Jerub-besheth is a name that appears in the Old Testament, specifically in the context of the narrative surrounding Gideon, one of the judges of Israel. The name "Jerub-besheth" is a variant of "Jerubbaal," which means "Let Baal contend against him." This name was given to Gideon after he destroyed the altar of Baal, as recorded in the Book of Judges.

Biblical Context

The account of Gideon is found in the Book of Judges, chapters 6 to 8. Gideon, the son of Joash, was called by God to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Midianites. In Judges 6:25-32, Gideon is instructed by God to tear down his father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. In obedience, Gideon does so, and as a result, the people of the town demand his death. However, Joash, Gideon's father, defends him by saying, "If Baal is a god, let him contend for himself, since someone has torn down his altar" (Judges 6:31). Consequently, Gideon is given the name Jerubbaal, meaning "Let Baal contend."

Name Variation: Jerub-besheth

The name Jerub-besheth appears in 2 Samuel 11:21, where it is used in reference to Gideon. The use of "besheth" instead of "baal" is part of a broader pattern in the Hebrew Bible where the term "bosheth," meaning "shame," is substituted for "baal" in certain contexts. This substitution reflects a polemic against the Canaanite deity Baal, emphasizing the shame associated with idolatry. The name Jerub-besheth, therefore, carries the connotation of "Let shame contend," underscoring the disgrace of idol worship.

Historical and Theological Significance

The account of Gideon, or Jerub-besheth, highlights several key themes in the biblical narrative. First, it underscores the sovereignty of the God of Israel over the Canaanite gods, as demonstrated by Gideon's victory over the Midianites and the destruction of Baal's altar. Second, it illustrates the concept of divine calling and empowerment, as Gideon, despite his initial hesitance and perceived inadequacy, is used by God to deliver His people.

The use of the name Jerub-besheth in 2 Samuel serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle against idolatry in Israel's history. It reflects the biblical authors' intent to distance the worship of Yahweh from the pagan practices of surrounding nations and to emphasize the shame associated with turning away from the one true God.

Cultural and Linguistic Considerations

The substitution of "bosheth" for "baal" is not unique to the name Jerub-besheth. Similar substitutions occur with other names, such as Ish-bosheth (originally Eshbaal) and Mephibosheth (originally Merib-baal). This linguistic practice highlights the cultural and religious tensions between the worship of Yahweh and the influence of Canaanite religion.

In summary, Jerub-besheth is a name that encapsulates the biblical narrative's polemic against idolatry and the triumph of God's purposes through His chosen servants. The account of Gideon, as Jerub-besheth, serves as a powerful testament to God's deliverance and the call to faithfulness amidst a culture of idolatry.3380. Yerubbesheth -- "shame will contend," a name of Gideon
... "shame will contend," a name of Gideon. Transliteration: Yerubbesheth Phonetic
Spelling: (yer-oob-beh'-sheth) Short Definition: Jerubbesheth. ...
/hebrew/3380.htm - 6k

Acts vi. 8
... Elsewhere he is called Meribbaal, 1 Chronicles 8:34. So Jerubbaal, Judges 6:32.
Jerubbesheth, 2 Samuel 11:21. Memphibaal is compounded of the two forms. Ben. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xv acts vi 8.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... The name Jerubbaal (1 Samuel 12:11:2 Samuel 11:21, where the name is transformed
into Jerubbesheth, as Ishbaal and Meribbaal are into Ishbosheth and ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Jerubbesheth (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JERUBBESHETH. ...Jerubbesheth (1 Occurrence).
2 Samuel 11:21 who struck Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? ...
/j/jerubbesheth.htm - 8k

Jerub-besheth (1 Occurrence)
... Jerub'besheth, Jerub-besheth. Jeruel . Multi-Version Concordance Jerub-besheth
(1 Occurrence). 2 Samuel 11:21 who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? ...
/j/jerub-besheth.htm - 6k

Jerub'besheth (1 Occurrence)
Jerub'besheth. Jerubbesheth, Jerub'besheth. Jerub-besheth . Multi-Version
Concordance ... Jerubbesheth, Jerub'besheth. Jerub-besheth . Reference Bible.
/j/jerub'besheth.htm - 6k

Uri'ah (32 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 2 Samuel 11:21 who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a
woman cast an upper millstone upon him from the wall, that he died at Thebez? ...
/u/uri'ah.htm - 15k

Urijah (29 Occurrences)
... (DBY). 2 Samuel 11:21 Who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? did not a woman
cast the upper stone of a handmill from the wall, that he died in Thebez? ...
/u/urijah.htm - 16k

Jeruel (1 Occurrence)

/j/jeruel.htm - 7k

Jerub-baal's (3 Occurrences)
Jerub-baal's. Jerubba'al, Jerub-baal's. Jerubbesheth . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(See NIV). Jerubba'al, Jerub-baal's. Jerubbesheth . Reference Bible.
/j/jerub-baal's.htm - 7k

Jerubbaal (15 Occurrences)
... For this name the form "Jerubbesheth" (2 Samuel 1:21) was substituted after the
analogy of "Ishbosheth" and "Mephibosheth," in which bosheth, the Hebrew word ...
/j/jerubbaal.htm - 12k

Jeshebeab (1 Occurrence)
... al forming part of the name. Compare JERUBBESHETH. Multi-Version Concordance
Jeshebeab (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 24:13 the thirteenth ...
/j/jeshebeab.htm - 7k

Who was Abimelech in the Book of Judges? | GotQuestions.org

Why is Gideon referred to as Jerubbaal? | GotQuestions.org

Why do some people in the Bible have more than one name? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus