Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version That same night the LORD said to him, “Take the second bull from your father’s herd, the one seven years old. Tear down your father’s altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. New Living Translation That night the LORD said to Gideon, “Take the second bull from your father’s herd, the one that is seven years old. Pull down your father’s altar to Baal, and cut down the Asherah pole standing beside it. English Standard Version That night the LORD said to him, “Take your father’s bull, and the second bull seven years old, and pull down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the Asherah that is beside it Berean Standard Bible On that very night the LORD said to Gideon, “Take your father’s young bull and a second bull seven years old, tear down your father’s altar to Baal, and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. Berean Literal Bible And it came to pass that night, that YHWH said to him, “Take the young bull, that of your father, and the second bull, of seven years, and tear down the altar of Baal that is to your father, and cut down the Asherah pole that is beside it. King James Bible And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it: New King James Version Now it came to pass the same night that the LORD said to him, “Take your father’s young bull, the second bull of seven years old, and tear down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the wooden image that is beside it; New American Standard Bible Now on the same night the LORD said to him, “Take your father’s bull and a second bull seven years old, and tear down the altar of Baal which belongs to your father, and cut down the Asherah that is beside it; NASB 1995 Now on the same night the LORD said to him, “Take your father’s bull and a second bull seven years old, and pull down the altar of Baal which belongs to your father, and cut down the Asherah that is beside it; NASB 1977 Now the same night it came about that the LORD said to him, “Take your father’s bull and a second bull seven years old, and pull down the altar of Baal which belongs to your father, and cut down the Asherah that is beside it; Legacy Standard Bible Now it happened on the same night that Yahweh said to him, “Take your father’s bull and a second bull seven years old, and pull down the altar of Baal which belongs to your father, and cut down the Asherah that is beside it, Amplified Bible Now on that same night the LORD said to Gideon, “Take your father’s bull, the second bull seven years old, and tear down the altar of Baal that belongs to your father, and cut down the Asherah that is beside it; Berean Annotated Bible On that very night the LORD {YHWH} said to Gideon, “Take your father’s young bull and a second bull seven years old, tear down your father’s altar to Baal (lord), and cut down the Asherah pole (goddess) beside it. Christian Standard Bible On that very night the LORD said to him, “Take your father’s young bull and a second bull seven years old. Then tear down the altar of Baal that belongs to your father and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. Holman Christian Standard Bible On that very night the LORD said to him, “Take your father’s young bull and a second bull seven years old. Then tear down the altar of Baal that belongs to your father and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. American Standard Version And it came to pass the same night, that Jehovah said unto him, Take thy father's bullock, even the second bullock seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the Asherah that is by it; Contemporary English Version That night the LORD spoke to Gideon again: Get your father's second-best bull, the one that's seven years old. Use it to pull down the altar where your father worships Baal and cut down the sacred pole next to the altar. English Revised Version And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father's bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the Asherah that is by it: GOD'S WORD® Translation That same night the LORD said to Gideon, "Take a bull from your father's herd, a bull that is seven years old. Tear down your father's altar dedicated to the god Baal and cut down the pole dedicated to the goddess Asherah that is next to it. Good News Translation That night the LORD told Gideon, "Take your father's bull and another bull seven years old, tear down your father's altar to Baal, and cut down the symbol of the goddess Asherah, which is beside it. International Standard Version Later that very night, the LORD told Gideon, "Take the bull that belongs to your father, along with a second bull that's seven years old. Then tear down the altar to Baal that your father owns, cut down the Asherah that's beside it, NET Bible That night the LORD said to him, "Take the bull from your father's herd, as well as a second bull, one that is seven years old. Pull down your father's Baal altar and cut down the nearby Asherah pole. New Heart English Bible It happened the same night, that the LORD said to him, "Take your father's bull, even the second bull seven years old, and tear down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the Asherah that is beside it; Webster's Bible Translation And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said to him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleOn that very night the LORD said to Gideon, “Take your father’s young bull and a second bull seven years old, tear down your father’s altar to Baal, and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. World English Bible That same night, Yahweh said to him, “Take your father’s bull, even the second bull seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the Asherah that is by it. