It was the fifth of the judges of the Jewish people and is considered the most important one after Samuel. Joash son of the tribe of Manasseh. The data that we know their history are recounted in the book of Judges chapters 6 to 8.

The stories in the book have been some difficulties for critics because some contradictions: there are two accounts of his vocation, there is no agreement on the number of their campaigns. Apparently the differences are due to the persistence of two layers of writing, the so-called "Elohist" and "Yahwist" (see the sources of the Pentateuch, which some biblical scholars can also be found in the narratives of the books so-called "historical "the Bible), others claim that there are three separate pieces that have come together in one story, others recognize two narratives truly educational and historical text, and so on. The biblical research have failed to reach a unified view.

In essence, the life of Jedeón is placed after the settlement of Jews in the plain where they had assimilated Ofrah idolatrous cults of the surrounding towns. After that infidelity, would have punished them by sending Lord nomadic tribes and groups of Amalekites and Midianites to make war. In the fighting, two brothers were murdered Jedeón. The Israelites repented and asked forgiveness. Lord sent his angel to speak to Jedeón to announce that it would be the deliverer of his people. This called for a test after something sarcastic dialogue with the angel. The latter gave evidence asking a sacrifice with fire scorching miraculous. The next day, Jedeón destroyed the altar of Baal and to the indignation of the people, Joash his father, he defended himself by saying that if Baal was God, would be responsible to punish sacrilege. From that day on became known as Jedeón Jerubbaal.

Nomadic groups came together to make war on Jedeón. He gathered an army, with various conditions and tests, the Lord reduced to three hundred men (not including auxiliaries). The Israelis attacked during the night and caused such confusion that the Midianites were murdering each other and had to flee in terror as they were pursued by troops Jedeón. These princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb died in the fray and their heads were given as a trophy Jedeón.

After another victorious battle with the Midianites and to punish the people who would not assist in persecution, the villagers wanted Jedeón be their king. What this he declined, claiming that only God could reign in Israel.

With the jewels taken from the vanquished, was developing a Jedeón ephod. There is also no agreement among experts on the ephod, some say it was all a priestly garb with her jewels and ornaments, others that it was a table or query tools to Yahweh. However, this ephod brought back to the idolatry of the Israelites.

Jedeón ruled another 40 years in Israel were of peace and growth. He had seventy sons (he was a polygamist) among which Abimelech.

It is mentioned in Psalm 83, verse 12 of his victories and the Hebrews, chapter 11, verse 32 for their faith.