Judges 6:32

32 And on that day they called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead with him, because he has broken down his altar.

Judges 6:32 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 6:32

Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal
That is, Joash called his son Gideon by that name; who, some think, is the same with Jerombalus, the priest of the god Jevo, or Jehovah; from whom Sanchoniatho, an ancient Phoenician writer, as Philo Byblius says ^F23, received the principal things in his history respecting the Jews:

saying, let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his
altar;
giving this as the reason of the name of Jerubbaal he called him by, which signifies, "let Baal plead"; let Baal plead his own cause, and avenge himself on Gideon for what he has done to him, and put him to death if he can.

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FOOTNOTES:

F23 Apud Euseb. Evangel Praepar. l. 1. p. 31.

Judges 6:32 In-Context

30 And the men of the city said to Joash, Bring out thy son, that he may die, because he has broken down the altar of Baal, and because he has cut down the Asherah that was by it.

31 And Joash said to all that stood near him, Will *ye* contend for Baal? or will *ye* save him? he that contends for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning. If he be a god, let him plead for himself, because they have broken down his altar.

32 And on that day they called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead with him, because he has broken down his altar.

33 And all Midian and Amalek and the children of the east were gathered together, and went over, and encamped in the valley of Jezreel.

34 And the Spirit of Jehovah came upon Gideon, and he blew the trumpet, and the Abi-ezrites were gathered after him.

Footnotes

• [a]. Meaning, 'Let Baal plead, or contend.'
• [b]. Or 'contend against.'