Apparently, he was a prominent person in the village. He and his son had more than ten servants (Judges 6:27). On his land, there was an altar of Baal (Judges 6:25) that was considered not just private but it was also important to the village. Furthermore, we know that his words had authority (Judges 6:32). What Gideon said to the angel about his family’s background (Judges 6:15) must have been false modesty, which is understandable in the situation.
31 But Joash said to all who stood against him, “Will you contend for Baal? Or will you save him? Whoever contends for him shall be put to death by morning. If he is a god, let him contend for himself, because his altar has been broken down.”