Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the LORD told him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues as a dog laps from those who kneel down to drink.” New Living Translation When Gideon took his warriors down to the water, the LORD told him, “Divide the men into two groups. In one group put all those who cup water in their hands and lap it up with their tongues like dogs. In the other group put all those who kneel down and drink with their mouths in the stream.” English Standard Version So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, “Every one who laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set by himself. Likewise, every one who kneels down to drink.” Berean Standard Bible So Gideon brought the men down to the water, and the LORD said to him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel to drink.” King James Bible 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. New King James Version So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, “Everyone who laps from the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set apart by himself; likewise everyone who gets down on his knees to drink.” New American Standard Bible So he brought the people down to the water. Then the LORD said to Gideon, “You shall put everyone who laps the water with his tongue as a dog laps in one group, and everyone who kneels down to drink in another.” NASB 1995 So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, “You shall separate everyone who laps the water with his tongue as a dog laps, as well as everyone who kneels to drink.” NASB 1977 So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, “You shall separate everyone who laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, as well as everyone who kneels to drink.” Legacy Standard Bible So he brought the people down to the water. And Yahweh said to Gideon, “Everyone who laps the water with his tongue as a dog laps, you shall set him aside by himself, and so also everyone who kneels to drink.” Amplified Bible So he brought the people down to the water, and the LORD said to Gideon, “You shall separate everyone who laps the water with his tongue as a dog laps, as well as everyone who kneels down to drink.” Christian Standard Bible So he brought the troops down to the water, and the LORD said to Gideon, “Separate everyone who laps water with his tongue like a dog. Do the same with everyone who kneels to drink.” Holman Christian Standard Bible So he brought the people down to the water, and the LORD said to Gideon, “Separate everyone who laps water with his tongue like a dog. Do the same with everyone who kneels to drink.” American Standard Version So he brought down the people unto the water: and Jehovah 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. Contemporary English Version When Gideon led his army down to the spring, the LORD told him, "Watch how each man gets a drink of water. Then divide them into two groups--those who lap the water like a dog and those who kneel down to drink." English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation So Gideon took the men down to the water. The LORD said to him, "Separate those who lap water with their tongues like dogs from those who kneel down to drink." Good News Translation Gideon took the men down to the water, and the LORD told him, "Separate everyone who laps up the water with his tongue like a dog, from everyone who gets down on his knees to drink." International Standard Version So he brought his soldiers down to the water, and the LORD told Gideon, "You are to cull out everyone who laps up water with his tongue like a dog from everyone who kneels to drink." Majority Standard Bible So Gideon brought the people down to the water, and the LORD said to him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel to drink.” NET Bible So he brought the men down to the water. Then the LORD said to Gideon, "Separate those who lap the water as a dog laps from those who kneel to drink." New Heart English Bible So he brought down the people to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, "Everyone who laps of the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall put to one side; and everyone who gets down on his knees to drink with hand to mouth shall be on the other side." Webster's Bible Translation So he brought down the people to the water: and the LORD said to 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. World English Bible So he brought down the people to the water; and Yahweh said to Gideon, “Everyone who laps of the water with his tongue, like a dog laps, you shall set him by himself; likewise everyone who bows down on his knees to drink.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd he brings the people down to the water, and YHWH says to Gideon, “Everyone who laps of the water with his tongue as the dog laps—you set him apart; also everyone who bows on his knees to drink.” Young's Literal Translation And he bringeth down the people unto the water, and Jehovah saith unto Gideon, 'Every one who lappeth with his tongue of the water as the dog lappeth -- thou dost set him apart; also every one who boweth on his knees to drink.' Smith's Literal Translation And he will bring down the people to the waters: and Jehovah will say to Gideon, Every one which shall lap with his tongue from the waters as the dog will lap, thou shalt put him alone; and all which shall bend upon his knees to drink. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd when the people were come down to the waters, the Lord said to Gedeon: They that shall lap the water with their tongues, as dogs are wont to lap, thou shalt set apart by themselves: but they that shall drink bowing down their knees, shall be on the other side. Catholic Public Domain Version And when the people had descended to the waters, the Lord said to Gideon: “Whoever will lap the water with the tongue, as dogs usually lap, you shall separate them by themselves. Then those who will drink by bending their knees shall be on the other side.” New American Bible When Gideon led the soldiers down to the water, the LORD said to him: Everyone who laps up the water as a dog does with its tongue you shall set aside by himself; and everyone who kneels down to drink raising his hand to his mouth you shall set aside by himself. New Revised Standard Version So he brought the troops down to the water; and the LORD said to Gideon, “All those who lap the water with their tongues, as a dog laps, you shall put to one side; all those who kneel down to drink, putting their hands to their mouths, you shall put to the other side.