Gideon of Judges 6–8 was regarded by the "critical school" as a composite narrative, combining Jahwist, Elohist and Deuteronomic sources, with further interpolations and editorial comments of the Second Temple period. Emil Hirsch alleged a historical nucleus in the narrative, reflecting the struggle of the tribe of Manasseh with hostile Bedouins across the Jordan, along with "reminiscences of tribal jealousies on the part of Ephraim" in the early period of Hebrew settlement, later conflated with the religious context of connecting Yahweh with the shrine at Ophrah. The core (Jahwist) narrative consists of Gideon wishing to avenge the death of his brothers,
Gideon Macon 1654 from York County) was where Gideon Macon built his home in 1680 on Macon's Island. He named his estate Prospect Hill or "Mount Prospect". In 1680, Gideon was given the title of colonel as the commander-in-chief of the New Kent County Military. Shortly thereafter, he married Martha Woodward, daughter of William Woodward, interpreter to the Pamunkey tribe. Martha's father, William Woodward, owned a large tract of land along the Pamunkey River above Johns Creek which his two daughters inherited. In 1684 William Macon (Gideon's father) died, and on November 14, 1684 Gideon Macon left "a large sum" of money