Judges Chapter 7 · Verse 5
So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.
Original Language Analysis
וַיּ֥וֹרֶד
So he brought down
H3381
וַיּ֥וֹרֶד
So he brought down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
1 of 27
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעָ֖ם
the people
H5971
הָעָ֖ם
the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
3 of 27
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַמַּ֜יִם
of the water
H4325
הַמַּ֜יִם
of the water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
5 of 27
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
יְהוָ֜ה
and the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֜ה
and the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כֹּ֣ל
H3605
כֹּ֣ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בִּלְשׁוֹנ֨וֹ
with his tongue
H3956
בִּלְשׁוֹנ֨וֹ
with his tongue
Strong's:
H3956
Word #:
13 of 27
the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
14 of 27
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַמַּ֜יִם
of the water
H4325
הַמַּ֜יִם
of the water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
15 of 27
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֧ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֧ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
16 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אוֹתוֹ֙
H853
אוֹתוֹ֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לְבָ֔ד
H905
לְבָ֔ד
Strong's:
H905
Word #:
21 of 27
properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
וְכֹ֛ל
H3605
וְכֹ֛ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
22 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
23 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִכְרַ֥ע
by himself likewise every one that boweth down
H3766
יִכְרַ֥ע
by himself likewise every one that boweth down
Strong's:
H3766
Word #:
24 of 27
to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate
Historical Context
Armies on campaign required regular water access, especially in Palestine's heat. How soldiers drank revealed their tactical awareness and discipline. Those who knelt to drink directly placed themselves in vulnerable positions—difficult to rise quickly if attacked, obscured vision, incapable of immediate defense. Those who scooped water to their mouths while standing maintained readiness to fight instantly. Ancient military leaders valued such tactical awareness in selecting elite troops.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the drinking test illustrate the importance of spiritual alertness even during necessary refreshment and rest?
- What practices help Christians remain spiritually vigilant during legitimate recreation and relaxation?
- Why does effective spiritual warfare require combining needful rest with sustained watchfulness?
Analysis & Commentary
God instructs Gideon to observe how soldiers drink from the water: 'every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.' The test distinguishes drinking methods—lapping water quickly with hands to mouth while standing alert versus kneeling to drink directly from the water. The dog comparison emphasizes the first group's alertness—maintaining surveillance while refreshing themselves. This test identifies warriors combining necessary rest with continuous vigilance.