Jerubbesheth 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 "Jerubbesheth" 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 in response, the men of the town demand his death. However, Joash, Gideon's father, defends him by saying, "If Baal really is a god, he can defend himself when someone breaks down his altar" (Judges 6:31). As a result, Gideon is given the name Jerubbaal, meaning "Let Baal contend."

The name Jerubbesheth appears in 2 Samuel 11:21, where it is used in place of Jerubbaal. This substitution is part of a broader pattern in the Hebrew Scriptures where the name "Baal," which means "lord" or "master," is replaced with "Bosheth," meaning "shame," to avoid any association with the Canaanite deity Baal. This reflects the Israelites' desire to distance themselves from idolatry and emphasize their allegiance to Yahweh, the one true God.

Theological Significance

The use of the name Jerubbesheth instead of Jerubbaal highlights the ongoing struggle in Israel's history between the worship of Yahweh and the temptation to follow Canaanite gods. Gideon's actions in tearing down the altar of Baal symbolize a rejection of idolatry and a return to the covenant faithfulness that God required of His people. The narrative underscores the theme of divine deliverance and the importance of faithfulness to God amidst cultural and religious pressures.

Gideon's account, including his renaming as Jerubbaal/Jerubbesheth, serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the call to trust in Him alone. It also illustrates the transformative power of God's call, as Gideon, initially hesitant and fearful, becomes a mighty warrior and leader under God's guidance.

Historical and Cultural Context

During the time of the judges, Israel was a loose confederation of tribes without centralized leadership. The period was marked by cycles of apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. The worship of Baal and other Canaanite deities was a persistent issue, as the Israelites often adopted the religious practices of the surrounding nations.

Gideon's actions against the altar of Baal were significant not only religiously but also socially and politically. By challenging the local worship of Baal, Gideon was asserting the supremacy of Yahweh and challenging the status quo. This act of defiance set the stage for his leadership in delivering Israel from Midianite oppression.

References in Scripture

· Judges 6:25-32 : The account of Gideon tearing down the altar of Baal and being named Jerubbaal.
· 2 Samuel 11:21 : The mention of Jerubbesheth in the context of a historical recounting.

The account of Jerubbesheth, or Gideon, remains a powerful testament to the call to faithfulness and the courage to stand against idolatry, trusting in the deliverance and sovereignty of God.Jerubbesheth

let the idol of confusion defend itself

Jerubbesheth

(contender with the shame), a name of Gideon. (2 Samuel 11:21)

Contender with the shame; i.e., idol, a surname also of Gideon (2 Samuel 11:21). JERUBBESHETH

jer-ub-be'-sheth, je-rub'-e-sheth (yerubbesheth, see JERUBBAAL, for meaning): It is found once (2 Samuel 11:21) for JERUBBAAL.

The word bosheth, "shameful thing," was substituted by later editors of the text for ba`al, "lord," in the text of Jeremiah 3:24 Hosea 9:10; in 2 Samuel 2:8, etc., we find Ish-bosheth = Eshbaal (Ishbaal) in 1 Chronicles 8:33; 1 Chronicles 9:39. The reason for this was reluctant to pronounce the word Ba`al, which had by their time been associated with Canaanitic forms of worship. In 2 Samuel 11:21 Septuagint, Lucian, has "Jeroboal," which Septuagint, Codex Vaticanus, has corrupted to "Jeroboam." Compare MERIB-BAAL; MEPHIBOSHETH; and see Ginsburg, New Massoretico-Critical Text of the Hebrew Bible, Intro, 400;. For a New Testament case compare Romans 11:4 and see Sanday and Headlam at the place.

See JERUBBAAL.

David Francis Roberts

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. Jerubbesheth, Jerub'besheth. Jerub-besheth . ... Jerub'besheth (1
Occurrence). 2 Samuel 11:21 who smote Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? ...
/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

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-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

Gideon (45 Occurrences)
... gid'-e-un (gidh`on, "cutter down," "feller" or "hewer"): 1. His Family and Home:
Also named Jerubbaal (Judges 6:32) and Jerubbesheth (2 Samuel 11:21), youngest ...
/g/gideon.htm - 36k

Thebez (3 Occurrences)
... took it. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). 2 Samuel 11:21 who
struck Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? Didn'ta woman ...
/t/thebez.htm - 9k

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