Tanach
Shoftim 6 שופטים ו׳
Part of: Petuchah, Judges 6:1Petuchah, Judges 6:7Petuchah, Judges 6:11Petuchah, Judges 6:20Setumah, Judges 6:25Setumah, Judges 6:33
Reading: Hebrew · Simple EnglishHebrew · Faithful translationHebrew onlyHebrew · Simple EnglishHebrew · Faithful translationHebrew onlySimple English onlyFaithful translation onlySide by sideRashi
וַיַּעֲשׂוּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל הָרַע בְּעֵינֵי יְהֹוָה וַיִּתְּנֵם יְהֹוָה בְּיַד־מִדְיָן שֶׁבַע שָׁנִֽים׃
The Bnei Yisroel acted wickedly in Adonoy's eyes. Adonoy delivered them into the hands of Midyon for seven years.
The Bnei Yisroel acted wickedly in Adonoy's eyes. Adonoy delivered them into the hands of Midyon for seven years.
Rashi
וַתָּעׇז יַד־מִדְיָן עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵל מִפְּנֵי מִדְיָן עָשׂוּ לָהֶם ׀ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת־הַמִּנְהָרוֹת אֲשֶׁר בֶּהָרִים וְאֶת־הַמְּעָרוֹת וְאֶת־הַמְּצָדֽוֹת׃
The hand of Midyon overpowered Yisroel. Because of Midyon, the Bnei Yisroel made themselves mountain retreats, caves and stockades.
The hand of Midyon overpowered Yisroel. Because of Midyon, the Bnei Yisroel made themselves mountain retreats, caves and stockades.
Rashi
המנהרות. (תרגום:) מטמוריתא, ובלשון לע"ז: וודו"ש, ועל שם שעושין בהם מאור קטן במקום שאין ניכר קוראן מנהרות, לויישיט"ש בלע"ז:
Retreats. Hidden places.3This is Targum Yonasan’s translation. In old French, "voutes". Because a slight bit of illumination is positioned in them in some inconspicuous spot, they are referred to as מִנְהׇרוֹת, lit. "glimmerings", "lucerno" in old French.
מערות. גרוטי"ה בלע"ז:
Caves. "Grotte" in old French
מצדות. פליישדי"ץ בלע"ז, על שם שעושים ביערים על ידי הפלת האילנות סביב סביב:
Stockades. "Palliser" in old French, "pales", as it is constructed in the forest by felling trees around its perimeter.4The trees serve as the pales or stakes forming the stockade.
וְהָיָה אִם־זָרַע יִשְׂרָאֵל וְעָלָה מִדְיָן וַעֲמָלֵק וּבְנֵי־קֶדֶם וְעָלוּ עָלָֽיו׃
It happened that when the Yisroelites planted the Midyonites moved up with the Amoleikites and eastern peoples; They moved up against them.
It happened that when the Yisroelites planted the Midyonites moved up with the Amoleikites and eastern peoples; They moved up against them.
וַיַּֽחֲנוּ עֲלֵיהֶם וַיַּשְׁחִיתוּ אֶת־יְבוּל הָאָרֶץ עַד־בּוֹאֲךָ עַזָּה וְלֹֽא־יַשְׁאִירוּ מִֽחְיָה בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל וְשֶׂה וָשׁוֹר וַחֲמֽוֹר׃
They encamped against them, and ruined the earth's produce until you reach Aza. They left no source of livelihood in Yisroel, not a sheep, ox or donkey.
They encamped against them, and ruined the earth's produce until you reach Aza. They left no source of livelihood in Yisroel, not a sheep, ox or donkey.
כִּי הֵם וּמִקְנֵיהֶם יַֽעֲלוּ וְאׇהֳלֵיהֶם (יבאו) [וּבָאוּ] כְדֵֽי־אַרְבֶּה לָרֹב וְלָהֶם וְלִגְמַלֵּיהֶם אֵין מִסְפָּר וַיָּבֹאוּ בָאָרֶץ לְשַׁחֲתָֽהּ׃
For they moved up with their cattle and tents, they came as thick as locusts; they and their camels were innumerable, and they came to the land to ruin it.
For they moved up with their cattle and tents, they came as thick as locusts; they and their camels were innumerable, and they came to the land to ruin it.
Rashi
הם ומקניהם. לרעות את התבואה:
With their cattle to graze on the produce.
