Old Testament

Judges 6:38

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In Judges 6:38, Gideon seeks confirmation from God about his mission to save Israel from the Midianites.

Author: Traditionally attributed to Samuel
Written: Around 1050-1000 BC
Genre: Historical narrative
Original Audience: The Israelites living under the judges

CBTClear Bible Translation

That's exactly what happened. When Gideon got up early the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out enough dew to fill an entire bowl with water.

KJVKing James Version

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.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In Judges 6:38, Gideon seeks confirmation from God about his mission to save Israel from the Midianites. He places a fleece on the ground and asks God to make the fleece wet with dew while keeping the surrounding ground dry. The next morning, Gideon finds the fleece soaked with enough dew to fill a bowl, while the ground remains dry. This miraculous sign reassures Gideon of God's presence and guidance. It illustrates Gideon's desire for certainty in his calling and highlights God's willingness to provide signs to strengthen faith. Gideon's actions reflect a common human need for reassurance when faced with daunting tasks. This moment is pivotal as it shows the relationship between faith and divine confirmation, emphasizing that God understands our doubts and fears and is ready to affirm our paths when we seek His guidance.

Key themes

Related Bible verses

How to apply Judges 6:38 to your life

When facing uncertainty or difficult decisions, it's natural to seek confirmation and guidance. Like Gideon, we can ask God for signs or clarity in our paths. Trusting in God's response can strengthen our faith and help us move forward with confidence.

Curated for this public verse page. Judges Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Gideon's fleece represent in Judges 6:38?

Gideon's fleece represents a request for divine confirmation and assurance. By asking God to make the fleece wet while keeping the ground dry, Gideon sought a tangible sign of God's presence and guidance in his mission to save Israel. This act illustrates the human desire for certainty when faced with significant challenges.

How can I apply Gideon's fleece test to my life?

You can apply Gideon's fleece test by seeking clarity and confirmation from God when making important decisions. Like Gideon, you can pray for specific signs or guidance in your circumstances. However, it's essential to remain open to God's responses, which may come in various forms, and to trust in His timing and wisdom.

Why did Gideon need confirmation from God?

Gideon needed confirmation from God due to his doubts and fears about leading Israel against the Midianites. He felt inadequate and uncertain about his abilities and the enormity of the task ahead. Seeking reassurance through the fleece test reflects a common human experience of needing encouragement and support when facing daunting challenges.

What does this verse teach about faith and doubt?

Judges 6:38 teaches that faith and doubt can coexist. Gideon's request for a sign demonstrates his struggle with uncertainty, yet his willingness to seek God's confirmation shows a desire to trust in divine guidance. This verse highlights that God understands our doubts and is patient with us, providing the reassurance we need to strengthen our faith.

Book Summary

The Book of Judges

Judges 1–2: Incomplete Conquest and the Cycle of Sin

After the death of Joshua, the tribes of Israel inquire of the Lord who should first go up to fight the remaining Canaanites. Judah is chosen and, with the help of the tribe of Simeon, achieves several victories, but fails to drive out the inhabitants of the coastal plain because they have iron chariots. The book then details the failures of the other tribes—Benjamin, Manasseh, Ephraim, Zebulun, Asher, and Naphtali—to completely dispossess the Canaanites from their allotted territories. Instead of driving them out, the Israelites put them to forced labor, allowing pagan influences to remain in the land. An angel of the Lord appears at Bochim and rebukes the people for breaking their covenant with God by making treaties with the inhabitants of the land. The people weep and offer sacrifices, but the pattern of disobedience is set.

A new generation arises that does not know the Lord or the works He has done for Israel. This generation forsakes the God of their fathers, turning to worship the Baals and Ashtaroth of the surrounding peoples. This apostasy provokes the Lord's anger, and He hands them over to their enemies, who oppress them. When the Israelites cry out to the Lord in their misery, He raises up judges—deliverers who save them from their oppressors. However, as soon as a judge dies, the people relapse into even greater corruption, returning to their idolatrous ways. This establishes the book's central, recurring cycle: sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance, followed by a period of rest, and then a return to sin. Judges 3: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar The first cycle of judgment begins as the Israelites do evil in the sight of the Lord and worship idols. God's anger burns against them, and He sells them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia, whom they serve for eight years. When the people cry out to the Lord, He raises up Othniel, the younger brother of Caleb, as their deliverer. The Spirit of the Lord comes upon him, and he leads Israel to victory, defeating the Mesopotamian king. The land has peace for forty years until Othniel's death. After Othniel dies, the Israelites again do evil, and God strengthens Eglon, the king of Moab, against them. Eglon, allied with the Ammonites and Amalekites, defeats Israel and captures the city of palms, Jericho. The Israelites are subject to Moab for eighteen years. When they cry out for help, God raises up Ehud, a left-handed man from the tribe of Benjamin. While delivering Israel's tribute, Ehud uses his left-handedness to his advantage, concealing a dagger on his right thigh. In a private audience with the obese King Eglon, he claims to have a secret message from God and stabs the king in the belly. Ehud escapes, rallies the Israelite forces, and leads them to a decisive victory over the Moabites, killing about 10,000 of their soldiers. The land enjoys peace for eighty years. After Ehud, Shamgar son of Anath is mentioned, who strikes down 600 Philistines with an oxgoad, also saving Israel.

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