Judges 6:37
New International Version
look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.”

New Living Translation
prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised.”

English Standard Version
behold, I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said.”

Berean Standard Bible
then behold, I will place a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that You are going to save Israel by my hand, as You have said.”

King James Bible
Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said.

New King James Version
look, I shall put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that You will save Israel by my hand, as You have said.”

New American Standard Bible
behold, I am putting a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I will know that You will save Israel through me, as You have spoken.”

NASB 1995
behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I will know that You will deliver Israel through me, as You have spoken.”

NASB 1977
behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I will know that Thou wilt deliver Israel through me, as Thou hast spoken.”

Legacy Standard Bible
behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I will know that You will save Israel by my hand, as You have spoken.”

Amplified Bible
behold, I will put a fleece of [freshly sheared] wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece, and it is dry on all the ground [around it], then I will know that You will rescue Israel through me, as You have said.”

Christian Standard Bible
I will put a wool fleece here on the threshing floor. If dew is only on the fleece, and all the ground is dry, I will know that you will deliver Israel by me, as you said.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I will put a fleece of wool here on the threshing floor. If dew is only on the fleece, and all the ground is dry, I will know that You will deliver Israel by my strength, as You said.”

American Standard Version
behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing-floor; if there be dew on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the ground, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by my hand, as thou hast spoken.

English Revised Version
behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing-floor; if there be dew on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the ground, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast spoken.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I'll place some wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the wool while all the ground is dry, then I'll know that you will rescue Israel through me, as you said."

Good News Translation
Well, I am putting some wool on the ground where we thresh the wheat. If in the morning there is dew only on the wool but not on the ground, then I will know that you are going to use me to rescue Israel."

International Standard Version
then take a look at this wool fleece that I'm placing on the threshing floor. If dew appears only on the fleece—and it's dry on the ground all around it—then I'll know that you'll deliver Israel by my efforts like you've said."

Majority Standard Bible
then behold, I will place a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that You are going to save Israel by my hand, as You have said.”

NET Bible
Look, I am putting a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece, and the ground around it is dry, then I will be sure that you will use me to deliver Israel, as you promised."

New Heart English Bible
look, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then shall I know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have spoken."

Webster's Bible Translation
Behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the floor; and if the dew shall be on the fleece only, and it shall be dry upon all the earth besides, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by my hand, as thou hast said.

World English Bible
behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I’ll know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have spoken.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
behold, I am placing the fleece of wool in the threshing-floor: if dew is only on the fleece, and dryness on all the earth—then I have known that You save Israel by my hand, as You have spoken”;

Young's Literal Translation
lo, I am placing the fleece of wool in the threshing-floor: if dew is on the fleece alone, and on all the earth drought -- then I have known that Thou dost save Israel by my hand, as Thou hast spoken;'

Smith's Literal Translation
Behold me putting a fleece of wool in the threshing-floor, and if the dew shall be upon the fleece only, and upon all the earth dryness, and I knew that thou wilt save Israel by my hand as thou spakest.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I will put this fleece of wool on the floor: if there be dew on the fleece only, and it be dry on all the ground beside, I, shall know that by my hand, as thou hast said, thou wilt deliver Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I will set this wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there will be dew only on the fleece, and all the ground is dry, I will know that by my hand, as you have said, you will free Israel.”

New American Bible
I am putting this woolen fleece on the threshing floor, and if dew is on the fleece alone, while all the ground is dry, I shall know that you will save Israel through me, as you have said.”

New Revised Standard Version
I am going to lay a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will deliver Israel by my hand, as you have said.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; and if there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that thou wilt save Israel by my hand, as thou hast said.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Behold I lay down a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there will be dew on the fleece alone and all upon the ground is dry, I will know that you save Israel by my hands, just as you said”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing-floor; if there be dew on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the ground, then shall I know that Thou wilt save Israel by my hand, as Thou hast spoken.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
behold, I put the fleece of wool in the threshing-floor: if there be dew on the fleece only, and drought on all the ground, I shall know that thou wilt save Israel by my hand, as thou hast said.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Sign of the Fleece
36Then Gideon said to God, “If You are going to save Israel by my hand, as You have said, 37then behold, I will place a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that You are going to save Israel by my hand, as You have said.” 38And that is what happened. When Gideon arose the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water.…

Cross References
Genesis 18:32
Finally, Abraham said, “May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak once more. Suppose ten are found there?” And He answered, “On account of the ten, I will not destroy it.”

Exodus 4:1-5
Then Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to my voice? For they may say, ‘The LORD has not appeared to you.’” / And the LORD asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. / “Throw it on the ground,” said the LORD. So Moses threw it on the ground, and it became a snake, and he ran from it. ...

