King James Version
Judges 3
31 verses with commentary
Nations Left to Test Israel
Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Now these are the nations which the LORD left, to prove Israel by them, even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan;</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees of faith and character flaws, yet God works through these im...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **To prove Israel.**—The verb here used is the same as in Judges 2:22 and Judges 3:4, but, as R. Tanchum observes, it is used in a slightly different sense, meaning “to train them.” Symmachus renders it *askēsai.*
**As many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan.**—This expression clearly implies the generation after that of Joshua. “The wars of Canaan” are equivalent to “the wars o...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Jos 19:32-39. Of Naphtali.
**32-39. the sixth lot came out to the children of Naphtali--**Although the cities mentioned have not been discovered, it is evident, from Zaanannim, which is by Kedesh, that is, on the northwest of Lake Merom (Jud 4:11), that the boundary described (Jos 19:34) ran from the southwest towards the northeast, up to the sources of the Jordan.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The nations left to prove Israel.(1-7)
Othniel delivers Israel.(8-11)
Ehud delivers Israel from Eglon.(12-30)
Shamgar delivers and judges Israel.(31)
**Verses 1-7**
As the Israelites were a type of the church on earth, they were not to be idle and slothful. The Lord was pleased to try them by the remains of the devoted nations they spared. Tempta...
Read full commentary →Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof;
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war, at the least such as before knew nothing thereof;</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees of faith and character flaws, yet God works through these imper...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **Only that the generations of the children of Israel might know, to teach them war.**—The LXX. here render, “Only because of the generations of the children of Israel to teach them war.” The Vulgate is here a mere paraphrase, and the translations vary. The meaning seems *to *be, “Only that *He *(Jehovah) might know the generations of the children of Israel, to teach them war.” The expression ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Jos 19:32-39. Of Naphtali.
**32-39. the sixth lot came out to the children of Naphtali--**Although the cities mentioned have not been discovered, it is evident, from Zaanannim, which is by Kedesh, that is, on the northwest of Lake Merom (Jud 4:11), that the boundary described (Jos 19:34) ran from the southwest towards the northeast, up to the sources of the Jordan.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The nations left to prove Israel.(1-7)
Othniel delivers Israel.(8-11)
Ehud delivers Israel from Eglon.(12-30)
Shamgar delivers and judges Israel.(31)
**Verses 1-7**
As the Israelites were a type of the church on earth, they were not to be idle and slothful. The Lord was pleased to try them by the remains of the devoted nations they spared. Tempta...
Read full commentary →Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baalhermon unto the entering in of Hamath.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Namely, five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baal-hermon unto the entering in of Hamath.</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees of faith and c...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **Five lords of the Philistines.**—The princes of the Pentapolis, Gaza, Ashdod, Askelon, Gath, Ekron. The word rendered “lords” is evidently a technical or local *title—Seranim. *It is rendered by the LXX. *“satrapies,” *and by the Vulgate, “satraps.” It is variously derived from *seren, *“a hinge” (comp. “cardinal” from “cardo”); from *sar, *“a prince,” being interchanged with *sarim, *in 1 S...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Jos 19:32-39. Of Naphtali.
**32-39. the sixth lot came out to the children of Naphtali--**Although the cities mentioned have not been discovered, it is evident, from Zaanannim, which is by Kedesh, that is, on the northwest of Lake Merom (Jud 4:11), that the boundary described (Jos 19:34) ran from the southwest towards the northeast, up to the sources of the Jordan.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The nations left to prove Israel.(1-7)
Othniel delivers Israel.(8-11)
Ehud delivers Israel from Eglon.(12-30)
Shamgar delivers and judges Israel.(31)
**Verses 1-7**
As the Israelites were a type of the church on earth, they were not to be idle and slothful. The Lord was pleased to try them by the remains of the devoted nations they spared. Tempta...
Read full commentary →And they were to prove Israel by them, to know whether they would hearken unto the commandments of the LORD, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And they were to prove Israel by them, to know whether they would hearken unto the commandments of the LORD, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees of faith and character flaws, ye...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **To prove Israel.**—See Judges 2:22.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Jos 19:32-39. Of Naphtali.
**32-39. the sixth lot came out to the children of Naphtali--**Although the cities mentioned have not been discovered, it is evident, from Zaanannim, which is by Kedesh, that is, on the northwest of Lake Merom (Jud 4:11), that the boundary described (Jos 19:34) ran from the southwest towards the northeast, up to the sources of the Jordan.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The nations left to prove Israel.(1-7)
Othniel delivers Israel.(8-11)
Ehud delivers Israel from Eglon.(12-30)
Shamgar delivers and judges Israel.(31)
**Verses 1-7**
As the Israelites were a type of the church on earth, they were not to be idle and slothful. The Lord was pleased to try them by the remains of the devoted nations they spared. Tempta...