וַיִּדַּל יִשְׂרָאֵל מְאֹד מִפְּנֵי מִדְיָן וַיִּזְעֲקוּ בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶל־יְהֹוָֽה׃ {פ}
The Yisroelites were extremely impoverished because of Midyon. The Bnei Yisroel cried out to Adonoy.
The Yisroelites were extremely impoverished because of Midyon. The Bnei Yisroel cried out to Adonoy.
וַיְהִי כִּֽי־זָעֲקוּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶל־יְהֹוָה עַל אֹדוֹת מִדְיָֽן׃
It happened that when the Bnei Yisroel cried out to Adonoy concerning Midyon.
It happened that when the Bnei Yisroel cried out to Adonoy concerning Midyon.
וַיִּשְׁלַח יְהֹוָה אִישׁ נָבִיא אֶל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיֹּאמֶר לָהֶם כֹּה־אָמַר יְהֹוָה ׀ אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אָנֹכִי הֶעֱלֵיתִי אֶתְכֶם מִמִּצְרַיִם וָאֹצִיא אֶתְכֶם מִבֵּית עֲבָדִֽים׃
Adonoy sent a prophet to the Bnei Yisroel who said to them, "The following said Adonoy, God of Yisroel: 'I raised you up from Egypt, and delivered you from the house of bondage.
Adonoy sent a prophet to the Bnei Yisroel who said to them, "The following said Adonoy, God of Yisroel: 'I raised you up from Egypt, and delivered you from the house of bondage.
Rashi
איש נביא. זה הנביא הוא פנחס, ב"סדר עולם" (פרק ב):
A prophet. This prophet was Pinchas.5 See above, 2:1. Taken from Seder Olam.
וָאַצִּל אֶתְכֶם מִיַּד מִצְרַיִם וּמִיַּד כׇּל־לֹחֲצֵיכֶם וָאֲגָרֵשׁ אוֹתָם מִפְּנֵיכֶם וָאֶתְּנָה לָכֶם אֶת־אַרְצָֽם׃
I rescued you from the hand of Egypt and from the hand of all those who oppressed you. I ousted them from your presence, and gave you their territory.
I rescued you from the hand of Egypt and from the hand of all those who oppressed you. I ousted them from your presence, and gave you their territory.
וָאֹמְרָה לָכֶם אֲנִי יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם לֹא תִֽירְאוּ אֶת־אֱלֹהֵי הָאֱמֹרִי אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּם יוֹשְׁבִים בְּאַרְצָם וְלֹא שְׁמַעְתֶּם בְּקוֹלִֽי׃ {פ}
I said to you: I am Adonoy, your God, do not revere the gods of the Emorites in whose land you dwell. But you have not heeded my call.""
I said to you: I am Adonoy, your God, do not revere the gods of the Emorites in whose land you dwell. But you have not heeded my call.""
וַיָּבֹא מַלְאַךְ יְהֹוָה וַיֵּשֶׁב תַּחַת הָֽאֵלָה אֲשֶׁר בְּעׇפְרָה אֲשֶׁר לְיוֹאָשׁ אֲבִי הָעֶזְרִי וְגִדְעוֹן בְּנוֹ חֹבֵט חִטִּים בַּגַּת לְהָנִיס מִפְּנֵי מִדְיָֽן׃
An angel of Adonoy came, and stationed himself under the terebinth in Ophrah, which belonged to Yoash, the Aviezrite. His son Gidon was threshing wheat in the winepress to conceal it from Midyon.
An angel of Adonoy came, and stationed himself under the terebinth in Ophrah, which belonged to Yoash, the Aviezrite. His son Gidon was threshing wheat in the winepress to conceal it from Midyon.
Rashi
אבי העזרי. מבני אביעזר בן גלעד בן מנשה:
The Aviezrite. One of the sons of Aviezer ben Gilod ben Menasheh.
וגדעון בנו. אביו היה חובטן והוא כוברן, אמר לו: אבא, זקן אתה ואם יבאו המדינים לא תוכל לנוס, לך אתה ואני אחבט:
His son Gidon. His father had been threshing, while he sifted. He told him, "Father, you are elderly. If the enemies come, you will never be able to escape. You leave, and I will thresh."
בגת. בקורות בית הבד:
In the wine press. With beams of an olive press.
וַיֵּרָא אֵלָיו מַלְאַךְ יְהֹוָה וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו יְהֹוָה עִמְּךָ גִּבּוֹר הֶחָֽיִל׃
An angel of Adonoy appeared to him, and said to him, "Adonoy is with you, mighty man of valour."
An angel of Adonoy appeared to him, and said to him, "Adonoy is with you, mighty man of valour."
