Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.” New Living Translation prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised.” English Standard Version behold, I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said.” Berean Standard Bible then behold, I will place a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that You are going to save Israel by my hand, as You have said.” Berean Literal Bible behold, I shall put a fleece of the wool on the threshing floor. If dew there is on the fleece only, and on all the ground it is dry, I shall know that You will save Israel by my hand as You have said.” King James Bible Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said. New King James Version look, I shall put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that You will save Israel by my hand, as You have said.” New American Standard Bible behold, I am putting a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I will know that You will save Israel through me, as You have spoken.” NASB 1995 behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I will know that You will deliver Israel through me, as You have spoken.” NASB 1977 behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I will know that Thou wilt deliver Israel through me, as Thou hast spoken.” Legacy Standard Bible behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I will know that You will save Israel by my hand, as You have spoken.” Amplified Bible behold, I will put a fleece of [freshly sheared] wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece, and it is dry on all the ground [around it], then I will know that You will rescue Israel through me, as You have said.” Berean Annotated Bible then behold, I will place a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that You are going to save Israel (he wrestles with God) by my hand, as You have said. Christian Standard Bible I will put a wool fleece here on the threshing floor. If dew is only on the fleece, and all the ground is dry, I will know that you will deliver Israel by me, as you said.” Holman Christian Standard Bible I will put a fleece of wool here on the threshing floor. If dew is only on the fleece, and all the ground is dry, I will know that You will deliver Israel by my strength, as You said.” American Standard Version behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing-floor; if there be dew on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the ground, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by my hand, as thou hast spoken. English Revised Version behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing-floor; if there be dew on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the ground, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast spoken. GOD'S WORD® Translation I'll place some wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the wool while all the ground is dry, then I'll know that you will rescue Israel through me, as you said." Good News Translation Well, I am putting some wool on the ground where we thresh the wheat. If in the morning there is dew only on the wool but not on the ground, then I will know that you are going to use me to rescue Israel." International Standard Version then take a look at this wool fleece that I'm placing on the threshing floor. If dew appears only on the fleece—and it's dry on the ground all around it—then I'll know that you'll deliver Israel by my efforts like you've said." NET Bible Look, I am putting a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece, and the ground around it is dry, then I will be sure that you will use me to deliver Israel, as you promised." New Heart English Bible look, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then shall I know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have spoken." Webster's Bible Translation Behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the floor; and if the dew shall be on the fleece only, and it shall be dry upon all the earth besides, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by my hand, as thou hast said. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Biblethen behold, I will place a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that You are going to save Israel by my hand, as You have said.” World English Bible behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I’ll know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have spoken.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionbehold, I am placing the fleece of wool in the threshing-floor: if dew is only on the fleece, and dryness on all the earth—then I have known that You save Israel by my hand, as You have spoken”; Berean Literal Bible behold, I shall put a fleece of the wool on the threshing floor. If dew there is on the fleece only, and on all the ground it is dry, I shall know that You will save Israel by my hand as You have said.” Young's Literal Translation lo, I am placing the fleece of wool in the threshing-floor: if dew is on the fleece alone, and on all the earth drought -- then I have known that Thou dost save Israel by my hand, as Thou hast spoken;' Smith's Literal Translation Behold me putting a fleece of wool in the threshing-floor, and if the dew shall be upon the fleece only, and upon all the earth dryness, and I knew that thou wilt save Israel by my hand as thou spakest. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleI will put this fleece of wool on the floor: if there be dew on the fleece only, and it be dry on all the ground beside, I, shall know that by my hand, as thou hast said, thou wilt deliver Israel. Catholic Public Domain Version I will set this wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there will be dew only on the fleece, and all the ground is dry, I will know that by my hand, as you have said, you will free Israel.” New American Bible I am putting this woolen fleece on the threshing floor, and if dew is on the fleece alone, while all the ground is dry, I shall know that you will save Israel through me, as you have said.” New Revised Standard Version I am going to lay a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will deliver Israel by my hand, as you have said.