What does Judges 8:29 mean?

In these verses, Gideon's story once again differs from the common pattern of the book of Judges. Instead of ending with the previous verse's report—forty years of peace while Gideon lived (Judges 8:28)—the writer adds a post-script. This uses the second name, or title, earned in Gideon's first act as God's deliverer: Jerubbaal. This name roughly means "let Baal contend with him," referring to Gideon's destruction of a pagan altar. Neighbors wanted to kill Gideon, but his father Joash told the townspeople to let Baal defend himself (Judges 6:31–32).

Gideon moves back to his hometown following the victory over the Midianites. He will live the rest of his life in apparent ease. But as soon as he dies, Israel will ignore his family (Judges 8:35).