Judges 6:40
And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֧עַשׂ
did
H6213
וַיַּ֧עַשׂ
did
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
1 of 15
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֱלֹהִ֛ים
And God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֛ים
And God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
2 of 15
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
כֵּ֖ן
H3651
כֵּ֖ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
3 of 15
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
בַּלַּ֣יְלָה
so that night
H3915
בַּלַּ֣יְלָה
so that night
Strong's:
H3915
Word #:
4 of 15
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
הַה֑וּא
H1931
הַה֑וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
5 of 15
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וַֽיְהִי
H1961
וַֽיְהִי
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְבַדָּ֔הּ
H905
לְבַדָּ֔הּ
Strong's:
H905
Word #:
10 of 15
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 #:
11 of 15
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 #:
12 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָאָ֖רֶץ
on all the ground
H776
הָאָ֖רֶץ
on all the ground
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
13 of 15
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Historical Context
The reversed miracle (dry fleece, wet ground) was even more extraordinary than the first. Fleece naturally absorbed moisture from the air and ground; keeping it dry while surrounding ground was soaked required active divine intervention. That God performed both signs validated Gideon's calling beyond doubt. However, the Bible never presents fleece-testing as a normative method for discerning God's will—this was God's accommodation to Gideon's specific weakness in this unique situation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's patience in performing the second sign demonstrate His commitment to bringing weak believers to mature faith?
- Why doesn't Scripture present fleece-testing as a normative method for discerning God's will?
- What does Gideon's story teach about moving from sign-dependent faith toward Word-dependent faith?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God graciously performs the second sign: the fleece remained dry while dew covered all the ground. This reverse miracle conclusively proved divine intervention—no natural process could explain moisture appearing everywhere except on the highly absorbent fleece. God's patience with Gideon's repeated requests demonstrates covenant faithfulness to weak believers. Yet the narrative includes these requests not as models to imitate but as records of human weakness that God graciously accommodates. The pattern shows God meeting people where they are while calling them toward mature faith. After this second confirmation, Gideon receives no more signs—he must now act on adequate revelation.