Judges 6:24
Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovah-shalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
Original Language Analysis
שָׁ֨ם
H8033
יְהוָ֖ה
there unto the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
there unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיִּקְרָא
and called
H7121
וַיִּקְרָא
and called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
6 of 16
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
יְהוָ֖ה
there unto the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
there unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
שָׁל֑וֹם
H7965
שָׁל֑וֹם
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
9 of 16
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
עַ֚ד
H5704
עַ֚ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
10 of 16
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הַיּ֣וֹם
unto this day
H3117
הַיּ֣וֹם
unto this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
11 of 16
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַזֶּ֔ה
H2088
עוֹדֶ֕נּוּ
H5750
עוֹדֶ֕נּוּ
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
13 of 16
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
Cross References
Exodus 17:15And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi:Genesis 22:14And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.Judges 8:32And Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in the sepulchre of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.Ezekiel 48:35It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there.Jeremiah 23:6In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.Jeremiah 33:16In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness.Genesis 33:20And he erected there an altar, and called it El-elohe-Israel.Joshua 22:10And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to.Judges 21:4And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people rose early, and built there an altar, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.
Historical Context
Personal altars built by individuals at sites of divine encounter were common before temple centralization under Solomon. These altars served local worship until Deuteronomic reform centralized worship in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 12, 2 Kings 23). The name Jehovah-shalom joined other memorial names: Jehovah-jireh ('The LORD will provide,' Genesis 22:14), Jehovah-nissi ('The LORD is my banner,' Exodus 17:15), Jehovah-rophe ('The LORD who heals,' Exodus 15:26).
Questions for Reflection
- How does naming the altar Jehovah-shalom express Gideon's theological understanding of his encounter?
- What 'altars' or memorials help you remember God's faithfulness and grace?
- How does the LORD being peace resolve the tension between God's holiness and human sinfulness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
In gratitude and worship, Gideon builds an altar and names it Jehovah-shalom ('The LORD is Peace'). The Hebrew Yahweh-shalom (יְהוָה שָׁלוֹם) commemorates God's gracious promise in verse 23. Building altars marked significant divine encounters throughout Scripture (Genesis 12:7, 13:18, 35:7), serving both as worship sites and memorial witnesses. The note 'unto this day' indicates the altar's continued existence when Judges was written, providing historical validation. That it stood 'in Ophrah of the Abi-ezrites' shows this became a recognized worship site for Gideon's clan.