Matthew Poole and continuators on Judges 6:25

25 ¶ And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy fathers young bullock, even the second bullock , of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath , and cut down the grove that is by it .

Thus there was but one Bullock, which was young, to wit, comparatively, but not simply, for it was seven years old, and of such this Hebrew word is used, Iob 21. 10. For these Creatures are fruitful above seven years. Or thus, thy Fathers young Bullock, and the second Bullock: so there were two Bullocks. But because there is but one of them mentioned both in the next verse, and in the execution of this Command, v. 28. it is probable it was but one; and the Hebrew Particle, vau, and, is put exegetically for even, or, to wit, as is very usual. And this he calls his Fathers young Bullock, both because his Father was the owner of it, and because his Father kept and fed it for a Sacrifice to Baal. But because it is likely his father kept divers of these Cattel of differing Ages and Statures for that use, either at his own, or at the Peoples charge; therefore he adds by way of limitation, that he should not take the eldest and the greatest, but the second; to wit, in age, or stature, or goodliness, or in the order of Sacrifice, that which was to have been Sacrificed to Baal in the second place. And this he singled out because of its age; for being seven years old, it began with the Midianitish Calamity, and being now to be Sacrificed, did fitly signifie, that the Period of that Misery was now come.

Which thy Father built in his own ground, though for the common use of the whole City, v. 28, 29, 30.

Planted by the Altar for Idolatrous or impure uses, as the manner of Idolaters was. See Iudg. 3. 7. This Action might seem injurious to his Fathers Rights and Authority, but Gods Command was sufficient warrant, and Gideon was now called to be the Supreme Magistrate, whereby he was made his Fathers Superiour, and was impowered, and authorized, and enjoyned to [illegible: 1+ letters]oot out all Idolatry and Superstition, and the instruments thereof.

Marginal references: Or, and; Exod. [illegible: 1 word]. 13. Deut. 7. 5.