Judges 6:40

KJV

And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.

KJV (with Strong's)

And God {H430} did {H6213} so that night {H3915}: for it was dry {H2721} upon the fleece {H1492} only, and there was dew {H2919} on all the ground {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And that is what God did that night - it was dry only on the fleece, even though there was dew all over the ground.

Berean Standard Bible

And that night God did so. Only the fleece was dry, and dew covered the ground.

American Standard Version

And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 6:40 records the final, conclusive sign granted by God to Gideon, reversing the conditions of his previous test. Despite Gideon's lingering doubt and repeated requests for divine assurance regarding his call to deliver Israel, God, in His profound patience and condescension, miraculously caused a wool fleece to remain completely dry while the surrounding ground was saturated with dew. This undeniable supernatural intervention served as the ultimate confirmation Gideon needed, solidifying his faith and empowering him to step forward in obedience to God's formidable commission against the Midianites.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 6:40 concludes the remarkable narrative of Gideon's call and his two-part test of God's will, immediately following the first fleece test described in [Judges 6:37-38](/judges/6-37-38 "Judges 6:37-38 - Gideon's First Fleece Test"). The preceding verses detail Gideon's initial encounter with the Angel of the Lord, his commission to deliver Israel from Midianite oppression, and his initial hesitant steps, including tearing down his father's altar to Baal and Asherah ([Judges 6:25-32](/judges/6-25-32 "Judges 6:25-32 - Gideon Destroys Baal's Altar")). The narrative then shifts to Gideon gathering an army, but his faith, though growing, still requires tangible reassurance. The two fleece tests, culminating in this verse, serve as a crucial bridge from Gideon's initial trepidation to his eventual courageous leadership in [Judges 7](/judges/7 "Judges 7 - Gideon's Victory Over Midian"). This specific act of divine confirmation prepares Gideon for the seemingly impossible task ahead, highlighting God's faithfulness to His chosen instruments.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Judges chronicles a cyclical pattern of Israel's apostasy, oppression by foreign powers, their cry for deliverance, and God raising up a "judge" to save them. At this point, Israel was under severe oppression from the Midianites, Amalekites, and "people of the East" for seven years ([Judges 6:1-6](/judges/6-1-6 "Judges 6:1-6 - Israel Oppressed by Midian")). This oppression was so severe that Israelites hid in caves and strongholds, and their crops and livestock were plundered, leading to national impoverishment and despair. In this context of fear and national weakness, Gideon, from the weakest clan of Manasseh and the least in his family ([Judges 6:15](/judges/6-15 "Judges 6:15 - Gideon's Humility")), was called by God. The manipulation of dew was particularly significant in an agrarian society dependent on natural elements for survival, making God's control over it a powerful demonstration of His sovereignty and His direct intervention in the natural order to confirm His word.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Judges and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights **God's extraordinary patience and condescension** towards His chosen instruments, even in their moments of doubt and insecurity, providing repeated assurance rather than rebuke. It underscores the theme of **divine confirmation and miraculous intervention**, demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His direct involvement in human affairs to fulfill His purposes, as seen in His control over the natural elements. Furthermore, it sets the stage for the theme of **preparation for obedience**, as Gideon's faith, bolstered by this undeniable sign, enables him to proceed with the daunting task of leading a small, divinely chosen army against overwhelming odds. This emphasizes that victory comes through God's power, not human strength, a central message of [Judges 7](/judges/7 "Judges 7 - Gideon's Army and Victory"). The narrative also subtly touches on the theme of **human weakness and God's strength**, showcasing how God chooses and empowers the unlikely.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** This term (H430), a plural noun used with a singular verb, emphasizes the majestic and sovereign nature of the one true God. In this context, it underscores that the miraculous event was not a coincidence or a natural phenomenon, but a direct, intentional act of the all-powerful Creator, the supreme God, responding personally to Gideon's plea. It signifies the divine agency behind the impossible.
* **did (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** This primitive root (H6213) signifies "to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application." Here, it highlights God's prompt, precise, and deliberate action in fulfilling Gideon's specific and audacious request. It conveys a sense of divine agency and control, leaving no doubt that the reversal of the dew's presence was a purposeful act of God's will, demonstrating His ability to accomplish His purposes.
* **fleece (Hebrew, _gâzzah'_):** Referring specifically to a shorn piece of wool (H1492), this ordinary object becomes the focal point of an extraordinary divine sign. Its selection by Gideon, and God's willingness to use it in such a specific and contradictory manner, emphasizes God's ability to work through the mundane to reveal His miraculous power and His attentiveness to individual human requests, even those born of doubt.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And God did so that night:"** This opening clause immediately establishes the divine agency behind the miraculous event. It confirms that the outcome was not by chance but by the direct, intentional, and immediate intervention of God, fulfilling Gideon's second, reversed request. The phrase "that night" emphasizes the swiftness of God's response, occurring within the very timeframe Gideon specified, demonstrating God's attentiveness and faithfulness to His promise.
* **"for it was dry upon the fleece only,"** This part describes the first, counter-intuitive aspect of the miracle. Against all natural expectation, the wool fleece, which Gideon had laid out, remained completely devoid of dew. This precision demonstrates God's absolute control over the elements, isolating the effect specifically to the fleece, making the sign undeniable and eliminating any possibility of a natural explanation.
* **"and there was dew on all the ground."** This contrasting clause highlights the miraculous nature of the sign by juxtaposing the dry fleece with the wet ground. While the ground around the fleece was saturated with dew, as would be expected in the cool night air, the fleece itself was dry. This stark difference eliminates any possibility of a natural explanation, serving as a powerful and unambiguous confirmation of God's presence, power, and promise to Gideon, solidifying his faith for the daunting task ahead.

