Judges 6 20

Judges 6:20 kjv

And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.

Judges 6:20 nkjv

The Angel of God said to him, "Take the meat and the unleavened bread and lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth." And he did so.

Judges 6:20 niv

The angel of God said to him, "Take the meat and the unleavened bread, place them on this rock, and pour out the broth." And Gideon did so.

Judges 6:20 esv

And the angel of God said to him, "Take the meat and the unleavened cakes, and put them on this rock, and pour the broth over them." And he did so.

Judges 6:20 nlt

The angel of God said to him, "Place the meat and the unleavened bread on this rock, and pour the broth over it." And Gideon did as he was told.

Judges 6 verses

Judges 6 20 Meaning

Judges 6:20 details the explicit instructions given by the Angel of the LORD to Gideon regarding the components of the offering Gideon had prepared. The Angel commands Gideon to precisely arrange the meat and unleavened bread upon a specific rock, and to pour out the broth accompanying them. Gideon's immediate compliance is recorded, demonstrating his prompt obedience to the divine directive, which sets the stage for the miraculous sign of fire in the subsequent verse. This act transforms what Gideon likely intended as a simple meal or presentation into a divinely orchestrated display, affirming the messenger's authority and preparing Gideon for his monumental task.

Judges 6 20 Context

Judges chapter 6 introduces Gideon during a period when the Israelites are severely oppressed by the Midianites, resorting to hiding in caves and fortifications. Gideon is found threshing wheat in a winepress to conceal it from their enemies, signifying his fear and the nation's distress. The Angel of the LORD appears to Gideon (v. 11), greeting him as a "mighty man of valor," a title that starkly contrasts with Gideon's perception of himself and his people's weakened state. Gideon expresses his doubts and questions God's apparent abandonment of Israel (v. 13). The Angel then directly commissions Gideon to deliver Israel (v. 14). Overwhelmed, Gideon requests a sign to confirm the messenger's identity and divine authority (v. 17). He prepares a significant meal, consisting of a young goat (flesh), unleavened bread, and broth (v. 19), presenting it before the Angel. Verse 20 serves as the crucial next step in this interaction: the Angel's specific instruction for the arrangement of these items, immediately prior to the miraculous consumption by fire that verifies the divine encounter in verse 21. This verse highlights the precise nature of God's commands and Gideon's faithful compliance, building his trust for the massive task ahead.

Judges 6 20 Word analysis

• And the Angel of the LORD:
  • "Angel of the LORD" (מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה - Malakh YHWH): This distinct title refers not merely to an angelic messenger but is often understood as a unique pre-incarnate appearance of God Himself or a divine representative bearing His full authority and identity (a Christophany or Theophany). This divine authority lends absolute weight to the ensuing instructions, signifying that Gideon is directly interacting with God. This divine agent's specific instructions convey divine presence and attention to detail.
  • "said unto him": Indicates direct, verbal, authoritative communication from a divine source to Gideon. It underscores the personal nature of this encounter and the clear transmission of the divine will.
• Take (לְקַח - leqach): This is an imperative verb, a direct command. It signifies an instruction to handle and arrange the prepared items with specific intention, indicating an active role for Gideon in the upcoming divine demonstration.
• the flesh (אֶת-הַבָּשָׂר - et-haBbasar): Refers to the meat of the young goat Gideon had prepared. This was likely meant as a food offering or a hospitality gesture. In a sacrificial context, meat symbolized the very life presented to God. Here, it is consecrated by divine instruction.
• and the unleavened cakes (וְאֶת-הַמַּצּוֹת - ve'et-haMatzot): Unleavened bread. In biblical offerings (e.g., grain offerings, Passover), unleavened bread signified haste, purity, and freedom from leaven (often symbolic of sin or corruption). Its inclusion here transforms a simple meal into a divinely significant offering, reminiscent of holy convocations.
• and lay them upon this rock, (וְהַנַּח עַל-הַצּוּר הַזֶּה - vehanakh al-hattzur hazzeh):
  • "lay them" (hanakh): An imperative, meaning to place, put down, or set something carefully. This reinforces the precise arrangement.
  • "upon this rock" (al-hattzur hazzeh): Refers to a specific, existing stone outcrop or boulder at their location. Rocks or natural stones were often used as primitive altars before the tabernacle or temple. This "rock" serves as a makeshift altar designated by divine command, highlighting the immediacy and sanctity of the place. In scripture, God himself is sometimes called "the Rock" (e.g., Deut 32:4; Psa 18:2), imbuing this physical rock with deeper symbolic significance as a place of divine encounter and stability.
• and pour out the broth. (וְאֶת-הַמָּרָק שְׁפוֹךְ - ve'et-haMaraq shfoch):
  • "pour out" (shfoch): An imperative verb indicating to empty liquid completely. This action transforms a simple meal element into an act of libation or dedication.
  • "the broth" (haMaraq): This liquid, resulting from cooking the meat, is distinct from blood offerings. Its explicit instruction to be poured out (not burned) suggests a ritual purification or consecration, separating it from typical burnt offerings and highlighting a unique aspect of this divine sign. It could also symbolize the richness of life offered.
• And he did so. (וַיַּעַשׂ כֵּן - vaye'as ken): This concise statement underscores Gideon's immediate, faithful, and precise obedience. It highlights that Gideon fully executed the divine command, validating his posture of receptivity and trust, despite his previous doubts. His obedience is crucial for the subsequent display of God's power.

Judges 6 20 Bonus section

The instructions given in this verse deviate from standard Mosaic sacrificial practices in several ways, which emphasizes the extraordinary and personal nature of this divine manifestation to Gideon. Firstly, while meat and unleavened bread were parts of certain offerings, the explicit instruction for "broth" (liquid) to be poured out, rather than blood or a libation of wine, is unique in a context leading to a burnt offering. This distinction signifies that this was not merely a traditional sacrifice but a tailor-made sign from God, preparing Gideon specifically. Secondly, the use of "this rock" (hattzur hazzeh) as a specific, impromptu altar underscores God's ability to consecrate any place by His presence, independent of established tabernacle rituals. This flexible nature of worship and divine interaction during the period of the Judges, before a central sanctuary was firmly established, highlights God's accessibility and personal involvement with His chosen instruments. It points to God's desire for obedience even in small, precise details, before major divine interventions.

Judges 6 20 Commentary

Judges 6:20 is pivotal as it transitions from Gideon's preparation to God's demonstration. The Angel of the LORD's meticulously specific instructions — placing the flesh and unleavened cakes on the rock, and pouring out the broth — are not arbitrary. They transform Gideon's initial offering, born perhaps of hospitality or a desperate plea for a sign, into a sacred, divinely ordered act. This precision underscores the holiness and authority of the divine encounter. Gideon's prompt obedience, "And he did so," is crucial; it showcases his burgeoning faith and submission to God's command. This scene is a lesson in obedience to divine instruction, however unconventional it may seem. The arrangement on the rock and the separation of components foreshadow the miraculous consumption by fire in the next verse, which will conclusively confirm the identity of the Angel of the LORD and validate Gideon's divine commission.