Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew. New Living Translation So that night God did as Gideon asked. The fleece was dry in the morning, but the ground was covered with dew. English Standard Version And God did so that night; and it was dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground there was dew. Berean Standard Bible And that night God did so. Only the fleece was dry, and dew covered the ground. Berean Literal Bible And God did so that night, and it was dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground there was dew. King James Bible And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground. New King James Version And God did so that night. It was dry on the fleece only, but there was dew on all the ground. New American Standard Bible And God did so that night; for it was dry only on the fleece, and dew was on all the ground. NASB 1995 God did so that night; for it was dry only on the fleece, and dew was on all the ground. NASB 1977 And God did so that night; for it was dry only on the fleece, and dew was on all the ground. Legacy Standard Bible And God did so that night. So it was dry only on the fleece, but dew was on all the ground. Amplified Bible God did so that night; for it was dry only on the fleece, and there was dew on all the ground [around it]. Berean Annotated Bible And that night God {Elohim} did so. Only the fleece was dry, and dew covered the ground. Christian Standard Bible That night God did as Gideon requested: only the fleece was dry, and dew was all over the ground. Holman Christian Standard Bible That night God did as Gideon requested: only the fleece was dry, and dew was all over the ground. American Standard Version And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground. Contemporary English Version That night, God made the stone floor wet with dew, but he kept the sheep skin dry. English Revised Version And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground. GOD'S WORD® Translation During the night, God did what Gideon asked. The wool was dry, but all the ground was covered with dew. Good News Translation That night God did that very thing. The next morning the wool was dry, but the ground was wet with dew. International Standard Version And God did it just like that later that night. It was dry only on the fleece, but dew was all around on the ground. NET Bible That night God did as he asked. Only the fleece was dry and the ground around it was covered with dew. New Heart English Bible God did so that night, for it was dry on the fleece only, and there was dew all over the ground. Webster's Bible Translation And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd that night God did so. Only the fleece was dry, and dew covered the ground. World English Bible God did so that night; for it was dry on the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd God does so on that night, and there is only dryness on the fleece, and there has been dew on all the earth. Berean Literal Bible And God did so that night, and it was dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground there was dew. Young's Literal Translation And God doth so on that night, and there is drought on the fleece alone, and on all the earth there hath been dew. Smith's Literal Translation And God will do so in that night: and there will be dryness to the fleece only, and upon all the earth was dew. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd God did that night as he had requested: and it was dry on the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground. Catholic Public Domain Version And that night, God did as he had requested. And it was dry only on the fleece, and there was dew on all the ground. New American Bible That is what God did that night: the fleece alone was dry, but there was dew on all the ground. New Revised Standard Version And God did so that night. It was dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground there was dew. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd God did so that night; for only the fleece was dry, and there was dew on all the ground. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And on that night God did in this way, and it was dry on the fleece alone, and upon all the ground was dew OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And God did so that night; for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground. Brenton Septuagint Translation And God did so in that night; and there was drought on the fleece only, and on all the ground there was dew. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Sign of the Fleece…39Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me; let me speak one more time. Please allow me one more test with the fleece. This time let it be dry, and the ground covered with dew.” 40And that night God did so. Only the fleece was dry, and dew covered the ground. Cross References And that night God did so. 2 Kings 19:35 And that very night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies! Acts 12:6-7 On the night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, with sentries standing guard at the entrance to the prison. / Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his wrists. Exodus 12:29-30 Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn male in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner in the dungeon, as well as all the firstborn among the livestock. / During the night Pharaoh got up—he