#### Literary Devices
The passage in [Judges 6:40](/judges/6-40 "Judges 6:40 - Gideon's Second Fleece Test") employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. Most prominently, **Juxtaposition** and **Contrast** are central, setting the dry fleece directly against the dew-soaked ground. This stark difference serves to amplify the miraculous nature of God's intervention, making it clear that the event defied natural explanation and could only be attributed to divine power. The narrative also utilizes **Repetition** across the two fleece tests ([Judges 6:37-38](/judges/6-37-38 "Judges 6:37-38 - Gideon's First Fleece Test") and [Judges 6:39-40](/judges/6-39-40 "Judges 6:39-40 - Gideon's Second Fleece Test")), creating a powerful rhetorical effect. By reversing the conditions of the first sign, God provides an even more emphatic and undeniable confirmation, showcasing His patience, thoroughness, and willingness to meet Gideon's specific request. Finally, the narrative demonstrates **Divine Intervention**, where God is presented as the active agent, directly manipulating the natural world to communicate His will and bolster the faith of His chosen servant, ensuring Gideon's readiness for his formidable mission.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 6:40 profoundly illustrates God's incredible patience, condescension, and faithfulness towards His servants, even when their faith is weak or wavering. God does not rebuke Gideon for his repeated, audacious requests for signs, but rather graciously accommodates his need for assurance, demonstrating His desire to equip and empower those He calls. This miraculous manipulation of nature underscores God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His willingness to intervene directly in human affairs to fulfill His redemptive purposes. The passage serves as a powerful reminder that God's promises are reliable and His power is limitless, providing the necessary confirmation for Gideon to move from doubt to courageous obedience, ultimately demonstrating that God's power is made perfect in human weakness.

* [Exodus 4:1-9](/exodus/4-1-9 "Exodus 4:1-9 - Moses' Signs from God"): God provides Moses with three signs (staff to snake, hand to leprosy, water to blood) to confirm his divine commission and assuage his doubts, mirroring God's patience with Gideon.
* [Psalm 147:8](/psalm/147-8 "Psalm 147:8 - God Provides Rain and Grass"): This verse speaks of God's control over the elements, specifically mentioning His provision of rain and grass, reinforcing the theme of divine sovereignty over natural phenomena like dew.
* [Isaiah 7:10-14](/isaiah/7-10-14 "Isaiah 7:10-14 - The Sign of Immanuel"): God offers King Ahaz a sign, even allowing Ahaz to choose it, to confirm His promise of deliverance, though Ahaz refuses. This highlights God's willingness to give signs for assurance, even when not explicitly requested, demonstrating His desire to build faith.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Gideon's fleece, culminating in God's precise fulfillment in Judges 6:40, offers profound lessons for believers navigating their own journeys of faith and obedience. While we are called to walk by faith and not by sight, this narrative beautifully illustrates God's compassionate understanding of human weakness and doubt. It reminds us that God is not distant or uncaring but actively involved in our lives, willing to provide the specific reassurances we need to step out in His calling. It encourages us to bring our honest doubts and insecurities before Him, trusting in His patience and His power to confirm His will. This story is not an invitation to "test" God frivolously, but a testament to His grace in equipping us for His purposes, demonstrating that when He calls, He also enables, often through means that defy natural explanation, building our trust in His limitless power and unwavering faithfulness. It calls us to consider how God might be confirming His path for us, even in subtle ways, and to respond with courageous obedience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you currently seeking God's specific direction or confirmation, and how might you humbly seek it?**
* **How does God's patience with Gideon's repeated requests encourage you in your own moments of doubt or insecurity, knowing He understands your weaknesses?**
* **What "impossible" situations are you facing where you need to trust in God's supernatural power, as demonstrated in the fleece miracle, rather than relying solely on your own strength?**

