גִּדְעוֹן
Gidon / Gideon
“Mighty warrior”
Gideon (גִּדְעוֹן, Gidon) is a Hebrew boy's name meaning “mighty warrior,” pronounced “gid-ON.” From the Hebrew root גָּדַע (gada) meaning 'to cut down, to hew.' The name Gidon is an active participle: 'cutter' or 'hewer,' understood as 'mighty warrior/destroyer.' It reflects both his destruction of his father's Baal altar and his military victories.
| Hebrew | גִּדְעוֹן |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Gidon |
| English Name | Gideon |
| Meaning | Mighty warrior |
| Pronunciation | gid-ON |
| Gender | Boy |
| Category | Male Biblical Names |
| Variants | Gidon, Gedeon, Gédéon |
| Key Scripture | Judges 6:12 |
Gideon is the Bible's greatest underdog story. When the angel of the LORD found him, he wasn't leading armies — he was hiding in a winepress, secretly threshing wheat to keep it from Midianite raiders. The angel's greeting seems almost ironic: 'The LORD is with you, mighty warrior' (Judges 6:12). Gideon protested that he was the least member of the weakest clan. But God took this frightened farmer and, through a series of miraculous signs and a deliberately reduced army of just 300 men, routed an enemy force 'thick as locusts.' Gideon's name — from the root meaning 'to cut down' — became a prophecy: he would cut down both the altar of Baal and the Midianite oppression.
Key Scripture: Judges 6:12
“When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, 'The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.'”
What Does Gideon Mean in Hebrew?
From the root ג-ד-ע (gimel-dalet-ayin) meaning 'to cut down, to hew, to destroy.' The form גִּדְעוֹן (Gidon) suggests 'great destroyer' or 'mighty cutter.' His alternate name Yerubba'al ('let Baal contend') was given after he cut down his father's altar to Baal (Judges 6:32).
Gideon in the Bible
Gideon was a judge of Israel during the Midianite oppression. God called him from obscurity, confirmed his calling through the famous fleece tests, and then reduced his army from 32,000 to just 300 to ensure the victory would be attributed to God alone. Using only torches, jars, and trumpets, Gideon's tiny force routed the vast Midianite army (Judges 7).
Cultural Context & Modern Usage
The Gideons International, founded in 1899, is famous for placing Bibles in hotel rooms worldwide — named after the biblical judge whose small force accomplished great things through faith. In Israel, 'Gidon' carries connotations of military valor and the principle that quality trumps quantity.
Gideon has been gaining popularity in the United States, currently ranking around the top 300. In Israel, Gidon is a respected classic name with military connotations. Its strong sound and powerful biblical story appeal to parents seeking a heroic name with spiritual depth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gideon
What does Gideon mean in Hebrew?
Gideon (גִּדְעוֹן, Gidon) means “Mighty warrior” in Hebrew. From the Hebrew root גָּדַע (gada) meaning 'to cut down, to hew.' The name Gidon is an active participle: 'cutter' or 'hewer,' understood as 'mighty warrior/destroyer.' It reflects both his destruction of his father's Baal altar and his military victories.
How do you pronounce Gideon in Hebrew?
The Hebrew pronunciation of Gideon is “gid-ON.” The name is written גִּדְעוֹן in Hebrew script.
What does Gideon mean in Hebrew?
Gideon (גִּדְעוֹן, Gidon) means 'mighty warrior' or 'great destroyer/cutter,' from the root ג-ד-ע (gada, 'to cut down'). Despite its powerful meaning, Gideon initially saw himself as the weakest person in the weakest clan. God's naming him 'mighty warrior' was a declaration of who Gideon would become through divine empowerment.
Why did God reduce Gideon's army to 300 men?
God reduced the army from 32,000 to 300 so that Israel could not boast 'My own strength has saved me' (Judges 7:2). The deliberately impossible odds — 300 against approximately 135,000 — ensured that the victory would be unmistakably attributed to God's power rather than human military might. It's one of the Bible's clearest demonstrations of divine sovereignty.
What is the story of Gideon's fleece?
Gideon asked God for two signs using a wool fleece (Judges 6:36-40). First, he asked that the fleece be wet with dew while the ground remained dry — and it happened. Then he asked for the reverse — dry fleece on wet ground — and God did that too. These 'fleece tests' have become a common metaphor for seeking divine guidance and confirmation.
Sources & Further Study
Related Hebrew Words
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