Judges 7 6

Judges 7:6 kjv

And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.

Judges 7:6 nkjv

And the number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was three hundred men; but all the rest of the people got down on their knees to drink water.

Judges 7:6 niv

Three hundred of them drank from cupped hands, lapping like dogs. All the rest got down on their knees to drink.

Judges 7:6 esv

And the number of those who lapped, putting their hands to their mouths, was 300 men, but all the rest of the people knelt down to drink water.

Judges 7:6 nlt

Only 300 of the men drank from their hands. All the others got down on their knees and drank with their mouths in the stream.

Judges 7 verses

Judges 7 6 Meaning

Judges 7:6 describes the specific method used by a group of Gideon's men to drink water, setting them apart as divinely chosen for an upcoming battle. It states that "the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men," distinguishing them from "all the rest of the people [who] bowed down upon their knees to drink water." This verse signifies a crucial selection process orchestrated by God, not based on conventional military might or human logic, but on a unique physical action that revealed a particular posture of alertness or spiritual readiness, ensuring that victory would clearly be attributed to the Lord.

Judges 7 6 Context

Judges chapter 7 details Gideon's campaign against the Midianites, who had severely oppressed Israel for seven years. Initially, Gideon had gathered an army of 32,000 men. However, the Lord deemed this number too large, stating that if Israel were to achieve victory with so many, they would boast of their own strength rather than crediting God (Judges 7:2). Therefore, God commanded Gideon to reduce his forces. The first reduction came from dismissing those who were fearful (22,000 men departed, leaving 10,000). The second and final selection process, described in Judges 7:4-7, involved a unique test at the water. This verse (7:6) specifies the outcome of that test: only 300 men, those who "lapped" the water by hand to mouth, were chosen. This context emphasizes divine strategy over conventional military logic, demonstrating that God delights in working through the weak and few to secure victory, ensuring His glory alone.

Judges 7 6 Word analysis

• And the number: Hebrew "וּמִסְפַּר" (u-mispar). This conjunction links directly to the previous verses describing the testing. It signifies the result or consequence of the water-drinking test. The explicit mentioning of "the number" highlights the significance of the precise figure (300 men) chosen by God, contrasting sharply with the previously much larger army.
• of them that lapped: Hebrew "הַמֲלַקְקִים" (hamalaqleqim). This is from the root "לָקַק" (laqqaq), meaning "to lap" or "to lick," often associated with how dogs drink. It conveys a quick, almost animal-like manner of drinking. The form here is a participle, indicating those who were lapping.
• putting their hand to their mouth: This is a crucial clarification. The Hebrew for this phrase is "בְּיָדָם אֶל-פִּיהֶם" (b'yadam el-pihem), literally "with their hand to their mouth." This distinguishes their action from simply falling prostrate and licking water directly like a dog from a trough. Instead, they scooped water with their hands and brought it to their mouths while maintaining an upright or partially crouched posture, indicative of alertness and readiness. They were not fully consumed by the act of drinking but were observant of their surroundings. This detail refutes interpretations that assume an inherently "superior" moral or spiritual quality in this method; rather, it indicates a posture of vigilance.
• were three hundred men: Hebrew "שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת אִישׁ" (shelosh me'ot ish). This number is remarkably small compared to the vast Midianite host and even the initial 32,000 Israelites. This precise figure is central to God's plan, designed to demonstrate His power and prevent human boasting. The stark reduction signifies utter dependence on God.
• but all the rest of the people: Hebrew "וְכֹל יֶתֶר הָעָם" (v'kol yether ha'am). This emphasizes the vast majority that was dismissed, highlighting the dramatic reduction. "The rest" refers to the other 9,700 men who were at the water's edge after the initial fearful ones had left.
• bowed down upon their knees: Hebrew "כָרְעוּ עַל-בִּרְכֵיהֶם" (kare'u al-birkhehem), literally "knelt upon their knees." This describes a posture of full prostration or deep kneeling, putting their faces close to or into the water. This posture implies a sense of comfort, relaxation, and a lack of immediate vigilance or situational awareness, as they were fully engaged in quenching their thirst.
• to drink water: Hebrew "לִשְׁתּוֹת מָיִם" (lishtot mayim). This specifies the common action shared by both groups. The difference lay in the manner of drinking, not the need for water itself.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth": This phrase details a posture of readiness and self-control. Unlike bowing down fully, this method allowed for quick movement, maintaining an awareness of the environment, and perhaps even holding a weapon ready. This action was not inherently morally superior, but revealed a divinely preferred characteristic of vigilance suitable for a night attack requiring speed and surprise.
• "three hundred men": This extremely small number underscores a profound theological truth: God does not rely on human might or numerical superiority. This tiny contingent against the vast Midianite army prevents any claim of victory through human strength, making God's glory undeniably clear. It is a polemic against reliance on military strength prevalent in contemporary cultures.
• "all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water": This contrasting group, comprising the vast majority, demonstrates a common, comfortable, and less vigilant way of drinking. While perfectly normal for thirst quenching, it indicates a lack of the specific kind of battle-readiness God desired for this particular mission.

Judges 7 6 Bonus section

The selection method was unconventional military practice for its time; no known military historical record from the ancient Near East suggests a water-drinking test for discerning elite soldiers. This emphasizes its divine origin and purpose. It was not a physical training exercise, but a divinely inspired discernment tool to reveal character suitable for God's unique plan. The act of "lapping with the hand to the mouth" also avoided directly consuming potentially contaminated water by putting the face into it, thus showing a level of practical wisdom or hygiene often overlooked. Some scholars suggest this test was about self-discipline; the lappers chose a less comfortable but quicker way to drink, indicating an ability to override natural desire for immediate comfort with the need for vigilance. This particular kind of vigilance was specifically suited for Gideon's strategic night attack using trumpets, jars, and torches (Judges 7:16-22), which required rapid movement and constant awareness, rather than frontal combat.

Judges 7 6 Commentary

Judges 7:6 presents the climactic stage of God's selection process for Gideon's army. The division of men into "lappers" and "bowers" was a divine test, not a measure of general piety or a moral hierarchy. The "lapping with hand to mouth" group of 300 were chosen because their manner of drinking indicated a posture of readiness, vigilance, and perhaps self-control. They scooped water quickly and efficiently, maintaining an awareness of their surroundings, essential for the kind of surprise, unconventional warfare God had planned for them against the Midianites. Conversely, those who "bowed down upon their knees" submerged themselves more fully in the act of drinking, indicating a state of ease, less alertness, and a potential vulnerability to attack.

This seemingly arbitrary test profoundly illustrates God's principle of working through the few and the weak to demonstrate His glory, thereby preventing human boasting. The number 300 was militarily insignificant against the numerous Midianites, emphasizing that the impending victory would be entirely of God. This challenges the worldly logic that values strength in numbers or human capabilities. For believers, this serves as a powerful reminder that effectiveness in God's service is not predicated on personal ability, wisdom, or majority consensus, but on humble reliance on His specific instructions and empowering Spirit. It calls for spiritual vigilance, recognizing that one must always be prepared to act decisively for God's purposes, prioritizing the mission above personal comfort or security.

Practical Examples:

• Readiness in Daily Life: Being alert to opportunities for ministry, quickly responding to a spiritual need instead of being "comfortably" disengaged.
• Prioritizing God's Call: Choosing immediate obedience to God's instruction (e.g., sharing faith, helping others) even when it means sacrificing personal convenience or comfort.
• Humility in Service: Understanding that accomplishments for God are through His strength, not our own efforts or abilities.