and all his officials and all the Egyptians—and there was loud wailing in Egypt; for there was no house without someone dead. Only the fleece was dry, Exodus 14:21-22 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, / and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left. Joshua 3:15-17 Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, / the flowing water stood still. It backed up as far upstream as Adam, a city in the area of Zarethan, while the water flowing toward the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. / The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel crossed over the dry ground, until the entire nation had crossed the Jordan. Joshua 4:22-24 you are to tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ / For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, just as He did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over. / He did this so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, and so that you may always fear the LORD your God.” and dew covered the ground. Exodus 16:13-14 That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. / When the layer of dew had evaporated, there were thin flakes on the desert floor, as fine as frost on the ground. Numbers 11:9 When the dew fell on the camp at night, the manna would fall with it. Deuteronomy 33:13 Concerning Joseph he said: “May his land be blessed by the LORD with the precious dew from heaven above and the deep waters that lie beneath, Exodus 4:6-7 Furthermore, the LORD said to Moses, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” So he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, his hand was leprous, white as snow. / “Put your hand back inside your cloak,” said the LORD. So Moses put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, it was restored, like the rest of his skin. 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. 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.” … Isaiah 38:7-8 This will be a sign to you from the LORD that He will do what He has promised: / I will make the sun’s shadow that falls on the stairway of Ahaz go back ten steps.’” So the sunlight went back the ten steps it had descended. 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.” Numbers 17:8 The next day Moses entered the Tent of the Testimony and saw that Aaron’s staff, representing the house of Levi, had sprouted, put forth buds, blossomed, and produced almonds. 1 Samuel 14:9-10 If they say, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stay where we are and will not go up to them. / But if they say, ‘Come on up,’ then we will go up, because this will be our sign that the LORD has delivered them into our hands.” Treasury of Scripture And God did so that night: for it was dry on the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground. Jump to Previous Alone Covered Dew Drought Dry Earth Night Round WoolJump to Next Alone Covered Dew Drought Dry Earth Night Round 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 And that night God did so. This phrase highlights God's immediate response to Gideon's request, demonstrating His willingness to provide assurance to His chosen leader. The context is Gideon's need for confirmation of God's promise to save Israel through him. This reflects God's patience and understanding of human doubt. It also shows God's sovereignty and control over nature, as He can manipulate natural elements to fulfill His purposes. This event occurs during the time of the Judges, a period characterized by Israel's cyclical pattern of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. Only the fleece was dry, and dew covered the ground. Persons / Places / Events 1. GideonA judge of Israel, chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites. Known for his initial hesitance and need for reassurance from God. 2. God The sovereign deity of Israel, who communicates with Gideon and performs miracles to confirm His will. 3. Fleece A piece of wool used by Gideon as a test to seek confirmation from God regarding His promise to save Israel through Gideon. 4. Dew A natural phenomenon used by God to demonstrate His power and confirm His message to Gideon. 5. Midianites The oppressive force against Israel during the time of Gideon, whom God intends to defeat through Gideon's leadership. Teaching Points Seeking Confirmation from GodGideon's request for a sign shows the human desire for assurance. While God graciously provides signs, believers are encouraged to trust in His word and promises. God's Patience and Understanding God’s response to Gideon’s request demonstrates His patience and understanding of human frailty. This encourages believers to approach God with their doubts and seek His guidance. Faith in Action Despite his initial hesitance, Gideon eventually acts on God's command. Believers are called to move from doubt to action, trusting in God's provision and power. The Role of Miracles Miracles serve as a confirmation of God's presence and power. While they are not the foundation of faith, they can strengthen and encourage believers in their walk with God. God's Sovereignty The event underscores God's control over nature and His ability to use it to fulfill His purposes. Believers can find comfort in knowing that God is sovereign over all circumstances. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 6:40?2. How does Judges 6:40 demonstrate God's patience with Gideon's requests for signs? 3. What can we learn from Gideon's faith journey in Judges 6:40? 