1 Kings 18:36-38
At the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet approached the altar and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and have done all these things at Your command. / Answer me, O LORD! Answer me, so that this people will know that You, the LORD, are God, and that You have turned their hearts back again.” / Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water in the trench.

2 Kings 20:8-11
Now Hezekiah had asked Isaiah, “What will be the sign that the LORD will heal me and that I will go up to the house of the LORD on the third day?” / And Isaiah had replied, “This will be a sign to you from the LORD that He will do what He has promised: Would you like the shadow to go forward ten steps, or back ten steps?” / “It is easy for the shadow to lengthen ten steps,” answered Hezekiah, “but not for it to go back ten steps.” ...

Isaiah 7:11-14
“Ask for a sign from the LORD your God, whether from the depths of Sheol or the heights of heaven.” / But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask; I will not test the LORD.” / Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God as well? ...

Matthew 12:38-40
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” / Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. / For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Matthew 16:1-4
Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came and tested Jesus by asking Him to show them a sign from heaven. / But He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘The weather will be fair, for the sky is red,’ / and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but not the signs of the times. ...

Luke 1:18-20
“How can I be sure of this?” Zechariah asked the angel. “I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.” / “I am Gabriel,” replied the angel. “I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. / And now you will be silent and unable to speak until the day this comes to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time.”

Luke 11:29-30
As the crowds were increasing, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. / For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so the Son of Man will be a sign to this generation.

John 2:18-19
On account of this, the Jews demanded, “What sign can You show us to prove Your authority to do these things?” / Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again.”

John 20:24-29
Now Thomas called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. / So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands, and put my finger where the nails have been, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe.” / Eight days later, His disciples were once again inside with the doors locked, and Thomas was with them. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” ...

Acts 1:24-26
And they prayed, “Lord, You know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen / to take up this ministry and apostleship, which Judas abandoned to go to his rightful place.” / Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias. So he was added to the eleven apostles.

Romans 4:19-21
Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb. / Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, / being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised.

1 Corinthians 1:22
Jews demand signs and Greeks search for wisdom,

Hebrews 11:32-34
And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, / who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, / quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.


Treasury of Scripture

Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry on all the earth beside, then shall I know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said.

behold

Deuteronomy 32:2
My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:

Psalm 72:6
He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.

Hosea 6:3,4
Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth…

only

Psalm 147:19,20
He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel…

Matthew 10:5,6
These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: …

Matthew 15:24
But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

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Besides Deliver Dew Dry Earth Hand Israel Laying Purpose Salvation Save Sheep Threshing Wilt Wool
Judges 6
1. The Israelites for their sin are oppressed by Midian
8. A prophet rebukes them
11. An angel sends Gideon for their deliverance
17. Gideon's present is consumed with fire
24. Gideon destroys Baal's altar; offers a sacrifice upon the altar Jehovah-shalom
28. Joash defends his son, and calls him Jerubbaal
33. Gideon's army
36. Gideon's signs














behold
The word "behold" is often used in Scripture to draw attention to something significant or to introduce a divine revelation. In Hebrew, it is "הִנֵּה" (hinneh), which serves as an imperative to pay attention. Here, it underscores the importance of Gideon's request for a sign from God, emphasizing the gravity and sincerity of his plea.

I will place
This phrase indicates an intentional act by Gideon. The Hebrew root "שׂוּם" (sum) means to set, place, or appoint. Gideon's action is deliberate, reflecting his desire for confirmation from God. It shows his willingness to actively seek God's guidance and assurance in a tangible way.

a fleece of wool
The "fleece of wool" is a symbol of purity and innocence, often associated with sacrificial offerings in the Old Testament. Wool, derived from sheep, is significant in biblical symbolism, representing the people of God (as sheep) and their dependence on the Shepherd. Gideon's use of a fleece highlights his need for divine intervention and clarity.

on the threshing floor
The "threshing floor" is a place of separation and revelation in biblical times. It was where grain was separated from chaff, symbolizing judgment and discernment. Spiritually, it represents a place where God reveals His will and purposes. Gideon's choice of location for the fleece testifies to his desire for a clear and unmistakable sign from God.

