Judges 6:38

KJV

And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it was so: for he rose up early {H7925} on the morrow {H4283}, and thrust {H2115} the fleece {H1492} together {H2115}, and wringed {H4680} the dew {H2919} out of the fleece {H1492}, a bowl {H5602} full {H4393} of water {H4325}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And it happened! He got up early in the morning, pressed the fleece together and wrung dew out of it, a bowlful of water.

Berean Standard Bible

And that is what happened. When Gideon arose the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water.

American Standard Version

And it was so; for he rose up early on the morrow, and pressed the fleece together, and wrung the dew out of the fleece, a bowlful of water.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 6:38 vividly recounts the immediate and precise fulfillment of Gideon's first request for a divine sign. After placing a wool fleece on the threshing floor overnight, Gideon rose early to discover the fleece miraculously saturated with dew, while the surrounding ground remained completely dry. This tangible and undeniable evidence served as a profound confirmation of God's promise to use him as the instrument of Israel's deliverance from Midianite oppression, bolstering his hesitant faith before the impending conflict.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is intricately woven into the broader narrative of Gideon's call and preparation for leadership. It immediately follows [Gideon's initial request](/judges/6-37 "Judges 6:37 - Gideon's First Fleece Request") for the fleece sign, demonstrating God's swift and literal response. The miraculous confirmation here builds upon the earlier, equally astounding sign where an angel of the Lord consumed Gideon's offering with fire ([Judges 6:21](/judges/6-21 "Judges 6:21 - The Angel Consumes the Offering")). Despite these powerful affirmations, Gideon's human doubt and caution lead him to seek further, specific reassurance, which God graciously provides. This sequence of divine confirmation highlights God's patience with His chosen, even when their faith wavers. The subsequent verse, [Judges 6:39](/judges/6-39 "Judges 6:39 - Gideon's Second Fleece Request"), reveals Gideon's even bolder request for a second, inverted sign, further emphasizing his persistent need for tangible proof before embarking on the monumental task of leading Israel against their oppressors.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Israel during the period of the Judges, a time characterized by cycles of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance. For seven years, the Midianites, along with the Amalekites and other "people of the East," had devastated the land, destroying crops and livestock, forcing Israelites to hide in caves and strongholds ([Judges 6:1-6](/judges/6-1 "Judges 6:1-6 - Midianite Oppression")). This oppressive context explains Gideon's initial fear and his family's idolatry. The "threshing floor" mentioned in [Judges 6:37](/judges/6-37 "Judges 6:37 - Gideon's First Fleece Request") was typically an open, elevated area where grain was threshed, exposed to the elements. Dew was a common and crucial source of moisture for agriculture in ancient Israel, especially during dry seasons, making its presence or absence a matter of divine control. Gideon's request for a sign involving dew on a fleece, while the surrounding ground remained dry, was a highly specific and observable test, culturally understandable as a means of discerning divine will in a pre-canonical era.

