Judges 6:37

Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; [and] if the dew be on the fleece only, and [it be] dry upon all the earth [beside], then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said.

Behold, I will put {H3322} a fleece {H1492} of wool {H6785} in the floor {H1637}; and if the dew {H2919} be on the fleece {H1492} only, and it be dry {H2721} upon all the earth {H776} beside, then shall I know {H3045} that thou wilt save {H3467} Israel {H3478} by mine hand {H3027}, as thou hast said {H1696}.

then, here: I will lay a wool fleece on the threshing-floor; if there is dew on the fleece only, while all the ground stays dry, I will be convinced that you will save Isra'el through me, as you said you would."

then behold, I will place a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that You are going to save Israel by my hand, as You have said.”

behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing-floor; if there be dew on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the ground, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by my hand, as thou hast spoken.

Commentary

Context of Judges 6:37

Judges 6:37 captures a pivotal moment in the story of Gideon, one of Israel's judges. At this point, Israel had been under the oppressive hand of the Midianites for seven years, a period of severe hardship and national distress. God had called Gideon, a humble and initially fearful man from the tribe of Manasseh, to deliver His people. Despite God's initial powerful reassurance and a miraculous sign involving fire consuming an offering (Judges 6:21), Gideon remained hesitant and sought further, unmistakable confirmation of God's promise to save Israel by his hand. This verse details his second specific request for a sign, demonstrating his deep desire for certainty amidst overwhelming odds.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Assurance and Patience: This verse highlights God's incredible patience and willingness to accommodate Gideon's human doubt and fear. Rather than rebuking him, God graciously provides the requested signs, demonstrating His commitment to His chosen servant and His mission. It underscores that God understands our weaknesses and provides the reassurance we need to step out in faith.
  • Faith and Doubt: Gideon's request for the fleece test illustrates the tension between faith and doubt. While he had received a direct call and a prior sign, the enormity of the task ahead led him to seek tangible proof. His actions are not presented as a model for habitually "testing God," but rather as an example of a man genuinely wrestling with God's call and seeking clarity.
  • God's Sovereignty and Working Through the Weak: The narrative emphasizes that God's power is not dependent on human strength or confidence. He chooses a timid farmer like Gideon to lead a nation, further confirming that God often chooses the weak to confound the mighty, demonstrating His own glory through imperfect vessels.

Linguistic Insights

The term "fleece" (Hebrew: gizzah) refers specifically to a shorn piece of wool. The "dew" (Hebrew: tal) was a common and often vital source of moisture in ancient Israel, especially during dry seasons. The miraculous nature of Gideon's test lay in the *selective* presence of the dew: either only on the fleece or only on the ground around it. This specificity made the sign unmistakable and impossible to attribute to natural occurrences.

Practical Application

Gideon's story, particularly the fleece incident, offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  • God is Gracious with Our Doubts: When facing daunting challenges or significant decisions, it's natural to feel uncertain. This passage reminds us that God is empathetic to our fears and can provide clarity and assurance when we sincerely seek Him.
  • Seeking Confirmation Wisely: While we should generally walk by faith and not constantly demand signs, there are times when God may provide specific confirmation, especially when we are seeking to obey His unique calling. Such confirmations should align with His revealed Word and not be used to manipulate God.
  • Trusting God's Promises: Ultimately, Gideon's tests led him to trust God's word implicitly. We are called to rely on God's unchanging character and His promises, knowing that God is not a man, that He should lie. His faithfulness is the ultimate assurance.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Hosea 14:5 (4 votes)

    I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.

  • Matthew 10:5 (3 votes)

    ¶ These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into [any] city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

  • Matthew 10:6 (3 votes)

    But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

  • Matthew 15:24 (3 votes)

    But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

  • Psalms 72:6 (2 votes)

    He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers [that] water the earth.

  • Deuteronomy 32:2 (1 votes)

    My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:

  • Psalms 147:19 (1 votes)

    He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.