King James Version

What Does Judges 6:28 Mean?

Judges 6:28 in the King James Version says “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 ...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Judges 6:28 · KJV

Context

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.

30

Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he may die: because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the grove that was by it.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Morning reveals the night's work: Baal's altar destroyed, the Asherah cut down, and a new altar built with the burnt offering consumed. The passive construction 'was cast down... was cut down... was offered' emphasizes the completed facts rather than identifying actors. The town's discovery of these revolutionary acts will provoke the crisis of verses 29-32. That the burnt offering was already consumed indicates Gideon completed the entire sequence—destruction of idolatry, construction of proper altar, and acceptable sacrifice. This thoroughness demonstrates genuine covenant faithfulness despite fearful execution.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Burnt offerings (olah, עֹלָה) were completely consumed on the altar, symbolizing total consecration to God (Leviticus 1). Using the second bull as specified and Asherah wood as fuel showed exact obedience to divine instructions. The discovery by 'men of the city' early in the morning suggests regular visits to the Baal altar, confirming widespread participation in this false worship. That they immediately recognized the religious revolution's significance shows how central this idolatry was to community life.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Gideon's complete obedience—destruction of idolatry AND establishment of proper worship—model thorough reformation?
  2. What does the burnt offering's complete consumption symbolize about total consecration to God?
  3. Why is it insufficient merely to remove false worship without establishing true worship in its place?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיַּשְׁכִּ֜ימוּ1 of 19

“arose early”

H7925

literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning

אַנְשֵׁ֤י2 of 19
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)

הָעִיר֙3 of 19

“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)

בַּבֹּ֔קֶר4 of 19

“in the morning”

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

וְהִנֵּ֤ה5 of 19
H2009

lo!

נֻתַּץ֙6 of 19

“was cast down”

H5422

to tear down

הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ7 of 19

“behold the altar”

H4196

an altar

הַבַּ֔עַל8 of 19

“of Baal”

H1168

baal, a phoenician deity

וְהָֽאֲשֵׁרָ֥ה9 of 19

“and the grove”

H842

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

אֲשֶׁר10 of 19
H834

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

עָלָ֖יו11 of 19
H5921

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

כֹּרָ֑תָה12 of 19

“was 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

וְאֵת֙13 of 19
H853

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

הַפָּ֣ר14 of 19

“bullock”

H6499

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

הַשֵּׁנִ֔י15 of 19

“that was by it and the second”

H8145

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

הֹֽעֲלָ֔ה16 of 19

“was offered”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עַל17 of 19
H5921

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

הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ18 of 19

“behold the altar”

H4196

an altar

הַבָּנֽוּי׃19 of 19

“that was built”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

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 6:28 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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