Rashi
ה' עמך גבור החיל. שנתן לך כח כזה:
Adonoy is with you, man of supreme power. Since He infused you with such power.
וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו גִּדְעוֹן בִּי אֲדֹנִי וְיֵשׁ יְהֹוָה עִמָּנוּ וְלָמָּה מְצָאַתְנוּ כׇּל־זֹאת וְאַיֵּה כׇֽל־נִפְלְאֹתָיו אֲשֶׁר סִפְּרוּ־לָנוּ אֲבוֹתֵינוּ לֵאמֹר הֲלֹא מִמִּצְרַיִם הֶעֱלָנוּ יְהֹוָה וְעַתָּה נְטָשָׁנוּ יְהֹוָה וַֽיִּתְּנֵנוּ בְּכַף־מִדְיָֽן׃
Gidon said to him, "Please my master, if Adonoy is with us, why has all this occurred to us? Where are all his marvels which our forefathers recounted to us, saying, 'Did not Adonoy raise us up from Egypt?' But Adonoy has now abandoned us, and handed us into the palm of Midyon."
Gidon said to him, "Please my master, if Adonoy is with us, why has all this occurred to us? Where are all his marvels which our forefathers recounted to us, saying, 'Did not Adonoy raise us up from Egypt?' But Adonoy has now abandoned us, and handed us into the palm of Midyon."
Rashi
ויש ה' עמנו. ואם יש ה' עמנו, למה מצאתנו וגו':
If [lit. and] Adonoy is with us.6Not “And Adonoy is with us,” as the literal reading would indicate, but “If Adonoy is with us,” as demonstrated by the following phrase cited by Rashi, “why has [all this] occurred, etc.”. If Adonoy is with us, why has [all this] occurred, etc.
אשר ספרו לנו אבותינו. פסח היה, אמר לו: אמש הקרני אבא את ההלל, ושמעתיו שהיה אומר (תהלים קיד א): בצאת ישראל ממצרים, 'ועתה נטשנו', אם צדיקים היו אבותינו, יעשה לנו בזכותם, ואם רשעים היו, כשם שעשה להם נפלאותיו חנם כן יעשה לנו, ואיה כל נפלאותיו:
Which our forefathers recounted to us. It was Pesach, and he told him, "Last night father recited the Hallel for me, and I heard him read, "When Yisroel departed from Egypt"7 “…the sea observed and fled, the Yardein turned back, etc.” (Tehilim, 114)—but now He has abandoned us. If our forefathers were saintly, let Him act in our behalf in their merit; and if they were wicked, then, just as He worked His wonders for them gratuitously, so, let Him act in our behalf. Where are all His marvels?"8Yalkut, 62.
וַיִּפֶן אֵלָיו יְהֹוָה וַיֹּאמֶר לֵךְ בְּכֹחֲךָ זֶה וְהוֹשַׁעְתָּ אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵל מִכַּף מִדְיָן הֲלֹא שְׁלַחְתִּֽיךָ׃
Adonoy turned to him, and said, "Go in this might of yours. You shall rescue Yisroel from the palm of Midyon. Have I not sent you?"
Adonoy turned to him, and said, "Go in this might of yours. You shall rescue Yisroel from the palm of Midyon. Have I not sent you?"
Rashi
ויפן אליו. הקדוש ברוך הוא בעצמו:
Turned to him. The Holy One, blessed is He, Himself.9Gidon was visited by Adonoy himself in the merit of his advocacy of Yisroel. (Yalkut, ibid)
בכחך זה. בכח הזכות הזה שלמדת סניגוריא על בני, כך דרש רבי תנחומא (מדרש תנחומא שופטים ד):
By this power of yours. By the power of the merit of your advocacy of my children.10Ibid. This is R' Tanchuma's explanation.
וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו בִּי אֲדֹנָי בַּמָּה אוֹשִׁיעַ אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵל הִנֵּה אַלְפִּי הַדַּל בִּמְנַשֶּׁה וְאָנֹכִי הַצָּעִיר בְּבֵית אָבִֽי׃
He said to him, "Please, my master, how can I rescue Yisroel? Behold, my unit is the most inadequate in Menasheh, and I am the most immature in my father's house."
He said to him, "Please, my master, how can I rescue Yisroel? Behold, my unit is the most inadequate in Menasheh, and I am the most immature in my father's house."