### FAQ

**Was Gideon wrong to ask for signs from God?**

Answer: While the Bible generally encourages walking by faith and warns against "testing" God in a demanding or unbelieving way (e.g., [Deuteronomy 6:16](/deuteronomy/6-16 "Deuteronomy 6:16 - Do Not Test the Lord")), Gideon's requests appear to stem from genuine humility, a sense of inadequacy for the monumental task ahead, and a sincere desire for divine confirmation. God's gracious response, providing not one but two precise and undeniable signs, indicates that He understood Gideon's heart and patiently accommodated his need for assurance. It highlights God's condescension to meet His servants where they are, rather than rebuking them for their weakness, especially when they are stepping into a challenging divine commission where human strength is clearly insufficient.

**What is the significance of the "dew" in this miracle?**

Answer: In biblical contexts, dew (Hebrew: _tal_) is often associated with divine blessing, refreshment, and God's provision (e.g., [Deuteronomy 33:28](/deuteronomy/33-28 "Deuteronomy 33:28 - Israel's Blessing of Dew")). Its manipulation in Gideon's tests demonstrates God's absolute sovereignty over natural phenomena. The first test (fleece wet, ground dry) was remarkable, but the second (fleece dry, ground wet) was even more counter-intuitive and miraculous, leaving no room for natural explanation. This specific control over a common, life-sustaining element underscored God's power and His direct, personal intervention to confirm His word to Gideon, proving His omnipotence over creation.

**Does this story encourage believers to seek "fleeces" today for guidance?**

Answer: While God certainly can and does provide confirmation and guidance in various ways, the "fleece" method should be approached with caution. Gideon's situation was unique: he was called to an extraordinary, life-threatening mission, and God explicitly provided these signs in response to his humble, though hesitant, requests. For believers today, God primarily guides through His Word ([Psalm 119:105](/psalm/119-105 "Psalm 119:105 - Your Word is a Lamp")), the Holy Spirit's leading ([Romans 8:14](/romans/8-14 "Romans 8:14 - Led by the Spirit")), and wise counsel ([Proverbs 11:14](/proverbs/11-14 "Proverbs 11:14 - Wise Counsel")). While God may occasionally provide specific, undeniable confirmations, the "fleece" should not be a routine method for decision-making, as it can sometimes reflect a lack of trust or an attempt to manipulate God rather than humbly seek His will through established means. The emphasis should always be on obedience to what God has already revealed and a reliance on the Spirit's ongoing guidance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 6:40, with its depiction of God's patience and provision of a definitive sign, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Gideon's need for tangible assurance foreshadows humanity's deeper need for an undeniable revelation of God's will and presence. In Christ, God provides not a temporary sign like a fleece, but the ultimate, living confirmation of His promises and His redemptive plan. Jesus Himself is the "sign" – the very embodiment of God's condescension and faithfulness, who came to meet humanity in its doubt and sin ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). His miraculous control over nature, from calming storms ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Mark 4:39 - Jesus Calms the Storm")) to walking on water ([Matthew 14:25](/matthew/14-25 "Matthew 14:25 - Jesus Walks on Water")), demonstrates a sovereignty far exceeding the manipulation of dew, confirming His divine authority and identity as God incarnate. Furthermore, just as the fleece prepared Gideon for his mission, Christ's death and resurrection provide the ultimate assurance and empowerment for believers, sending the Holy Spirit as our permanent seal and guarantee ([Ephesians 1:13-14](/ephesians/1-13-14 "Ephesians 1:13-14 - Sealed with the Holy Spirit")), enabling us to walk by faith, not by sight, in the completed work of the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). He is the ultimate "yes" and "amen" to all of God's promises ([2_corinthians/1-20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")), making further "fleeces" unnecessary for those who trust in Him, for we have received the Spirit of truth who guides us into all truth ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth")).

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.