Gideon was an Israelite judge, prophet, and military leader from the tribe of Manasseh who lived around the 13th century BC. According to the Hebrew Bible, he was called by God to liberate the Israelites from Midianite oppression. He is most famous for leading a small force of only 300 men to a decisive victory against a much larger Midianite army through a strategic night attack involving torches and trumpets.