King James Version

What Does Judges 3:24 Mean?

Judges 3:24 in the King James Version says “When he was gone out, his servants came; and when they saw that, behold, the doors of the parlour were locked, they said...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Judges 3:24 · KJV

Context

22

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

23

Then Ehud went forth through the porch, and shut the doors of the parlour upon him, and locked them.

24

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

25

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.

26

And Ehud escaped while they tarried, and passed beyond the quarries, and escaped unto Seirath.

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Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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 illustrates the biblical pattern that God's power is made perfect in human weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Theologically, these early judges establish the pattern of divine deliverance through unlikely means. God chooses the weak, marginalized, and flawed to demonstrate that victory comes from His power, not human strength. This anticipates Paul's teaching that "God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty" (1 Corinthians 1:27).

The military victories recorded here serve spiritual purposes—they deliver Israel from physical oppression but more importantly provide opportunity for spiritual renewal. Each deliverance creates space for Israel to return to covenant faithfulness. However, the repeated cycles show these deliverances provided only temporary relief, pointing to the need for the ultimate Deliverer who would provide permanent victory over sin and spiritual oppression through His death and resurrection.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: The Book of Judges spans approximately 350-400 years (c. 1375-1050 BCE) during the Late Bronze Age collapse and early Iron Age. This period saw the disintegration of major empires (Hittites, Mycenaeans) and weakening of Egyptian control over Canaan, creating a power vacuum filled by emerging peoples including Philistines (Sea Peoples), Aramaeans, and regional kingdoms. The decentralized tribal structure left Israel vulnerable to external oppression and internal chaos.

Cultural Context: This passage relates to early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar. Canaanite religion dominated the region, centered on Baal (storm/fertility god), Asherah (mother goddess), and Anat (war goddess). Archaeological discoveries at Ugarit (Ras Shamra) have provided extensive information about Canaanite mythology and religious practices. Baal worship involved ritual prostitution, child sacrifice, and fertility rites tied to agricultural seasons. Israel's persistent attraction to these gods demonstrates the strong cultural pressure to conform to surrounding nations' religious practices.

The material culture of this period shows gradual Israelite settlement in the Canaanite hill country, with simpler pottery and architecture than coastal Canaanite cities. Iron technology was beginning to spread, giving military advantage to peoples who mastered it (note the Philistines' iron monopoly, 1 Samuel 13:19-22). The absence of centralized government during the judges period stands in stark contrast to the bureaucratic city-states of Canaan and the imperial administration of Egypt and Mesopotamia. This political structure reflected Israel's theocratic ideal—God as king—yet the repeated cycles of apostasy showed this ideal required more than political structures; it demanded heart transformation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage about early judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar reveal God's character in dealing with persistent human rebellion and incomplete obedience?
  2. What patterns of spiritual compromise or incomplete obedience in your own life mirror Israel's failures during the judges period?
  3. How does understanding the cyclical nature of sin and deliverance in Judges help you appreciate Christ's perfect and final deliverance from sin's power?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְה֤וּא1 of 17
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יָצָא֙2 of 17

“When he was gone out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

וַֽעֲבָדָ֣יו3 of 17

“his servants”

H5650

a servant

בָּ֔אוּ4 of 17

“came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וַיִּרְא֕וּ5 of 17

“and when they saw”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

וְהִנֵּ֛ה6 of 17
H2009

lo!

דַּלְת֥וֹת7 of 17

“that behold the doors”

H1817

something swinging, i.e., the valve of a door

הָֽעֲלִיָּ֖ה8 of 17

“of the parlour”

H5944

something lofty, i.e., a stair-way; also a second-story room (or even one on the roof); figuratively, the sky

נְעֻל֑וֹת9 of 17

“were locked”

H5274

properly, to fasten up, i.e., with a bar or cord; hence, to sandal, i.e., furnish with slippers

וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ10 of 17

“they said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַ֣ךְ11 of 17
H389

a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only

מֵסִ֥יךְ12 of 17

“Surely he covereth”

H5526

properly, to entwine as a screen; by implication, to fence in, cover over, (figuratively) protect

ה֛וּא13 of 17
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

אֶת14 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

רַגְלָ֖יו15 of 17

“his feet”

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

בַּֽחֲדַ֥ר16 of 17

“chamber”

H2315

an apartment (usually literal)

הַמְּקֵרָֽה׃17 of 17

“in his summer”

H4747

a cooling off

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Judges. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Judges 3:24 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Judges 3:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 24:3

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