Gideon

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Gideon (1961), a play by Paddy Chayefsky. [Plymouth Theatre, 236 perf.] God comes to earth as an Angel ( Fredric March) and exhorts the young farmer Gideon ( Douglas Campbell) to lead his people against the Midianites. At first Gideon is disbelieving, but when the Angel performs miracles and even gives Gideon the very plan that wins the battle, he accepts that the Angel is indeed Yahweh or Jehovah. But later Gideon refuses God's order to slay the elders of Succoth. His head has been swelled by praise, and so he comes to attribute his success not to God but to “historico‐economic, socio‐psychological forces.” The Angel can only rue that for all Man's belief in God, Man believes first and foremost in himself. Hailed by Howard Taubman of the Times as “a graceful conceit tinged with innocent wonder and wise laughter,” the play demonstrated Chayefsky's increasing preoccupation with mystical and metaphysical concerns.

Gideon , or Jerubbaal , in the Bible, a 12th-century Israelite warrior of the tribe of Mannasseh, and one of the greater judges of Israel. The Book of Judges relates that Gideon was a strong opponent of the Baal cult. He defeated the Midianite oppressors and appeased the rival Ephraimites, thus securing a generation of peace for Israel. His decisive action gave rise to the phrase "Day of Midian," which came to denote Israelite victory over her enemies. Gideon refused to institute an hereditary monarchy in Israel because of his belief that God was the king of Israel.

Gideon One of the Judges (also called Jerubbaal, Judg. 6: 32); he had notable military success against the Midianites who were expanding westwards. Gideon selected a small band of 300 warriors for their intelligence (Judg. 7: 7) and in a surprise night attack put the Midianites to flight and killed their two princes (Ps. 83: 11–12). His refusal to accept the kingship (Judg. 8: 23; cf. 1 Sam. 8: 7) is part of the anti-monarchical strand in the tradition. See king.

Gideon in the Bible, an Old Testament warrior and judge of Israel, under whose leadership (Judges ch. 6–8) the Midianites were conquered.
Gideon Bible a bible placed in a hotel room or hospital ward by Gideons International with the aim of spreading the Christian faith.
Gideons International an international Christian organization of business and professional people, founded in 1899 in the US.

Gideon ♂ Biblical name meaning ‘he who cuts down’ in Hebrew; it was borne by an Israelite leader appointed to deliver his people from the Midianites (Judges 6:14). He did this by getting his army to creep up on them with their torches hidden in pitchers. The name was popular among the 17th-century Puritans, and has remained in select use.

Gideon. One of the biblical judges. His activities are recorded in the Book of Judges (6. 11–8. 32).

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