Judges 6:27: Gideon's Obedience concerning the Altars

Verse 27:[1] Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said unto him: and so it was, because he feared his father’s household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.

[With ten men taken] That is, in whom he had greater trust. The labor of these was necessary (Bonfrerius). Gideon knew that this number was proper for constituting the Church and for conducting public sacred rites (Montanus’ Commentary).

Ten men of his servants: Doubtless he had acquainted the ten men with his design, and the assurance of success in it, whereby they were easily induced to assist him, if not sincerely, yet for the expectation of advantage to themselves by it.

[But fearing, etc., יָרֵא֩ אֶת־בֵּ֙ית אָבִ֜יו—מֵעֲשׂ֥וֹת יוֹמָ֖ם] He was fearing the house of his father, from to do (from doing [Junius], if he should do [Junius and Tremellius], lest he do [Pagnine], that he might not do [Piscator]) by day (Montanus); in such a way that he did not dare to do (Vatablus). God will that each one fulfill his calling, but He does not forbid the use of prudence. A place, a time, and an occasion were decided upon (Martyr).

Because he feared; not so much lest he should suffer for it, for he knew very well the doing it by night with so many hands could not hinder the discovery, and consequently the punishment of it; but lest he should be prevented from doing it.

[1] Hebrew: וַיִּקַּ֙ח גִּדְע֜וֹן עֲשָׂרָ֤ה אֲנָשִׁים֙ מֵֽעֲבָדָ֔יו וַיַּ֕עַשׂ כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר דִּבֶּ֥ר אֵלָ֖יו יְהוָ֑ה וַיְהִ֡י כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר יָרֵא֩ אֶת־בֵּ֙ית אָבִ֜יו וְאֶת־אַנְשֵׁ֥י הָעִ֛יר מֵעֲשׂ֥וֹת יוֹמָ֖ם וַיַּ֥עַשׂ לָֽיְלָה׃