Rashi
הנה אלפי. האלף שאני נמנה בו להיות תחת שר האלף, הוא האלף הדל בכל אלפי מנשה:
Behold, my unit [lit. thousand]. The thousand member unit of which I am a constituent, under the command of its captain, is the most inadequate unit among all the units in Menasheh.
וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו יְהֹוָה כִּי אֶהְיֶה עִמָּךְ וְהִכִּיתָ אֶת־מִדְיָן כְּאִישׁ אֶחָֽד׃
Adonoy said to him, "For I shall be with you. You shall strike down the Midyonites as if they were one man."
Adonoy said to him, "For I shall be with you. You shall strike down the Midyonites as if they were one man."
וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו אִם־נָא מָצָאתִי חֵן בְּעֵינֶיךָ וְעָשִׂיתָ לִּי אוֹת שָׁאַתָּה מְדַבֵּר עִמִּֽי׃
He said to him, "Please, if I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that you are speaking to me.
He said to him, "Please, if I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that you are speaking to me.
Rashi
שאתה. כמו שאתה:
That you. The same as שֶׁאַתׇּה, with the segol vocalization.11 שֶׁאַתׇּה, with the “kamatz” vocalization, which appears in the text, is the same as שֶׁאַתׇּה “that you.”
אַל־נָא תָמֻשׁ מִזֶּה עַד־בֹּאִי אֵלֶיךָ וְהֹֽצֵאתִי אֶת־מִנְחָתִי וְהִנַּחְתִּי לְפָנֶיךָ וַיֹּאמַר אָנֹכִי אֵשֵׁב עַד שׁוּבֶֽךָ׃
Please do not depart from here until I return to you, and bring out my gift and place it before you." He replied, "I shall wait until your return."
Please do not depart from here until I return to you, and bring out my gift and place it before you." He replied, "I shall wait until your return."
וְגִדְעוֹן בָּא וַיַּעַשׂ גְּדִֽי־עִזִּים וְאֵיפַת־קֶמַח מַצּוֹת הַבָּשָׂר שָׂם בַּסַּל וְהַמָּרַק שָׂם בַּפָּרוּר וַיּוֹצֵא אֵלָיו אֶל־תַּחַת הָאֵלָה וַיַּגַּֽשׁ׃ {פ}
Gidon came, and prepared a kid, and matzohs containing an eiphah of flour. He placed the meat in a basket, and put soup in a pot. He brought them out to him under the terebinth, and presented them.
Gidon came, and prepared a kid, and matzohs containing an eiphah of flour. He placed the meat in a basket, and put soup in a pot. He brought them out to him under the terebinth, and presented them.
Rashi
קמח מצות. למדנו שפסח היה, יום תנופת העומר, לכך נאמר (לקמן ז יג) והנה צליל לחם שעורים מתהפך וגו':
Matzos containing flour. We learn that it was Pesach, the day the Omer offering was waved.12On the second day of Pesach. (Vayikra, 23:11) This is why it is said,13Below, 7:13. "Behold, a toasted barley bread was careening,14 “… into the camp of Midyon. It reached the tent and struck it down.” This was in the merit of the Omer offering (Rashi, there, Yalkut, 62), which was made of barley. etc."
והמרק. והרוטב:
Soup. Broth.
וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו מַלְאַךְ הָאֱלֹהִים קַח אֶת־הַבָּשָׂר וְאֶת־הַמַּצּוֹת וְהַנַּח אֶל־הַסֶּלַע הַלָּז וְאֶת־הַמָּרַק שְׁפוֹךְ וַיַּעַשׂ כֵּֽן׃
The angel of Adonoy said to him, "Take the meat and the matzohs, and place them on that rock; spill the soup." He did so.
The angel of Adonoy said to him, "Take the meat and the matzohs, and place them on that rock; spill the soup." He did so.
וַיִּשְׁלַח מַלְאַךְ יְהֹוָה אֶת־קְצֵה הַמִּשְׁעֶנֶת אֲשֶׁר בְּיָדוֹ וַיִּגַּע בַּבָּשָׂר וּבַמַּצּוֹת וַתַּעַל הָאֵשׁ מִן־הַצּוּר וַתֹּאכַל אֶת־הַבָּשָׂר וְאֶת־הַמַּצּוֹת וּמַלְאַךְ יְהֹוָה הָלַךְ מֵעֵינָֽיו׃
The angel of Adonoy then reached with the tip of the staff in his hand, and touched the meat and matzohs. A flame leapt from the rock and consumed the meat and matzohs, and the angel of Adonoy disappeared from sight.
