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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 6:33-40

Here we have, I. The descent which the enemies of Israel made upon them, Jdg. 6:33. A vast number of Midianites, Amalekites, and Arabians, got together, and came over Jordan, none either caring or daring to guard that important and advantageous pass against them, and they made their headquarters in the valley of Jezreel, in the heart of Manasseh's tribe, not far from Gideon's city. Some think that the notice they had of Gideon's destroying Baal's altar brought them over, and that they came to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 6:37

Behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the floor ,.... On the floor where he was threshing, where the angel first appeared to him, and which lay exposed to the open air, so that the dew might easily fall upon it: and if the dew be on the fleece only ; the dew that falls from heaven in the night, when he proposed it should lie on the floor till morning: and it be dry upon all the earth beside ; meaning not upon all the world, nor even upon all the land of Israel, but upon all the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 6:37

The threshing floors were and still are under the open air, and usually circular. The second sign Judges 6:40, would be more convincing than the former, because it is the nature of fleeces to attract and retain moisture. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Judges 6:1-40

Click image for full-size versionClick image for full-size versionGod prepares Gideon (6:1-40)Israel’s return to sinful and idolatrous ways met its punishment in the raids of the Midianites. As usual the Amalekites were pleased to join in the attack. Year by year, for seven years, the invaders rode their army of camels from the deserts of Arabia, crossed the Jordan, and raided the fields and herds of the helpless Israelites. Their attacks reached as far north as Naphtali and as far west as... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 6:36-40

Gideon’s desire for encouragement 6:36-40The Lord graciously answered Gideon’s request for additional signs that God was with him. Gideon did not need to request these signs; God had already promised to help him (Judges 6:14; Judges 6:16) and had given him a sign (Judges 6:21). Notwithstanding, Gideon’s faith needed some added support, and God provided this without reproof (cf. James 1:5)."The remarkable thing is that God responds to his tests. He is more anxious to deliver Israel than to... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 6:1-40

Gideon and the MidianitesThe story of Gideon, which runs from Judges 6:1 to Judges 8:33, is more detailed than that of Deborah and Barak; and, from the details, it would appear that different traditions have been used. Gideon, at the bidding of an angel, calls his clan together, and after reducing them to 300 men, and receiving the encouragement of a dream, surrounds the camp of the Midianites and throws them into a panic. The Ephraimites complete the defeat. The two kings of Midian are then... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 6:37

(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. Psalms 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... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Judges 6:1-40

Gideon the Humble Judges 6:0 I. At first sight the character of Gideon is a very inconsistent one. It seems to be composed of two opposite sides towering aspiration and drooping humility. Was there not imposed upon him a great, a responsible destiny a destiny which he must not seek to evade. Was he not bound to become the Saviour of Israel. So speaks the one side of his nature the aspiring side. But there is another side. This same Gideon is the most humble of men, the most shrinking, the most... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Judges 6:33-40

"THE PEOPLE ARE YET TOO MANY"Judges 6:33-40; Judges 7:1-7ANOTHER day of hope and energy has dawned. One hillside at least rises sunlit out of darkness with the altar of Jehovah on its summit and holier sacrifices smoking there than Israel has offered for many a year. Let us see what elements of promise, what elements of danger or possible error mingle with the, situation. There is a man to take the lead, a young man, thoughtful, bold, energetic, aware of a Divine call and therefore of some... read more

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