Bible Dictionary
Fleece
The wool of a sheep, whether still attached to the animal or already shorn. Gideon used a fleece in a sign involving dew before acting against Midian.
Definition
A fleece is the wool of a sheep, whether still attached to the animal or already shorn.
Biblical Usage
Gideon sought confirmation through a sign involving dew: at one time dew lay on the fleece while the ground was dry, and at another the fleece remained dry while the ground was wet.
Historical Background
The fleece in the account is treated as sheep’s wool used in an enacted sign.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The wool of a sheep, whether shorn off or still attached to the skin (Deut. 18:4; Job 31:20). The miracle of Gideon’s fleece (Judg. 6:37-40) consisted in the dew having fallen at one time on the fleece without any on the floor, and at another time in the fleece remaining dry while the ground was wet with dew.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>fles.</p><p>See GIDEON; SHEEP; WOOL.</p>