King James Version

What Does Judges 6:27 Mean?

Judges 6:27 in the King James Version says “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 fa...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Judges 6:27 · KJV

Context

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.

28

And 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.

29

And 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.

Read Judges 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Gideon obeys but does so at night out of fear: 'because he feared his father's household, and the men of the city.' This qualified obedience reveals Gideon's ongoing weakness—faith sufficient to obey but not yet bold enough to do so publicly. Taking ten servants suggests both the work's magnitude and Gideon's need for support/protection. The narrative balances commending obedience with exposing weakness, showing God works through flawed people. Peter's denial and later boldness (John 18:17, Acts 2:14) parallels Gideon's fearful-yet-obedient faith. God graciously accepts imperfect obedience while sanctifying His servants toward greater boldness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Night operations were tactically prudent—discovery during the act would have caused immediate violent opposition. The servants' cooperation shows some within Ophrah shared Gideon's covenant faithfulness or at least loyalty to him. That ten men were needed suggests the Baal altar and Asherah pole were substantial structures, not minor household shrines. The risk was real—later, the men of the city demand Gideon's death (verse 30).

Reflection Questions

  1. How can we distinguish between wise prudence and faithless fear when obeying God's commands?
  2. What does God's acceptance of Gideon's nighttime obedience teach about His patience with weak faith?
  3. How does this account encourage believers who obey God despite fear rather than waiting for perfect courage?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיִּקַּ֨ח1 of 23

“took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

גִּדְע֜וֹן2 of 23

“Then Gideon”

H1439

gidon, an israelite

עֲשָׂרָ֤ה3 of 23

“ten”

H6235

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

אֲנָשִׁים֙4 of 23
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מֵֽעֲבָדָ֔יו5 of 23

“of his servants”

H5650

a servant

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ6 of 23

“and did”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר7 of 23
H834

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

דִּבֶּ֥ר8 of 23

“had said”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֵלָ֖יו9 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָ֑ה10 of 23

“as the LORD”

H3068

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

וַיְהִ֡י11 of 23
H1961

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

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר12 of 23
H834

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

יָרֵא֩13 of 23

“unto him and so it was because he feared”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

אֶת14 of 23
H853

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

בֵּ֨ית15 of 23

“household”

H1004

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

אָבִ֜יו16 of 23

“his father's”

H1

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

וְאֶת17 of 23
H853

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

אַנְשֵׁ֥י18 of 23
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

הָעִ֛יר19 of 23

“of the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ20 of 23

“and did”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

יוֹמָ֖ם21 of 23

“it by day”

H3119

daily

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ22 of 23

“and did”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לָֽיְלָה׃23 of 23

“it by night”

H3915

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

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 6:27 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 6:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Thessalonians 2:4John 2:5Deuteronomy 4:1Matthew 16:24John 15:14John 3:2

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