Judges, Ruth: Revised Edition (The NIV Application Commentary)

by K. Lawson Younger

(2) Gideon’s name (gid‘on) means “hacker” (derived from the verb gd‘, “to hack, break to pieces”). Not only is this an indication of his warring ability, it has a connection to the covenant stipulations (Deut 7:5; 12:3; cf. 6:25–32).