King James Version

What Does Judges 7:6 Mean?

Judges 7:6 in the King James Version says “And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the p...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.”

Judges 7:6 · KJV

Context

4

And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go.

5

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.

6

And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water.

7

And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place.

8

So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets: and he sent all the rest of Israel every man unto his tent, and retained those three hundred men: and the host of Midian was beneath him in the valley.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The test results: 300 lapped water with hands to mouth, while all the rest knelt to drink. This tiny fraction—3% of the already-reduced army, less than 1% of the original 32,000—will constitute Gideon's fighting force. The Hebrew specifies 'the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth' emphasizing the precise method. That so few maintained vigilance while drinking reveals how rare genuine alertness is even among professed warriors. These 300 combine genuine courage (not among the 22,000 who left) with tactical awareness (not among the 9,700 who knelt). They represent the faithful remnant theme throughout Scripture—the few truly ready to serve God's purposes.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Elite military units throughout history have comprised small percentages of total forces—Sparta's 300 at Thermopylae, Roman Praetorian Guard, modern special forces. The 300 who lapped water demonstrated natural warrior instincts and discipline without formal training. Their selection through behavior under routine circumstances (merely drinking) rather than combat trials shows how character reveals itself in mundane actions.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the tiny percentage who pass both tests illustrate Jesus' teaching about the narrow way that few find (Matthew 7:14)?
  2. What does God's selection of the alert 300 teach about quality versus quantity in spiritual warfare?
  3. How do your mundane actions and habits reveal readiness (or lack thereof) for spiritual service?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיְהִ֗י1 of 17
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מִסְפַּ֞ר2 of 17

“And the number”

H4557

a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration

הַֽמֲלַקְקִ֤ים3 of 17

“of them that lapped”

H3952

to lick or lap

בְּיָדָם֙4 of 17

“putting their hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

אֶל5 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פִּיהֶ֔ם6 of 17

“to their mouth”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

שְׁלֹ֥שׁ7 of 17

“were three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

מֵא֖וֹת8 of 17

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

אִ֑ישׁ9 of 17

“men”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וְכֹל֙10 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יֶ֣תֶר11 of 17

“but all the rest”

H3499

properly, an overhanging, i.e., (by implication) a small rope (as hanging free)

הָעָ֔ם12 of 17

“of the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

כָּֽרְע֥וּ13 of 17

“bowed down”

H3766

to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate

עַל14 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בִּרְכֵיהֶ֖ם15 of 17

“upon their knees”

H1290

a knee

לִשְׁתּ֥וֹת16 of 17

“to drink”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

מָֽיִם׃17 of 17

“water”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

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 7:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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