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 Abarbanel, Gidon was not only righteous and God fearing, but a prophet as well, 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.

Conversation with angel: "?וְיֵשׁ י"י עִמָּנוּ" – This position might say that 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.  Malbim¹ 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 have 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.

Sign of fleece – According to R. Saadia and Abarbanel, Gidon asked for a sign to see whether he was worthy of such a miracle.  Malbim, in contrast, suggests that it stems from his doubting of the nation's worthiness.  Though he had destroyed the Baal's altar, the people's angry reaction to the event  proved that they were still idolatrous.

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.² 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 See also R"Y Fidanque in his comments on Abarbanel's commentary.

² 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).