Read full commentary →And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites:
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites, and Perizzites, and Hivites, and Jebusites:</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees of faith and character flaws, yet God works through these imperfect human...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **Dwelt among the Canaanites . . .**—These nations are enumerated also in Exodus 33:2; Exodus 34:1. In Joshua 24:11 the Girgashites are added; in Ezra 9:1 the Ammonites and Moabites. (See Notes on those places.) At this verse begins the second great section of the book (Judges 3:5-16), which Prof. Cassel summarises as “a history of sin repeating itself, and of Divine Grace constantly devising ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Jos 19:32-39. Of Naphtali.
**32-39. the sixth lot came out to the children of Naphtali--**Although the cities mentioned have not been discovered, it is evident, from Zaanannim, which is by Kedesh, that is, on the northwest of Lake Merom (Jud 4:11), that the boundary described (Jos 19:34) ran from the southwest towards the northeast, up to the sources of the Jordan.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The nations left to prove Israel.(1-7)
Othniel delivers Israel.(8-11)
Ehud delivers Israel from Eglon.(12-30)
Shamgar delivers and judges Israel.(31)
**Verses 1-7**
As the Israelites were a type of the church on earth, they were not to be idle and slothful. The Lord was pleased to try them by the remains of the devoted nations they spared. Tempta...
Read full commentary →And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods.</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees of faith and character flaws, yet God works through these imperfect human instrument...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **And they took their daughters.**—This beginning of intermarriages shows that we are now a generation removed from the days of Joshua. Such marriages had been forbidden in Deuteronomy 7:3. but are not among the sins denounced by the Angel-messenger at Bochim (Judges 2:1).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Jos 19:32-39. Of Naphtali.
**32-39. the sixth lot came out to the children of Naphtali--**Although the cities mentioned have not been discovered, it is evident, from Zaanannim, which is by Kedesh, that is, on the northwest of Lake Merom (Jud 4:11), that the boundary described (Jos 19:34) ran from the southwest towards the northeast, up to the sources of the Jordan.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The nations left to prove Israel.(1-7)
Othniel delivers Israel.(8-11)
Ehud delivers Israel from Eglon.(12-30)
Shamgar delivers and judges Israel.(31)
**Verses 1-7**
As the Israelites were a type of the church on earth, they were not to be idle and slothful. The Lord was pleased to try them by the remains of the devoted nations they spared. Tempta...
Read full commentary →Othniel Delivers Israel
And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves.</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees of faith and character flaws, yet God works through these imperfect h...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **Did evil in the sight of the Lord.**—Rather, *did the evil, *as in Judges 2:11.
**And the groves.**—Rather, *and the Asheroth, i.e., *the wooden images of the nature-goddess, Asherah (which are called also Asherim). The LXX. render the word Asherah by *alsos, *“a grove,” and other versions follow them. (Sec Exodus 34:13; Deuteronomy 8:5; Deuteronomy 16:21; 2Kings 23:14, &c.) Thus Luther rend...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Jos 19:40-48. Of Dan.
**40-46. the seventh lot came out for the tribe ... Dan--**It lay on the west of Benjamin and consisted of portions surrendered by Judah and Ephraim. Its boundaries are not stated, as they were easily distinguishable from the relative position of Dan to the three adjoining tribes.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 3
Chapter Outline
The nations left to prove Israel.(1-7)
Othniel delivers Israel.(8-11)
Ehud delivers Israel from Eglon.(12-30)
Shamgar delivers and judges Israel.(31)
**Verses 1-7**
As the Israelites were a type of the church on earth, they were not to be idle and slothful. The Lord was pleased to try them by the remains of the devoted nations they spared. Tempta...
Read full commentary →Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushanrishathaim eight years. Mesopotamia: Heb. Aramnaharaim
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushan-rishathaim eight years.</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **Into the hand of Chushan-rishathaim.**—If the reading of all the MSS. be correct, this must be a term of hatred rather than a name, for it means “Cushan of the double wickedness.” Some MSS. of the LXX. have Chousarsathaim. Josephus (*Antt. v.* 3, § 3) shortens it into *Chousarthes*; and St. Clemens of Alexandria (*Strom. i.* 21) into *Chousachar. *Syncellus (*Chronogr. *i. 58) says that Paph...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Jos 19:40-48. Of Dan.
