Gideon

Gid´ee-uhn; Heb., “to cut off”; also called Jerubaal, Judg. 6:32

The son of Joash the Abiezrite of the town of Ophrah in the tribal area of Manasseh. Gideon is counted among the major judges, although the narrative describing his exploits (Judg 6:11-8:32) does not refer to him as such. After receiving a divine call, he leads armies drawn from the Israelite tribes in successive battles against the Midianites. The fame of his victories is attested by references in other biblical sources (Isa 9:3; Isa 10:26; Ps 83:10-12; 1Sam 12:11; Heb 11:12). Gideon’s humility (cf. Heb 6:15) and religiosity are evinced by his refusal to accept hereditary rulership over Israel (Judg 8:23).