Gidon's Testing of Hashem/2

Gidon's Testing of Hashem

Exegetical Approaches

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Self doubt

Gidon did not doubt Hashem's abilities but whether he and/or the nation were worthy of Hashem's salvation.

Sources:R. Saadia Gaon, Abarbanel, Malbim

Gidon's religious beliefs – According to this position, Gidon was righteous and God fearing. Abarbanel claims that he attained the level of prophecy as proven by all the instances in the chapters in which Hashem converses with him. As such, it is not possible that he was really doubting or testing Hashem.

"?וְיֵשׁ י"י עִמָּנוּ וְלָמָּה מְצָאַתְנוּ כׇּל זֹאת" – Gidon's words do not constitute a lack of belief but a rebuke of Hashem for abandoning his people and hiding His face. They convey Gidon's extreme caring for the suffering of his people.  Malbim points out that Gidon mentions Hashem's wonders in Egypt as proof that even when the nation sinned in the past, Hashem saved them.  Thus, now too, Hashem should come to the nation's aid despite their idolatry.

Initial sign of angel – According to Abarbanel, even when Gidon asked for a sign from the angel he was not asking for proof that Hashem would save the nation, but rather evidence that the person with whom he was speaking was really a messenger of Hashem.

Second sign

Biblical parallels

Significance of  fleece and dew?

Double sign?

The water test

Lack of Faith

Gidon did not have full belief in Hashem, and therefore repeatedly asked for signs that Hashem would indeed bring salvation.

Sources:perhaps Ralbag

Was Gidon a prophet – According to Ralbag, Gidon himself did not have prophetic status and all the verses in which he appears to converse with Hashem really refer to his speaking with Hashem's messenger instead.¹ Ralbag claims that if Gidon was at a level to receive full prophecies, there is no way that he would need to ask for signs.

Intervening Events

Although Gidon initially trusted in the words of the angel, intervening events led him to question the promise of salvation.

Sources:Prof. Y. Elitzur

¹ Thus when the verses says "וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ י"י" or "וַיֹּאמֶר גִּדְעוֹן אֶל הָאֱלֹהִים", the word "Hashem/ Elokim" refer to a prophet, who is called after the One who sent him (שלוחו של אדם כמותו).