Judges 6:36-37 Explained

"And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said, 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." — Judges 6:36-37 (KJV)

The passage behind 'putting out a fleece', and it is a request for a sign about a promise Gideon already had in words.

Read it in context: The Book of Judges. Also gathered under verses about doubt.

Judges 6:36-37 in context

What does Judges 6:36-37 mean?

'As thou hast said' appears twice in two verses, which is the passage quietly noting the problem: the thing being tested has already been stated. Scripture reports the request without praising it, God answers anyway, and Gideon immediately asks for the opposite result to rule out coincidence. Read as a model for decisions it is shaky; read as a picture of how patiently God handles a frightened man it is remarkable.

What is the context of Judges 6:36-37?

God has already called Gideon, already answered him with fire from a rock, already had him tear down his father's altar. The Spirit has come on him and an army has gathered. Only then does he ask for the fleece — and then asks again, reversed.

How do I pray Judges 6:36-37?

If you are about to ask for a sign, first write down what you have already been told. Gideon's problem was not lack of information. Then ask honestly whether a sign would change anything, or whether you are hoping to be released from something you already know.

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