**40-46. the seventh lot came out for the tribe ... Dan--**It lay on the west of Benjamin and consisted of portions surrendered by Judah and Ephraim. Its boundaries are not stated, as they were easily distinguishable from the relative position of Dan to the three adjoining tribes.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-11**
The first judge was Othniel: even in Joshua's time Othniel began to be famous. Soon after Israel's settlement in Canaan their purity began to be corrupted, and their peace disturbed. But affliction makes those cry to God who before would scarcely speak to him. God returned in mercy to them for their deliverance. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Othniel. The Spirit of wisdom and...
Read full commentary →And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother. deliverer: Heb. saviour
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees of faith ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **Cried unto the Lord.**—“In the time of their trouble, when they cried unto Thee, Thou heardest them from heaven; and according to Thy manifold mercies Thou gavest them saviours” (Nehemiah 9:27). “Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses” (Psalm 107:13; see, too, Psalm 26:5; Psalm 78:34; Psalm 106:44).
**A deliverer.**—Heb., *moshia; *LXX., “a ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Jos 19:40-48. Of Dan.
**40-46. the seventh lot came out for the tribe ... Dan--**It lay on the west of Benjamin and consisted of portions surrendered by Judah and Ephraim. Its boundaries are not stated, as they were easily distinguishable from the relative position of Dan to the three adjoining tribes.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-11**
The first judge was Othniel: even in Joshua's time Othniel began to be famous. Soon after Israel's settlement in Canaan their purity began to be corrupted, and their peace disturbed. But affliction makes those cry to God who before would scarcely speak to him. God returned in mercy to them for their deliverance. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Othniel. The Spirit of wisdom and...
Read full commentary →And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushanrishathaim. came: Heb. was Mesopotamia: Heb. Aram
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the LORD delivered Chushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand; and his hand prevailed against Chushan-rishathaim.</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **The Spirit of the Lord came upon him.**—Here the Targum has “the spirit of prophecy” (comp. Isaiah 61:1), perhaps with reference to Numbers 11:25. They render the same phrase in Judges 6:34, “spirit of courage from Jehovah.” This expression constantly recurs in this book (Judges 6:34; Judges 11:29; Judges 13:25). For “came upon him” (literally “w*as upon *him”), a stronger phrase is “clothe...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Jos 19:40-48. Of Dan.
**40-46. the seventh lot came out for the tribe ... Dan--**It lay on the west of Benjamin and consisted of portions surrendered by Judah and Ephraim. Its boundaries are not stated, as they were easily distinguishable from the relative position of Dan to the three adjoining tribes.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-11**
The first judge was Othniel: even in Joshua's time Othniel began to be famous. Soon after Israel's settlement in Canaan their purity began to be corrupted, and their peace disturbed. But affliction makes those cry to God who before would scarcely speak to him. God returned in mercy to them for their deliverance. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Othniel. The Spirit of wisdom and...
Read full commentary →And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel the son of Kenaz died.</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees of faith and character flaws, yet God works through these imperfect human instruments to accomplish His purposes. This illustr...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **The land had rest forty years.**—Rabbi Tanchum interprets this to mean, “till forty years after the death of Joshua.” For the very difficult chronology of this period, see the Introduction. Many questions have been raised, such as—Do the forty years *include *or *exclude *the period of servitude? Is forty meant to be an exact or a general number? Are the various periods of rest and servitud...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Jos 19:40-48. Of Dan.
**40-46. the seventh lot came out for the tribe ... Dan--**It lay on the west of Benjamin and consisted of portions surrendered by Judah and Ephraim. Its boundaries are not stated, as they were easily distinguishable from the relative position of Dan to the three adjoining tribes.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 8-11**
The first judge was Othniel: even in Joshua's time Othniel began to be famous. Soon after Israel's settlement in Canaan their purity began to be corrupted, and their peace disturbed. But affliction makes those cry to God who before would scarcely speak to him. God returned in mercy to them for their deliverance. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Othniel. The Spirit of wisdom and...
Read full commentary →Ehud Delivers Israel
And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD.</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees of faith a...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **Did evil again.**—Literally, *“*added to do evil.” We find this Hebraism even in the New Testament. “He added (*prosetheto*) to send” (Luke 20:11-12).
**Evil.**—Literally, *the evil, *with special reference to idolatry, as in Judges 2:11, &c.
**Strengthened Eglon the king of Moab.**—See this event referred to by the prophet Samuel, in 1Samuel 12:9. Eglon was a successor of Balak. We have se...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Jos 19:40-48. Of Dan.
