King James Version
What Does Judges 6:40 Mean?
“And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.”
Judges 6:40 · KJV
Context
38
And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water.
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.
40
And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryGod graciously performs the second sign: the fleece remained dry while dew covered all the ground. This reverse miracle conclusively proved divine intervention—no natural process could explain moisture appearing everywhere except on the highly absorbent fleece. God's patience with Gideon's repeated requests demonstrates covenant faithfulness to weak believers. Yet the narrative includes these requests not as models to imitate but as records of human weakness that God graciously accommodates. The pattern shows God meeting people where they are while calling them toward mature faith. After this second confirmation, Gideon receives no more signs—he must now act on adequate revelation.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
The reversed miracle (dry fleece, wet ground) was even more extraordinary than the first. Fleece naturally absorbed moisture from the air and ground; keeping it dry while surrounding ground was soaked required active divine intervention. That God performed both signs validated Gideon's calling beyond doubt. However, the Bible never presents fleece-testing as a normative method for discerning God's will—this was God's accommodation to Gideon's specific weakness in this unique situation.
Reflection Questions
- How does God's patience in performing the second sign demonstrate His commitment to bringing weak believers to mature faith?
- Why doesn't Scripture present fleece-testing as a normative method for discerning God's will?
- What does Gideon's story teach about moving from sign-dependent faith toward Word-dependent faith?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 15 wordsאֱלֹהִ֛ים2 of 15
“And God”
H430gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
כֵּ֖ן3 of 15
H3651properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
בַּלַּ֣יְלָה4 of 15
“so that night”
H3915properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
הַה֑וּא5 of 15
H1931he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וַֽיְהִי6 of 15
H1961to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְבַדָּ֔הּ10 of 15
H905properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit
וְעַל11 of 15
H5921above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל12 of 15
H3605properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָ֥יָה14 of 15
H1961to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
Study Guide
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Judges. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Judges 6:40 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.