4. How does Gideon's test relate to trusting God's promises in our lives? 5. What other biblical figures sought signs from God for confirmation? 6. How can we apply Gideon's example of seeking God's will in our decisions? 7. How does Judges 6:40 demonstrate God's willingness to provide signs to strengthen faith? 8. What does the fleece test in Judges 6:40 reveal about Gideon's character and faith? 9. Why did God respond to Gideon's request in Judges 6:40 despite his doubt? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 6? 11. What does the Bible say about 'putting out a fleece'? 12. 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? 13. Why is a sign-based approach (Genesis 24:14) seemingly approved here, when similar methods are discouraged in other biblical passages? 14. Who was Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal, in the Bible? What Does Judges 6:40 Mean And that night God did so– Gideon had asked for a second, reversed sign (Judges 6:39); God granted it immediately, “that night,” showing His patience and sovereign control. – The phrase underscores God’s responsiveness; He is never reluctant to confirm His word when it serves His purposes (1 Kings 18:38; 2 Kings 20:9-11). – Literal timing matters: the miracle was not delayed, revealing that the Lord’s actions align perfectly with His promises (Psalm 33:9). – Practical takeaways: • God’s answers can be swift when they advance His redemptive plan. • He condescends to human weakness without compromising His holiness (Isaiah 7:11-14). Only the fleece was dry – A reversal of the previous night’s sign (Judges 6:37); the dryness of wool while surrounded by dew defies natural absorption, marking a true miracle. – The exclusivity (“only”) eliminates coincidence—highlighting divine precision (Exodus 4:6-7; John 11:41-42). – Spiritual implications: • God can isolate and protect His chosen instrument, just as He kept the fleece untouched. • The Lord confirms faith yet calls His servants to move beyond continual signs to obedience (Hebrews 11:6). and dew covered the ground – The widespread dew contrasts the dry fleece, amplifying the supernatural event (Deuteronomy 32:2). – Dew often symbolizes blessing and life (Hosea 14:5; Psalm 133:3); here it testifies to God’s authority over creation. – Lessons for believers: • God controls both the exceptional (dry fleece) and the ordinary (wet ground). • He turns natural elements into witnesses of His reliability (Romans 1:19-20). summary Judges 6:40 records a literal miracle in which God instantly produced the exact, inverted sign Gideon requested: a dry fleece amid dew-soaked ground. The event demonstrates God’s patience, precision, and power over nature, confirming His call on Gideon and reassuring every reader that the Lord faithfully acts to accomplish His will and strengthen the faith of those He sends. (40) It was dry upon the fleece only.--Such a result as this--not being in accordance with natural circumstances--could only have arisen from direct interposition. Besides the simple narrative, which tells us of these results as a sign granted to Gideon in accordance with his prayer, it is of course possible to allegorise the dew as the sign of God's grace, and to say that the first sign represented Israel as replenished with God's love when all was dry around (Hosea 14:5, "I will be as the dew unto Israel;" Micah 5:7, "Jacob shall be as the dew"); and the second, the fact that "God manifested himself in the weakness and forsaken condition of His people, while the nations were flourishing all around." Similarly St. Ambrose (De Sp. Sanct, Prol. in 1) sees in the fleece full of dew the Hebrew nation hiding the mystery of Christ within itself, and in the dry fleece that mystery extended to all the world, but leaving the Hebrew nation dry. It would be equally possible to give a mystic significance to the threshing-floor, as a type of the universal Church (Matthew 3:12, &c.). But these allegoric applications of simple narratives are, to say the least, precarious; nor is there much value in Ewald's comparison of the fleece to Gideon's character, cool amid the general passion, dry amid the general damp of fear.Hebrew And thatהַה֑וּא (ha·hū) Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are night בַּלַּ֣יְלָה (bal·lay·lāh) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity God אֱלֹהִ֛ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative did וַיַּ֧עַשׂ (way·ya·‘aś) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make so. כֵּ֖ן (kên) Adverb Strong's 3651: So -- thus Only לְבַדָּ֔הּ (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 the fleece הַגִּזָּה֙ (hag·giz·zāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 1492: A fleece was וַיְהִי־ (way·hî-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be dry, חֹ֤רֶב (ḥō·reḇ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2721: Dryness, drought, heat and dew טָֽל׃ (ṭāl) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2919: Night mist, dew covered הָ֥יָה (hā·yāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be the ground. הָאָ֖רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land Links Judges 6:40 NIVJudges 6:40 NLT Judges 6:40 ESV Judges 6:40 NASB Judges 6:40 KJV Judges 6:40 BibleApps.com Judges 6:40 Biblia Paralela Judges 6:40 Chinese Bible Judges 6:40 French Bible Judges 6:40 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 6:40 God did so that night: for it (Jd Judg. Jdg) |