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSo he brought down the people to the water; and the LORD said to Gideon, All who lap of the water with their tongues, as a dog laps, you shall make them stand together; likewise all who kneel down upon their knees to drink, you shall make them stand together. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he took the people down into the water, and LORD JEHOVAH said to Gedun: “Everyone who laps the water with his tongue like a dog laps, stand them together, and everyone who kneels on his knees to drink, stand him as one” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917So he brought down the people unto the water; and the LORD said unto Gideon: 'Everyone 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.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And he brought the people down to the water; and the Lord said to Gedeon, Whosoever shall lap of the water with his tongue as if a dog should lap, thou shalt set him apart, and also whosoever shall bow down upon his knees to drink. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Gideon's Army of Three Hundred…4Then the LORD said to Gideon, “There are still too many people. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say to you, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go. But if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.” 5So Gideon brought the people down to the water, and the LORD said to him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel to drink.” 6And the number of those who lapped the water with their hands to their mouths was three hundred men; all the others knelt to drink.… Cross References 1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.” Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, / so that no one may boast in His presence. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Zechariah 4:6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts. Exodus 14:13-14 But Moses told the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the LORD’s salvation, which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. / The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 33:16-19 No king is saved by his vast army; no warrior is delivered by his great strength. / A horse is a vain hope for salvation; even its great strength cannot save. / Surely the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His loving devotion ... Psalm 37:5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it. Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted over the earth.” Psalm 118:8-9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. / It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Jeremiah 17:7-8 But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. / He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit. Treasury of Scripture So he brought down the people to the water: and the LORD said to Gideon, Every one that laps of the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, him shall you set by himself; likewise every one that bows down on his knees to drink. lappeth. Jump to Previous Bows Dog Drink Knees Laps Separate Tongue WaterJump to Next Bows Dog Drink Knees Laps Separate Tongue WaterJudges 7 1. Gideon's army of thirty-two thousand is brought to three hundred9. He is encouraged by the dream and interpretation of the burley cake 16. His plan of trumpets and lamps in pitchers 24. The Ephraimites take Oreb and Zeeb So Gideon brought the people down to the water This phrase sets the scene for a divine test. Gideon, whose name means "hewer" or "one who cuts down," is obediently following God's instructions. The act of bringing the people to the water is symbolic of a purification process, reminiscent of other biblical instances where water serves as a means of testing or cleansing, such as the crossing of the Red Sea or the Jordan River. In the Hebrew context, water often represents life and sustenance, but also a place of decision and separation. and the LORD said to him Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel to drink As a dog lappeth.--Some commentators fancy that this is an allusion to Egyptian dogs, who, out of fear for the Nile crocodiles, only venture to lap the water while they are running along the banks. Verses 5, 6. - The water, viz., of the well or spring of Harod. That lappeth, etc. It showed a much more soldierly and self-controlled spirit just to quench the thirst by lapping the water out of the palm of the hand, than to kneel down and drink without stint out of the spring itself. The Lord saw the difference of character indicated by the two actions, and chose his instruments accordingly.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew So [Gideon] brought the peopleהָעָ֖ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock down וַיּ֥וֹרֶד (way·yō·w·reḏ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the water, הַמָּ֑יִם (ham·mā·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen and the LORD יְהוָ֜ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel said וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to [him], גִּדְע֗וֹן (giḏ·‘ō·wn) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1439: Gideon -- a judge of Israel “Separate תַּצִּ֤יג (taṣ·ṣîḡ) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 3322: To place permanently those כֹּ֣ל (kōl) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every who אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that lap יָלֹק֩ (yā·lōq) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3952: To lick, lap the water הַמַּ֜יִם (ham·ma·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen with their tongues בִּלְשׁוֹנ֨וֹ (bil·šō·w·nōw) Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 3956: The tongue like כַּאֲשֶׁ֧ר (ka·’ă·šer) Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that a dog הַכֶּ֗לֶב (hak·ke·leḇ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3611: A dog, a male prostitute from those וְכֹ֛ל (wə·ḵōl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every who אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that kneel יִכְרַ֥ע (yiḵ·ra‘) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3766: To bend the knee, to sink, to prostrate to drink.” לִשְׁתּֽוֹת׃ (liš·tō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 8354: To imbibe Links Judges 7:5 NIVJudges 7:5 NLT Judges 7:5 ESV Judges 7:5 NASB Judges 7:5 KJV Judges 7:5 BibleApps.com Judges 7:5 Biblia Paralela Judges 7:5 Chinese Bible Judges 7:5 French Bible Judges 7:5 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 7:5 So he brought down the people (Jd Judg. Jdg) |