Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Three hundred of them drank from cupped hands, lapping like dogs. All the rest got down on their knees to drink. New Living Translation Only 300 of the men drank from their hands. All the others got down on their knees and drank with their mouths in the stream. English Standard Version And the number of those who lapped, putting their hands to their mouths, was 300 men, but all the rest of the people knelt down to drink water. Berean Standard Bible And the number of those who lapped the water with their hands to their mouths was three hundred men; all the others knelt to drink. King James Bible 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. New King James Version And the number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was three hundred men; but all the rest of the people got down on their knees to drink water. New American Standard Bible Now the number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was three hundred men; but all the rest of the people kneeled down to drink water. NASB 1995 Now the number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was 300 men; but all the rest of the people kneeled to drink water. NASB 1977 Now the number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was 300 men; but all the rest of the people kneeled to drink water. Legacy Standard Bible Now the number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was 300 men; but all the rest of the people kneeled to drink water. Amplified Bible Now the number of those who lapped [the water], putting their hand to their mouth, was three hundred men, but all the rest of the people kneeled down to drink water. Christian Standard Bible The number of those who lapped with their hands to their mouths was three hundred men, and all the rest of the troops knelt to drink water. Holman Christian Standard Bible The number of those who lapped with their hands to their mouths was 300 men, and all the rest of the people knelt to drink water. American Standard Version And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water. Contemporary English Version Three hundred men scooped up water in their hands and lapped it, and the rest knelt to get a drink. English Revised Version And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water. GOD'S WORD® Translation Three hundred men lapped water with their hands to their mouths. All the rest of the men knelt down to drink water. Good News Translation There were three hundred men who scooped up water in their hands and lapped it; all the others got down on their knees to drink. International Standard Version The contingent of soldiers who lapped water with their hands to their mouths numbered 300 men, but everyone else kneeled to drink water. NET Bible Three hundred men lapped; the rest of the men kneeled to drink water. New Heart English Bible The number of those who lapped with their tongues was three hundred men, but all the rest of the people got down on their knees to drink water. Webster's Bible Translation 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd the number of those who lapped the water with their hands to their mouths was three hundred men; all the others knelt to drink. World English Bible The number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was three hundred men; but all the rest of the people bowed down on their knees to drink water. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the number of those lapping with their hand to their mouth is three hundred men, and all the rest of the people have bowed down on their knees to drink water. Young's Literal Translation And the number of those lapping with their hand unto their mouth is three hundred men, and all the rest of the people have bowed down on their knees to drink water. Smith's Literal Translation And the number of those lapping with their hand to their mouth, will be three hundred men: and all the remainder of the people bowed upon their knees to drink water. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the number of them that had lapped water, casting it with the hand to their mouth, was three hundred men: and all the rest of the multitude had drunk kneeling. Catholic Public Domain Version And so the number of those who had lapped the water, by bringing it with the hand to the mouth, was three hundred men. And all the remainder of the multitude drank by bending the knee. New American Bible Those who lapped up the water with their tongues numbered three hundred, but all the rest of the soldiers knelt down to drink the water. New Revised Standard Version The number of those that lapped was three hundred; but all the rest of the troops knelt down to drink water. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the number of those that lapped, putting the hand to the mouth, was three hundred men; but all the rest of the people knelt down upon their knees to drink water. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the number of those who were lapping with their hands to their mouths was three hundred men, and all the remainder of the people knelt on their knees to drink the waters OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was three hundred men; but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the number of those that lapped with their hand to their mouth was three hundred men; and all the rest of the people bowed upon their knees to drink water. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Gideon's Army of Three Hundred…5So Gideon brought the people down to the water, and the LORD said to him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel to drink.” 6And the number of those who lapped the water with their hands to their mouths was three hundred men; all the others knelt to drink. 7Then the LORD said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men who lapped the water I will save you and deliver the Midianites into your hand. But all the others are to go home.”… Cross References 1 Samuel 14:6-7 Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” / His armor-bearer replied, “Do all that is in your heart. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul.” 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, / so that no one may boast in His presence. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” 1 Samuel 17:45-47 But David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. / This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand. This day I will strike you down, cut off your head, and give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the creatures of the earth. Then the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. / And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.” Zechariah 4:6 So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts. 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. Exodus 14:13-14 But Moses told the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the LORD’s salvation, which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. / The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” 2 Chronicles 20:15-17 And he said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle does not belong to you, but to God. / Tomorrow you are to march down against them. You will see them coming up the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley facing the Wilderness of Jeruel. / You need not fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out and face them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you.’” Romans 8:31 What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Deuteronomy 20:1-4 When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you. / When you are about to go into battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army, / saying to them, “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle with your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be alarmed or terrified because of them. ... Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Treasury of Scripture 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 on their knees to drink water. Jump to Previous Bowed Drink Hand Hands Hundred Kneeled Knees Knelt Lapped Mouth Mouths Putting Rest Three Tongues WaterJump to Next Bowed Drink Hand Hands Hundred Kneeled Knees Knelt Lapped Mouth Mouths Putting Rest Three Tongues WaterJudges 7 1. Gideon's army of thirty-two thousand is brought to three hundred9. He is encouraged by the dream and interpretation of the burley cake 16. His plan of trumpets and lamps in pitchers 24. The Ephraimites take Oreb and Zeeb And the number of those who lapped the water with their hands to their mouths was three hundred men; This phrase highlights the selection of Gideon's army. The act of lapping water with their hands to their mouths is significant as it demonstrates vigilance and readiness, qualities necessary for the battle ahead. The number three hundred is symbolic of God's power and provision, as it is a small number compared to the Midianite army, emphasizing that victory comes from the Lord, not human strength. This selection process is reminiscent of God's choosing of the faithful remnant throughout Scripture, such as the 7,000 in Israel who did not bow to Baal (1 Kings 19:18). all the others knelt to drink. Persons / Places / Events 1. GideonThe judge chosen by God to deliver Israel from the Midianites. He is the central figure in this account, leading the Israelites. 2. The Three Hundred Men These are the select group of warriors who lapped water with their hands to their mouths, chosen by God to accompany Gideon in battle against the Midianites. 3. The Midianites The oppressive force against Israel at this time, whom God intends to defeat through Gideon and his small army. 4. The Spring of Harod The location where Gideon's men were tested by how they drank water, leading to the selection of the three hundred. 5. The Lord (Yahweh) The divine orchestrator of the events, who reduces Gideon's army to ensure that the victory is attributed to divine intervention rather than human strength. Teaching Points Divine SelectionGod often chooses the unlikely or the few to accomplish His purposes, demonstrating His power and sovereignty. Faith Over Numbers Trust in God should not be based on human resources or strength but on His promises and power. Obedience in Testing The way the men drank water was a test of readiness and alertness, teaching us to be vigilant and prepared in our spiritual walk. God's Glory in Weakness God intentionally reduces Gideon's army to ensure that the victory is attributed to Him, reminding us that our weaknesses can be platforms for His glory. Spiritual Readiness Just as the three hundred were chosen for their alertness, we are called to be spiritually alert and ready for God's call. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 7:6?2. How does Judges 7:6 demonstrate God's selection process for Gideon's army? 3. What can we learn about obedience from the men who "lapped with their hands"? 4. How does God's strategy in Judges 7:6 connect to 1 Corinthians 1:27? 5. How can we apply the principle of divine selection in our daily decisions? 6. What does Judges 7:6 teach about relying on God's wisdom over human strength? 7. Why did God choose those who lapped water in Judges 7:6? 8. What does the method of selection in Judges 7:6 reveal about God's criteria for leadership? 9. How does Judges 7:6 challenge our understanding of strength and weakness? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 7? 11. Why does David, in Psalm 58, invoke violent divine judgment (verse 6) when other passages emphasize mercy? 12. Who are you to judge others? 13. Judges 11:34-39: If Jephthah's daughter was actually sacrificed, why is there no explicit condemnation of this act elsewhere in Scripture? 14. If God is all-good, why does He accept human sacrifices in some cases (Judges 11:30-39)? What Does Judges 7:6 Mean And the number of those– Gideon has already watched the army shrink from 32,000 to 10,000 (Judges 7:2–3). Now, at the water’s edge, the Lord continues refining the force. – Numbers matter to us, yet the Lord deliberately pares them down so that, as He says in v. 2, “Israel may not boast against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’” Compare this with 1 Samuel 14:6 and 2 Chronicles 14:11, where victory comes “by many or by few” according to God’s will. – The counting itself underscores His sovereignty: He alone decides whose number counts. who lapped the water with their hands to their mouths – Two drinking styles appear. Lapping with the hand suggests alertness—eyes up, weapon ready—while doubling as a test of obedience (Judges 7:4). – Scripture often links physical posture to spiritual readiness; Nehemiah 4:17–18 shows workers carrying tools in one hand and weapons in the other, watchful even while laboring. – God singles out those who combine practical sense with trust—reminding us of Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:16 about being “shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” was three hundred men – The drastic reduction from 10,000 to 300 (a 97% decrease) magnifies divine power. Exodus 14:13–14 and 2 Corinthians 12:9 echo the theme: God’s strength is perfected in human weakness. – These 300 men become living proof that “the battle belongs to the LORD” (1 Samuel 17:47). all the others knelt to drink – Kneeling to drink isn’t sinful, yet it disqualifies them for this mission. The Lord selects based on His own criteria, not on what seems significant to us (1 Samuel 16:7). – The larger group will still share in the victory (Judges 7:23), illustrating Romans 12:4–5: many members, different functions, one body. – Their removal also protects them from future pride; they cannot claim credit when they never stepped onto the battlefield. summary Judges 7:6 shows God intentionally limiting Gideon’s resources so Israel will recognize His hand alone in the coming victory. By spotlighting a mere 300 alert, obedient soldiers, the verse teaches that readiness, humility, and faith far outweigh numbers or human strategy. Our confidence rests not in our own strength but in the Lord who works mightily through those willing to trust and obey. (6) That lapped, putting their hand to their mouth.--Literally, licked with their hand to their mouth.All the rest of the people--i.e., 9,700 men. Hebrew And the numberמִסְפַּ֞ר (mis·par) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4557: A number, definite, indefinite, narration of those who lapped [the water] הַֽמֲלַקְקִ֤ים (ha·mă·laq·qîm) Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 3952: To lick, lap with their hands בְּיָדָם֙ (bə·yā·ḏām) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 3027: A hand to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to their mouths פִּיהֶ֔ם (pî·hem) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to was וַיְהִ֗י (way·hî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be three שְׁלֹ֥שׁ (šə·lōš) Number - feminine singular construct Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice hundred מֵא֖וֹת (mê·’ō·wṯ) Number - feminine plural Strong's 3967: A hundred men; אִ֑ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person all וְכֹל֙ (wə·ḵōl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the others יֶ֣תֶר (ye·ṯer) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3499: An overhanging, an excess, superiority, remainder, a small rope knelt כָּרְע֥וּ (kā·rə·‘ū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 3766: To bend the knee, to sink, to prostrate to drink. לִשְׁתּ֥וֹת (liš·tō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 8354: To imbibe Links Judges 7:6 NIVJudges 7:6 NLT Judges 7:6 ESV Judges 7:6 NASB Judges 7:6 KJV Judges 7:6 BibleApps.com Judges 7:6 Biblia Paralela Judges 7:6 Chinese Bible Judges 7:6 French Bible Judges 7:6 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 7:6 The number of those who lapped putting (Jd Judg. 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