Judges 6:39
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Judges 6:39
39 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.
Chapter Context
Judges 6 is a cyclical narrative chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of faith, grace, wisdom. Written during the pre-monarchic period (c. 1375-1050 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Without central leadership, Israel faced constant threats from surrounding peoples like the Philistines and Midianites.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-40: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it addresses timeless questions about faith, suffering, and divine purpose. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Judges and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Judges 6:39
39 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.
Analysis
Emboldened yet still uncertain, Gideon requests a second sign with reversed conditions: '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.' His apologetic tone—'Let not thine anger be hot' and repeated 'but this once'—shows awareness that multiple sign-requests risk presumptuous testing of God. Yet he cannot shake his uncertainty. The request to reverse the miracle addresses the concern that the first sign might have natural explanation (fleece naturally absorbs moisture). A dry fleece surrounded by wet ground would be even more obviously miraculous.
Historical Context
Gideon's concern about divine anger reflects the understanding that testing God was dangerous—Moses struck the rock twice (Numbers 20:11-12), and Israel tested God repeatedly in the wilderness (Psalm 78:18, 41, 56), provoking judgment. The phrase 'prove... with the fleece' uses nasah (נָסָה, 'test/try'), the same verb used for Israel testing God in the wilderness (Exodus 17:2). Gideon walks the line between legitimate seeking of assurance and presumptuous demand for proof.
Reflection
- How does Gideon's apologetic tone reveal his awareness of the potential sin in demanding signs?
- What distinguishes between testing God (sinful) and requesting confirmation (acceptable)?
- How should Christians respond when wrestling with doubt despite clear divine revelation and previous confirmations?
Word Studies
- God: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) H430 - God (plural of majesty)
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Genesis 18:32, Isaiah 50:2