Judges 7:6
And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֗י
H1961
וַיְהִ֗י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מִסְפַּ֞ר
And the number
H4557
מִסְפַּ֞ר
And the number
Strong's:
H4557
Word #:
2 of 17
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
בְּיָדָם֙
putting their hand
H3027
בְּיָדָם֙
putting their hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
4 of 17
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
פִּיהֶ֔ם
to their mouth
H6310
פִּיהֶ֔ם
to their mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
6 of 17
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
שְׁלֹ֥שׁ
were three
H7969
שְׁלֹ֥שׁ
were three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
7 of 17
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
אִ֑ישׁ
men
H376
אִ֑ישׁ
men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
9 of 17
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
וְכֹל֙
H3605
וְכֹל֙
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יֶ֣תֶר
but all the rest
H3499
יֶ֣תֶר
but all the rest
Strong's:
H3499
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, an overhanging, i.e., (by implication) a small rope (as hanging free)
הָעָ֔ם
of the people
H5971
הָעָ֔ם
of the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
12 of 17
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
כָּֽרְע֥וּ
bowed down
H3766
כָּֽרְע֥וּ
bowed down
Strong's:
H3766
Word #:
13 of 17
to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Historical Context
Elite military units throughout history have comprised small percentages of total forces—Sparta's 300 at Thermopylae, Roman Praetorian Guard, modern special forces. The 300 who lapped water demonstrated natural warrior instincts and discipline without formal training. Their selection through behavior under routine circumstances (merely drinking) rather than combat trials shows how character reveals itself in mundane actions.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the tiny percentage who pass both tests illustrate Jesus' teaching about the narrow way that few find (Matthew 7:14)?
- What does God's selection of the alert 300 teach about quality versus quantity in spiritual warfare?
- How do your mundane actions and habits reveal readiness (or lack thereof) for spiritual service?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The test results: 300 lapped water with hands to mouth, while all the rest knelt to drink. This tiny fraction—3% of the already-reduced army, less than 1% of the original 32,000—will constitute Gideon's fighting force. The Hebrew specifies 'the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth' emphasizing the precise method. That so few maintained vigilance while drinking reveals how rare genuine alertness is even among professed warriors. These 300 combine genuine courage (not among the 22,000 who left) with tactical awareness (not among the 9,700 who knelt). They represent the faithful remnant theme throughout Scripture—the few truly ready to serve God's purposes.