The angel of Adonoy then reached with the tip of the staff in his hand, and touched the meat and matzohs. A flame leapt from the rock and consumed the meat and matzohs, and the angel of Adonoy disappeared from sight.
וַיַּרְא גִּדְעוֹן כִּֽי־מַלְאַךְ יְהֹוָה הוּא וַיֹּאמֶר גִּדְעוֹן אֲהָהּ אֲדֹנָי יֱהֹוִה כִּֽי־עַל־כֵּן רָאִיתִי מַלְאַךְ יְהֹוָה פָּנִים אֶל־פָּנִֽים׃
Gidon realized that this was an angel of Adonoy. Gidon exclaimed, "Aahha! Adonoy Elohim! This, because I have seen an angel of Adonoy face to face."
Gidon realized that this was an angel of Adonoy. Gidon exclaimed, "Aahha! Adonoy Elohim! This, because I have seen an angel of Adonoy face to face."
Rashi
אהה. לשון דאגה, כלומר מה תהא עלי:
Aahha. This denotes apprehension, as if to say, "What will become of me?"
כי על כן ראיתי. כי על אשר ראיתי מלאך ה', לכך אני דואג וצועק 'אהה':
This, because I have seen. Because I have seen an angel of Adonoy—this is why I am apprehensive and exclaim "Aahha!"
וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ יְהֹוָה שָׁלוֹם לְךָ אַל־תִּירָא לֹא תָּמֽוּת׃
Adonoy said to him, "Be at peace. Have no fear, you will not die."
Adonoy said to him, "Be at peace. Have no fear, you will not die."
וַיִּבֶן שָׁם גִּדְעוֹן מִזְבֵּחַ לַֽיהֹוָה וַיִּקְרָא־לוֹ יְהֹוָה שָׁלוֹם עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה עוֹדֶנּוּ בְּעׇפְרָת אֲבִי הָעֶזְרִֽי׃ {ס}
Gidon built an altar to Adonoy there, and entitled it 'Adonoy is peace'. Until today, it remains in Ophrah of Avi the Ezrite.
Gidon built an altar to Adonoy there, and entitled it 'Adonoy is peace'. Until today, it remains in Ophrah of Avi the Ezrite.
Rashi
ויקרא לו. גדעון למזבח:
Entitled it. Gidon named the altar.15The reading is, “[He] entitled it, ‘Adonoy is peace,’” not “Adonoy entitled it, ‘Peace.’”.
ה' שלום. ה' הוא שלומנו:
Adonoy is peace. Adonoy is our peace.
וַיְהִי בַּלַּיְלָה הַהוּא וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ יְהֹוָה קַח אֶת־פַּר־הַשּׁוֹר אֲשֶׁר לְאָבִיךָ וּפַר הַשֵּׁנִי שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים וְהָרַסְתָּ אֶת־מִזְבַּח הַבַּעַל אֲשֶׁר לְאָבִיךָ וְאֶת־הָאֲשֵׁרָה אֲשֶׁר־עָלָיו תִּכְרֹֽת׃
It happened on that night, that Adonoy said to him, "Take your father's bullock, and a second seven year bull. Smash your father's altar of the baal, and cut down its adjoining asheirah tree.
It happened on that night, that Adonoy said to him, "Take your father's bullock, and a second seven year bull. Smash your father's altar of the baal, and cut down its adjoining asheirah tree.
Rashi
פר השור. פר הבחור, שהשור בן יומו קרוי שור:
Bullock [lit. bull ox]. The young bull, as even a day old ox is called an "ox".16The inference of “Bull ox” is a bull that qualifies as an ox. Since even a day old bull qualifies, the reference is to a young bull.
ופר השני. (תרגום:) ותורא תנינא:
A second bull.וְתוֹרָא תִּנְיׇנׇא, "A second bull".17This is Targum Yonasan’s rendition.
שבע שנים. (תרגום:) דאיתפטם שבע שנין לעבודה זרה. שמונה דברים הותרו אותו הלילה: מוקצה, אשרה, ולילה, ובמה וכו', כדאיתא בתמורה (כח ב):
Seven year. Which had been fattened for seven years to be brought as an idolatrous sacrifice. Eight prohibitions were suspended18 1. The second bull, which had been designated as an idolatrous sacrifice, was now brought as an offering. 2. Utensils used previously for the Asheirah sacrifices were now used. 3. The wood of the Asheirah tree was used as fuel. 4. The offering was brought at night. 5. It was brought on a personal altar outside the Mishkon at Shiloh. 6. The second bull had been actually worshipped as a deity. 7. Gidon was not a Kohein. 8. He did not use the required sacred utensils. that night; 'designated', 'asheirah', 'night', 'altar', etc., as enumerated in Temurah.1929:a.