**40-46. the seventh lot came out for the tribe ... Dan--**It lay on the west of Benjamin and consisted of portions surrendered by Judah and Ephraim. Its boundaries are not stated, as they were easily distinguishable from the relative position of Dan to the three adjoining tribes.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-30**
When Israel sins again, God raises up a new oppressor. The Israelites did ill, and the Moabites did worse; yet because God punishes the sins of his own people in this world, Israel is weakened, and Moab strengthened against them. If lesser troubles do not do the work, God will send greater. When Israel prays again, God raises up Ehud. As a judge, or minister of Divine justice,...
Read full commentary →And he gathered unto him the children of Ammon and Amalek, and went and smote Israel, and possessed the city of palm trees .
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he gathered unto him the children of Ammon and Amalek, and went and smote Israel, and possessed the city of palm trees.</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees of faith and character flaws, yet God works through these imperfect huma...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **The children of Ammon.**—They were closely allied with the Moabites by affinities of race and character. (Genesis 19:37-38.) We find them united with Moab against Jehoshaphat in 2Chronicles 20:1. (See Judges 11:24.) It has been supposed that *Chepharhaammonai *(Joshua 18:24), or “the village of the Ammonites,” is a memorial of this conquest (Stanley, *Jewish Church, *ii. 316).
**Amalek.**—T...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Jos 19:40-48. Of Dan.
**40-46. the seventh lot came out for the tribe ... Dan--**It lay on the west of Benjamin and consisted of portions surrendered by Judah and Ephraim. Its boundaries are not stated, as they were easily distinguishable from the relative position of Dan to the three adjoining tribes.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-30**
When Israel sins again, God raises up a new oppressor. The Israelites did ill, and the Moabites did worse; yet because God punishes the sins of his own people in this world, Israel is weakened, and Moab strengthened against them. If lesser troubles do not do the work, God will send greater. When Israel prays again, God raises up Ehud. As a judge, or minister of Divine justice,...
Read full commentary →So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>So the children of Israel served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees of faith and character flaws, yet God works through these imperfect human instruments to accomplish His purposes. This illus...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) **Served Eglon.**—One instance of that receiving of “a yoke of iron” which had been threatened as a punishment of apostasy (Deuteronomy 28:47-48). The narrative, however, shows that the Moabite dominion did not extend beyond the borders of Ephraim (Judges 3:13).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**47. the children of Dan went up to fight against Leshem--**The Danites, finding their inheritance too small, decided to enlarge its boundaries by the sword; and, having conquered Leshem (Laish), they planted a colony there, calling the new settlement by the name of Dan (see on Jud 18:7).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-30**
When Israel sins again, God raises up a new oppressor. The Israelites did ill, and the Moabites did worse; yet because God punishes the sins of his own people in this world, Israel is weakened, and Moab strengthened against them. If lesser troubles do not do the work, God will send greater. When Israel prays again, God raises up Ehud. As a judge, or minister of Divine justice,...
Read full commentary →But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded : and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab. a Benjamite: or, the son of Jemini lefthanded: Heb. shut of his right hand
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab.</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(15) **Ehud the son of Gera.**—In Genesis 46:21 Gera is a son of Benjamin; in 1Chronicles 8:3 he is a son of Bela, son of Benjamin. The name Gera was hereditary in the tribe of Benjamin (see 2Samuel 19:18; 1Chronicles 8:1-7), and the Jews so constantly omit steps in their genealogies that we can never be sure that “son” means more than “descendant.” Ehud seems to be another form of Abihud (1Chroni...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-30**
When Israel sins again, God raises up a new oppressor. The Israelites did ill, and the Moabites did worse; yet because God punishes the sins of his own people in this world, Israel is weakened, and Moab strengthened against them. If lesser troubles do not do the work, God will send greater. When Israel prays again, God raises up Ehud. As a judge, or minister of Divine justice,...
Read full commentary →But Ehud made him a dagger which had two edges, of a cubit length; and he did gird it under his raiment upon his right thigh.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But Ehud made him a dagger which had two edges, of a cubit length; and he did gird it under his raiment upon his right thigh.</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees of faith and character flaws, yet God works through these imperfect hu...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(16) **Made him a dagger which had two edges.**—Probably, as in other servitudes, the children of Israel had been disarmed. The “two edges” (comp. Revelation 1:16) show that it was not a mere knife (comp. Psalm 144:6; Hebrews 4:12). Jerome, in the Vulgate, after rightly rendering the word *ancipitem, *adds, “having a handle in the midst,” which seems useless and meaningless, and has no equivalent ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-30**
When Israel sins again, God raises up a new oppressor. The Israelites did ill, and the Moabites did worse; yet because God punishes the sins of his own people in this world, Israel is weakened, and Moab strengthened against them. If lesser troubles do not do the work, God will send greater. When Israel prays again, God raises up Ehud. As a judge, or minister of Divine justice,...
