In biblical literature, the term "fleece" primarily refers to the woolen coat of a sheep, which holds significant symbolic and practical importance in various scriptural contexts. The most notable mention of a fleece in the Bible is found in the account of Gideon, a judge of Israel, as recorded in the Book of Judges.

Gideon's Fleece

The account of Gideon's fleece is detailed in Judges 6:36-40. Gideon, chosen by God to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Midianites, sought confirmation of God's will through a sign involving a fleece. Gideon said to God, "If You will deliver Israel by my hand, as You have said, then behold, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If dew is only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that You will deliver Israel by my hand, as You have said" (Judges 6:36-37). God granted this sign, and the next morning, the fleece was wet with dew while the ground remained dry. Seeking further assurance, Gideon requested the opposite sign: that the fleece remain dry while the ground was covered with dew. God graciously fulfilled this request as well, confirming His promise to Gideon.

This narrative highlights the fleece as a tool for divine communication and assurance. Gideon's use of the fleece is often interpreted as a demonstration of God's patience and willingness to confirm His word to those He calls, even when they struggle with doubt.

Symbolism and Usage

Beyond the account of Gideon, fleeces and wool are mentioned in various contexts throughout the Bible, often symbolizing purity, provision, and sacrifice. Wool, derived from fleeces, was a common material in ancient Israel, used for clothing and other textiles. In the sacrificial system, lambs and sheep, whose fleeces provided wool, were frequently offered as sacrifices, symbolizing innocence and atonement.

In Isaiah 1:18, the prophet uses the imagery of wool to convey the transformative power of God's forgiveness: "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool" . Here, wool represents purity and the cleansing effect of divine grace.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the agrarian society of ancient Israel, sheep and their fleeces were vital to the economy and daily life. Shepherding was a common occupation, and the production of wool was an essential industry. The fleece, therefore, was not only a symbol of divine interaction, as seen in Gideon's account, but also a practical resource that sustained the community.

The fleece's role in biblical narratives and its broader cultural significance underscore the interconnectedness of the spiritual and material aspects of life in biblical times. Through the account of Gideon and other references, the fleece serves as a reminder of God's provision, guidance, and the call to trust in His promises.

And Disputes
... did at last reach London the archbishop had no counsel to give, except that he should
shear his clergy rather tight and send their golden fleeces to appease ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter vii name disputes.htm

The Same Rule Holds with Regard to Colours God's Creatures ...
... That which He Himself has not produced is not pleasing to God, unless He was unable
to order sheep to be born with purple and sky-blue fleeces! ...
/.../tertullian/on the apparel of women/chapter viii the same rule holds.htm

Tertullian Refers Again to the Question of the Origin of all These ...
... men how to work them, and by and by instructed them, among their other (instructions),
in (the virtues of) eyelid-powder and the dyeings of fleeces, have been ...
/.../tertullian/on the apparel of women/chapter x tertullian refers again to.htm

Heretics Appeal to Scripture that they May More Easily Succeed in ...
... What but the words which prophets and apostles with the guilelessness of sheep wove
beforehand as fleeces, for that immaculate Lamb which taketh away the sin ...
/.../vincent/the commonitory of vincent of lerins/chapter xxv heretics appeal to.htm

Innocent Play.
... 1 Abroad in the meadows to see the young lambs, Run sporting about by the side of
their dams With fleeces so clean, and so white; Or a nest of young doves in a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/divine songs for children/innocent play.htm

Song 2. Innocent Play.
... Run sporting about by the side of their dams,. With fleeces so clean and
so white; Or a nest of young doves in a large open cage,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/divine and moral songs/song 2 innocent play.htm

John iii. 31
... that feed it; for as the worm eats through the wood from which it is born, as rust
wastes the iron whence it comes forth, and moths the fleeces, so vainglory ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxx john iii 31.htm

Use of the Obscurities in Scripture which Arise from Its ...
... greatest pleasure, too, that I recognize them under the figure of sheep that have
been shorn, laying down the burthens of the world like fleeces, and coming up ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 6 use of the obscurities.htm

But Hasty and Careless Readers are Led Astray by Many and Manifold ...
... greatest pleasure, too, that I recognize them under the figure of sheep that have
been shorn, laying down the burthens of the world like fleeces, and coming up ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 7 but hasty and.htm

How Joram and Jehoshaphat Made an Expedition against the Moabites ...
... you before, he was departed from his obedience to his brother [Ahaziah], while he
paid to his father Ahab two hundred thousand sheep, with their fleeces of wool ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 how joram and.htm

Fleeces (1 Occurrence)
...Fleeces (1 Occurrence). Matthew 7:15 "Beware of the false teachers--men who come
to you in sheep's fleeces, but beneath that disguise they are ravenous wolves. ...
/f/fleeces.htm - 6k

Fleece (6 Occurrences)

/f/fleece.htm - 9k

Fleeing (38 Occurrences)

/f/fleeing.htm - 18k

Lap (12 Occurrences)
... lapped the foremost one. 17. (n.) To lay together one over another, as fleeces
or slivers for further working. 18. (vi) To be turned ...
/l/lap.htm - 15k

Wool (34 Occurrences)
... The fleeces are gathered in bales and carried to a washing-place, which is usually
one of the stony river beds, with but a small stream flowing through it ...
/w/wool.htm - 21k

Teachers (87 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Matthew 7:15 "Beware of the false teachers--men who come to you in sheep's
fleeces, but beneath that disguise they are ravenous wolves. (WEY). ...
/t/teachers.htm - 31k

Ravenous (11 Occurrences)
... Matthew 7:15 "Beware of the false teachers--men who come to you in sheep's fleeces,
but beneath that disguise they are ravenous wolves. (WEY NAS RSV). ...
/r/ravenous.htm - 9k

Disguise (7 Occurrences)
... Matthew 7:15 "Beware of the false teachers--men who come to you in sheep's fleeces,
but beneath that disguise they are ravenous wolves. (WEY). ...
/d/disguise.htm - 9k

Is it acceptable to "lay out a fleece" before God in prayer? | GotQuestions.org

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