Judges 6:39

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר
said
to say (used with great latitude)
#2
גִּדְעוֹן֙
And Gideon
gidon, an israelite
#3
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
הָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔ים
unto God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#5
אַל
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#6
יִ֤חַר
be hot
to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy
#7
אַפְּךָ֙
Let not thine anger
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
#8
בִּ֔י
H0
#9
וַֽאֲדַבְּרָ֖ה
against me and I will speak
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
#10
אַ֣ךְ
a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only
#11
הַפַּ֙עַם֙
I pray thee but this once
a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
#12
אֲנַסֶּ֤ה
let me prove
to test; by implication, to attempt
#13
נָּא
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
#14
רַק
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
#15
הַפַּ֙עַם֙
I pray thee but this once
a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
#16
הַגִּזָּה֙
only upon the fleece
a fleece
#17
יְהִי
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#18
נָ֨א
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
#19
חֹ֤רֶב
let it now be dry
drought or desolation
#20
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#21
הַגִּזָּה֙
only upon the fleece
a fleece
#22
לְבַדָּ֔הּ
properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
#23
וְעַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#24
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#25
הָאָ֖רֶץ
and upon all the ground
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#26
יִֽהְיֶה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#27
טָּֽל׃
let there be dew
dew (as covering vegetation)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Judges, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Judges.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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