽן׃20 of 20

“the Midianites”

H4080

midjan, a son of abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Judges. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Judges 6:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Judges 6:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 17:2Hebrews 11:32Judges 13:3Judges 8:2Genesis 16:7Isaiah 63:9

Places in This Verse

Ophrah 2Settlement · Modern: Afula · 32.61°N, 35.29°E5 verses across 1 book
View all places in Judges 6 →

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