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBehold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; and if there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that thou wilt save Israel by my hand, as thou hast said. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Behold I lay down a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there will be dew on the fleece alone and all upon the ground is dry, I will know that you save Israel by my hands, just as you said” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing-floor; if there be dew on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the ground, then shall I know that Thou wilt save Israel by my hand, as Thou hast spoken.' Brenton Septuagint Translation behold, I put the fleece of wool in the threshing-floor: if there be dew on the fleece only, and drought on all the ground, I shall know that thou wilt save Israel by my hand, as thou hast said. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Sign of the Fleece…36Then Gideon said to God, “If You are going to save Israel by my hand, as You have said, 37then behold, I will place a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that You are going to save Israel by my hand, as You have said.” 38And that is what happened. When Gideon arose the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water.… Cross References then behold, I will place a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. 2 Kings 20:8-11 Now Hezekiah had asked Isaiah, “What will be the sign that the LORD will heal me and that I will go up to the house of the LORD on the third day?” / And Isaiah had replied, “This will be a sign to you from the LORD that He will do what He has promised: Would you like the shadow to go forward ten steps, or back ten steps?” / “It is easy for the shadow to lengthen ten steps,” answered Hezekiah, “but not for it to go back ten steps.” … Exodus 4:2-8 And the LORD asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. / “Throw it on the ground,” said the LORD. So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake, and he ran from it. / “Stretch out your hand and grab it by the tail,” the LORD said to Moses, who reached out his hand and caught the snake, and it turned back into a staff in his hand. … Isaiah 7:11-14 “Ask for a sign from the LORD your God, whether from the depths of Sheol or the heights of heaven.” / But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask; I will not test the LORD.” / Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God as well? … If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, 1 Kings 17:1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was among the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there will be neither dew nor rain in these years except at my word!” Hosea 14:5 I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily and take root like the cedars of Lebanon. Micah 5:7 Then the remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the LORD, like showers on the grass, which do not wait for man or linger for mankind. then I will know that You are going to save Israel by my hand, 1 Samuel 23:4 Once again, David inquired of the LORD, and the LORD answered him: “Go at once to Keilah, for I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.” Judges 7:15 When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship. He returned to the camp of Israel and said, “Get up, for the LORD has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand.” 1 Samuel 14:6 Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” as You have said.” 1 Kings 8:56 “Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel according to all that He promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises He made through His servant Moses. Joshua 21:45 Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to the house of Israel had failed; everything was fulfilled. 1 Samuel 3:19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and He let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground. Genesis 18:32 Finally, Abraham said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak once more. Suppose ten are found there?” And He answered, “On account of the ten, I will not destroy it.” Exodus 4:1-5 Then Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to my voice? For they may say, ‘The LORD has not appeared to you.’” / And the LORD asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. / “Throw it on the ground,” said the LORD. So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake, and he ran from it. … 1 Kings 18:36-38 At the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet approached the altar and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and have done all these things at Your command. / Answer me, O LORD! Answer me, so that this people will know that You, the LORD, are God, and that You have turned their hearts back again.” / Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water in the trench. Matthew 12:38-40 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” / Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. / For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Treasury of Scripture Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry on all the earth beside, then shall I know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said. behold Deuteronomy 