* **Key Themes:** Judges 6:38 powerfully underscores several key themes. First, it highlights **Divine Accommodation and Patience**, demonstrating God's gracious willingness to meet His servants where they are in their faith journey, even when they express doubt or seek repeated confirmation. Despite Gideon having already received a direct call and a miraculous sign, God condescends to his human weakness. Second, the verse showcases **God's Sovereignty over Creation**. The precise and localized nature of the miracle—dew on the fleece, dry ground elsewhere—underscores God's absolute control over natural phenomena, affirming His power to achieve His purposes. Third, it emphasizes the theme of **Divine Confirmation and Empowerment**. God provides undeniable proof not to satisfy idle curiosity, but to strengthen Gideon's resolve and equip him psychologically for the daunting task ahead, ensuring that the deliverance would be clearly attributed to divine intervention, not human might. This divine assurance is crucial for Gideon, who is initially portrayed as timid and self-deprecating ([Judges 6:15](/judges/6-15 "Judges 6:15 - Gideon's Humility")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fleece (Hebrew, _gizzah'_):** This term refers specifically to a shorn piece of wool, often used for spinning or weaving. In this context, it is a raw, absorbent material, making it an ideal medium for Gideon's test. The choice of a fleece is significant because its natural properties would normally cause it to absorb moisture from the air or ground. The miraculous nature of the event is precisely in the *selective* saturation of the fleece and the *selective* dryness of the surrounding ground, defying natural expectations for a material known for absorption.
* **Wringed (Hebrew, _vay-yi-metz'_):** Derived from the verb מָצַץ (*matsats*), meaning "to suck, drain, or squeeze out." The KJV "wringed" perfectly captures the forceful action of squeezing liquid from something. This verb choice emphasizes the sheer volume of dew collected. It wasn't just damp; it was so saturated that a significant amount of water could be extracted, far exceeding what one would expect from typical morning dew on a small piece of wool. This detail underscores the supernatural abundance and the undeniable nature of the sign.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it was so:"** This opening phrase immediately confirms the direct and precise fulfillment of Gideon's request from [Judges 6:37](/judges/6-37 "Judges 6:37 - Gideon's First Fleece Request"). It signifies God's immediate and faithful response, demonstrating His reliability and commitment to His promises.
* **"for he rose up early on the morrow,"** This detail highlights Gideon's eagerness and anticipation. His prompt action demonstrates his desire to verify God's word, underscoring his human need for tangible assurance before embarking on a mission of such magnitude. It also sets the scene for the observation of the miracle under the conditions of morning dew.
* **"and thrust the fleece together,"** This action indicates Gideon's physical engagement with the fleece. He gathered it, perhaps to consolidate the moisture, or simply to prepare it for the next step of extraction. It implies a significant amount of water, enough to warrant gathering the material.
* **"and wringed the dew out of the fleece,"** This is the core of the miraculous event. Despite the ground being dry, the fleece was supernaturally saturated. The act of "wringing" confirms the extraordinary quantity of water present, far beyond what natural condensation would produce on a small piece of wool. This direct, physical interaction with the water served as undeniable proof to Gideon.
* **"a bowl full of water."** This phrase provides a vivid, quantifiable measure of the miracle. A "bowl full" (likely a common household vessel) signifies a substantial volume of water, emphasizing the overwhelming abundance of dew on the fleece. This hyperbole underscores the supernatural nature of the event, leaving no room for doubt that this was a divine intervention, not a natural occurrence.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative in Judges 6:38 employs several potent **Literary Devices**. The most prominent is **Symbolism**, where the fleece itself becomes a powerful symbol of Gideon's wavering faith and God's unwavering commitment. It represents the human need for tangible assurance in the face of divine calling. The miraculous saturation of the fleece, contrasted with the dry ground, functions as a form of **Divine Accommodation**, illustrating God's patience and condescension to Gideon's human weakness and doubt. The phrase "a bowl full of water" serves as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the extraordinary and supernatural abundance of the dew, far exceeding natural expectations. This exaggeration underscores the undeniable nature of the sign, making it clear that this was no ordinary morning dew but a direct, miraculous intervention from God. The entire episode also subtly uses **Contrast** between the wet fleece and the dry ground, highlighting the specificity and precision of God's miraculous power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 6:38 profoundly illustrates God's faithfulness and His compassionate understanding of human weakness. While God desires a faith that trusts His word alone ([Hebrews 11:1](/hebrews/11-1 "Hebrews 11:1 - Definition of Faith")), He often condescends to provide tangible assurances, particularly when calling individuals to daunting tasks. This passage reassures believers that God is patient with our doubts and will provide the necessary confirmation and strength to fulfill His purposes, even when our faith is fragile. It is a testament to God's commitment to His promises, demonstrating that He will equip those He calls, ensuring His will is accomplished through them. The miraculous nature of the sign also points to God's absolute sovereignty over creation, capable of altering natural laws to achieve His divine objectives.

