Judges 6:17
And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me.
Original Language Analysis
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
3 of 13
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
נָ֛א
H4994
נָ֛א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
4 of 13
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
מָצָ֥אתִי
unto him If now I have found
H4672
מָצָ֥אתִי
unto him If now I have found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
5 of 13
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
חֵ֖ן
grace
H2580
חֵ֖ן
grace
Strong's:
H2580
Word #:
6 of 13
graciousness, i.e., subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty)
בְּעֵינֶ֑יךָ
in thy sight
H5869
בְּעֵינֶ֑יךָ
in thy sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
7 of 13
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וְעָשִׂ֤יתָ
then shew
H6213
וְעָשִׂ֤יתָ
then shew
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
8 of 13
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
א֔וֹת
me a sign
H226
א֔וֹת
me a sign
Strong's:
H226
Word #:
10 of 13
a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc
Cross References
Isaiah 7:11Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.Psalms 86:17Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.Exodus 33:13Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.Exodus 33:16For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.
Historical Context
Prophetic authentication through signs was established in Mosaic law (Deuteronomy 13:1-3, 18:21-22). False prophets might perform signs, requiring discernment based on doctrinal orthodoxy. Gideon's request reflects proper caution—extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. The context of widespread apostasy and false worship made discernment essential.
Questions for Reflection
- How can believers distinguish between legitimate seeking of confirmation and faithless demand for proof?
- What signs has God provided to authenticate Christian faith (Scripture, resurrection, Spirit's witness)?
- When is it appropriate to request divine confirmation for major decisions?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Gideon requests a sign to confirm this is truly divine revelation: 'Show me a sign that thou talkest with me.' The Hebrew ot (אוֹת, 'sign') denotes authenticating evidence, not faithless demand for proof. Like Moses requesting credentials (Exodus 3:12, 4:1-9), Gideon seeks assurance for the extraordinary calling. This distinguishes legitimate seeking of confirmation from presumptuous testing of God (Matthew 4:7). The Angel grants Gideon's request, demonstrating divine condescension to human weakness. Reformed theology affirms God accommodates our frailty, providing assurance through Word, sacraments, and internal witness of the Spirit.