וּבָנִיתָ מִזְבֵּחַ לַיהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ עַל רֹאשׁ הַמָּעוֹז הַזֶּה בַּמַּעֲרָכָה וְלָֽקַחְתָּ אֶת־הַפָּר הַשֵּׁנִי וְהַעֲלִיתָ עוֹלָה בַּעֲצֵי הָאֲשֵׁרָה אֲשֶׁר תִּכְרֹֽת׃
Build an altar to Adonoy, your God, on top of this bulwark, in a proper setting. Take the second bull and bring it as an olah offering with the wood of the asheirah tree which you shall cut down."
Build an altar to Adonoy, your God, on top of this bulwark, in a proper setting. Take the second bull and bring it as an olah offering with the wood of the asheirah tree which you shall cut down."
Rashi
ראש המעוז. ראש הסלע:
Top of the bulwark. Top of the rock.
וַיִּקַּח גִּדְעוֹן עֲשָׂרָה אֲנָשִׁים מֵעֲבָדָיו וַיַּעַשׂ כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אֵלָיו יְהֹוָה וַיְהִי כַּאֲשֶׁר יָרֵא אֶת־בֵּית אָבִיו וְאֶת־אַנְשֵׁי הָעִיר מֵעֲשׂוֹת יוֹמָם וַיַּעַשׂ לָֽיְלָה׃
Gidon selected ten men from among his servants, and did as Adonoy had instructed him. It happened that, as he was too fearful of his father's household and the townspeople to act by day, he acted at night.
Gidon selected ten men from among his servants, and did as Adonoy had instructed him. It happened that, as he was too fearful of his father's household and the townspeople to act by day, he acted at night.
וַיַּשְׁכִּימוּ אַנְשֵׁי הָעִיר בַּבֹּקֶר וְהִנֵּה נֻתַּץ מִזְבַּח הַבַּעַל וְהָאֲשֵׁרָה אֲשֶׁר־עָלָיו כֹּרָתָה וְאֵת הַפָּר הַשֵּׁנִי הֹֽעֲלָה עַל־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ הַבָּנֽוּי׃
The townspeople rose at early morning, and observed that the altar of the Baal was smashed, the adjoining asheirah tree had been cut down, and the second bull had been offered as an olah on the altar that had been built.
The townspeople rose at early morning, and observed that the altar of the Baal was smashed, the adjoining asheirah tree had been cut down, and the second bull had been offered as an olah on the altar that had been built.
וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ אִישׁ אֶל־רֵעֵהוּ מִי עָשָׂה הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה וַֽיִּדְרְשׁוּ וַיְבַקְשׁוּ וַיֹּאמְרוּ גִּדְעוֹן בֶּן־יוֹאָשׁ עָשָׂה הַדָּבָר הַזֶּֽה׃
They said to each other, "Who did this thing?" They investigated, searched, and then declared: "Gidon ben Yoash did this thing."
They said to each other, "Who did this thing?" They investigated, searched, and then declared: "Gidon ben Yoash did this thing."
וַיֹּאמְרוּ אַנְשֵׁי הָעִיר אֶל־יוֹאָשׁ הוֹצֵא אֶת־בִּנְךָ וְיָמֹת כִּי נָתַץ אֶת־מִזְבַּח הַבַּעַל וְכִי כָרַת הָאֲשֵׁרָה אֲשֶׁר־עָלָֽיו׃
The townspeople said to Yoash, "Bring your son out to be executed, because he smashed the altar of the Baal, and because he cut down the adjoining asheirah tree."
The townspeople said to Yoash, "Bring your son out to be executed, because he smashed the altar of the Baal, and because he cut down the adjoining asheirah tree."
וַיֹּאמֶר יוֹאָשׁ לְכֹל אֲשֶׁר־עָמְדוּ עָלָיו הַאַתֶּם ׀ תְּרִיבוּן לַבַּעַל אִם־אַתֶּם תּוֹשִׁיעוּן אוֹתוֹ אֲשֶׁר יָרִיב לוֹ יוּמַת עַד־הַבֹּקֶר אִם־אֱלֹהִים הוּא יָרֶב לוֹ כִּי נָתַץ אֶֽת־מִזְבְּחֽוֹ׃
Yoash retorted to everyone confronting him, "You want to fight for the Baal? You want to avenge him? Whoever fights for him will be executed! Wait until morning. If he is a Adonoy, let him fight for himself, since his altar was smashed."
