Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Judges 7:5. It's a really interesting and somewhat unusual verse! Here's an explanation in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a situation where God is deliberately testing Gideon, a young man who had already been called to be a judge. He’s being asked to do something incredibly difficult – to essentially stop people from drinking water with their tongues. Let's unpack it word-by-word: “So he brought down the people unto the water” : This means God is causing a significant disruption and forcing people to move away from a place of water. It’s a dramatic shift in his plan. “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” : This is the core of the verse. The Lord tells Gideon to only use his tongue to spit out the water. It’s comparing it to a dog licking – he needs to keep it away from the water. “likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink” : This is an added instruction. Gideon is told to bend down low and only drink when he's bowing his knees. Again, this is meant to prevent him from drinking the water. What’s the point of all this? The Lord isn’t necessarily telling Gideon to do this. He’s using it as a test – a way to see if he’s willing to be obedient and humble enough to do what God wants. It's about demonstrating true faith and obedience, not just being agreeable. Why is this a complex passage? This verse is unusual because it doesn't tell us why the Lord is giving Gideon this task. It’s more about the process of testing his character than about the outcome. It suggests that God's tests aren't always about getting a specific result, but about revealing who we truly are. In essence, this verse highlights: God’s testing: He’s using difficult situations to see how people respond to obedience and humility. The importance of obedience: Gideon's response – bowing down and spitting the water – shows a willingness to follow God's will. Do you want me to explain any of these points further or perhaps delve into its context within the larger story of Judges?