Judges 6 37

Judges 6:37 kjv

Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said.

Judges 6:37 nkjv

look, I shall put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that You will save Israel by my hand, as You have said."

Judges 6:37 niv

look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said."

Judges 6:37 esv

behold, I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said."

Judges 6:37 nlt

prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised."

Judges 6 verses

Judges 6 37 Meaning

This verse captures Gideon's specific request for a miraculous sign from God. Having already received a divine call and assurance that he would save Israel from the Midianites, Gideon, still battling human doubt and a desire for further confirmation, proposes a test involving a fleece of wool. He asks God to make the fleece uniquely wet with dew while the surrounding threshing floor remains dry. This distinct sign would serve as undeniable proof for him that God's promise to save Israel through him would indeed be fulfilled. It reflects a step in Gideon's journey from uncertainty to assured faith in God's stated word.

Judges 6 37 Context

Judges chapter 6 sets the stage for Gideon's call and his struggle with Midianite oppression. For seven years, the Midianites, Amalekites, and people of the East had been plundering Israel's land, leaving them impoverished and in distress. The Israelites cried out to God, who then raised up Gideon, a man from the weakest clan within the weakest tribe, Manasseh. God appeared to Gideon (Jdg 6:11-24), commissioned him to save Israel, and promised His presence. Gideon, initially hesitant and even questioning God's past actions, responded by requesting a sign of confirmation. This involved a sacrifice consumed by fire. Even after this powerful sign (Jdg 6:21), Gideon proceeded cautiously, first tearing down his father's Asherah pole and Baal altar under the cover of night. By the time of Judges 6:37, Gideon has assembled an army (Jdg 6:34-35), but he still feels the weight of the immense task and seeks yet another specific, concrete, and measurable sign from God before leading the Israelites into battle against a formidable enemy. This fleece test is his deeply human cry for undeniable assurance that God is truly with him and will indeed deliver Israel through his hand, just as God had promised.

Judges 6 37 Word analysis

• behold: הִנֵּה (hinnēh) - An interjection calling attention, signaling something important or immediate. Here, it introduces Gideon's proposed action to God, as if to say, "Look, this is what I'm going to do." It marks a decisive step in his plea.
• I will put: אָנֹכִ֛י (anōḵī) - "I" (emphatic first-person singular pronoun) and אָשִׂים (’āśīm) - "I will set/place/put." The use of the explicit pronoun "I" might highlight Gideon's agency in initiating this test, even while seeking God's response.
• a fleece of wool: גִּזַּ֤ת צֶ֙מֶר֙ (gizzat ṣe-mer) - "fleece of wool." A common and recognizable material. "Gizzah" refers to a shearing, or the sheared portion itself. Wool, being highly absorbent, was an apt choice for a test involving dew. It signifies something ordinary chosen for an extraordinary purpose by God.
• on the threshing floor: עַל־הַגֹּ֖רֶן (’al-haggōren) - "upon the threshing floor." A common, open, flat, hardened surface in ancient Israel, typically made of earth or rock, where grain was threshed. Its open nature makes it suitable for dew collection. The specific choice of a "threshing floor" signifies a mundane, public, and easily observable location for the miracle, removing any possibility of human manipulation. It's a practical setting for a practical test.
• if there is dew: וְהָיָה֩ טַל (wəhāyāh ṭal) - "and there is/will be dew." Dew (טַל - tal) in a hot, arid climate was crucial for crops and symbolized blessing and refreshing (e.g., Ps 133:3; Prov 19:12; Hos 14:5). The presence or absence of dew was typically a natural phenomenon dependent on atmospheric conditions. Gideon requests its supernatural manipulation.
• on the fleece only: עַל־הַגִּזָּ֣ה לְבַדָּהּ֙ (’al-haggizzāh ləḇaddāh) - "on the fleece, alone/only." This specificity is critical. The miraculous nature hinges on the selective presence of dew, contrasting sharply with its typical uniform deposition. This extreme specificity removes ambiguity, leaving no room for coincidence.
• and it is dry on all the ground: וְעַל־כָּל־הָאָ֖רֶץ חֹֽרֶב (wə‘al-kol-hā’āreṣ ḥōreḇ) - "and upon all the ground/land, dry." The dry ground confirms the localized nature of the miracle, emphasizing God's precise control over natural elements. "Ḥōreḇ" (dry) implies an absence of moisture, reinforcing the contrast with the soaked fleece.
• then I shall know: וְיָדַעְתִּי֙ (wəyāda‘tī) - "then I shall know/perceive." This expresses Gideon's desire for intellectual and experiential certainty. He seeks undeniable confirmation, moving beyond verbal promises to a tangible demonstration.
• that You will save Israel: כִּ֣י תּוֹשִׁ֤יעַ יָדְךָ֙ בִּ֣י (kī ṯōwšīa‘ yādəḵā bī) - "that you will save by your hand through me." "Yād" (hand) signifies God's active power and means of delivery. The emphasis is on God's salvation through Gideon's hand, affirming God's active involvement, with Gideon as His instrument. This directly links back to God's initial promise in Jdg 6:14-16.
• as You have said: כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבַּֽרְתָּ (ka’ăšer dibbartā) - "as you have spoken/said." This phrase confirms Gideon's request is based on God's prior communication. It highlights that his seeking of a sign is not questioning God's truthfulness outright but seeking divine affirmation in his own understanding and ability to obey the divine mandate. He is wrestling with the enormity of God's promise and his own inadequacy.

Judges 6 37 Bonus section

This incident of Gideon's fleece test is often discussed in Christian circles as a potential guide for discerning God's will. However, it is crucial to understand its unique context. Gideon already had a direct, unambiguous word from God regarding his mission (Jdg 6:14, 16). The fleece was a request for reassurance to obey that clear command, not a method for discovering an unknown will. It’s also notable that God had given powerful signs to Moses and others for confirming their divine assignments without prompting (Ex 4). Gideon, in contrast, requested a specific test for himself. God's gracious response reveals His patience and willingness to build faith in His servants. Yet, seeking similar specific, measurable "fleece tests" in every decision may be inappropriate, potentially betraying a lack of trust in God's clear word or leading (Pro 3:5-6; Jas 1:5-8). We primarily walk by faith, not by sight or signs (2 Cor 5:7), relying on God's revealed Word, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and wise counsel. Gideon's situation was exceptional, preparing a nation for a military salvation, demanding unwavering certainty for their leader. The ultimate lesson is God's unwavering faithfulness even when His chosen instruments waver.

Judges 6 37 Commentary

Judges 6:37 captures Gideon's intense human struggle between divine promise and personal doubt. God had already directly spoken to Gideon (Jdg 6:14, 16), and provided a powerful consuming-fire sign (Jdg 6:21). Yet, faced with the daunting task of liberating Israel from the powerful Midianites, Gideon craves another, even more specific, confirmation. His request for the fleece, with its precise conditions of dew-soaked wool amidst a dry threshing floor, is a measurable test. It's not a display of profound faith, but rather God's patient accommodation of a fragile, albeit chosen, servant. God, in His sovereignty, stoops to provide the very specific and extraordinary proof Gideon sought. This act highlights God's grace and long-suffering with those He calls, providing assurance to overcome their trepidation and equipping them for tasks beyond their natural ability. It serves as a precursor to God's continued patience with Gideon, leading to the dramatic reduction of his army.