ST GIDEON, JUDGE - 1 SEPTEMBER

SAINT GIDEON, JUDGE
Gideon by Caspar Luyken,
18th century dutch print
The name Gideon is derived from the Hebrew Gid'on, meaning tree feller, and is also interpreted as mighty warrior.

Saint Gideon is commemorated on September 1 and September 12 [and September 26]. In the Vulgate Bible translation, this saint is called Gedeon, also known as Jerubbaal. One of the judges of Israel, he was the son of Joash, from the tribe of Manasseh in the city of Ophrah, who was called and strengthened by God to redeem the Israelites from the servitude of the Medinans with just a very small army. After an angel revealed his calling to him, he first destroyed the idols and reinstated the service of the true God (Judges 6:1-30). When the inhabitants were enraged by this and wanted to kill him, his father Joash replied: "If Baal is a god, then let him fight for himself," and therefore Gideon received the name "Jerubbaal," i.e., “Baal will take revenge” (verses 31, 32).

Before leading his assembled warriors against the enemy, he again asked God for the familiar sign of the animal skin, which came about as he had wished (verses 33-40). Then, at God's command, he dismissed the timid and fearful among his warriors, numbering 22,000, and then another 10,000. With 300 men, each carrying a trumpet and a burning torch with a pitcher, he secretly approached the Medinans by night. He and his men then blew the trumpet and smashed the pitchers, illuminating the hidden torches. This so surprised the enemy that they fled in terror (Judges 7:1-25). In gratitude for this deliverance, the Israelites wanted to bestow the kingship upon Gideon; but he refused it, remaining quietly in his native city of Ophrah. He fathered 70 sons and died at an advanced age (Judges 8:22-32). According to the usual assumption, Gideon lived around the year 2759, about 1244 BC. He is venerated in Palestine on September 1, and elsewhere also on December 12. The Roman Martyrology* lists Gideon on September 1.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 2, Augsburg, 1861, p. 363-64)

*A hagiography source used by the authors

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Gideon may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Sources of these articles (in the original German): books.google.co.uk, de-academic.com, zeno.org, openlibrary.org

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