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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Judges 7:5 So 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."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/7-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/07_Jdg_07_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 7:5 - Gideon's Army of Three Hundred" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So 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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/judges/7-5.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/judges/7-5.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/judges/">Judges</a> > <a href="/judges/7.htm">Chapter 7</a> > Verse 5</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad5.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/judges/7-4.htm" title="Judges 7:4">◄</a> Judges 7:5 <a href="/judges/7-6.htm" title="Judges 7:6">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/judges/7.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/judges/7.htm">New International Version</a> So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the LORD told him, &#8220Separate those who lap the water with their tongues as a dog laps from those who kneel down to drink.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/judges/7.htm">New Living Translation</a> When Gideon took his warriors down to the water, the LORD told him, “Divide the men into two groups. In one group put all those who cup water in their hands and lap it up with their tongues like dogs. In the other group put all those who kneel down and drink with their mouths in the stream.” <a href="/esv/judges/7.htm">English Standard Version</a> So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, “Every one who laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set by himself. Likewise, every one who kneels down to drink.” <a href="/bsb/judges/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> So Gideon brought the men 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.” <a href="/kjv/judges/7.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/judges/7.htm">New King James Version</a> So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, “Everyone who laps from the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set apart by himself; likewise everyone who gets down on his knees to drink.” <a href="/nasb_/judges/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> So he brought the people down to the water. Then the LORD said to Gideon, “You shall put everyone who laps the water with his tongue as a dog laps in one group, and everyone who kneels down to drink in another.” <a href="/nasb/judges/7.htm">NASB 1995</a> So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, &#8220You shall separate everyone who laps the water with his tongue as a dog laps, as well as everyone who kneels to drink.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/judges/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a> So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, “You shall separate everyone who laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, as well as everyone who kneels to drink.” <a href="/lsb/judges/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> So he brought the people down to the water. And Yahweh said to Gideon, “Everyone who laps the water with his tongue as a dog laps, you shall set him aside by himself, and so also everyone who kneels to drink.” <a href="/amp/judges/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a> So he brought the people down to the water, and the LORD said to Gideon, “You shall separate everyone who laps the water with his tongue as a dog laps, as well as everyone who kneels down to drink.” <a href="/csb/judges/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> So he brought the troops down to the water, and the LORD said to Gideon, “Separate everyone who laps water with his tongue like a dog. Do the same with everyone who kneels to drink.” <a href="/hcsb/judges/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> So he brought the people down to the water, and the LORD said to Gideon, &#8220Separate everyone who laps water with his tongue like a dog. Do the same with everyone who kneels to drink.&#8221 <a href="/asv/judges/7.htm">American Standard Version</a> So he brought down the people unto the water: and Jehovah 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. <a href="/cev/judges/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> When Gideon led his army down to the spring, the LORD told him, "Watch how each man gets a drink of water. Then divide them into two groups--those who lap the water like a dog and those who kneel down to drink." <a href="/erv/judges/7.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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. <a href="/gwt/judges/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> So Gideon took the men down to the water. The LORD said to him, "Separate those who lap water with their tongues like dogs from those who kneel down to drink." <a href="/gnt/judges/7.htm">Good News Translation</a> Gideon took the men down to the water, and the LORD told him, "Separate everyone who laps up the water with his tongue like a dog, from everyone who gets down on his knees to drink." <a href="/isv/judges/7.htm">International Standard Version</a> So he brought his soldiers down to the water, and the LORD told Gideon, "You are to cull out everyone who laps up water with his tongue like a dog from everyone who kneels to drink." <a href="/msb/judges/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> So Gideon brought the men 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.? <a href="/net/judges/7.htm">NET Bible</a> So he brought the men down to the water. Then the LORD said to Gideon, "Separate those who lap the water as a dog laps from those who kneel to drink." <a href="/nheb/judges/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> So he brought down the people to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, "Everyone who laps of the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall put to one side; and everyone who gets down on his knees to drink with hand to mouth shall be on the other side." <a href="/wbt/judges/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> So he brought down the people to the water: and the LORD said to 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. <a href="/web/judges/7.htm">World English Bible</a> So he brought down the people to the water; and Yahweh said to Gideon, “Everyone who laps of the water with his tongue, like a dog laps, you shall set him by himself; likewise everyone who bows down on his knees to drink.