Judges 6:11
And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּבֹ֞א
And there came
H935
וַיָּבֹ֞א
And there came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 20
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
מַלְאַ֣ךְ
an angel
H4397
מַלְאַ֣ךְ
an angel
Strong's:
H4397
Word #:
2 of 20
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
יְהוָ֗ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיֵּ֙שֶׁב֙
and sat
H3427
וַיֵּ֙שֶׁב֙
and sat
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
4 of 20
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
תַּ֤חַת
H8478
תַּ֤חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
5 of 20
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בְּעָפְרָ֔ה
which was in Ophrah
H6084
בְּעָפְרָ֔ה
which was in Ophrah
Strong's:
H6084
Word #:
8 of 20
ophrah, the name of an israelite and of two places in palestine
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לְיוֹאָ֖שׁ
that pertained unto Joash
H3101
לְיוֹאָ֖שׁ
that pertained unto Joash
Strong's:
H3101
Word #:
10 of 20
joash, the name of six israelites
בְּנ֗וֹ
and his son
H1121
בְּנ֗וֹ
and his son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
14 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בַּגַּ֔ת
by the winepress
H1660
בַּגַּ֔ת
by the winepress
Strong's:
H1660
Word #:
17 of 20
a wine-press (or vat for holding the grapes in pressing them)
לְהָנִ֖יס
to hide
H5127
לְהָנִ֖יס
to hide
Strong's:
H5127
Word #:
18 of 20
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
Cross References
Joshua 17:2There was also a lot for the rest of the children of Manasseh by their families; for the children of Abiezer, and for the children of Helek, and for the children of Asriel, and for the children of Shechem, and for the children of Hepher, and for the children of Shemida: these were the male children of Manasseh the son of Joseph by their families.Hebrews 11:32And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:Judges 13:3And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son.Judges 8:2And he said unto them, What have I done now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?Isaiah 63:9In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.
Historical Context
The Angel of the LORD appears throughout the Old Testament (Genesis 16:7, 22:11, Exodus 3:2) in theophanies that Reformed theology generally interprets as pre-incarnate appearances of Christ. Ophrah's location in Manasseh territory placed it in the path of Midianite raids from the east. Abiezer was a clan within Manasseh (Joshua 17:2, Numbers 26:30). Threshing normally occurred on elevated, open threshing floors where wind could separate chaff from grain, but fear drove Gideon to hidden, inefficient winepress threshing.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Angel of the LORD's appearance to fearful Gideon demonstrate God's grace in seeking out the weak and fearful?
- What activities in your life are you 'hiding in a winepress'—doing fearfully and inefficiently because of intimidation?
- How does God's initiative in calling Gideon (rather than Gideon seeking God) illustrate the doctrine of divine election?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
After the prophet's rebuke, the narrative shifts to Gideon's introduction through an angelic visitation. The Angel of the LORD (mal'ak Yahweh, מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה) is a divine theophany—God Himself appearing in visible form (verse 14 identifies Him as Yahweh directly). He sits under the oak in Ophrah belonging to Joash the Abiezrite, Gideon's father. The detail about the oak (elah, אֵלָה) suggests a known landmark, possibly associated with previous worship or significant events. Gideon is threshing wheat in the winepress—an unusual location revealing the depths of Midianite intimidation. Winepresses were typically in valleys, partially underground, offering concealment that outdoor threshing floors couldn't provide.