יְרֻבֶּשֶׁת (ye.rub.be.shet)
ye.rub.be.shet
Jerubbesheth
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Yerubbesheth identifies Gideon, the judge who led Israel against the Midianites. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in 2 Samuel 11:21, where Abigail refers to him as "Yerubbesheth his father" while explaining how he died at Thebez. This single occurrence preserves a variant of his more common name, Jerubbaal.
The two names share the same first element but differ in their second. While Jerubbaal invokes the Canaanite deity Baal, Yerubbesheth replaces that reference with the word for "shame" or "disgrace." This substitution suggests a deliberate theological edit, likely made by later scribes to remove any association with pagan worship while retaining the original identity of the judge.
Etymologically, the name translates to "let shame contend" or "he contends against shame." By swapping the divine name for a term of disgrace, the text affirms that Gideon’s struggle was not with Baal but against the dishonor brought upon Israel by idolatry. The variation highlights how biblical scribes carefully shaped names to reflect monotheistic convictions.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Yerubbesheth appears only once in Scripture, tucked into a brief conversation between David and Abigail. It serves as an alternate title for Gideon, the judge who delivered Israel from Midian. While his more familiar name, Jerubbaal, references Baal, this variant replaces that deity with a word meaning 'shame.' This shift highlights a deep theological commitment: the struggle against idolatry is ultimately a struggle against disgrace and dishonor before God.
For your faith, this detail offers comfort. It reminds us that God’s people have always navigated the tension between cultural pressures and pure devotion. The scribes who preserved this name wanted to ensure that Gideon’s legacy remained focused on Yahweh alone. You can trust that God values clarity of heart and loyalty over confusing associations.
When you face situations where your identity might be blurred or compromised, remember that God honors those who stand for truth. His Word is carefully preserved so that we understand His character clearly. Rest in the knowledge that He protects His people from shame and leads them into honor.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Jerub-Besheth1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יְרֻבֶּ֗שֶׁת1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 11:21
Who struck Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? Didn’t a woman cast an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go so near the wall?’ then you shall say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hittite is also dead.’”
This verse uses Yerubbesheth to identify Gideon, showing how later tradition preferred a name that rejected Baal worship.