Judges 6:11
*Then the angel of the LORD came and sat under the oak that was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite as his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press in order to save it from the Midianites.* (v.11) This scene took place in Ophrah, a location in the territory of Manasseh in ancient Israel. The time period is generally placed around the late 12th century BC, during the era of the Judges when Israel was suffering oppression from surrounding enemies. Gideon, son of Joash the Abiezrite, is found secretly threshing his wheat in a wine press, a testament to the desperate times brought on by Midianite raids that sought to sabotage Israel’s food supply. By situating Himself under the oak in Ophrah, the angel of the LORD reached out intimately into Gideon’s life, highlighting God’s presence in the midst of Israel’s hardships.
The phrase “angel of the LORD” often points to a special, divine messenger who carries God’s authority. Since *Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press in order to save it from the Midianites* (v.11), we see him endeavoring to hold onto hope despite Israel’s turmoil. This unwillingness to entirely surrender to oppression foreshadows his role as deliverer. Although he initially appears hesitant and doubtful, Gideon will go on to lead Israel to victory against Midian’s formidable host through God’s power (Judges 6–7) . His story illustrates how God often chooses unexpected individuals—sometimes described as fearful or “skittish” citeturn0file17—to accomplish His redemptive work.
Joash the Abiezrite’s presence reminds us that Gideon’s calling touched not only Gideon individually but also his entire household and tribe. The Abiezrites were a subgroup of the tribe of Manasseh, indicating Gideon’s connection to Israel’s patriarchal heritage as a descendant of Joseph’s son Manasseh (Genesis 48:14-16). Even though Israel repeatedly fell into sin and needed rescuing, God’s pattern of raising up judges like Gideon reveals His enduring mercy to His covenant people.
This verse shows God initiating a profound change in Gideon’s life by appearing in his ordinary surroundings and calling him to deliver His people.
This quick synopsis was AI autogenerated utilizing existing TheBibleSays commentaries as the primary source material. To read a related commentary that has been fully developed, see the list below. If there is an issue with this summary please let us know by emailing:[email protected]
Other Relevant Commentaries:
- Judges 1:11-15 meaning. Caleb offers his daughter Achsah in marriage to whoever captures Kiriath-sepher. Othniel, Caleb’s nephew, successfully captures the city and marries Achsah. Achsah then asks Caleb for a field and additional water resources, and Caleb grants her the upper and lower springs.
- Judges 2:11-15 meaning. The Israelites fall into idolatry, abandoning the Lord to serve the Baals and Ashtaroth. This disobedience provokes God’s anger, leading to their oppression by enemies and severe distress, as He fulfills the warnings given to them.
- Judges 5:6-8 meaning. The second segment of the song to the Lord in Judges 5 reflects the turmoil and oppression that Israel faced before the victory led by Deborah and Barak. The people had been living in fear and desolation. Yet, through Deborah’s faithfulness, God began to restore Israel, leading to the defeat of their enemies.