King James Version

What Does Judges 6:24 Mean?

Judges 6:24 in the King James Version says “Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Ab...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. Jehovahshalom: that is, The LORD send peace”

Judges 6:24 · KJV

Peace

Context

22

And 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.

23

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

24

Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. Jehovahshalom: that is, The LORD send peace

25

And 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: even: or, and

26

And 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. rock: Heb. strong place in the ordered: or, in an orderly manner

Read Judges 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In gratitude and worship, Gideon builds an altar and names it Jehovah-shalom ('The LORD is Peace'). The Hebrew Yahweh-shalom (יְהוָה שָׁלוֹם) commemorates God's gracious promise in verse 23. Building altars marked significant divine encounters throughout Scripture (Genesis 12:7, 13:18, 35:7), serving both as worship sites and memorial witnesses. The note 'unto this day' indicates the altar's continued existence when Judges was written, providing historical validation. That it stood 'in Ophrah of the Abi-ezrites' shows this became a recognized worship site for Gideon's clan.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Personal altars built by individuals at sites of divine encounter were common before temple centralization under Solomon. These altars served local worship until Deuteronomic reform centralized worship in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 12, 2 Kings 23). The name Jehovah-shalom joined other memorial names: Jehovah-jireh ('The LORD will provide,' Genesis 22:14), Jehovah-nissi ('The LORD is my banner,' Exodus 17:15), Jehovah-rophe ('The LORD who heals,' Exodus 15:26).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does naming the altar Jehovah-shalom express Gideon's theological understanding of his encounter?
  2. What 'altars' or memorials help you remember God's faithfulness and grace?
  3. How does the LORD being peace resolve the tension between God's holiness and human sinfulness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיִּבֶן֩1 of 16

“built”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

שָׁ֨ם2 of 16
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

גִּדְע֤וֹן3 of 16

“Then Gideon”

H1439

gidon, an israelite

מִזְבֵּ֙חַ֙4 of 16

“an altar”

H4196

an altar

יְהוָ֖ה5 of 16

“there unto the LORD”

H3068

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

וַיִּקְרָא6 of 16

“and called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

ל֥וֹ7 of 16
H0
יְהוָ֖ה8 of 16

“there unto the LORD”

H3068

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

שָׁל֑וֹם9 of 16
H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

עַ֚ד10 of 16
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הַיּ֣וֹם11 of 16

“unto this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּ֔ה12 of 16
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

עוֹדֶ֕נּוּ13 of 16
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

בְּעָפְרָ֖ת14 of 16

“it is yet in Ophrah”

H6084

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

אֲבִ֥י15 of 16
H0
הָֽעֶזְרִֽי׃16 of 16

“of the Abiezrites”

H33

an abiezrite or descendant of abiezer

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 6:24 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 6:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 22:14Exodus 17:15Ezekiel 48:35Judges 8:32Jeremiah 33:16Genesis 33:20

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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