Why did Gideon have 70 sons?

Why Did Gideon Have 70 Sons?

In the biblical book of Judges, Gideon, also known as Jerubaal, is referred to as a mighty warrior and one of the leading judges of Israel. Among other feats, he defeats the Midianites with an army of 300 men. However, lesser-known about Gideon is that he had 70 sons, a fact that is sometimes puzzling. What might have led him to father such a large number of children?

What the Bible Reveals about Gideon’s Many Sons

According to Judges 6:35 and 8:30-32, Gideon, having freed Israel from Midianite oppression, did not divorce his wives who bore children for him before God instructed him to reduce his excessive number of sons and cattle. This event might shed light on how he amassed such a large number of offspring.

• Gideon’s wives included those whom he took before marrying to his concubine and before the Lord was pleased (Judges 6:35).
• Only when God instructed Gideon did he divorce many of the women and only the Abiezrite mother bore one son, Abimelech, a brother to the 70 others, signifying a new direction after God’s divine command. (Judges 8:30)

Marriage and Divorce Custom in Ancient Times

Marriage and divorce practices of the time often included co-wives or co-concubines sharing their husbands. Such cultural backgrounds may have led Gideon to have numerous offspring before God intervened in his life.

• Biblical passages acknowledge polygamy or concurrent marital partnerships throughout Genesis 24:1; Judges 8:1,32; 17:6; 20:34; 2 Chronicles 11:3. Even Moses, Genesis 16:14,24:1; Lev 18:16,20:21), in cases where a widow inherits no inheritance, coherits her deceased sister. Therefore, Gideon likely contracted other marriages or arrangements involving one or more partners after their marriage.

Polygamy and Marriage during That Time

According to historian Dr. Cohn-Sherbok: "In Jewish history prior to the fourth century ce, polygamy continued to be allowed," the article Polygamy: "In fact, "polygamy prevailed among the majority [emphasis added]. Only one passage in Leviticus 18:16) and Deuteronomy 20:3) are specific enough" to suggest divorce when he marries while they both have a parent is considered the same "since "a man might give unto his daughter that [sister] had already an heir" – Exodus.

Why Seventy sons?

Judging Gideon’s motivation without external context is quite tricky: there is more complexity attached to this concept: What led him towards those, 70, rather, than 79 sons?, 71, but most likely the issue may require further research conveniently given it depends on the story which goes on. Nonetheless, other famous characters are also known, although his life story still goes and we have our primary.

Gideon and Judges’ History.

By this time (now back there around where judges or this one, Jerubaal), Gideon led armies against the invading Philistine and Midian armies which led to numerous casualties by Gideon while his 70 son-in law was named Jeroham. At Ophrah, some soldiers even had their commander slain!