Yoash retorted to everyone confronting him, "You want to fight for the Baal? You want to avenge him? Whoever fights for him will be executed! Wait until morning. If he is a Adonoy, let him fight for himself, since his altar was smashed."
Rashi
האתם תריבון לבעל. בשביל הבעל:
You want to fight for [lit. "to"] the baal? For the sake of the baal.
תושיעון אותו. תנקמו נקמתו, וכן (שמואל א כה לב): והושיעה ידי לי, דדוד בנבל:
To avenge [lit. rescue] him. To exact vengeance for him.20The literal translation of תּוֹשִׁיעוּן, “to rescue,” does not apply, since the idol was no longer endangered. The alternate interpretation, “to avenge,” is correct here. Similarly, "by my own hand exacting my vengeance,"21Shmuel 1, 25:33. הוֹשִׁיעָה is interpreted as “avenge.” by David concerning Novol.
אשר יריב לו. בשבילו:
Whoever fights for [lit. "to"] him. For his sake.
עד הבקר. עד הבקר המתינו:
Wait until morning. Until morning, wait.
אם אלהים הוא. יריב הוא לעצמו ריבו ונקמתו, וכדי לדחותם עד שיברח גדעון היה אומר כן:
If he is a god let him fight his own battle and exact his own vengeance. To rebuff them until Gidon could escape, he said this.
וַיִּקְרָא־לוֹ בַיּוֹם־הַהוּא יְרֻבַּעַל לֵאמֹר יָרֶב בּוֹ הַבַּעַל כִּי נָתַץ אֶֽת־מִזְבְּחֽוֹ׃ {ס}
He called him, that day, 'Yerubaal', as if to say, "Let the Baal fight against him, since he smashed his altar."
He called him, that day, 'Yerubaal', as if to say, "Let the Baal fight against him, since he smashed his altar."
Rashi
ירב בו. בגדעון אצל ריב נופל עם, או את, או בו, כמו (בראשית לא לו): וירב בלבן, אבל 'לו' אינו נופל על הלשון, וכל 'לו' הכתובים כאן 'בשביל' הם:
Fight against him. Against Gidon. In relation to רַיב, "fight", the proper term is עִם, or אֶת, or בּוֹ, "with" [him], as in "he fought with Lavan".22Bereishis, 31:36. However, לוֹ, lit. "to", is not the proper term. Every לוֹ mentioned here is interpreted as "for his sake."
וְכׇל־מִדְיָן וַעֲמָלֵק וּבְנֵי־קֶדֶם נֶאֶסְפוּ יַחְדָּו וַיַּעַבְרוּ וַֽיַּחֲנוּ בְּעֵמֶק יִזְרְעֶֽאל׃
All of Midyon, Amoleik, and the eastern peoples massed. They crossed, and encamped in the valley of Yizre'el.
All of Midyon, Amoleik, and the eastern peoples massed. They crossed, and encamped in the valley of Yizre'el.
וְרוּחַ יְהֹוָה לָבְשָׁה אֶת־גִּדְעוֹן וַיִּתְקַע בַּשּׁוֹפָר וַיִּזָּעֵק אֲבִיעֶזֶר אַחֲרָֽיו׃
Adonoy's spirit cloaked Gidon. He sounded the shofar blast, and Aviezer gathered behind him.
Adonoy's spirit cloaked Gidon. He sounded the shofar blast, and Aviezer gathered behind him.
Rashi
רוח ה'. רוח גבורה:
The Divine spirit. The spirit of valor.
ויזעק אביעזר. כל המשפחה:
Aviezer gathered. The entire clan.
וּמַלְאָכִים שָׁלַח בְּכׇל־מְנַשֶּׁה וַיִּזָּעֵק גַּם־הוּא אַחֲרָיו וּמַלְאָכִים שָׁלַח בְּאָשֵׁר וּבִזְבֻלוּן וּבְנַפְתָּלִי וַֽיַּעֲלוּ לִקְרָאתָֽם׃
He dispatched couriers throughout Menasheh, and they gathered behind him as well. He dispatched couriers to Osher, Zevulun, and Naftoli and they came up to meet them.
He dispatched couriers throughout Menasheh, and they gathered behind him as well. He dispatched couriers to Osher, Zevulun, and Naftoli and they came up to meet them.