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/judges/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And he brings the people down to the water, and YHWH says to Gideon, “Everyone who laps of the water with his tongue as the dog laps—you set him apart; also everyone who bows on his knees to drink.” <a href="/ylt/judges/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And he bringeth down the people unto the water, and Jehovah saith unto Gideon, 'Every one who lappeth with his tongue of the water as the dog lappeth -- thou dost set him apart; also every one who boweth on his knees to drink.' <a href="/slt/judges/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he will bring down the people to the waters: and Jehovah will say to Gideon, Every one which shall lap with his tongue from the waters as the dog will lap, thou shalt put him alone; and all which shall bend upon his knees to drink.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/judges/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And when the people were come down to the waters, the Lord said to Gedeon: They that shall lap the water with their tongues, as dogs are wont to lap, thou shalt set apart by themselves: but they that shall drink bowing down their knees, shall be on the other side. <a href="/cpdv/judges/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And when the people had descended to the waters, the Lord said to Gideon: “Whoever will lap the water with the tongue, as dogs usually lap, you shall separate them by themselves. Then those who will drink by bending their knees shall be on the other side.” <a href="/nabre/judges/7.htm">New American Bible</a> When Gideon led the soldiers down to the water, the LORD said to him: Everyone who laps up the water as a dog does with its tongue you shall set aside by himself; and everyone who kneels down to drink raising his hand to his mouth you shall set aside by himself. <a href="/nrsvce/judges/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> So he brought the troops down to the water; and the LORD said to Gideon, “All those who lap the water with their tongues, as a dog laps, you shall put to one side; all those who kneel down to drink, putting their hands to their mouths, you shall put to the other side.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/judges/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> So he brought down the people to the water; and the LORD said to Gideon, All who lap of the water with their tongues, as a dog laps, you shall make them stand together; likewise all who kneel down upon their knees to drink, you shall make them stand together. <a href="/hpbt/judges/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And he took the people down into the water, and LORD JEHOVAH said to Gedun: “Everyone who laps the water with his tongue like a dog laps, stand them together, and everyone who kneels on his knees to drink, stand him as one”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/judges/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> So he brought down the people unto the water; and the LORD said unto Gideon: 'Everyone 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.' <a href="/sep/judges/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And he brought the people down to the water; and the Lord said to Gedeon, Whosoever shall lap of the water with his tongue as if a dog should lap, thou shalt set him apart, and also whosoever shall bow down upon his knees to drink. <a href="/parallel/judges/7-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=1972" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/judges/7.htm">Gideon's Army of Three Hundred</a> …4Then the LORD said to Gideon, “There are still too many people. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say to you, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go. But if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.” 5<a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">So Gideon brought the people</a> <a href="/hebrew/3381.htm" title="3381: way·yō·w·reḏ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To come or go down, descend. ">down</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ham·må̄·yi·ms (Art:: N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">the water,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">and the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/1439.htm" title="1439: giḏ·‘ō·wn (N-proper-ms) -- A judge of Isr. From gada'; feller; Gidon, an Israelite.">him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3322.htm" title="3322: taṣ·ṣîḡ (V-Hifil-Imperf-2ms) -- To set, place. A primitive root; to place permanently.">“Separate</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·w·ṯōw (DirObjM:: 3ms) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/905.htm" title="905: lə·ḇāḏ (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Separation, a part. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kōl (N-ms) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">those</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">who</a> <a href="/hebrew/3952.htm" title="3952: yā·lōq (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To lap, lick. A primitive root; to lick or lap.">lap</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ham·ma·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">the water</a> <a href="/hebrew/3956.htm" title="3956: bil·šō·w·nōw (Prep-b:: N-csc:: 3ms) -- Tongue. Or lashon; also feminine lshonah; from lashan; the tongue, used literally, and figuratively.">with their tongues</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: min- (Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses."></a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ka·’ă·šer (Prep-k:: Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">like</a> <a href="/hebrew/3952.htm" title="3952: yā·lōq (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To lap, lick. A primitive root; to lick or lap."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3611.htm" title="3611: hak·ke·leḇ (Art:: N-ms) -- A dog. From an unused root means. To yelp, or else to attack; a dog; hence a male prostitute.">a dog</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: wə·ḵōl (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">from those</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">who</a> <a href="/hebrew/3766.htm" title="3766: yiḵ·ra‘ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To bow down. A primitive root; to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate.">kneel</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1290.htm" title="1290: bir·kāw (N-fdc:: 3ms) -- The knee. From barak; a knee."