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.

JUDGES 7:5KJV
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Judges 7:5 (KJV)

What does Judges 7:5 mean?

Judges 7:5 describes how Gideon brought his men to a water source, and God told him to separate the men based on how they drank—those who lapped the water with their tongues like a dog were to be set apart from those who knelt down to drink. This was a way for God to further reduce the number of men who would go with Gideon.

In this scene, the LORD (God) is speaking directly to Gideon, the leader of Israel's army, as they prepare to face the Midianites. The verse shows God giving Gideon a specific test to divide his troops, highlighting God's control over the situation and His unusual way of choosing who would fight. This moment sets up the dramatic reduction of Gideon's army, emphasizing that victory will come by God's power, not by human strength.