King James Version

What Does Judges 6:15 Mean?

Judges 6:15 in the King James Version says “And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the lea...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And 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. my family: Heb. my thousand is the meanest”

Judges 6:15 · KJV

Salvation

Context

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.

14

And 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?

15

And 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. my family: Heb. my thousand is the meanest

16

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

17

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

Read Judges 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And 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.

Gideon's protest mirrors Moses' reluctance (Exodus 3:11, 4:10) and Jeremiah's youth objection (Jeremiah 1:6). His reasoning emphasizes double inadequacy: family-level ('my family is poor') and personal-level ('I am the least'). The Hebrew dalli (דַּלִּי, 'weak, poor, helpless') describes his clan's insignificance within Manasseh. The phrase 'I am the least' (anochi hatza'ir, אָנֹכִי הַצָּעִיר, 'I am the youngest/smallest') echoes David's status as youngest (1 Samuel 16:11) and Saul's tribal humility (1 Samuel 9:21). These protests reveal human tendency to evaluate calling by natural qualifications rather than divine empowerment.

God consistently chooses the foolish, weak, and insignificant to shame the wise and mighty (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). This pattern ensures glory belongs to God, not human achievement. Gideon's weakness magnifies God's strength (2 Corinthians 12:9). Yet Gideon's protest also reveals unbelief—God just declared His presence ('I will be with thee,' v. 16), yet Gideon focuses on human inadequacy. True faith rests on God's promises and presence, not personal qualifications. Abraham believed God despite being childless and aged (Romans 4:18-21); disciples left nets despite being uneducated fishermen (Matthew 4:18-22).

Theologically, this illustrates the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. God sovereignly chooses and empowers, yet humans must respond in faith-filled obedience. Gideon's inadequacy is real—he couldn't deliver Israel through natural ability. But God's call transforms inadequate people into adequate instruments. The key isn't self-confidence but God-confidence—trusting not in personal ability but in God's promise and power.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Manasseh was one of Israel's largest tribes (Numbers 26:34), though divided between east Jordan (half-tribe) and west Jordan territories. Gideon's clan Abiezer (Joshua 17:2, Numbers 26:30) was prominent within western Manasseh, making his claim of poverty possibly strategic humility or reflecting devastation under Midianite oppression. His father Joash maintained a Baal altar (v. 25), showing economic resources contradicting poverty claims.

Birth order significantly affected inheritance and status in ancient Near East. Firstborn sons received double portions (Deuteronomy 21:17), while younger sons received less. Being 'least' meant minimal inheritance expectations and reduced family status. However, God frequently chose younger sons—Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau, Joseph over older brothers, David over seven brothers, Solomon over Adonijah. This pattern demonstrates God's sovereign election transcending human customs.

Gideon's protest reflects ancient honor-shame culture where family status and personal standing determined social position and authority. Leadership typically came from prominent families with wealth, military success, and established reputations. Gideon's argument—insignificant family + youngest son = unqualified for national leadership—made sense in cultural context. Yet God's kingdom inverts worldly values: 'the last shall be first' (Matthew 20:16), 'blessed are the meek' (Matthew 5:5), 'God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble' (James 4:6).

Reflection Questions

  1. What inadequacies do you focus on that prevent embracing God's calling despite His promise to be with you?
  2. How does God's pattern of choosing the weak, foolish, and insignificant challenge worldly leadership criteria?
  3. When has awareness of personal inadequacy driven you to deeper dependence on God versus paralyzing unbelief?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 16

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָיו֙2 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בִּ֣י3 of 16

“unto him Oh”

H994

oh that!; with leave, or if it please

אֲדֹנָ֔י4 of 16

“my Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

בַּמָּ֥ה5 of 16

“wherewith”

H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

אוֹשִׁ֖יעַ6 of 16

“shall I save”

H3467

properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor

אֶת7 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל8 of 16

“Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

הִנֵּ֤ה9 of 16
H2009

lo!

אַלְפִּי֙10 of 16

“behold my family”

H504

a family; also (from the sense of yoking or taming) an ox or cow

הַדַּ֣ל11 of 16

“is poor”

H1800

properly, dangling, i.e., (by implication) weak or thin

בִּמְנַשֶּׁ֔ה12 of 16

“in Manasseh”

H4519

menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

וְאָֽנֹכִ֥י13 of 16
H595

i

הַצָּעִ֖יר14 of 16

“and I am the least”

H6810

little; (in number) few; (in age) young, (in value) ignoble

בְּבֵ֥ית15 of 16

“house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אָבִֽי׃16 of 16

“in my father's”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

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 6:15 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 6:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 3:111 Samuel 9:21Exodus 4:10Jeremiah 1:6Ephesians 3:8Micah 5:2

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Judges 6 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJudges Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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