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd it comes to pass, on that night, that YHWH says to him, “Take the young ox which your father has, and the second bullock of seven years, and you have thrown down the altar of Ba‘al which your father has, and cut down the Asherah which [is] by it, Berean Literal Bible And it came to pass that night, that YHWH said to him, “Take the young bull, that of your father, and the second bull, of seven years, and tear down the altar of Baal that is to your father, and cut down the Asherah pole that is beside it. Young's Literal Translation And it cometh to pass, on that night, that Jehovah saith to him, 'Take the young ox which is to thy father, and the second bullock of seven years, and thou hast thrown down the altar of Baal which is to thy father, and the shrine which is by it thou dost cut down, Smith's Literal Translation And it will be in that night Jehovah will say to him, Take a bullock of the oxen which is to thy father, and the second bullock of seven years, and break in pieces the altar of Baal, which is to thy father, and the wooden pillar which is upon it thou shalt cut down; Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThat night the Lord said to him: Take a bullock of thy father's, and another bullock of seven years, and thou shalt destroy the altar of Baal, which is thy father's: and cut down the grove that is about the altar: Catholic Public Domain Version that night, the Lord said to him: “Take a bull of your father’s, and another bull of seven years, and you shall destroy the altar of Baal, which is your father’s. And you shall cut down the sacred grove which is around the altar. New American Bible That same night the LORD said to him: Take your father’s bull, the bull fattened for seven years, and pull down your father’s altar to Baal. As for the asherah beside it, cut it down New Revised Standard Version That night the LORD said to him, “Take your father’s bull, the second bull seven years old, and pull down the altar of Baal that belongs to your father, and cut down the sacred pole that is beside it; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd it came to pass on that day, the LORD said to him, Take your father's bullock, and the second bullock seven years old, and pull down the altar of Baal, the idol of your father, and cut down the grove that is by it; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And it was on that day LORD JEHOVAH also said to him, “Take a bull of your father and another bull of seven years, and pull down the altar of Baal the idol of your father, and cut down the shelter that stands by it OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him: 'Take thy father's bullock, and the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the Asherah that is by it; Brenton Septuagint Translation And it came to pass in that night, that the Lord said to him, Take the young bullock which thy father has, even the second bullock of seven years old, and thou shalt destroy the altar of Baal which thy father has, and the grove which is by it thou shalt destroy. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Gideon Destroys Baal's Altar25 On that very night the LORD said to Gideon, “Take your father’s young bull and a second bull seven years old, tear down your father’s altar to Baal, and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. 26Then build a proper altar to the LORD your God on the top of this stronghold. And with the wood of the Asherah pole you cut down, take the second bull and offer it as a burnt offering.”… Cross References On that very night the LORD said to Gideon, Acts 18:9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent. 1 Kings 3:5 One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!” Genesis 46:2 And that night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” He said. “Here I am,” replied Jacob. “Take your father’s young bull Exodus 29:1 “Now this is what you are to do to consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve Me as priests: Take a young bull and two rams without blemish, Numbers 7:15 one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; Leviticus 4:3 If the anointed priest sins, bringing guilt on the people, he must bring to the LORD a young bull without blemish as a sin offering for the sin he has committed. and a second bull seven years old, 1 Kings 18:23 Get two bulls for us. Let the prophets of Baal choose one bull for themselves, cut it into pieces, and place it on the wood but not light the fire. And I will prepare the other bull and place it on the wood but not light the fire. Leviticus 9:2 He said to Aaron, “Take for yourself a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering, both without blemish, and present them before the LORD. Exodus 32:4 He took the gold from their hands, and with an engraving tool he fashioned it into a molten calf. And they said, “These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” tear down your father’s altar to Baal, Deuteronomy 12:3 Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the idols of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place. Exodus 34:13 Rather, you must tear down their altars, smash their sacred stones, and chop down their Asherah poles. 2 Kings 11:18 So all the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and idols to pieces, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars. And Jehoiada the priest posted guards for the house of the LORD. and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. 2 Kings 18:4 He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He also demolished the bronze snake called Nehushtan that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had burned incense to it. 1 Kings 15:13 He also removed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made a detestable Asherah pole. Asa chopped down the pole and burned it in the Kidron Valley. Deuteronomy 7:5 Instead, this is what you are to do to them: tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their idols in the fire. 1 Kings 18:30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” So all the people approached him, and he repaired the altar of the LORD that had been torn down. Treasury of Scripture And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said to him, Take your father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the grove that is by it: take thy father's Genesis 35:2 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments: Job 22:23 If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles. Psalm 101:2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. even