King James Version

What Does Judges 6:25 Mean?

Judges 6:25 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bulloc...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Judges 6:25 · KJV

Context

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

27

Then 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.

Read Judges 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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:

God's first command to Gideon addresses idolatry before military deliverance. 'The same night' (balailah hahu, בַּלַּיְלָה הַהוּא) after commissioning indicates immediacy—deal with sin before confronting external enemies. The command involves two actions: (1) destroy Baal's altar, (2) cut down Asherah pole (asherah, אֲשֵׁרָה, 'grove/wooden pole' representing Canaanite mother goddess). These belonged to Gideon's father Joash, showing idolatry penetrated even Yahwist families. The 'second bullock of seven years old' may indicate the bullock's age matched the oppression's duration—seven years of suffering under judgment for seven years of idolatrous worship.

This command prioritizes spiritual reformation over military deliverance. God could have defeated Midian without addressing Baal worship, yet insisted on covenant faithfulness first. This pattern repeats throughout Scripture—God demands holiness before blessing (Joshua 7, achan's sin; 1 Samuel 7:3-4, Samuel demanding idol removal before deliverance). External enemies often represent divine discipline for internal sin. Removing discipline (defeating Midian) without addressing sin (idol worship) would enable continued apostasy. God's mercy includes confronting sin, not ignoring it.

Theologically, this illustrates sanctification's priority in Christian life. Before significant ministry or spiritual victory, God often addresses besetting sins requiring elimination. The Corinthian church's divisions and immorality needed correction before effective witness (1 Corinthians 1-6). Peter's racism required confrontation before inclusive gospel ministry (Galatians 2:11-14). Personal holiness precedes effective service—not sinless perfection but serious pursuit of purity. 'If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me' (Psalm 66:18) reminds believers that unaddressed sin hinders prayer and service.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Baal worship dominated Canaanite religion. Baal (meaning 'lord, master') was the storm-fertility god, believed to control rain, crops, and reproduction. Canaanite agricultural religion involved ritual prostitution, drunken orgies, and child sacrifice to ensure fertility. Asherah, Baal's consort, was mother goddess represented by wooden poles or living trees. Archaeological excavations reveal numerous Baal and Asherah figurines, altars, and temples throughout Canaanite sites.

Israelite syncretism combined Yahweh worship with Baal practices. People likely rationalized: 'We worship Yahweh for national identity but use Baal rituals for agricultural prosperity—covering all bases.' This theological compromise violated the first commandment ('no other gods') and covenant exclusivity (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). Prophets repeatedly condemned such syncretism (1 Kings 18, Elijah vs Baal; Hosea, Jeremiah, Ezekiel all confront idolatry).

Joash maintaining Baal altar while naming his son Gideon (from root meaning 'hew down') creates irony—his son would 'hew down' the father's idol. Whether Joash practiced nominal Yahwism alongside Baalism or completely abandoned Yahweh worship remains unclear. His later defense of Gideon (v. 31-32) suggests retained Yahwist sympathies, perhaps indicating his idolatry resulted from cultural pressure rather than theological conviction. Nonetheless, maintaining Baal altar made him culpable for covenant violation.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'Baal altars' (idols, worldly dependencies) require destruction before God grants deliverance from external struggles?
  2. How does God's insistence on spiritual purity before military victory challenge pragmatic approaches prioritizing results over holiness?
  3. What family or cultural patterns of compromise need confronting despite personal cost?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיְהִי֮1 of 27
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בַּלַּ֣יְלָה2 of 27

“And it came to pass the same night”

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

הַהוּא֒3 of 27
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וַיֹּ֧אמֶר4 of 27

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ל֣וֹ5 of 27
H0
יְהוָ֗ה6 of 27

“that the LORD”

H3068

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

קַ֤ח7 of 27

“unto him Take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת8 of 27
H853

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

וּפַ֥ר9 of 27

“bullock”

H6499

a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)

הַשּׁוֹר֙10 of 27

“bullock”

H7794

a bullock (as a traveller)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר11 of 27
H834

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

לְאָבִ֔יךָ12 of 27

“that thy father”

H1

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

וּפַ֥ר13 of 27

“bullock”

H6499

a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof)

הַשֵּׁנִ֖י14 of 27

“even the second”

H8145

properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again

שֶׁ֣בַע15 of 27

“of seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

שָׁנִ֑ים16 of 27

“years old”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

וְהָֽרַסְתָּ֗17 of 27

“and throw down”

H2040

to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy

אֶת18 of 27
H853

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

מִזְבַּ֤ח19 of 27

“the altar”

H4196

an altar

הַבַּ֙עַל֙20 of 27

“of Baal”

H1168

baal, a phoenician deity

אֲשֶׁ֣ר21 of 27
H834

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

לְאָבִ֔יךָ22 of 27

“that thy father”

H1

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

וְאֶת23 of 27
H853

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

הָֽאֲשֵׁרָ֥ה24 of 27

“the grove”

H842

asherah (or astarte) a phoenician goddess; also an image of the same

אֲשֶׁר25 of 27
H834

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

עָלָ֖יו26 of 27
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

תִּכְרֹֽת׃27 of 27

“hath and cut down”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

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 6:25 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 6:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 34:132 Corinthians 6:15-17Judges 3:7Acts 5:29Matthew 10:37Matthew 6:24

Test Your Knowledge

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

Continue Your Study

Read Judges 6 with CommentaryAll Judges ChaptersComplete Judges QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes