Judges 6:31 net — But Joash said to all those who confronted him,“Must you fight Baal’s battles? Must you rescue him? Whoever takes up hi…

NET Bible

"But Joash said to all those who confronted him,“Must you fight Baal’s battles? Must you rescue him? Whoever takes up his cause will die by morning! If he really is a god, let him fight his own battles! After all, it was his altar that was pulled down.”"

— Judges 6:31, NET Bible

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Judges 6:31 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations
  • KJV

    “And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar.”

  • ASV

    “And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye contend for Baal? or will ye save him? he that will contend for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him contend for himself, because one hath broken down his altar. ”

  • WEB

    “Joash said to all who stood against him, "Will you contend for Baal? Or will you save him? He who will contend for him, let him be put to death while [it is yet] morning. If he is a god, let him contend for himself, because someone has broken down his altar."”

  • DRB

    “He answered them: Are you the avengers of Baal, that you fight for him? he that is his adversary, let him die before to morrow light appear: if he be a god, let him revenge himself on him that hath cast down his altar.”

  • BBE

    “But Joash said to all those who were attacking him, Will you take up the cause of Baal? will you be his saviour? Let anyone who will take up his cause be put to death while it is still morning: if he is a god, let him take up his cause himself because of the pulling down of his altar.”

  • KJVA

    “And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar.”

Judges 6 — Context

28

When the men of the city got up the next morning, they saw the Baal altar pulled down, the nearby Asherah pole cut down, and the second bull sacrificed on the newly built altar.

29

They said to one another,“Who did this?” They investigated the matter thoroughly and concluded that Gideon son of Joash had done it.

30

The men of the city said to Joash,“Bring out your son, so we can execute him! He pulled down the Baal altar and cut down the nearby Asherah pole.”

31

But Joash said to all those who confronted him,“Must you fight Baal’s battles? Must you rescue him? Whoever takes up his cause will die by morning! If he really is a god, let him fight his own battles! After all, it was his altar that was pulled down.”

32

That very day Gideon’s father named him Jerub-Baal, because he had said,“Let Baal fight with him, for it was his altar that was pulled down.”

33

Gideon Summons an Army and Seeks Confirmation All the Midianites, Amalekites, and the people from the east assembled. They crossed the Jordan River and camped in the Jezreel Valley.

34

The LORD’s Spirit took control of Gideon. He blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him.

Judges 6:31 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Judges 6:31 say?
Judges 6:31 in the NET Bible reads: “But Joash said to all those who confronted him,“Must you fight Baal’s battles? Must you rescue him? Whoever takes up his cause will die by morning! If he really is a god, let him fight his own battles! After all, it was his altar that was pulled down.””
Where is Judges 6:31 in the Bible?
Judges 6:31 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Judges, chapter 6, verse 31.
Who wrote Judges?
Judges is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Samuel). It was written c. 1050–1000 BC.
What is the book of Judges about?
Judges chronicles the cycle of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance that defined Israel between Joshua and Samuel. Through twelve raised-up deliverers — including Deborah, Gideon, and Samson — God repeatedly rescues a people who keep doing what is right in their own eyes.
What are the major themes of Judges?
Judges explores themes including Apostasy, Deliverance, Cycles of Sin, Need for a King, Mercy. These themes shape the meaning and context of Judges 6:31.
What translation should I read Judges 6:31 in?
Judges 6:31 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Judges 6:31?
Judges 6:31 reads (NET): “But Joash said to all those who confronted him,“Must you fight Baal’s battles? Must you rescue him? Whoever takes up his cause will die by morning! If he really is a god, let him fight his own battles! After all, it was his altar that was pulled down.”” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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