Judges Chapter 6 · Verse 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.
Original Language Analysis
אַנְשֵׁ֤י
H376
אַנְשֵׁ֤י
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
2 of 19
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)
הָעִיר֙
of the city
H5892
הָעִיר֙
of the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
3 of 19
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הוֹצֵ֥א
Bring out
H3318
הוֹצֵ֥א
Bring out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
6 of 19
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בִּנְךָ֖
thy son
H1121
בִּנְךָ֖
thy son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
8 of 19
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וְיָמֹ֑ת
that he may die
H4191
וְיָמֹ֑ת
that he may die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
9 of 19
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְכִ֥י
H3588
וְכִ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
15 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כָרַ֖ת
and because he hath cut down
H3772
כָרַ֖ת
and because he hath cut down
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
16 of 19
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
הָֽאֲשֵׁרָ֥ה
the grove
H842
הָֽאֲשֵׁרָ֥ה
the grove
Strong's:
H842
Word #:
17 of 19
asherah (or astarte) a phoenician goddess; also an image of the same
Historical Context
Capital punishment for religious offenses was standard in ancient Near Eastern cultures. Attacking a deity's altar was viewed as attacking the deity itself, meriting death to appease divine wrath and deter others. That the community mobilized so quickly shows Baal worship's entrenchment. The demand directed at Joash makes him responsible for his son's actions under ancient Near Eastern household accountability—the patriarch must deliver the offender or face collective punishment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the mob's demand for Gideon's death illustrate spiritual warfare's reality when confronting entrenched idolatry?
- What does their prioritizing Baal over family loyalty reveal about idolatry's power to corrupt natural affections?
- How should Christians respond when obedience to God provokes hostility from family, community, or culture?
Analysis & Commentary
The townspeople demand Gideon's execution: '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.' Their capital charge—desecrating Baal's sacred sites—shows how thoroughly Israel had abandoned Yahweh. No one appeals to Mosaic law forbidding idolatry; instead, destroying idolatry is treated as criminal. This inversion of values typifies the judges period: 'every man did that which was right in his own eyes' (Judges 17:6, 21:25). The mob's demand for death parallels later Jewish leaders demanding Christ's crucifixion—both cases involve the righteous threatened by those defending religious error.