Bible Strands
Judges 6:15
“Please, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I save Israel? Indeed, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Gideon speaks to the LORD immediately after receiving a direct commission to deliver Israel from Midian, citing his clan’s weakness and his status as the youngest in his father’s house.
The words — The Hebrew בִּ֣י (bi) functions as “pardon me” or “please,” framing Gideon’s address to אֲדֹנָ֔י ('a.do.Nai), “O Lord,” as a humble petition. בַּ/מָּ֥ה (ba./Mah), “how?”, introduces his practical doubt about executing the assigned task.
The thread — The pattern of citing low social standing alongside a divine call appears in Exodus 3:11 when Moses questions his authority, and in 1 Samuel 9:21 when Saul notes his clan’s insignificance during his anointing.
Why it lands — The text records Gideon’s factual claim about his family’s status before any theological resolution is offered, requiring the reader to confront the tension between human inadequacy and divine command without assuming immediate comfort or correction.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.
Cross-references
- Exodus 3:11 But Moses asked God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”
- 1 Samuel 9:21 Saul replied, “Am I not a Benjamite from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of Benjamin? So why would you say such a thing to me?”
- Exodus 4:10 “Please, Lord,” Moses replied, “I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since You have spoken to Your servant, for I am slow of speech and tongue.”
- Jeremiah 1:6 “Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!”
- Ephesians 3:8 Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
- 1 Samuel 18:23 But when Saul’s servants relayed these words to David, he replied, “Does it seem trivial in your sight to be the son-in-law of the king? I am a poor man and lightly esteemed.”
- Jeremiah 50:45 Therefore hear the plans that the LORD has drawn up against Babylon and the strategies He has devised against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely the little ones of the flock will be dragged away; certainly their pasture will be made desolate because of them.
- Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.
- Luke 1:34 “How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
- 1 Corinthians 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.