Judges 6:24
“Then Gideon built an altar there to Yahweh, and called it “Yahweh is Peace.” To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.”
What does Judges 6:24 mean?
Gideon had just encountered the angel of the Lord and experienced a profound moment of reassurance, learning that God himself would be with him. Rather than keep that encounter private, Gideon marked it by building an altar and naming it to reflect what he'd learned: that Yahweh brings peace. This wasn't just a personal memorial, but a public declaration meant to speak to anyone who passed by, reminding them and future generations of God's character. The detail that it remained standing "to this day" (the writer's present time) suggests this altar became a lasting witness in the community, a physical reminder that God's presence means safety rather than fear.