Boy · Hebrew · Old Testament

Gideon

GID-ee-un · from Gidon · means “Mighty warrior, hewer”

Gideon is a Hebrew name traditionally understood as "mighty warrior" or "hewer," ironic for a man who was hiding in a winepress out of fear when God's angel first called him that. Gideon led Israel to victory over the Midianites with only three hundred men, trusting God rather than numbers.

“The Lord turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?"”

The story behind the name

An angel of the Lord found Gideon threshing wheat in a winepress, hiding from raiding Midianites, and greeted him as a mighty warrior, though Gideon called himself the least in his family (Judges 6). Gideon asked for sign after sign, testing God's promise with a fleece of wool, and God patiently answered each request.

When God whittled Gideon's army down from thirty-two thousand men to just three hundred, so that Israel could not claim the victory for themselves, Gideon obeyed even though it seemed like certain defeat (Judges 7). With torches, trumpets, and clay jars, that tiny force routed the Midianite army.

Gideon's story shows a fearful, doubting man transformed into someone God could use for a great deliverance. A boy named Gideon carries a name that reminds us God's strength is often made known through small numbers and honest faith.

Middle names that sing with Gideon

Chosen for rhythm and meanings that speak to each other.

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