וַיֹּאמֶר גִּדְעוֹן אֶל־הָאֱלֹהִים אִם־יֶשְׁךָ מוֹשִׁיעַ בְּיָדִי אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵל כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבַּֽרְתָּ׃
Gidon then said to God, "If You are going to rescue Yisroel through me, as You have declared;
Gidon then said to God, "If You are going to rescue Yisroel through me, as You have declared;
הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי מַצִּיג אֶת־גִּזַּת הַצֶּמֶר בַּגֹּרֶן אִם טַל יִֽהְיֶה עַֽל־הַגִּזָּה לְבַדָּהּ וְעַל־כׇּל־הָאָרֶץ חֹרֶב וְיָדַעְתִּי כִּֽי־תוֹשִׁיעַ בְּיָדִי אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵל כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבַּֽרְתָּ׃
Now, I shall spread woolen fleece on the threshing floor—if dew materializes on the fleece alone, while all of the ground is dry, then I will know that You are going to rescue Yisroel through me, as You have declared."
Now, I shall spread woolen fleece on the threshing floor—if dew materializes on the fleece alone, while all of the ground is dry, then I will know that You are going to rescue Yisroel through me, as You have declared."
וַיְהִי־כֵן וַיַּשְׁכֵּם מִֽמׇּחֳרָת וַיָּזַר אֶת־הַגִּזָּה וַיִּמֶץ טַל מִן־הַגִּזָּה מְלוֹא הַסֵּפֶל מָֽיִם׃
That is what occured. He arose early in the morning, squeezed the fleece, and wrung dew from the fleece—a full bowl of water.
That is what occured. He arose early in the morning, squeezed the fleece, and wrung dew from the fleece—a full bowl of water.
Rashi
ויהי כן. שהיה טל על הגזה לבדה יותר מבשאר מקומות, כמו שהוא אומר (פסוק לז): מלא הספל מים, אבל 'על כל הארץ חורב' לא נתקיים, שהברית כרותה לטל שאינו נעצר (תענית ג א):
That is what occurred. The dew condensed on the fleece alone more than everywhere else, as it is said, "a full bowl of water." However, "while all of the ground is dry" did not materialize, as a Divine covenant assures perpetual dew fall.
ויזר. לשון מכבש, וכן (ישעיהו א ו): לא זורו ולא חובשו, לא נחבשו להוציא הלחה:
He squeezed. The word connotes pressure. Similarly, "They were neither pressed nor bandaged."23Yeshaya, 1:6. They were not strapped in bandages to draw out the discharge.
וַיֹּאמֶר גִּדְעוֹן אֶל־הָאֱלֹהִים אַל־יִחַר אַפְּךָ בִּי וַאֲדַבְּרָה אַךְ הַפָּעַם אֲנַסֶּה נָּא־רַק־הַפַּעַם בַּגִּזָּה יְהִי־נָא חֹרֶב אֶל־הַגִּזָּה לְבַדָּהּ וְעַל־כׇּל־הָאָרֶץ יִֽהְיֶה־טָּֽל׃
Then Gidon said to God, "Do not be angry with me, and permit me to speak just once. Let me please have just one more test with the fleece; Please, let the fleece alone be dry, and let there be dew all over the ground."
Then Gidon said to God, "Do not be angry with me, and permit me to speak just once. Let me please have just one more test with the fleece; Please, let the fleece alone be dry, and let there be dew all over the ground."
וַיַּעַשׂ אֱלֹהִים כֵּן בַּלַּיְלָה הַהוּא וַֽיְהִי־חֹרֶב אֶל־הַגִּזָּה לְבַדָּהּ וְעַל־כׇּל־הָאָרֶץ הָיָה טָֽל׃ {פ}
God did just that on that night; only the fleece was dry, while there was dew all over the ground.
God did just that on that night; only the fleece was dry, while there was dew all over the ground.
ויעשו הרע. עד כאן נאמר 'ויוסיפו', שהיה נצבר חטא על חטא, אבל בשירה זו נמחל להם כל אשר עשו, ועכשיו מתחילין לחטוא, כך נדרש באגדת תהלים (מדרש תהלים יח ו):
Acted wickedly. Until this period, Scripture states, "They resumed [acting wickedly]" since their iniquities accumulated. However, through this hymn1Sung by Devorah and Barak [ch.5]. they were granted forgiveness for all that they had perpetrated.2Anyone rescued miraculously who then sings a hymn of praise forgiven all his sins, as if he had been newly created. (Yalkut, 60) But now they began sinning anew. This interpretation is in Agadas Tehilim.