Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal, is a prominent figure in the Book of Judges, chapters 6 to 8. He was a judge of Israel and a member of the tribe of Manasseh. Gideon's family played a significant role in his life and the narrative of his leadership.

Father: Joash

Gideon's father, Joash, was an Abiezrite, a clan within the tribe of Manasseh. Joash lived in Ophrah, where he maintained an altar to Baal, a Canaanite deity. This altar became a focal point in Gideon's early account. When God called Gideon to deliver Israel from the Midianites, He instructed Gideon to tear down his father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it (Judges 6:25-27). Joash's response to the townspeople who wanted to kill Gideon for this act was notable. He defended his son by challenging Baal to contend for himself, saying, "If Baal is a god, let him contend for himself, since someone has torn down his altar" (Judges 6:31). This incident earned Gideon the name Jerubbaal, meaning "Let Baal contend against him."

Wives and Concubines

Gideon had many wives, which was not uncommon for leaders of his time. These marriages resulted in a large family, as was typical for men of his status and influence. The Bible does not provide the names of his wives, but it does mention that he had seventy sons (Judges 8:30). This large number of offspring indicates his significant household and the potential for internal family conflict, which later became evident.

In addition to his wives, Gideon had a concubine who lived in Shechem. This concubine bore him a son named Abimelech (Judges 8:31). The presence of a concubine and the birth of Abimelech would later have profound implications for Gideon's family and the nation of Israel.

Sons

Gideon's sons are mentioned collectively, with the most notable being Abimelech. After Gideon's death, Abimelech sought to establish himself as king over Shechem and its surrounding areas. He conspired with the leaders of Shechem and killed his seventy brothers, the sons of Gideon, on a single stone, sparing only Jotham, the youngest, who managed to hide (Judges 9:5). This act of fratricide was a direct result of Abimelech's ambition and marked a dark chapter in the history of Gideon's family.

Jotham

Jotham, the youngest son of Gideon, survived Abimelech's massacre. He is known for his parable of the trees, which he delivered from Mount Gerizim. In this parable, Jotham warned the people of Shechem about the consequences of their actions in supporting Abimelech, likening him to a bramble that would bring destruction (Judges 9:7-15). Jotham's speech was a prophetic warning that eventually came to pass, as Abimelech's rule ended in violence and treachery.

Legacy

Gideon's family, particularly through the actions of Abimelech, illustrates the complexities and challenges of leadership and legacy in ancient Israel. While Gideon was a man of faith who delivered Israel from oppression, the internal strife within his family and the subsequent rise of Abimelech highlight the potential for discord and tragedy when personal ambition supersedes divine guidance.