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8354.htm" title="8354: liš·tō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To drink. A primitive root; to imbibe.">to drink.”</a> 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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_samuel/16-7.htm">1 Samuel 16:7</a> But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.” <a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5-6</a> Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. <a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a> “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. <a href="/1_corinthians/1-27.htm">1 Corinthians 1:27-29</a> 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. <a href="/2_corinthians/12-9.htm">2 Corinthians 12:9-10</a> 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. <a href="/zechariah/4-6.htm">Zechariah 4:6</a> 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. <a href="/exodus/14-13.htm">Exodus 14:13-14</a> 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.” <a href="/joshua/1-9.htm">Joshua 1:9</a> 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.” <a href="/psalms/20-7.htm">Psalm 20:7</a> Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. <a href="/psalms/33-16.htm">Psalm 33:16-19</a> No king is saved by his vast army; no warrior is delivered by his great strength. / A horse is a vain hope for salvation; even its great strength cannot save. / Surely the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His loving devotion ... <a href="/psalms/37-5.htm">Psalm 37:5</a> Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it. <a href="/psalms/46-10.htm">Psalm 46:10</a> “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted over the earth.” <a href="/psalms/118-8.htm">Psalm 118:8-9</a> It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. / It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. <a href="/isaiah/41-10.htm">Isaiah 41:10</a> 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. <a href="/jeremiah/17-7.htm">Jeremiah 17:7-8</a> But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. / He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>So he brought down the people to the water: and the LORD said to Gideon, Every one that laps of the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, him shall you set by himself; likewise every one that bows down on his knees to drink.lappeth.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/49-24.htm">Bows</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-18.htm">Dog</a> <a href="/judges/4-19.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-35.htm">Knees</a> <a href="/isaiah/65-7.htm">Laps</a> <a href="/joshua/16-9.htm">Separate</a> <a href="/joshua/18-19.htm">Tongue</a> <a href="/judges/7-4.htm">Water</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/2-4.htm">Bows</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-43.htm">Dog</a> <a href="/judges/7-6.htm">Drink</a> <a href="/judges/7-6.htm">Knees</a> <a href="/psalms/79-12.htm">Laps</a> <a href="/judges/13-5.htm">Separate</a> <a href="/2_samuel/23-2.htm">Tongue</a> <a href="/judges/7-6.htm">Water</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 7</div>1. <a href="/judges/7-1.htm">Gideon's army of thirty-two thousand is brought to three hundred</a> 9. <a href="/judges/7-9.htm">He is encouraged by the dream and interpretation of the burley cake</a> 16. <a href="/judges/7-16.htm">His plan of trumpets and lamps in pitchers</a> 24. <a href="/judges/7-24.htm">The Ephraimites take Oreb and Zeeb</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/judges/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>So Gideon brought the men down to the water Gideon, a judge of Israel, is leading his men against the Midianites. The location is near the spring of Harod, which is significant as it is a natural water source in the Jezreel Valley, a strategic area for military campaigns. This setting emphasizes the need for divine guidance in choosing the right men for battle, as the Israelites are vastly outnumbered. The act of bringing the men to the water symbolizes a test of faith and obedience, reminiscent of other biblical tests such as Abraham's test with Isaac.and the LORD said to him The direct communication from the LORD to Gideon highlights the divine involvement in Israel's deliverance. This phrase underscores the theme of God’s sovereignty and His role as the ultimate leader of Israel. It reflects the pattern seen throughout the Old Testament where God provides specific instructions to His chosen leaders, such as Moses and Joshua, ensuring that His plans are fulfilled.“Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog This instruction serves as a divine test to distinguish between the men. Lapping water like a dog suggests vigilance and readiness, as these men would remain alert to their surroundings while drinking. This method of selection is unique and emphasizes God's unconventional ways of achieving His purposes, often using the weak or the few to demonstrate His power, as seen in <a href="/1_corinthians/1-27.htm">1 Corinthians 1:27</a>.from those who kneel to drink.” Kneeling to drink indicates a lack of readiness and awareness, as these men would be more vulnerable to surprise attacks. This separation process is not based on human wisdom but on divine criteria, illustrating that God’s ways are higher than human understanding (<a href="/isaiah/55-8.htm">Isaiah 55:8-9</a>). The distinction between the two groups foreshadows the reduction of Gideon's army, ensuring that the victory would be attributed to God alone, not human strength or numbers. This principle is echoed in <a href="/zechariah/4-6.htm">Zechariah 4:6</a>, where it is stated that success comes "not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the LORD Almighty.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/g/gideon.htm">Gideon</a> A judge of Israel chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from the oppression of the Midianites. Known for his initial hesitance and need for reassurance from God, Gideon becomes a mighty warrior through God's guidance. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a> The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who directs Gideon in the selection of his army. God's involvement emphasizes His sovereignty and the importance of divine guidance. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a> The people of God who are under Midianite oppression. They are in need of deliverance, which God provides through Gideon. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_midianites.htm">The Midianites</a> The oppressors of Israel during this period. Their presence is a consequence of Israel's disobedience to God. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_water.htm">The Water</a> The location where God tests the men of Gideon's army. This test is crucial in determining who will fight in the battle against the Midianites.