32:2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: Psalm 72:6 He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth. Hosea 6:3,4 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth… only Psalm 147:19,20 He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel… Matthew 10:5,6 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: … Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Jump to Previous Besides Deliver Dew Dry Earth Hand Israel Laying Purpose Salvation Save Sheep Threshing Wilt WoolJump to Next Besides Deliver Dew Dry Earth Hand Israel Laying Purpose Salvation Save Sheep Threshing Wilt WoolJudges 6 1. The Israelites for their sin are oppressed by Midian8. A prophet rebukes them 11. An angel sends Gideon for their deliverance 17. Gideon's present is consumed with fire 24. Gideon destroys Baal's altar; offers a sacrifice upon the altar Jehovah-shalom 28. Joash defends his son, and calls him Jerubbaal 33. Gideon's army 36. Gideon's signs then behold, I will place a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. In this passage, Gideon seeks confirmation from God regarding his calling to save Israel. The use of a fleece of wool is significant, as wool was a common material in ancient Israel, symbolizing purity and sacrifice. The threshing floor, a place where grain was separated from chaff, represents a site of judgment and decision, often used in biblical narratives to signify divine intervention (e.g., Ruth 3:6-9, 2 Samuel 24:18-25). Gideon's act of placing the fleece here indicates a desire for a clear sign from God in a place associated with divine activity. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that You are going to save Israel by my hand, as You have said.” Persons / Places / Events 1. GideonA judge of Israel chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites. He is known for his cautious and questioning nature, seeking confirmation from God. 2. Fleece of Wool The object used by Gideon to seek a sign from God. It symbolizes Gideon's need for assurance and God's willingness to provide it. 3. Threshing Floor The location where Gideon placed the fleece. Threshing floors were open areas used for separating grain from chaff, symbolizing a place of decision and revelation. 4. Midianites The oppressors of Israel during Gideon's time. Their oppression led to Israel's cry for deliverance, setting the stage for Gideon's leadership. 5. Dew Represents the miraculous sign Gideon requested from God. Dew on the fleece while the ground remained dry was a supernatural confirmation of God's promise. Teaching Points Seeking Assurance from GodIt's natural to seek confirmation from God when faced with daunting tasks. Gideon's request for a sign shows that God understands our need for assurance and is patient with our doubts. God's Patience with Our Doubts God did not rebuke Gideon for his request but graciously provided the sign. This teaches us about God's patience and willingness to meet us where we are in our faith journey. Faith in Action While Gideon sought signs, he ultimately acted on God's command. Our faith should lead to action, trusting in God's promises even when we seek confirmation. The Importance of Obedience Gideon's account reminds us that obedience to God's call is crucial, even when we feel inadequate or uncertain. God equips those He calls. God's Sovereignty and Power The miracle of the dew on the fleece demonstrates God's control over nature and His ability to intervene in our lives in supernatural ways. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 6:37?2. How does Gideon's request for a sign reflect his faith in God? 3. What can we learn from Gideon's approach to seeking God's confirmation? 4. How does Judges 6:37 connect to other biblical examples of seeking signs? 5. How can we discern God's will without relying on signs like Gideon? 6. What steps can we take to strengthen our faith in God's promises? 7. What does Judges 6:37 reveal about Gideon's faith and doubt in God's promises? 8. How does the fleece test in Judges 6:37 challenge our understanding of seeking signs from God? 9. Why did Gideon need a sign from God in Judges 6:37 despite previous assurances? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 6? 11. What does the Bible say about 'putting out a fleece'? 12. Who was Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal, in the Bible? 13. Judges 6:36-40: How can the miracle of the fleece being wet while the ground stayed dry (and vice versa) be explained or verified? 14. What is the summary of Gideon's story in the Bible? What Does Judges 6:37 Mean Then behold- Gideon frames his request with a sense of immediacy: “then behold.” - He is responding to God’s already-spoken promise in Judges 6:14, 16. - Like Moses in Exodus 4:1–5 and Hezekiah in 2 Kings 20:8–11, he seeks confirmation while still moving toward obedience. I will place a fleece of wool on the threshing floor - The threshing floor is an open, level space where wind normally carries away chaff; placing wool there invites a clear, observable result. - Wool, the product of a sacrificial animal (cf. Leviticus 3:6), silently hints at dependence on God’s provision rather than human strength. - Gideon acts, not by demanding God prove Himself in the heavens, but by using ordinary items at hand—much like Elijah’s altar soaked with water in 1 Kings 18:33–35. If there is dew only on the fleece - Morning dew was considered a daily gift from God (Deuteronomy 33:13; Hosea 14:5). - Concentrating the moisture solely on the fleece would defy natural expectation, underscoring divine intervention. - The request is precise, echoing God’s precision in earlier signs such as the dry ground around the burning bush (Exodus 3:2–5). and all the ground is dry - A simultaneous contrast—wet fleece, dry earth—eliminates