Read full commentary →And he brought the present unto Eglon king of Moab: and Eglon was a very fat man.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he brought the present unto Eglon king of Moab: and Eglon was a very fat man.</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees of faith and character flaws, yet God works through these imperfect human instruments to accomplish His purposes. ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(17) **He brought the present.**—Literally,”caused it to come near.” Josephus, in his version of the story, evidently means to insinuate a parallel between the deed of Ehud and that of Harmodius and Aristogiton. He calls Ehud a young man who lived in familiarity with Eglon, and who had won his favour by frequent presents (*Antt. *v. 4).
**A very fat man.—**Vulg., *Crassus nimis. *Such seems to be ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Jos 19:49-51. The Children of Israel Give an Inheritance to Joshua.
**50. According to the word of the Lord they gave him the city which he asked--**It was most proper that the great leader should receive an inheritance suited to his dignity, and as a reward for his public services. But the gift was not left to the spontaneous feelings of a grateful people. It was conferred "according to the word...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-30**
When Israel sins again, God raises up a new oppressor. The Israelites did ill, and the Moabites did worse; yet because God punishes the sins of his own people in this world, Israel is weakened, and Moab strengthened against them. If lesser troubles do not do the work, God will send greater. When Israel prays again, God raises up Ehud. As a judge, or minister of Divine justice,...
Read full commentary →And when he had made an end to offer the present, he sent away the people that bare the present.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And when he had made an end to offer the present, he sent away the people that bare the present.</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees of faith and character flaws, yet God works through these imperfect human instruments to accomplish...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(18) **The people.**—The tribute-bearers, headed by Ehud, would carry their offerings in long and pompous array, according to the fashion of the East, which always aims at making a present seem as large as possible (see Genesis 32:16). “Fifty persons often bear what one man could easily carry” (Chardin, iii. 217).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**51. These are the inheritances--**This verse is the formal close of the section which narrates the history of the land distribution; and to stamp it with due importance, the names of the commissioners are repeated, as well as the spot where so memorable a transaction took place.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-30**
When Israel sins again, God raises up a new oppressor. The Israelites did ill, and the Moabites did worse; yet because God punishes the sins of his own people in this world, Israel is weakened, and Moab strengthened against them. If lesser troubles do not do the work, God will send greater. When Israel prays again, God raises up Ehud. As a judge, or minister of Divine justice,...
Read full commentary →But he himself turned again from the quarries that were by Gilgal, and said, I have a secret errand unto thee, O king: who said, Keep silence. And all that stood by him went out from him. quarries: or, graven images
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But he himself turned again from the quarries that were by Gilgal, and said, I have a secret errand unto thee, O king: who said, Keep silence. And all that stood by him went out from him.</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees of faith...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(19) **But he himself turned again.**—The plan of Ehud was deeply laid. He wished (1) to secure his end, which would be more difficult amid the soldiers and attendants who would guard the king during the presentation of the tribute; (2) to avoid endangering his comrades; (3) to provide, if possible, for his own escape. By going away with the deputation of serfs
which he had introduced, he would st...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-30**
When Israel sins again, God raises up a new oppressor. The Israelites did ill, and the Moabites did worse; yet because God punishes the sins of his own people in this world, Israel is weakened, and Moab strengthened against them. If lesser troubles do not do the work, God will send greater. When Israel prays again, God raises up Ehud. As a judge, or minister of Divine justice,...
Read full commentary →And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting in a summer parlour, which he had for himself alone. And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto thee. And he arose out of his seat. a summer: Heb. a parlour of cooling
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting in a summer parlour, which he had for himself alone. And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto thee. And he arose out of his seat.</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees of faith and chara...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(20) **Ehud came unto him.**—The previous message had either been spoken at some distance, in a loud voice, or had been merely a message sent to the king by the attendants.
**In a summer parlour.**—Literally, *a parlour of cooling *(comp. Amos 3:15). The room is one of the kind known in the East as *alijah *(Greek, *huperōon; *Mark 14:15), the coolest part of an Eastern house. *Obergemache der Küh...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 20 Jos 20:1-6. The Lord Commands the Cities of Refuge.