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/divine_selection.htm">Divine Selection</a> God’s criteria for choosing His servants often defy human logic. Trust in His wisdom and guidance, even when it seems counterintuitive. <a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god.htm">Obedience to God</a> Gideon’s willingness to follow God’s instructions, despite the risk of reducing his army, highlights the importance of obedience in faith. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God’s Sovereignty</a> The account underscores that victory comes from God, not from human strength or numbers. Recognize and rely on God’s power in your life. <a href="/topical/t/testing_and_preparation.htm">Testing and Preparation</a> God often tests His people to prepare them for greater tasks. Be open to His testing as a means of refining and equipping you for His purposes. <a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a> Gideon’s actions demonstrate that faith requires action. Be ready to act on God’s instructions, trusting in His plan and provision.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 7</a> <a href="/q/why_stress_about_tomorrow_now.htm">Why did God's vineyard produce only wild grapes?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_judges_7_contradict_1_chron_21.htm">Why does Judges 7 seemingly contradict other biblical passages that emphasize the need for adequate numbers in battle (e.g., 1 Chronicles 21:1-5)?</a> <a href="/q/does_1_sam_9_15-17_conflict_with_other_texts.htm">Does 1 Samuel 9:15-17, describing God's direct revelation to Samuel about Saul, conflict with other biblical texts suggesting a more gradual or indirect selection of leaders?</a> <a href="/q/does_divine_aid_favor_the_self-reliant.htm">Does divine assistance favor self-reliant individuals?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue.--Josephus (Antt. v. 6, ? 4) says that Gideon led them down to the spring in the fiercest heat of the noonday, and that he judged those to be the bravest who flung themselves down and drank, and those to be the cowards who lapped the water hastily and tumultuously. Theodoret also thinks that the Divine aid was shown by the fact that the greatest cowards were chosen. This may have been a Jewish legend (Hagadah); but it seems more reasonable to suppose that greater self-control would be shown by stooping and drinking the water out of the hand than by flinging themselves at full length to drink, which would be the natural instinct of a thirsty man. Rashi says that those who went down on their knees to drink were secret idolators, who had "bowed the knee to Baal" (<a href="/1_kings/19-18.htm" title="Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth which has not kissed him.">1Kings 19:18</a>).As a dog lappeth.--Some commentators fancy that this is an allusion to Egyptian dogs, who, out of fear for the Nile crocodiles, only venture to lap the water while they are running along the banks.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 5, 6. - The water, viz., of the well or spring of Harod. That lappeth, etc. It showed a much more soldierly and self-controlled spirit just to quench the thirst by lapping the water out of the palm of the hand, than to kneel down and drink without stint out of the spring itself. The Lord saw the difference of character indicated by the two actions, and chose his instruments accordingly. <a href="/commentaries/judges/7-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>So [Gideon] brought the people הָעָ֖ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock down וַיּ֥וֹרֶד (way·yō·w·reḏ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3381.htm">Strong's 3381: </a> To come or go down, descend to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to the water, הַמָּ֑יִם (ham·mā·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> Water, juice, urine, semen and the LORD יְהוָ֜ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel said וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to [him], גִּדְע֗וֹן (giḏ·‘ō·wn) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1439.htm">Strong's 1439: </a> Gideon -- a judge of Israel “Separate תַּצִּ֤יג (taṣ·ṣîḡ) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3322.htm">Strong's 3322: </a> To place permanently those כֹּ֣ל (kōl) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every who אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that lap יָלֹק֩ (yā·lōq) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3952.htm">Strong's 3952: </a> To lick, lap the water הַמַּ֜יִם (ham·ma·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> Water, juice, urine, semen with their tongues בִּלְשׁוֹנ֨וֹ (bil·šō·w·nōw) Preposition-b | Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> The tongue like כַּאֲשֶׁ֧ר (ka·’ă·šer) Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that a dog הַכֶּ֗לֶב (hak·ke·leḇ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3611.htm">Strong's 3611: </a> A dog, a male prostitute from those וְכֹ֛ל (wə·ḵōl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every who אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that kneel יִכְרַ֥ע (yiḵ·ra‘) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3766.htm">Strong's 3766: </a> To bend the knee, to sink, to prostrate to drink.” לִשְׁתּֽוֹת׃ (liš·tō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8354.htm">Strong's 8354: </a> To imbibe <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/7-5.htm">Judges 7:5 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/judges/7-5.htm">Judges 7:5 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/judges/7-5.htm">Judges 7:5 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/judges/7-5.htm">Judges 7:5 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/judges/7-5.htm">Judges 7:5 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/7-5.htm">Judges 7:5 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/7-5.htm">Judges 7:5 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/7-5.htm">Judges 7:5 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/judges/7-5.htm">Judges 7:5 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/judges/7-5.htm">Judges 7:5 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/judges/7-5.htm">OT History: Judges 7:5 So he brought down the people (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/7-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 7:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 7:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/7-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 7:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 7:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>