SEV Biblia, Chapter 6:25
¶ Y aconteció que la misma noche le dijo el SEÑOR: Toma un toro del hato de tu padre, y otro toro de siete años, y derriba el altar de Baal que tu padre tiene, y corta también el bosque que está junto a él;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Judges 6:25
Verse 25. Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock] There is some difficulty in this verse, for, according to the Hebrew text, two bullocks are mentioned here; but there is only one mentioned in ver. 26, 28. But what was this second bullock? Some think that it was a bullock that was fattened in order to be offered in sacrifice to Baal. This is very probable, as the second bullock is so particularly distinguished from another which belonged to Gideon's father. As the altar was built upon the ground of Joash, yet appears to have been public property, (see ver. 29, 30,) so this second ox was probably reared and fattened at the expense of the men of that village, else why should they so particularly resent its being offered to Jehovah?
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 25. And it came to pass the same night , etc.] The night which followed the day in which the angel appeared to Gideon as he was threshing: that the Lord said unto him ; perhaps in a dream, since it was in the night: take thy father’s young bullock: or “the bullock, the ox” f134 ; a bullock which was a large grown ox, and was not only his father’s property, but what his father designed and set apart for the service of Baal; and though it was his father’s, yet having a divine warrant for it, it was sufficient for him to take it without his leave, and especially as it was designed for such an ill use: even the second bullock of seven years old ; which, according to Hesiod f135 is in its prime and full strength at nine years old, and lives much longer. In Homer f136 , one of five years old is said to be sacrificed: this further describes what he was to take, the second that stood in the stall of the bullocks, or that drew in the second row at plough, or the second in age and value, or the second that was set apart for the service of Baal; though the words may be rendered, “and the second bullock” f137 ; besides that of his father’s, he was to take another, which perhaps belonged to the people, and was the second in birth or age with respect to the former, being seven years old; or, as the Targum is, that had been fatted seven years, and had been so long preparing for the sacrifice of Baal; which was as long as the tyranny of the Midianites over them, and was occasioned by the idolatry of the people of Israel; and such a bullock was ordered to be taken with respect to that, and to show that it would end with the sacrifice of this creature: and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath ; upon his ground, in some part of his possessions, and perhaps built at his own expense, though for public use: and cut down the grove that is by it ; or “about it”, as the Vulgate Latin version; it being usual with the Heathens to plant groves near or around their altars and temples where religious worship was performed; partly to make them more pleasant and venerable, and partly for the commission of deeds which would not bear the light; or “over it”, for they were commonly tall trees which grew over the altar they erected. Some render it, “upon it” f138 , and understand by it an idol placed on it: so the Arabic version is, “cut down the female idol Asira (perhaps the same with Astarte), which is upon the same altar;” and so the Syriac version to the same purpose, which calls it the idol Estere, set upon the altar.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 25-32 - See the power of God's grace, that he could raise up a reformer; an the kindness of his grace, that he would raise up a deliverer, out of the family of a leader in idolatry. Gideon must not think it enough no to worship at that altar; he must throw it down, and offer sacrifice of another. It was needful he should make peace with God, before he mad war on Midian. Till sin be pardoned through the great Sacrifice, n good is to be expected. God, who has all hearts in his hands influenced Joash to appear for his son against the advocates for Baal though he had joined formerly in the worship of Baal. Let us do ou duty, and trust God with our safety. Here is a challenge to Baal, to d either good or evil; the result convinced his worshippers of their folly, in praying to one to help them that could not avenge himself.
Original Hebrew
ויהי 1961 בלילה 3915 ההוא 1931 ויאמר 559 לו יהוה 3068 קח 3947 את 853 פר 6499 השׁור 7794 אשׁר 834 לאביך 1 ופר 6499 השׁני 8145 שׁבע 7651 שׁנים 8141 והרסת 2040 את 853 מזבח 4196 הבעל 1168 אשׁר 834 לאביך 1 ואת 853 האשׁרה 842 אשׁר 834 עליו 5921 תכרת׃ 3772
