Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 7:6
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.
6. putting their hand to their mouth ] These words do not agree with Jdg 7:5, where ‘lappeth’ is explained ‘with his tongue, as a dog lappeth’; they belong to those who ‘bowed down upon their knees to drink water,’ and should be transferred to the end of the verse. LXX. cod. A and Luc. after ‘lapped’ reads with their tongue, and leaves out ‘to their mouth.’
It is difficult to see the point of the test. Was it that the majority who knelt down to drink shewed that they were thinking only of their thirst, heedless of the risk of being taken by surprise; while ‘the three hundred’ were able, while they lapped, to keep their faces towards the enemy and their hands upon their weapons? ‘The test in fact was a test of attitude, which, after all, both in physical and moral warfare, has proved of far greater value than strength or skill,’ G. A. Smith, Hist. Geogr., p. 399; perhaps this is as much as we can say.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 6. The number of them that lapped] From this account it appears that some of the people went down on their knees, and putting their mouths to the water, sucked up what they needed; the others stooped down, and taking up water in the hollow of their hands, applied it to their mouth.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Putting their hand to their mouth; taking up a little water in the palm of their hands to put into their mouths.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth,…. That is, that took up water in the hollow of their hands, which they lifted up to their mouths, and so lapped it, as the Egyptians about the Nile are said d to do, who drank not out of pots and cups, but used their hands to drink with:
were three hundred men; only such a number out of 10,000: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their knees to drink water; even 9,700; and it was the custom of some nations, as the Ichthyophagy, or fish eaters, to cast themselves with their face to the ground, and drink after the manner of oxen e.
d Achilles Tatius, l. 4. e Strabo. Geograph. l. 16. p. 532.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(6) That lapped, putting their hand to their mouth.Literally, licked with their hand to their mouth.
All the rest of the peoplei.e., 9,700 men.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘And 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.’
Now, no doubt to Gideon’s dismay, his ten larger units had been reduced to three much smaller units. The number three represents completeness. Thus ‘three’ military units may mean ‘the ideal number of men but on a small scale’. Three units was all that God needed, three units of alert, self-controlled, astute fighting men.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Jdg 7:6 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.
Ver. 6. Were three hundred men. ] Methe mispar, a poor few. Many are called, but few are chosen.
“ Rari quippe boni, numero vix sunt totidem quot
Thebarum portae, vel divitis ostia Nili. ” – Juvenal.
a Sat. 13.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Reciprocal: Psa 110:7 – He shall
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jdg 7:6. That lapped Taking up a little water in the palm of their hands. It is probable that Gideon, upon this occasion, commanded his whole army to leave their baggage behind them, and among that the vessels and cups they used to drink out of; and, when he had brought them to the river-side, told them to drink of it, as they were going upon an expedition which would not admit of the carrying water with them, and in which they would not soon meet with any. Something of this kind we may reasonably imagine, to account for the whole armys drinking at the same time, and not one of them using any kind of cup. The whole army, except three hundred men, upon the command being given, seem to have flung themselves down on the rivers bank, as it were, to indulge themselves, which is probably meant by bowing down their knees to drink. But the three hundred men, probably more intent on the expedition, contented themselves with taking up some water in the palm or hollow of their hands, and so quenching their thirst, without laying aside their arms, or putting themselves off their guard.