Judges 7 5

Judges 7:5 kjv

So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.

Judges 7:5 nkjv

So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, "Everyone who laps from the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set apart by himself; likewise everyone who gets down on his knees to drink."

Judges 7:5 niv

So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the LORD told him, "Separate those who lap the water with their tongues as a dog laps from those who kneel down to drink."

Judges 7:5 esv

So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, "Every one who laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set by himself. Likewise, every one who kneels down to drink."

Judges 7:5 nlt

When Gideon took his warriors down to the water, the LORD told him, "Divide the men into two groups. In one group put all those who cup water in their hands and lap it up with their tongues like dogs. In the other group put all those who kneel down and drink with their mouths in the stream."

Judges 7 verses

Judges 7 5 Meaning

Judges 7:5 describes the crucial second phase of God's selection process for Gideon's army against the Midianites. Following a divine command, Gideon brought the remaining ten thousand men to a water source. There, the LORD instructed Gideon to divide them into two groups based on how they drank: those who "lapped" the water like a dog, scooping it up with their hand and licking it from their hand or tongue while remaining alert, and those who knelt fully to drink directly from the water source. This instruction served as the arbitrary yet decisive test to reduce the army further, demonstrating that God's power, not human might, would secure the victory.

Judges 7 5 Context

Judges chapter 7 follows Gideon's initial call and the destruction of the Baal altar in his hometown. Israel, oppressed severely by the Midianites for seven years, desperately needed deliverance. Gideon had amassed an army of thirty-two thousand men. However, God deemed this number too large, specifically stating that a large army would lead Israel to boast in their own strength rather than acknowledge His deliverance (Jdg 7:2). Therefore, God first reduced the army by dismissing the fearful and fainthearted, reducing it to ten thousand. Judges 7:5 describes the second phase of this strategic reduction. The specific instruction at the water source served as a divine means to arrive at a truly minuscule number, emphasizing that the impending victory would be solely God's doing, underscoring His sovereignty and omnipotence against seemingly insurmountable odds (a vast Midianite army numbering 135,000 as revealed later).

Judges 7 5 Word analysis

• So he brought the people down to the water: This action directly follows the LORD's instruction to Gideon (implied from the broader narrative, though not explicitly stated immediately preceding this verse). It signifies Gideon's immediate obedience and logistical preparation for the next stage of the divine test.
• And the LORD said to Gideon, “Everyone who laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set apart by himself;
  • the LORD said to Gideon: Emphasizes divine initiation and authority. The entire process is orchestrated by God, not by Gideon's military strategy or insight. It's a clear, direct revelation.
  • laps (Hebrew: lāqaq, לָקַק): To lick or lap up liquid, especially with the tongue. This specific action, often associated with animals like dogs, denotes a method of drinking where one is quickly taking small amounts, possibly using a cupped hand, while maintaining an upright or partially upright posture.
  • with his tongue, as a dog laps: The explicit comparison to a dog's drinking behavior clarifies the manner. While "dog" in some biblical contexts can have negative connotations (e.g., impurity, worthlessness), here it serves purely as a descriptive comparison for the action. This posture implies remaining aware of one's surroundings, having a higher vantage point, and being prepared for sudden movements or threats. It suggests vigilance, self-control, and readiness for combat, even while fulfilling a basic need.
  • you shall set apart by himself: A clear command for Gideon to segregate this specific group. They are to be distinct, indicating their future role.
• likewise, everyone who bows down on his knees to drink.”
  • bows down on his knees (Hebrew: kāraʿ, כָּרַע): To bend the knee, to kneel down fully, to crouch, or even to prostrate oneself. This describes a posture of deep inclination, typically with one's face near the water.
  • to drink: This manner of drinking is more common and comfortable, allowing one to drink fully and leisurely, but it leaves one vulnerable and less aware of the immediate surroundings. It suggests a lack of vigilance or immediate readiness, being completely focused on the task of drinking.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "laps...as a dog laps" vs. "bows down on his knees to drink": This is the core contrast of the verse. It's a distinction based on posture and method of drinking, often interpreted as distinguishing vigilance from vulnerability, or readiness from relaxation. The specific number that emerged from each group (300 lappers, 9,700 kneelers) reveals God's counter-intuitive choice of a minimal force. This distinction ensures God alone receives glory.

Judges 7 5 Bonus section

• Divine Sovereignty and Means: The test at the water illustrates that God often uses unconventional or counter-intuitive means to achieve His purposes, especially when highlighting His sole agency in deliverance. The selection was not based on human military strategy or perceived prowess but purely on a divinely appointed method, highlighting His absolute sovereignty.
• The Place of Testing: Water sources in the biblical narrative often serve as locations for divine testing or significant events (e.g., Marah and Elim in Exodus). Here, it's the crucible for Gideon's final force.
• Focus on God's Character: This selection process profoundly reveals God's character as One who seeks to humble human pride and reveal His matchless power. It's a demonstration against human boastfulness and self-reliance, aligning with the broader biblical theme that victory belongs to the LORD (Prov 21:31, Psa 147:10-11).

Judges 7 5 Commentary

Judges 7:5 is a pivotal moment, representing God's precise and deliberate method for choosing the specific individuals through whom He would manifest His power. The reduction of the army was paramount for God to ensure that no human glory would be claimed for the impending victory against the overwhelming Midianite forces.

The two methods of drinking - lapping "as a dog laps" and "bowing down on knees" - are the criteria for selection. The conventional interpretation sees the "lappers" (the 300) as those demonstrating vigilance and self-control. By cupping water to their mouths or lapping swiftly, they maintained an upright or semi-upright posture, keeping their eyes on the surroundings, prepared for immediate action. This attitude aligns with military discipline and readiness. In contrast, those who "bowed down on their knees" were fully engrossed in drinking, arguably more vulnerable and less aware of potential threats. They prioritized comfort and quenching their thirst over immediate alertness.

However, some interpretations suggest the method of drinking was not inherently about moral superiority, greater faith, or combat skill. Instead, it was an arbitrary yet divine test designed purely for numerical reduction. The manner of drinking, though distinctive, may not signify anything inherently righteous or courageous about the "lappers" group, other than their being divinely chosen. The purpose was to identify the three hundred whom God intended to use to prevent human pride and magnify His own power, ensuring that when victory was achieved against 135,000 Midianites, it would be undeniably evident that the deliverance came from the LORD alone (Jdg 7:7). This demonstrates God's sovereignty in choosing His instruments, often selecting the few, the weak, or the unusual, to perform mighty works, so that all glory redounds to Him.