chance and confirms supernatural action. - Similar dual signs appear in Joshua 3:15–17 where the Jordan’s bed is dry while water stands in a heap. then I will know - Gideon’s desire is assurance, not disbelief; he seeks clarity to act courageously (Judges 7:9–15). - Knowledge grounded in God’s direct response is praised in Psalm 119:66: “Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe Your commandments.” that You are going to save Israel by my hand - The focus remains on God as Savior; Gideon’s “hand” is merely the chosen instrument (cf. Judges 7:2, “lest Israel boast against Me”). - This maintains the theme of deliverance by divine power seen with Ehud (Judges 3:28) and Deborah (Judges 4:14). as You have said - Gideon anchors his request in God’s prior word (Judges 6:16–18). - True faith clings to God’s promise while asking for confirming grace, mirrored in Luke 1:38 where Mary replies, “May it be to me according to your word.” summary Gideon’s fleece test is a humble, tangible appeal for God to reaffirm His earlier promise of deliverance. By isolating dew on the fleece and keeping the ground dry, Gideon seeks unmistakable proof that victory will come through God’s power, not human might. The episode highlights God’s patient willingness to meet His servant’s need for reassurance, encouraging believers today to trust His Word while resting in His gracious confirmations. (37) A fleece of wool.--In works of art this is sometimes represented as an entire sheepskin, probably from an erroneous explanation of the Vulgate, Vellus lanae, and from Luther's rendering, ein Fell mit der Wolle. But the English version is correct.In the floor.--i.e., on the open threshing-floor. (See Note on Judges 6:11, and comp. Psalm 1:4; Hosea 13:3.) If the dew be on the fleece only.--The very fact that this circumstance might be a purely natural result only shows the simple truthfulness of the narrative. Gideon would hardly have asked for this sign if he had been aware that, taken alone, it would be no sign of supernatural guidance. Bishop Hervey quotes Lord Bacon, who says (Nat Hist.) that "Sailors have used every night to hang fleeces of wool on the sides of their ships towards the water, and they have crushed fresh water out of them in the morning." Every one must have noticed flocks of wool on the hedges, sparkling with dewdrops long after the dew on the leaves around them has evaporated. In Psalm 72:6 (Prayer Book), "He shall come down like the rain into a fleece of wool," the Hebrew word is the same as here, and the ancient version takes it in the same sense (LXX., epi plokon; Vulg., in vellus); but perhaps the true sense is there "mown grass," as in Amos 7:1 (mowings). . . . Verses 37-40. - It is difficult to guess what led to this somewhat quaint sign which Gideon asked. Possibly the dews were usually heavy upon the hill of Gilead (Judges 7:3, note) where Gideon was encamped, as they seem to have been on Mount Gilboa (2 Samuel 1:21) and on Hermon (Psalm 133:3), and sheep-skins may have been a common protection against the cold nights, as in Afghanistan; and he may have noticed how often in the morning both the skin that covered him, and the ground around, was wet with the heavy dew. And this may have suggested the double test, by which his faith was, through God's condescending mercy, confirmed and established.
Hebrew then behold,הִנֵּ֣ה (hin·nêh) Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! I אָנֹכִ֗י (’ā·nō·ḵî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 595: I will place מַצִּ֛יג (maṣ·ṣîḡ) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 3322: To place permanently a fleece גִּזַּ֥ת (giz·zaṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 1492: A fleece of wool הַצֶּ֖מֶר (haṣ·ṣe·mer) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6785: Wool on the threshing floor. בַּגֹּ֑רֶן (bag·gō·ren) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 1637: A threshing-floor, open area If אִ֡ם (’im) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not there is יִהְיֶ֨ה (yih·yeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be dew טַל֩ (ṭal) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2919: Night mist, dew only לְבַדָּ֗הּ (lə·ḇad·dāh) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 905: Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief of on עַֽל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the fleece הַגִּזָּ֜ה (hag·giz·zāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 1492: A fleece and all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the ground הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land is dry, חֹ֔רֶב (ḥō·reḇ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2721: Dryness, drought, heat then I will know וְיָדַעְתִּ֗י (wə·yā·ḏa‘·tî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular Strong's 3045: To know that כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction You will deliver תוֹשִׁ֧יעַ (ṯō·wō·šî·a‘) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 3467: To be open, wide, free, to be safe, to free, succor Israel יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc by my hand, בְּיָדִ֛י (bə·yā·ḏî) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 3027: A hand as כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר (ka·’ă·šer) Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that You have said.” דִּבַּֽרְתָּ׃ (dib·bar·tā) Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue Links Judges 6:37 NIVJudges 6:37 NLT Judges 6:37 ESV Judges 6:37 NASB Judges 6:37 KJV Judges 6:37 BibleApps.com Judges 6:37 Biblia Paralela Judges 6:37 Chinese Bible Judges 6:37 French Bible Judges 6:37 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 6:37 Behold I will put a fleece (Jd Judg. Jdg) |
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