Conclusion

Abstract

The conclusion summarizes the findings of the previous chapters, focusing on how we can now see three different masculinities inscribed in the narrative about Gideon. First, there is an early, pre-Judges story about a warrior who worked on a local scale, who lived up to many of the ideals of the ancient Near Eastern hegemonic warrior. Second, a later Deuteronomistically inspired update places traditions about Gideon into the larger framework of the book of Judges, broadening the scale of Gideon’s army, adding significant theological framing to the stories, and portraying Gideon as a faithful, if hesitant, Yahwist. Third, further updates change the nature of the ephod story by adding v. 27b, thereby rewriting Gideon as an idolater and casting aspersions on his role as Abimelech’s father. The conclusion also briefly traces the ways that later readers have rewritten Gideon to fit their own constructions of masculinity.