The Men Who Lapped Water with Their Eyes Upward
The Significance of Lapping Water in Judges 7
In Judges 7, Gideon is instructed by God to test his army of 10,000 men at the water's edge, separating them based on how they drink [1]. The passage describes two distinct behaviors: those who lap water like dogs, bringing their hands to their mouths, and those who kneel down to drink. The Lord instructs Gideon to retain only the 300 men who lapped the water with their hands to their mouths.
The action of lapping water is described in detail by Easton's Bible Dictionary, which likens it to the way a dog drinks, using its tongue to lap up water [2]. John Gill interprets this action as indicative of the men's eagerness and readiness for battle, as they did not take time to kneel down and drink leisurely [3, 4]. In contrast, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown suggest that the method of drinking demonstrated the men's alertness and haste, as they threw water into their mouths without stooping down [8].
The 300 men who lapped water were chosen by God to lead the Israelites to victory against the Midianites. According to John Gill, the action of these men is expressive of their character, although it is unclear whether it signifies weakness or courage [7]. one commentary tradition by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown provides an alternative interpretation, suggesting that the men's method of drinking demonstrated their fitness for a task requiring expedition [8].
The narrative of Gideon and his 300 men has been interpreted in various ways throughout history. Some see the men's actions as a demonstration of their faith and trust in God, while others view it as a test of their physical and mental preparedness for battle. The Baptist/Reformed tradition, represented by John Gill, emphasizes the significance of the men's actions as a sign of their spiritual readiness [3, 4, 7].
The imagery of looking upward is also significant in biblical contexts beyond Judges 7. In Acts 1:10, the disciples are described as looking steadfastly toward heaven as Jesus ascends [5, 6]. Adam Clarke notes that they kept their eyes intensely fixed on their ascending Lord, continuing to look even after He had ascended above the region of the inferior clouds [5]. This act of looking upward is a demonstration of their devotion and attention to Jesus.
The connection between the act of lapping water and looking upward is not explicitly made in the sources. However, both actions involve a sense of alertness and attention. The men who lapped water were attentive to their surroundings, while the disciples who looked upward were focused on Jesus as He ascended.
The historical and cultural context of Judges 7 provides insight into the significance of the men's actions. The passage suggests that the way the men drank water was a test of their character and readiness for battle. The cultural practice of drinking water in haste, as described by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, highlights the importance of alertness and preparedness in the face of challenge [8].
The narrative of Gideon and his 300 men remains a significant example of faith and trust in God, demonstrating how a small group of people can achieve great things through their devotion and obedience. The act of lapping water, as described in Judges 7, continues to be interpreted and understood in various ways, reflecting the complexity and richness of biblical narrative. The image of the disciples looking upward in Acts 1:10 serves as a reminder of the importance of devotion and attention in the Christian life.
Sources
- Judges “Judges 7:6 (BSB) — And the number of those who lapped the water with their hands to their mouths was three hundred men; all the others knelt to drink.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Lapping — Of water like a dog, i.e., by putting the hand filled with water to the mouth. The dog drinks by shaping the end of his long thin tongue into the form of a spoon, thus rapidly lifting up water, which he throws into his mouth. The three hundred men that went with Gideon thus employed their hands and lapped the water out of their hands (Judg. 7:7).”
- Judges (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Judges 7:6: 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 t”
- Judges (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Judges 7:5: So he brought them down to the water,.... His whole army of 10,000 men: and the Lord said unto Gideon, everyone that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shall thou set by himself; this has led some, as particularly Grotius, to think of the Egyptian dogs; of whom Aelianus relates (b), that they do not drink at once freely, and to satiety, being afraid of the crocodiles in the river; but run about the bank, and by stealth snatch a little here and a little there, and so satisfy themselves: but the allusion here is to dogs in common, whose usual w”
- Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 1:10: Looked steadfastly - Keeping their eyes intensely fixed on their ascending Lord; continuing to look even after he had ascended above the region of the inferior clouds. Two men stood by them - Doubtless, angels in human shape. In white apparel - As emblematical of their purity, happiness, and glory.”
- Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 1:10: And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven,.... For though he was taken out of their sight by the cloud, they kept looking upwards, and after him, if they could see him again, or any more of him: as he went up; they looked up to heaven after him, as he went up from the earth, before the cloud took him out of their sight; and still they continued looking, as the cloud carried him up, until it was out of the reach of their sight, being willing to see the last of him in this way: behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; that is, two angels in the form of me”
- Judges (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Judges 7:7: And the Lord said unto Gideon, by the three hundred men that lapped I will save and deliver the Midianites into thine hand,.... It is hard to say what character this action of the three hundred is expressive of, whether of weakness or of courage. Some think that those who drank upon their knees were faint and weary, and men of intemperance, and indulged themselves, and were unfit for war, while those that only lapped a little water to refresh themselves appeared to be eager, and in haste and readiness to engage in it; and so Ben Gersom takes those that bowed to be slot”
- Judges (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Judges 7:5: bring them down unto the water--When the wandering people in Asia, on a journey or in haste, come to water, they do not stoop down with deliberation on their knees, but only bend forward as much as is necessary to bring their hand in contact with the stream, and throw it up with rapidity, and at the same time such address, that they do not drop a particle. The Israelites, it seems, were acquainted with the practice; and those who adopted it on this occasion were selected as fit for a work that required expedition. The rest were dismissed according to th”