Like Moses and Jeremiah, Gideon’s first reaction is to decline the invitation to serve Yahweh. Gideon’s refusal is also similar to the way Saul speaks to Samuel in verse 1 Sam 9.21.
And he said to him: Depending on the constraints of the target language, Gideon and/or Yahweh may be referred to here by name, for example, “Then Gideon replied to the LORD.” As usual, appropriate verbs may be substituted for the very general Hebrew verb rendered said, for example, “replied” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version) or “answered” (New American Bible).
Pray, Lord renders the same Hebrew expression that is translated “Pray, sir” in verse 6.13 (see comments there). Here it shows Gideon’s reluctance or unwillingness to carry out what the LORD has requested. He rejects the LORD’s request but does so in a courteous way. Translators should try to find an expression that reflects Gideon’s unwillingness. Many versions translate “sir” at 6.13, but “Lord” here (Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New International Version, New Living Translation, Bible en français courant). This shows that these versions consider verse 6.14 to be pivotal, describing a time when Gideon finally realizes he is speaking with God. Translators will have to decide if they want to follow this interpretation or follow those versions that still use “sir” or “lord” with lowercase here (New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).
How can I deliver Israel?: As part of his polite refusal, Gideon uses yet another rhetorical question. With this question he is saying he feels incapable of saving his people. It is his way of declining the LORD’s invitation. It is difficult to know the tone of Gideon’s answer here. In many cultures it is polite to refuse an invitation at first. However, it would appear from what follows that he truly feels incapable. If a statement is better than a question, translators might say “Please, Lord, a person like myself could never save Israel.”
Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh: The Hebrew word hinneh rendered Behold expresses some of the emotion Gideon is feeling. This word introduces Gideon’s reasons for refusing the LORD’s offer, namely that he feels incompetent. He begins with the low status of his clan and then the low status of his family. While many versions leave the word hinneh untranslated (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New International Version), it is important to render it here. Revised English Bible says “Look….” Many languages have similar particles or expressions that can help introduce Gideon’s comments, for example, “Don’t you see…?”
My clan is the weakest in Manasseh is the way Gideon begins to identify his own lack of status. The Hebrew word rendered clan is the number “1,000,” which is often used to designate a company of soldiers (see comments on verse 1.4). However, here it refers to the branch of a tribe, larger than a family. The Hebrew word for weakest can also mean “poorest” or “most insignificant.” However, from information provided at the beginning and later in the story, it is clear that Gideon’s family was not actually poor or insignificant—his father owned property and had authority in the community and Gideon’s offerings indicate someone with means. However, in his response to the LORD, these are Gideon’s words. For the tribe of Manasseh, see the comments on verse 1.27.
And I am the least in my family: Gideon indicates again that he considers himself to be of low status, and so completely unworthy of the task assigned him. The pronoun I is emphatic in Hebrew, which may be expressed by saying “and as for me…” or “Me? I am….” The Hebrew adjective rendered least is usually used elsewhere in the Old Testament to refer to the youngest member of a family (see, for example, Gen 25.23). In Old Testament times, as well as in many cultures today, rank and status come from order of birth. In this context most versions take least to mean “least important” (Good News Translation) or “least significant.” In my family is literally “in [the] house of my father,” and some languages may use a similar expression. Contemporary English Version reorders this clause by saying “and everyone else in my family is more important than I am.”
Translation models for this verse are:
• Then Gideon replied, “But, sir, how can I save Israel? I am from the least important clan of Manasseh, and I myself am the least important member of my family.”
• Gideon answered and said, “Lord, it’s true. I am not qualified to deliver Israel. I come from the weakest clan of Manasseh and I am the youngest in my family.”
Quoted with permission from Zogbo, Lynell and Ogden, Graham S. A Handbook on Judges. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .