Gideon Destroys the Altar of Baal

28 When the men of the city got up early in the morning, look, the altar of Baal and the Asherah[fn] thatwas beside it were cut down, and the second bull was offered on the altar that had been built. 29 And they said to one another,[fn] “Who did this thing?” So they searched and inquired, and they said, “Gideon son of Jehoash did this thing.” 30 And the men of the city said to Jehoash, “Bring out your son so that he may die, for he has pulled down the altar of Baal and cut down the Asherah that was beside it.” 31 But Jehoash said to all who stood against him,[fn] “Will you contend for Baal? Will you rescue him? Whoever contends for him will be put to death by the morning. If heis a god, let him contend for himself because his altar has been pulled down.”[fn] 32 Thus, on that day he[fn] was called Jerub-Baal,which means,[fn] “Let Baal contend against him,” because he had pulled down his altar.

33 Then all the Midianites,[fn] Amalekites,[fn] and the people ofthe east gathered together and crossed the Jordan; and they camped in the valley of Jezreel. 34 So the Spirit of Yahweh took possession of[fn] Gideon, and he blew on the trumpet, andthe Abiezrites[fn] were called to follow him. 35 He sent messengers throughout all Manasseh, and they were also called to follow him; and he sent messengers throughout Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, and they went up to meet them.