Judges Chapter 6 · Verse 19
And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֤עַשׂ
and made ready
H6213
וַיַּ֤עַשׂ
and made ready
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
3 of 20
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
עִזִּים֙
a kid
H5795
עִזִּים֙
a kid
Strong's:
H5795
Word #:
5 of 20
a she-goat (as strong), but masculine in plural (which also is used elliptically for goat's hair)
וְאֵיפַת
of an ephah
H374
וְאֵיפַת
of an ephah
Strong's:
H374
Word #:
6 of 20
an ephah or measure for grain; hence, a measure in general
מַצּ֔וֹת
and unleavened cakes
H4682
מַצּ֔וֹת
and unleavened cakes
Strong's:
H4682
Word #:
8 of 20
properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e., not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically, an unfermented cake or loaf, or (elliptically) the fes
הַבָּשָׂר֙
the flesh
H1320
הַבָּשָׂר֙
the flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
9 of 20
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
שָׂ֣ם
and he put
H7760
שָׂ֣ם
and he put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
10 of 20
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
בַּסַּ֔ל
in a basket
H5536
בַּסַּ֔ל
in a basket
Strong's:
H5536
Word #:
11 of 20
properly, a willow twig (as pendulous), i.e., an osier; but only as woven into a basket
שָׂ֣ם
and he put
H7760
שָׂ֣ם
and he put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
13 of 20
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
וַיּוֹצֵ֥א
and brought it out
H3318
וַיּוֹצֵ֥א
and brought it out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
15 of 20
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
תַּ֥חַת
H8478
תַּ֥חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
18 of 20
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
Historical Context
The kid (young goat) was valuable livestock, commonly used in sacrificial worship (Leviticus 1:10, 4:23). An ephah of flour was substantial—enough to make bread for a family for days. That Gideon possessed such provisions despite Midianite raids shows either hidden reserves or temporary respite. The presentation format—meat in basket, broth in pot—follows ancient meal service customs, though the subsequent miraculous consumption transforms it from hospitality meal to sacrificial offering.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Gideon's generous offering despite his poverty demonstrate proper priorities in worshiping God?
- What does preparing a substantial meal reveal about Gideon's growing faith and reverence?
- How should Christians balance generous giving to God with practical provision needs?
Analysis & Commentary
Gideon prepares substantial provisions: a kid (young goat), unleavened cakes from an ephah of flour, and broth. An ephah equals approximately 22 liters or half a bushel—generous provision demonstrating Gideon's honor for his visitor. Unleavened bread (matzot, מַצּוֹת) suggests either haste (no time for leavening) or ritual purity. The meat in a basket and broth in a pot show careful preparation. Presenting these to the Angel under the oak completes the offering setup. The location 'under the oak' may indicate a sacred site, though this remains speculative.