And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.

JUDGES 6:20KJV
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Judges 6:20 (KJV)

What does Judges 6:20 mean?

Judges 6:20 describes a turning point in Gideon’s meeting with the angel of God. The food Gideon has prepared is placed on a rock at the angel’s direction, setting the scene for the sign that follows.

The angel tells Gideon to put the meat and unleavened cakes on the rock and pour out the broth. The rock becomes the place where the food is presented, rather than a table where the visitor eats. Gideon follows the instructions.

The Hebrew behind Judges 6:20

  • “angel” — מַלְאָךְ (malʾakh): This word means “messenger.” Here the messenger is identified as belonging to God and gives Gideon directions.
  • “cakes” — מַצָּה (matstsah): This word refers to unleavened bread. The phrase “unleavened cakes” pictures flat bread made without a raising agent.

Why Judges 6:20 matters

  • The food becomes part of Gideon’s request for a sign. In Judges 6:17–18, Gideon asks for a sign and brings a gift; the angel’s directions show how that gift will be presented.
  • The next event gives meaning to the unusual arrangement. In Judges 6:21, fire comes from the rock and consumes the meat and cakes, showing Gideon that the encounter is no ordinary meal.

Where else these words appear

“broth” Hebrew H4839 · used in 3 verses

  • Judges 6:19 And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it.
  • Isaiah 65:4 Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels;

“this” Hebrew H1975 · used in 7 verses

  • 1 Samuel 14:1 Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.
  • 2 Kings 4:25 So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite:
  • Daniel 8:16 And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.

“cakes” Hebrew H4682 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 19:3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
  • Leviticus 2:4 And if thou bring an oblation of a meat offering baken in the oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil.
  • Deuteronomy 16:8 Six days thou shalt eat unleavened bread: and on the seventh day shall be a solemn assembly to the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work therein.

“rock” Hebrew H5553 · used in 54 verses

  • Numbers 20:8 Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.
  • 2 Chronicles 25:12 And other ten thousand left alive did the children of Judah carry away captive, and brought them unto the top of the rock, and cast them down from the top of the rock, that they all were broken in pieces.
  • Isaiah 31:9 And he shall pass over to his strong hold for fear, and his princes shall be afraid of the ensign, saith the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem.