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.
Original Language Analysis
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בַּגֹּ֑רֶן
in the floor
H1637
בַּגֹּ֑רֶן
in the floor
Strong's:
H1637
Word #:
7 of 25
a threshing-floor (as made even); by analogy, any open area
אִ֡ם
H518
אִ֡ם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
8 of 25
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יִֽהְיֶ֨ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֨ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
10 of 25
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עַֽל
H5921
עַֽל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לְבַדָּ֗הּ
H905
לְבַדָּ֗הּ
Strong's:
H905
Word #:
13 of 25
properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
15 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָאָ֙רֶץ֙
upon all the earth
H776
הָאָ֙רֶץ֙
upon all the earth
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
16 of 25
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
וְיָֽדַעְתִּ֗י
beside then shall I know
H3045
וְיָֽדַעְתִּ֗י
beside then shall I know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
18 of 25
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
19 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תוֹשִׁ֧יעַ
that thou wilt save
H3467
תוֹשִׁ֧יעַ
that thou wilt save
Strong's:
H3467
Word #:
20 of 25
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
בְּיָדִ֛י
by mine hand
H3027
בְּיָדִ֛י
by mine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
21 of 25
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
22 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
23 of 25
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Historical Context
Fleece (shorn sheep wool) was common in agricultural Israel. The test's design—dew collection on fleece while ground remained dry—requested meteorologically unusual phenomena that could only be divine intervention. Palestine's dew provided crucial moisture during dry seasons; its normal pattern was widespread deposition on all surfaces. Manipulating dew patterns demonstrated creative control over natural processes, proving divine agency rather than coincidence.
Questions for Reflection
- How can believers distinguish between legitimate seeking of divine guidance and faithless demands for signs?
- What does God's gracious accommodation of Gideon's weakness teach about His patience with doubting believers?
- When is it appropriate to request confirming signs, and when should believers act on existing revelation?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Despite Spirit-empowerment and successful mobilization, Gideon requests confirming signs: 'if thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said.' The fleece test—dew on the fleece but dry ground—seeks tangible confirmation of divine promise. This request reveals ongoing weakness—God already provided miraculous fire (verse 21), prophetic word, and Spirit-empowerment. Yet God graciously accommodates Gideon's need for reassurance. Reformed theology recognizes the distinction between legitimate seeking of confirmation (assurance of salvation, guidance for major decisions) and presumptuous testing that demands proof despite clear revelation. Gideon's request seems borderline—understandable human weakness that God mercifully indulges.