Charles Ellicott Commentary Judges 6:15

"And he said unto him, Oh, Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is the poorest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father`s house." — Judges 6:15 (ASV)

Oh my Lord. —Here our version deliberately adopts the reading adonî, as in Judges 6:13. The reason for this reading is that Gideon does not appear to have fully recognized the angel until his disappearance (Judges 6:22). The reading of the Hebrew manuscripts, however, is Adonai, “Lord;” and if it is correct, we must suppose that Gideon addresses God, recognizing that the message came from Him.

Wherewith shall I save Israel? —We repeatedly find this preliminary diffidence of humility in those whom God selects for His service. (1 Samuel 9:21; Isaiah 6:5; Jeremiah 1:6–7, etc.)

My family. —Literally, my thousand (Exodus 18:21; 1 Samuel 10:19).

Poor. —Rather, the meanest, as is shown by the article “my thousand is the mean one,” just as David is called “the little one” of his brothers (1 Samuel 18:14). What had caused this depression of the house of Abiezer we do not know, but it may have been due in part to the overweening pride of Ephraim.

I am the least in my father’s house. —He was also the last of his father’s house. All his brothers had been killed.