or and throw 1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 2 Corinthians 6:15-17 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? … they father Matthew 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Acts 4:19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. cut down Judges 3:7 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves. Exodus 34:13 But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves: Deuteronomy 7:5 But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire. Jump to Previous Altar Asherah Baal Bull Bullock Cut It Night Second Seven Throw YoungJump to Next Altar Asherah Baal Bull Bullock Cut It Night Second Seven Throw YoungJudges 6 1. The Israelites for their sin are oppressed by Midian8. A prophet rebukes them 11. An angel sends Gideon for their deliverance 17. Gideon's present is consumed with fire 24. Gideon destroys Baal's altar; offers a sacrifice upon the altar Jehovah-shalom 28. Joash defends his son, and calls him Jerubbaal 33. Gideon's army 36. Gideon's signs On that very night the LORD said to Gideon This phrase indicates a specific divine encounter, emphasizing the immediacy and urgency of God's command. The timing "on that very night" suggests a direct and personal communication from God, highlighting Gideon's role as a chosen leader. This encounter is part of a pattern where God directly intervenes in the lives of the judges to deliver Israel (Judges 2:16-18). It underscores the theme of divine initiative in the deliverance of His people. Take your father’s young bull and a second bull seven years old tear down your father’s altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it Persons / Places / Events 1. GideonA judge of Israel chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites. He is called to act in obedience to God by tearing down the altar of Baal. 2. Baal A Canaanite deity worshiped by the Israelites during this period, representing a significant departure from the worship of Yahweh. 3. Asherah Pole A wooden symbol associated with the worship of the goddess Asherah, often placed beside altars to Baal. 4. Ophrah The hometown of Gideon, where the altar to Baal and the Asherah pole were located. 5. The LORD (Yahweh) The God of Israel, who commands Gideon to destroy the symbols of idolatry and restore true worship. Teaching Points Obedience to God's CommandGideon's task demonstrates the importance of obeying God's instructions, even when they challenge cultural norms or familial traditions. Courage in Faith Gideon's actions required courage, as he was going against his father's practices and the community's beliefs. Believers are called to stand firm in their faith, even when it is unpopular. Purity of Worship The removal of the altar to Baal and the Asherah pole signifies the need for purity in worship. Believers must examine their lives for any form of idolatry that detracts from their devotion to God. God's Empowerment Gideon's mission was initiated by God, who provided the strength and guidance needed. This reminds believers that God equips those He calls to fulfill His purposes. Restoration and Renewal Gideon's actions were a step towards the spiritual renewal of Israel. Believers are called to be agents of restoration in their communities, leading others back to true worship. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 6:25?2. How does Judges 6:25 demonstrate God's call to remove idolatry from our lives? 3. What significance does the "second bull" hold in Judges 6:25 for sacrifices? 4. How can we identify and dismantle modern "altars" that oppose God today? 5. Why does God instruct Gideon to use his father's bull in Judges 6:25? 6. How does Gideon's obedience in Judges 6:25 inspire us to follow God's commands? 7. Why did God command Gideon to destroy his father's altar to Baal in Judges 6:25? 8. What does Judges 6:25 reveal about idolatry and its consequences? 9. How does Gideon's obedience in Judges 6:25 challenge modern believers' faith? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 6? 11. Judges 6:25–27: Is there any archaeological evidence supporting the destruction of Baal’s altar in Gideon’s hometown? 12. Who was Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal, in the Bible? 13. Is the concept of a heavenly mother biblical? 14. In 1 Kings 15:13, is there any archeological corroboration for Asa deposing his grandmother Maachah over idol worship? What Does Judges 6:25 Mean On that very night• Scripture stresses immediacy: “On that very night” (Judges 6:25) shows God’s timing is exact and urgent, not random. • Just as the angel passed through Egypt “that same night” (Exodus 12:12), God often acts decisively in the dark hours when faith must triumph over fear. • Gideon is called to obedience without delay—echoing Psalm 95:7, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” the LORD said to Gideon • This command comes straight from “the LORD,” the covenant name used in Exodus 3:14, underscoring divine authority. • God’s personal address recalls 1 Samuel 3:10 (“Speak, for Your servant is listening”) and assures Gideon that the directive is not mere impulse but revelation. • The Lord speaks to ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary purposes (James 1:5; John 10:27). Take your father’s young bull and a second bull seven years old • Two animals are specified: a “young bull” and another “seven years old.” The second bull’s age matches Israel’s seven years of Midianite oppression (Judges 6:1), signaling a complete, symbolic reversal of bondage. • Bulls were premium sacrifices (Leviticus 4:3) reserved for significant moments, underlining the weight of Gideon’s mission. • Using his father’s livestock demonstrates that true worship may cost personal or family assets, echoing David’s resolve: “I will not offer burnt offerings… that cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24). tear down your father’s altar to Baal • The command strikes at the heart of household idolatry, fulfilling Exodus 20:3, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” • Gideon must start purification at home before national deliverance can follow (Matthew 7:5). • Similar acts of confrontation appear when