Ostensibly, he revered Baal, expressing a pious theological view on the idol: Baal did not require human action to protect him; he could fight for himself. This does not mean that Joash really supposed that Baal could or would do so. It was just a tactic to prevent the villagers from killing Gideon. Joash may have sympathized with his son’s action. He may even have had some half-hearted reverence for Yahweh; all while being a Baal worshipper in public along with the village.
31 Joas répondit à tous ceux qui se présentèrent à lui: Est-ce à vous de prendre parti pour Baal? est-ce à vous de venir à son secours? Quiconque prendra parti pour Baal mourra avant que le matin vienne. Si Baal est un dieu, qu'il plaide lui-même sa cause, puisqu'on a renversé son autel.