Judges 6:39

And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew.

And Gideon {H1439} said {H559} unto God {H430}, Let not thine anger {H639} be hot {H2734} against me, and I will speak {H1696} but this once {H6471}: let me prove {H5254}, I pray thee, but this once {H6471} with the fleece {H1492}; let it now be dry {H2721} only upon the fleece {H1492}, and upon all the ground {H776} let there be dew {H2919}.

But Gid'on said to God, "Don't be angry with me because I am asking one more thing, let me make one more test, please: this time let it be dry only on the fleece, with dew all over the ground."

Then Gideon said to God, β€œDo not be angry with me; let me speak one more time. Please allow me one more test with the fleece. This time let it be dry, and the ground covered with dew.”

And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be kindled against me, and I will speak but this once: let me make trial, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew.

Commentary

Judges 6:39 records Gideon's second, highly specific request for a divine sign using a fleece, reversing the conditions of his previous test. This moment reveals Gideon's deep-seated need for assurance before he could fully step into the immense task of leading Israel against their formidable oppressors, the Midianites.

Context of Judges 6:39

Gideon, a humble man from the tribe of Manasseh, had been called by God to deliver Israel from the oppressive Midianite rule, which had lasted for seven years. Despite a powerful divine encounter where an angel of the Lord appeared to him and a miraculous sign of fire consuming his offering (Judges 6:21), Gideon still harbored doubts about his own ability and God's commitment to use him. He had already requested and received one sign with the fleece: dew on the fleece but dry ground all around it (Judges 6:37-38). This verse captures his audacious request for a second, reversed sign, almost immediately after the first was granted.

Gideon's Request and God's Patience

Gideon's plea, "Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once," reveals his awareness that he might be presuming on God's patience. Yet, his need for absolute clarity and unwavering confirmation before leading Israel into battle against overwhelming odds was profound. This verse highlights God's incredible grace and accommodation to human weakness. Instead of rebuking Gideon's apparent lack of full faith, God patiently granted his request, demonstrating His desire to build Gideon's confidence and trust. This divine patience is a recurring theme throughout scripture, showcasing God's willingness to meet His people where they are, even in their struggles with doubt.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Patience and Grace: God's remarkable willingness to meet us where we are, even in our doubts, and provide reassurance. This account underscores God's compassion for human frailty.
  • The Nature of Faith: While Gideon sought signs, his ultimate act of obedience would require faith beyond sight. The fleece tests served to strengthen his nascent faith, preparing him for the challenges ahead.
  • Seeking Confirmation: The human desire for tangible proof, which God sometimes graciously provides, though believers are ultimately called to walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
  • God's Unwavering Purpose: Despite Gideon's hesitancy and repeated requests for signs, God's plan for Israel's deliverance remained steadfast. God uses imperfect people to accomplish His perfect will.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word translated "prove" (Χ ΦΈΧ‘ΦΈΧ”, nasah) means "to test," "to try," or "to put to the proof." In this specific context, it's not a test of God's power or faithfulness, but rather a test for Gideon's personal assurance. It was a confirmation for Gideon that God was indeed with him and would use him for this great and daunting task of saving Israel from the Midianites.

Practical Application

Judges 6:39 offers comfort to those who grapple with doubt or insecurity when facing a significant calling or challenge from God. It reminds us of God's compassion and willingness to provide clear direction when genuinely sought with humility. While we are called to walk by faith and not by sight, this account illustrates that God can, in His wisdom, provide extraordinary confirmation to embolden us for His purposes. It also serves as a subtle caution against presumptuously "testing God" (Matthew 4:7), emphasizing Gideon's humble plea and genuine need for assurance rather than a demand for proof. The story of Gideon's fleece ultimately points to the faithfulness of God, who patiently prepares and equips His servants for the tasks He calls them to.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 18:32

    And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy [it] for ten's sake.

  • Isaiah 50:2

    Wherefore, when I came, [was there] no man? when I called, [was there] none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because [there is] no water, and dieth for thirst.

  • Psalms 107:33

    ΒΆ He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;

  • Psalms 107:35

    He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.

  • Matthew 21:43

    Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

  • Isaiah 35:6

    Then shall the lame [man] leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

  • 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.
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