**1-3. The Lord spake unto Joshua ... Appoint out for you cities of refuge--**(See Nu 35:9-28; De 19:1-13). The command here recorded was given on their going to occupy their allotted settlements. The sanctuaries were not temples or altars, as in other countries, but inhabited cities; and the design was not to screen criminals, but on...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-30**
When Israel sins again, God raises up a new oppressor. The Israelites did ill, and the Moabites did worse; yet because God punishes the sins of his own people in this world, Israel is weakened, and Moab strengthened against them. If lesser troubles do not do the work, God will send greater. When Israel prays again, God raises up Ehud. As a judge, or minister of Divine justice,...
Read full commentary →And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly:
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly:</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees of faith and character flaws, yet God works through these imperfect human instruments to a...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(21) **Thrust it into his belly.**—This would involve *certain, *though not necessarily instant death. Josephus says, inaccurately, that he stabbed him to the heart (*Antt. v.* 4, § 2). The assassination is *exactly *similar to that of Henry III. of France, by the Dominican monk, Jacques Clement, who had provided himself with a commission from a friend of the king: “On Tuesday, Aug. 1, at 8 a.m.,”...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 20 Jos 20:1-6. The Lord Commands the Cities of Refuge.
**1-3. The Lord spake unto Joshua ... Appoint out for you cities of refuge--**(See Nu 35:9-28; De 19:1-13). The command here recorded was given on their going to occupy their allotted settlements. The sanctuaries were not temples or altars, as in other countries, but inhabited cities; and the design was not to screen criminals, but on...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-30**
When Israel sins again, God raises up a new oppressor. The Israelites did ill, and the Moabites did worse; yet because God punishes the sins of his own people in this world, Israel is weakened, and Moab strengthened against them. If lesser troubles do not do the work, God will send greater. When Israel prays again, God raises up Ehud. As a judge, or minister of Divine justice,...
Read full commentary →And the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the blade, so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly; and the dirt came out. the dirt: or, it came out at the buttocks
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the blade, so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly; and the dirt came out.</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees of faith and character flaws, yet God wo...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(22) **The haft also went in after the blade.**—The tremendous violence of the blow marks that resoluteness of character which Ehud shows throughout. The Hebrew for “blade” is “flame,” as the LXX. here render it. It is as though the vivid narrator would make us see the flash of the dagger ere it is buried, hilt and all, in the huge body. So in Nahum 3:3 we have, “The horseman lifteth up the flame ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 20 Jos 20:1-6. The Lord Commands the Cities of Refuge.
**1-3. The Lord spake unto Joshua ... Appoint out for you cities of refuge--**(See Nu 35:9-28; De 19:1-13). The command here recorded was given on their going to occupy their allotted settlements. The sanctuaries were not temples or altars, as in other countries, but inhabited cities; and the design was not to screen criminals, but on...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-30**
When Israel sins again, God raises up a new oppressor. The Israelites did ill, and the Moabites did worse; yet because God punishes the sins of his own people in this world, Israel is weakened, and Moab strengthened against them. If lesser troubles do not do the work, God will send greater. When Israel prays again, God raises up Ehud. As a judge, or minister of Divine justice,...
Read full commentary →Then Ehud went forth through the porch, and shut the doors of the parlour upon him, and locked them.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then Ehud went forth through the porch, and shut the doors of the parlour upon him, and locked them.</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees of faith and character flaws, yet God works through these imperfect human instruments to accomp...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(23) **Then Ehud went forth through the porch.**—Rather, *into. *The word rendered “porch”—*misderōnah*—is derived from *seder *(“order”). The Chaldee represents it by a transliteration of the Greek word *exedra, *“a hall decorated with pillars.” Kimchi supposes it to mean an ante-chamber where people waited to see the king, standing in order; and this seems to be the view of the LXX. (in the Vati...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4. he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city--**It was the place of public resort, and on arriving there he related his tale of distress to the elders, who were bound to give him shelter and the means of support, until the local authorities (Jos 20:6), having carefully investigated the case, should have pronounced the decision. If found guilty...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-30**
When Israel sins again, God raises up a new oppressor. The Israelites did ill, and the Moabites did worse; yet because God punishes the sins of his own people in this world, Israel is weakened, and Moab strengthened against them. If lesser troubles do not do the work, God will send greater. When Israel prays again, God raises up Ehud. As a judge, or minister of Divine justice,...
Read full commentary →When he was gone out, his servants came; and when they saw that, behold, the doors of the parlour were locked, they said, Surely he covereth his feet in his summer chamber. covereth: or, doeth his easement
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>When he was gone out, his servants came; and when they saw that, behold, the doors of the parlour were locked, they said, Surely he covereth his feet in his summer chamber.</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees of faith and character ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(24) **Behold, the doors of the parlour were locked.**—It never occurred to them to suppose that they could have been fastened from without. “They were not strictly on the watch, both because of the heat and because they had gone to dinner” (Jos.).