If dew is only on the fleece
"Dew" in the Bible often symbolizes divine blessing and favor. In Hebrew, "טַל" (tal) is seen as a gift from God, providing moisture and life. Gideon's request for dew only on the fleece signifies his need for a specific and personal confirmation of God's promise, highlighting his faith mingled with doubt.

and all the ground is dry
The contrast between the wet fleece and the dry ground serves as a miraculous sign. Dry ground, in Hebrew "חָרֵב" (chareb), often symbolizes barrenness or lack. This stark difference would confirm to Gideon that the event was supernatural, reinforcing his trust in God's promise to deliver Israel.

then I will know
This phrase reflects Gideon's desire for certainty. The Hebrew "יָדַע" (yada) means to know intimately or experientially. Gideon seeks an experiential confirmation of God's word, demonstrating his need for assurance in the face of overwhelming odds.

that You will deliver Israel
The deliverance of Israel is central to God's covenant promises. The Hebrew "יָשַׁע" (yasha) means to save or deliver, pointing to God's role as the Savior of His people. Gideon's request is rooted in the belief that God is faithful to His promises and will act on behalf of His chosen nation.

by my hand
Gideon acknowledges his role as an instrument in God's plan. The phrase "by my hand" signifies human agency under divine direction. It reflects the biblical theme of God using ordinary people to accomplish His extraordinary purposes, emphasizing the partnership between divine sovereignty and human responsibility.

as You have said
This phrase underscores the importance of God's word and promises. Gideon's request is based on what God has already spoken, highlighting the reliability and authority of divine revelation. It serves as a reminder that faith is grounded in the certainty of God's spoken word and His unchanging nature.

(37) A fleece of wool.--In works of art this is sometimes represented as an entire sheepskin, probably from an erroneous explanation of the Vulgate, Vellus lanae, and from Luther's rendering, ein Fell mit der Wolle. But the English version is correct.

In the floor.--i.e., on the open threshing-floor. (See Note on Judges 6:11, and comp. Psalm 1:4; Hosea 13:3.)

If the dew be on the fleece only.--The very fact that this circumstance might be a purely natural result only shows the simple truthfulness of the narrative. Gideon would hardly have asked for this sign if he had been aware that, taken alone, it would be no sign of supernatural guidance. Bishop Hervey quotes Lord Bacon, who says (Nat Hist.) that "Sailors have used every night to hang fleeces of wool on the sides of their ships towards the water, and they have crushed fresh water out of them in the morning." Every one must have noticed flocks of wool on the hedges, sparkling with dewdrops long after the dew on the leaves around them has evaporated. In Psalm 72:6 (Prayer Book), "He shall come down like the rain into a fleece of wool," the Hebrew word is the same as here, and the ancient version takes it in the same sense (LXX., epi plokon; Vulg., in vellus); but perhaps the true sense is there "mown grass," as in Amos 7:1 (mowings). . . .

Verses 37-40. - It is difficult to guess what led to this somewhat quaint sign which Gideon asked. Possibly the dews were usually heavy upon the hill of Gilead (Judges 7:3, note) where Gideon was encamped, as they seem to have been on Mount Gilboa (2 Samuel 1:21) and on Hermon (Psalm 133:3), and sheep-skins may have been a common protection against the cold nights, as in Afghanistan; and he may have noticed how often in the morning both the skin that covered him, and the ground around, was wet with the heavy dew. And this may have suggested the double test, by which his faith was, through God's condescending mercy, confirmed and established.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
then behold,
הִנֵּ֣ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

I
אָנֹכִ֗י (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

will place
מַצִּ֛יג (maṣ·ṣîḡ)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3322: To place permanently

a fleece
גִּזַּ֥ת (giz·zaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1492: A fleece

of wool
הַצֶּ֖מֶר (haṣ·ṣe·mer)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6785: Wool

on the threshing floor.
בַּגֹּ֑רֶן (bag·gō·ren)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1637: A threshing-floor, open area

If
אִ֡ם (’im)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

there is
יִהְיֶ֨ה (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

dew
טַל֩ (ṭal)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2919: Night mist, dew

only
לְבַדָּ֗הּ (lə·ḇad·dāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 905: Separation, a part of the body, branch of a, tree, bar for, carrying, chief of

on
עַֽל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the fleece
הַגִּזָּ֜ה (hag·giz·zāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1492: A fleece

and all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the ground
הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

is dry,
חֹ֔רֶב (ḥō·reḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2721: Dryness, drought, heat

then I will know
וְיָדַעְתִּ֗י (wə·yā·ḏa‘·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3045: To know

that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

You will deliver
תוֹשִׁ֧יעַ (ṯō·wō·šî·a‘)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3467: To be open, wide, free, to be safe, to free, succor

Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

by my hand,
בְּיָדִ֛י (bə·yā·ḏî)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

as
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

You have said.”
דִּבַּֽרְתָּ׃ (dib·bar·tā)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue


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OT History: Judges 6:37 Behold I will put a fleece (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 6:36
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