Elijah repairs a ruined altar and exposes Baal’s impotence (1 Kings 18:30–39). • God will not share His glory; He demands exclusive allegiance (Isaiah 42:8). and cut down the Asherah pole beside it • Asherah poles represented fertility deities (Deuteronomy 16:21). God commands complete removal, not mere coexistence, mirroring Deuteronomy 7:5: “tear down… break apart… burn.” • Cutting it down parallels Josiah’s reforms (2 Kings 23:14), demonstrating that true revival destroys idols, it doesn’t rebrand them. • For believers today, this underscores 1 Corinthians 10:14, “Flee from idolatry,” whether cultural or personal. summary God intervenes at night to prompt immediate action, speaks directly to His servant, requires a costly but symbolic sacrifice, uproots false worship beginning in the family, and insists idols be destroyed, not tolerated. Judges 6:25 reveals that genuine deliverance starts with uncompromising obedience and undivided devotion to the Lord. (25) The Lord said unto him.--Luther rightly observes that by such expressions we are not at all meant to understand a voice in the air. It is useless, and therefore undesirable, to speculate as to the exact manner in which the Divine intimation came to him. When God speaks it is not possible for man to mistake His voice. It was distinctly revealed to Gideon that he must be an iconoclast before he could be a deliverer.Even the second bullock.--It has been disputed whether the true rendering is "even" or "and." Ewald makes it mean "even," and explains shani (second) to mean "old" (Gesch. ii.498). The LXX., the Vulgate, Luther, &c, render it "and," as in the margin of our version. This seems to be the right rendering; for (1) the labour of two bullocks would not be too much for the task before Gideon; (2) a bullock (shor) of seven years old would hardly be called a young bullock: literally, "a heifer (par), son of an ox." Of seven years old.--The Chaldee renders it, "which has been fattened for seven years," and there is very possibly an allusion to the seven years of the Midianite oppression (Judges 6:1). The law had not prescribed any fixed age for burnt offerings. Why the bullock is called "the second bullock" is very uncertain, but this minute and unexplained detail shows that we are not moving in the region of legend. The first bullock is said to belong to Joash, and we must, therefore, probably suppose that the second was Gideon's own. Possibly in this circumstance we may see an explanation of these minute directions, and the significance which they were intended to bear. The first bullock had been intended by Joash as a sacrifice to Baal, and is used in the destruction of his altar; the second had, perhaps, been reserved by Gideon as a sacrifice to the Lord when better times should come--a votive offering, which was being fattened for the longed-for day of deliverance. This bullock is sacrificed to Jehovah, and the fact that it, too, has been used for the destruction of the Canaanite idols is a sign to Gideon that the day for which he had hoped has come. Throw down.--As commanded in Exodus 32:13; Deuteronomy 7:5. The altar of Baal.--Rather, of the Baal, i.e., of that particular Ph?nician idol which your father worships. (Comp. 1Kings 16:32.) . . . Verse 25. - The grove. See Judges 3:7. The size of the asherah is indicated by the order in ver. 26 to use it for the altar fire.CHAPTER 6:25-32 Verse 25. - The same night, etc. The iron was hot; it was time to strike. As regards what follows, there are two ways of understanding the verse. One, that of the A.V., supposes that only one bullock is spoken of, and that "the young bullock" belonging to Joash is further described as "even the second bullock of seven years old;" to which it is objected that a bullock of seven years old is not "a young bullock," "the bullock of an ox," as the Hebrew phrase is, and that there is no explanation of the meaning of "the second bullock;" and that the Hebrew manifestly describes two bullocks: (1) Joash's young bullock, and (2) the bullock of seven years old. . . . Hebrew On that veryהַהוּא֒ (ha·hū) Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are night בַּלַּ֣יְלָה (bal·lay·lāh) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity the LORD יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel said to [Gideon], וַיֹּ֧אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “Take קַ֤ח (qaḥ) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 3947: To take your father’s לְאָבִ֔יךָ (lə·’ā·ḇî·ḵā) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 1: Father young bull פַּר־ (par-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6499: Young bull, steer and a second הַשֵּׁנִ֖י (haš·šê·nî) Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular Strong's 8145: Second (an ordinal number) bull וּפַ֥ר (ū·p̄ar) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6499: Young bull, steer seven שֶׁ֣בַע (še·ḇa‘) Number - feminine singular Strong's 7651: Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number years old, שָׁנִ֑ים (šā·nîm) Noun - feminine plural Strong's 8141: A year tear down וְהָרַסְתָּ֗ (wə·hā·ras·tā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 2040: To pull down, in pieces, break, & destroy your father's לְאָבִ֔יךָ (lə·’ā·ḇî·ḵā) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 1: Father altar מִזְבַּ֤ח (miz·baḥ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4196: An altar to Baal, הַבַּ֙עַל֙ (hab·ba·‘al) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1168: Baal -- a heathen god and cut down תִּכְרֹֽת׃ (tiḵ·rōṯ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant the Asherah pole הָאֲשֵׁרָ֥ה (hā·’ă·šê·rāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 842: A Phoenician goddess, also an image of the same beside it. עָלָ֖יו (‘ā·lāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against Links Judges 6:25 NIVJudges 6:25 NLT Judges 6:25 ESV Judges 6:25 NASB Judges 6:25 KJV Judges 6:25 BibleApps.com Judges 6:25 Biblia Paralela Judges 6:25 Chinese Bible Judges 6:25 French Bible Judges 6:25 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 6:25 It happened the same night that Yahweh (Jd Judg. 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