**Surely he covereth his feet.**—They assumed that the king had fastened the door inside for the sake of privacy. The margin correctly explains the phr...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-30**
When Israel sins again, God raises up a new oppressor. The Israelites did ill, and the Moabites did worse; yet because God punishes the sins of his own people in this world, Israel is weakened, and Moab strengthened against them. If lesser troubles do not do the work, God will send greater. When Israel prays again, God raises up Ehud. As a judge, or minister of Divine justice,...
Read full commentary →And they tarried till they were ashamed: and, behold, he opened not the doors of the parlour; therefore they took a key, and opened them: and, behold, their lord was fallen down dead on the earth.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And they tarried till they were ashamed: and, behold, he opened not the doors of the parlour; therefore they took a key, and opened them: and, behold, their lord was fallen down dead on the earth.</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(25) **Tarried till they were ashamed.**—See 2Kings 2:17; 2Kings 8:11. It is a dangerous matter to intrude on the privacy of an Oriental king.
**A key.**—Literally, *the opener. *The ancient key was simply a bar of wood, hooked at the end, which passed through a hole in the door and caught the bolt inside.
**Their lord was fallen down dead.**—Comp. Judges 4:22.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**6. until the death of the high priest--**His death secured the complete deliverance of the manslayer from his sin, only because he had been anointed with the holy oil (Nu 35:25), the symbol of the Holy Ghost; and thus the death of the earthly high priest became a type of that of the heavenly one (He 9:14, 15).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-30**
When Israel sins again, God raises up a new oppressor. The Israelites did ill, and the Moabites did worse; yet because God punishes the sins of his own people in this world, Israel is weakened, and Moab strengthened against them. If lesser troubles do not do the work, God will send greater. When Israel prays again, God raises up Ehud. As a judge, or minister of Divine justice,...
Read full commentary →And Ehud escaped while they tarried, and passed beyond the quarries, and escaped unto Seirath.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Ehud escaped while they tarried, and passed beyond the quarries, and escaped unto Seirath.</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees of faith and character flaws, yet God works through these imperfect human instruments to accomplish H...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(26) **Unto Seirath.**—Perhaps, rather, *into the bush, *or *woodland, *as the word has the article, and does not occur again. When he had got beyond the frontier post of Gilgal, into the district of Ephraim, he was safe from pursuit.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Jos 20:7-9. The Israelites Appoint by Name the Cities of Refuge.
**7-9. they appointed ... cities--**There were six; three on the west, and three on the east, of Jordan. In the first instance, they were a provision of the criminal law of the Hebrews, necessary in the circumstances of that people (see on Nu 35:11; De 19:2). At the same time they were designed also typically to point out the sinner...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-30**
When Israel sins again, God raises up a new oppressor. The Israelites did ill, and the Moabites did worse; yet because God punishes the sins of his own people in this world, Israel is weakened, and Moab strengthened against them. If lesser troubles do not do the work, God will send greater. When Israel prays again, God raises up Ehud. As a judge, or minister of Divine justice,...
Read full commentary →And it came to pass, when he was come, that he blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And it came to pass, when he was come, that he blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them.</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees of faith and character f...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(27) **He blew a trumpet.**—The word for “trumpet” is *shophar. *The LXX. have “he trumpeted with a horn” (*Esalpisen en keratine*)*.*
**In the mountain of Ephraim.**—The hill country of Ephraim was always the fastness of Israelitish freedom (Judges 4:5; Judges 10:1; 1Samuel 1:1; 1Samuel 13:6; 1Samuel 14:22).
**He before them.**—He assumed the leadership.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Jos 20:7-9. The Israelites Appoint by Name the Cities of Refuge.
**7-9. they appointed ... cities--**There were six; three on the west, and three on the east, of Jordan. In the first instance, they were a provision of the criminal law of the Hebrews, necessary in the circumstances of that people (see on Nu 35:11; De 19:2). At the same time they were designed also typically to point out the sinner...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-30**
When Israel sins again, God raises up a new oppressor. The Israelites did ill, and the Moabites did worse; yet because God punishes the sins of his own people in this world, Israel is weakened, and Moab strengthened against them. If lesser troubles do not do the work, God will send greater. When Israel prays again, God raises up Ehud. As a judge, or minister of Divine justice,...