* [Exodus 4:1-9](/exodus/4-1 "Exodus 4:1-9 - Moses' Signs from God")
* [Luke 1:18-20](/luke/1-18 "Luke 1:18-20 - Zechariah's Doubt and Sign")
* [John 20:24-29](/john/20-24 "John 20:24-29 - Thomas's Doubt and Belief")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Gideon's fleece in Judges 6:38 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers navigating moments of doubt and seeking divine guidance. While the New Covenant emphasizes walking by faith and not by sight ([2 Corinthians 5:7](/2_corinthians/5-7 "2 Corinthians 5:7 - Walking by Faith")), Gideon's story reminds us that God is incredibly patient with our human frailty. When faced with significant decisions or daunting callings, it is natural to desire assurance. This passage encourages us to bring our doubts and fears transparently before God, trusting in His grace and understanding. However, it also cautions against testing God or demanding signs as a prerequisite for obedience, instead encouraging a posture of humble seeking and discernment through His revealed Word and the counsel of the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, Gideon's experience affirms that God is faithful to equip those He calls, providing precisely what is needed—whether it be a miraculous sign or inner peace—to fulfill His divine purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you currently seeking God's confirmation or reassurance?**
* **How does Gideon's initial doubt and God's patient response encourage you in your own faith journey?**
* **What is the balance between seeking God's will and simply trusting His revealed Word without demanding signs?**
* **How can the story of the fleece inspire you to step out in faith, even when you feel inadequate for a task God has called you to?**

### FAQ
**Was Gideon wrong to ask for a sign, and is it appropriate for believers today to "put out a fleece"?**

Answer: Gideon's request for a sign, while born of doubt, was met with God's gracious accommodation, not condemnation. In the Old Testament, particularly before the full revelation of God's Word and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, seeking specific signs was sometimes a legitimate means of discerning God's will (e.g., [Exodus 4:1-9](/exodus/4-1 "Exodus 4:1-9 - Moses' Signs from God")). However, the New Testament emphasizes walking by faith ([2 Corinthians 5:7](/2_corinthians/5-7 "2 Corinthians 5:7 - Walking by Faith")) and relying on God's revealed Word ([2 Timothy 3:16-17](/2_timothy/3-16 "2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-breathed")) and the guidance of the Holy Spirit ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth")). Therefore, directly "putting out a fleece" in the same way Gideon did is generally not advocated as a primary method for discerning God's will today. It can lead to superstition or an attempt to manipulate God. Instead, believers are encouraged to seek God's will through prayer, diligent study of Scripture, wise counsel, and discerning the Spirit's leading, trusting that God will make His path clear without demanding extraordinary signs. Gideon's story serves more as a testament to God's patience with human weakness than a prescribed method for seeking guidance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The miraculous saturation of Gideon's fleece, providing undeniable confirmation of God's presence and promise, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Gideon, a hesitant and doubtful deliverer, needed a tangible sign to bolster his faith; humanity, lost in sin and doubt, needed the ultimate, undeniable sign of God's love and redemptive power. Jesus Himself declared that no sign would be given to a wicked and adulterous generation except the [sign of Jonah](/matthew/12-39 "Matthew 12:39 - The Sign of Jonah")—His death, burial, and resurrection. Just as the dew on the fleece confirmed God's word to Gideon, the resurrection of Christ is the supreme confirmation of God's promises to all humanity, validating His identity as the Son of God and the Savior of the world ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Declared Son of God by Resurrection")). The abundance of water wrung from the fleece foreshadows the overflowing grace and living water that Christ provides ([John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Living Water")), freely given to all who believe. Furthermore, Gideon's need for repeated assurance speaks to the human condition of doubt, which Christ perfectly understands and addresses, as seen in His patient interaction with [Thomas](/john/20-29 "John 20:29 - Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed"). In Christ, all of God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - All God's Promises are 'Yes' in Christ")), providing the ultimate and unfailing assurance that Gideon's fleece could only temporarily symbolize.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 35:7

And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, [shall be] grass with reeds and rushes.