Read full commentary →And he said unto them, Follow after me: for the LORD hath delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he said unto them, Follow after me: for the LORD hath delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over.</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves d...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(28) **The Lord hath delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand.**—Comp. Judges 7:9-15; 1Samuel 17:47; 1Kings 22:12.
**Took the fords of Jordan.**—This was a matter of extreme importance. The fords of Jordan were few, and far distant from each other. (Joshua 2:7.) The steep ravine through which it flows forms a natural barrier to Western Palestine, and by securing the fords they cut off fr...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Jos 20:7-9. The Israelites Appoint by Name the Cities of Refuge.
**7-9. they appointed ... cities--**There were six; three on the west, and three on the east, of Jordan. In the first instance, they were a provision of the criminal law of the Hebrews, necessary in the circumstances of that people (see on Nu 35:11; De 19:2). At the same time they were designed also typically to point out the sinner...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-30**
When Israel sins again, God raises up a new oppressor. The Israelites did ill, and the Moabites did worse; yet because God punishes the sins of his own people in this world, Israel is weakened, and Moab strengthened against them. If lesser troubles do not do the work, God will send greater. When Israel prays again, God raises up Ehud. As a judge, or minister of Divine justice,...
Read full commentary →And they slew of Moab at that time about ten thousand men, all lusty, and all men of valour; and there escaped not a man. lusty: Heb. fat
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And they slew of Moab at that time about ten thousand men, all lusty, and all men of valour; and there escaped not a man.</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees of faith and character flaws, yet God works through these imperfect human ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(29) **At that time.**—Apparently in the first surprise of the Moabite forces and garrisons.
**All lusty.**—Literally, *every fat man and every soldier of strength, *the word being the same as that used in Judges 3:17 to describe the fatness of Eglon. The choice of the word seems to be dictated by a certain grim sense of humour. “The narrative ends, as it had begun, with its half-humorous allusion...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-30**
When Israel sins again, God raises up a new oppressor. The Israelites did ill, and the Moabites did worse; yet because God punishes the sins of his own people in this world, Israel is weakened, and Moab strengthened against them. If lesser troubles do not do the work, God will send greater. When Israel prays again, God raises up Ehud. As a judge, or minister of Divine justice,...
Read full commentary →So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest fourscore years.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest fourscore years.</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees of faith and character flaws, yet God works through these imperfect human instruments to accomplish Hi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(30) **The land.**—Meaning, probably, the southern tribes.
**Fourscore years.**—The LXX. add, “And Ehud judged them till he died.” Josephus (*Antt. v.* 5, § 1) seems to have read “eight years.”
As to the moral aspect of the assassination committed by Ehud, it is only necessary to say that while his courage, and capacity, and readiness to sacrifice himself, if need be, for the deliverance of his co...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 21 Jos 21:1-8. Eight and Forty Cities Given by Lot Out of the Other Tribes unto the Levites.
**1-3. Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites--**The most venerable and distinguished members of the three Levitical families, on behalf of their tribe, applied for the special provision that had been promised them to be now awarded (see on Nu 35:2). Their inheritance lay within th...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 12-30**
When Israel sins again, God raises up a new oppressor. The Israelites did ill, and the Moabites did worse; yet because God punishes the sins of his own people in this world, Israel is weakened, and Moab strengthened against them. If lesser troubles do not do the work, God will send greater. When Israel prays again, God raises up Ehud. As a judge, or minister of Divine justice,...
Read full commentary →Shamgar Delivers Israel
And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel.</strong><br><br>This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees of faith and character flaws, yet God works through these i...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(31) **Shamgar.**—Mentioned here alone, and alluded to in Judges 5:6.
**The son of Anath.**—There was a Beth-anath in Naphtali, but Shamgar could hardly have belonged to Northern Israel. We know nothing of Shamgar’s tribe or family, but, as neither his name nor that of his father is Jewish, it has been conjectured that he may have been a Kenite; a conjecture which derives some confirmation from hi...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 21 Jos 21:1-8. Eight and Forty Cities Given by Lot Out of the Other Tribes unto the Levites.
**1-3. Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites--**The most venerable and distinguished members of the three Levitical families, on behalf of their tribe, applied for the special provision that had been promised them to be now awarded (see on Nu 35:2). Their inheritance lay within th...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verse 31**
The side of the country which lay south-west, was infested by the Philistines. God raised up Shamgar to deliver them; having neither sword nor spear, he took an ox-goad, the instrument next at hand. God can make those serviceable to his glory and to his church's good, whose birth, education, and employment, are mean and obscure. It is no matter what the weapon is, if God directs a...
Read full commentary →