Judges 3 15

Judges 3:15 kjv

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.

Judges 3:15 nkjv

But when the children of Israel cried out to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer for them: Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a left-handed man. By him the children of Israel sent tribute to Eglon king of Moab.

Judges 3:15 niv

Again the Israelites cried out to the LORD, and he gave them a deliverer?Ehud, a left-handed man, the son of Gera the Benjamite. The Israelites sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab.

Judges 3:15 esv

Then the people of Israel cried out to the LORD, and the LORD raised up for them a deliverer, Ehud, the son of Gera, the Benjaminite, a left-handed man. The people of Israel sent tribute by him to Eglon the king of Moab.

Judges 3:15 nlt

But when the people of Israel cried out to the LORD for help, the LORD again raised up a rescuer to save them. His name was Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed man of the tribe of Benjamin. The Israelites sent Ehud to deliver their tribute money to King Eglon of Moab.

Judges 3 verses

Judges 3 15 Meaning

When the Israelites, burdened by oppressive rule, cried out to the Lord in their distress, God graciously responded by raising a deliverer, Ehud son of Gera, from the tribe of Benjamin, a man uniquely characterized by being left-handed, for their salvation.

Judges 3 15 Context

Judges chapter 3 begins by explaining that the Lord left certain nations in the land to test Israel and teach later generations about war (Judg 3:1-4). However, the Israelites quickly disobeyed, intermarrying with these nations and serving their gods (Judg 3:5-6). This led to God's judgment, introducing the first two cycles of apostasy and deliverance. After Israel served Cushan-Rishathaim and was delivered by Othniel (Judg 3:7-11), they again "did what was evil in the sight of the Lord" (Judg 3:12), leading to the oppression by Eglon, king of Moab, for eighteen years. Verse 15 marks the turning point in this second cycle: Israel, having experienced severe oppression, finally remembers the Lord and cries out for deliverance. It sets the stage for Ehud's specific and cunning act of assassination that will lead to Israel's next period of peace. The verse highlights the repeated cycle of sin, oppression, crying out, and divine deliverance characteristic of the Judges period, where the nation lacked central leadership and "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judg 21:25).

Judges 3 15 Word analysis

• But (וַיִּזְעֲקוּ wa·yiz·‘ă·qū): Connects to the preceding narrative of oppression. Signals a pivotal shift from suffering under judgment to seeking divine intervention. It introduces a turning point and the return of God's active involvement.

• when the people of Israel (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל bə·nê yis·rā·’êl): Refers to the covenant people, still identified by their unique relationship with Yahweh despite their apostasy. This emphasizes God's continued faithfulness to His chosen nation.

• cried out (זָעַק za'aq): A strong verb indicating an urgent, distressed plea. It is more than a mere complaint; it implies a lament and a desperate appeal to God for rescue, reflecting remorse or extreme desperation. This echoes the cry of Israel in Egypt (Exo 2:23).

• to the Lord (אֶל יְהוָה ’el YHWH): Signifies that their cry was specifically directed towards Yahweh, indicating a turning back to the true God from the idolatry they had engaged in. It implies recognition of His sovereignty and power to save.

• the Lord raised up (וַיָּקֶם יְהוָה wa·yā·qem YHWH): An active verb highlighting God's direct, sovereign initiative in providing a deliverer. This is a divine response to their cry, demonstrating God's compassion and involvement in their history. "Qum" is often used for God establishing leaders.

• for them (לָהֶם lā·hem): Indicates God's benevolent action is for their benefit and deliverance from their plight.

• a deliverer (מוֹשִׁיעַ mō·wō·šî·a‘): From the root "yasha," meaning "to save, deliver." This term describes one who brings rescue or salvation. While applicable to human agents here, it points to God as the ultimate source of deliverance (Psa 7:10). In the Septuagint, it's often translated as "savior," prefiguring Jesus.

• Ehud (אֵהוּד ’Êhūḏ): Meaning "he who praises" or "union," or "sturdy." The first deliverer mentioned after Othniel.

• the son of Gera (בֶּן־גֵּרָא ben-Gērā’): Identifies his lineage, placing him within the tribal structure and confirming his human origin and family ties.

• a Benjamite (בֶּן־יְמִינִי ben-Yəmīnî): Refers to his tribal affiliation, Benjamin. Ironic, as the name Benjamin means "son of the right hand," yet Ehud's defining characteristic is his left-handedness. This tribe was known for skilled slingers, some of whom were left-handed (Judg 20:16).

• a left-handed man (אִטֶּר יַד־יְמִינוֹ ’iṭṭer yaḏ-yemīnōw): Literally "bound/restricted in his right hand," suggesting limited use or even being an actual "southpaw." This detail is crucial for the narrative's plot, as it explains how he was able to hide his sword for the assassination of Eglon (Judg 3:21). This unconventional characteristic became a strategic advantage divinely orchestrated.

• "cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up for them": This phrase vividly illustrates the direct cause-and-effect relationship in the Judges cycle. Israel's desperation and turn to God is met with God's immediate and active response, demonstrating His responsiveness and covenant faithfulness.

• "a Benjamite, a left-handed man": This combination is highly significant. The tribe of "the son of the right hand" produced a man specifically "restricted in his right hand." This detail emphasizes God's unexpected methods and choice of seemingly disadvantaged or unique individuals to fulfill His purposes, transforming potential weakness into an instrument of strength. It highlights divine sovereignty overriding conventional human expectations.

Judges 3 15 Bonus section

• The term for "left-handed" (אִטֶּר יַד־יְמִינוֹ) can imply someone who primarily used their left hand, or someone whose right hand was incapacitated. However, based on Judges 20:16 which speaks of 700 Benjamite warriors, "each one was left-handed," it points to this being a tribal trait, perhaps developed from training. In ancient warfare, a left-handed warrior could surprise an enemy accustomed to right-handed combat.
• Ehud's unique trait emphasizes God's sovereign control over even minute details. His physical characteristic was instrumental to the plot, demonstrating God's comprehensive design in raising a deliverer who would employ a strategic surprise to bring freedom. This foreshadows that God's plans are perfect and His methods effective, even if humanly unexpected or unorthodox.
• The repetitive nature of the cycle (sin, oppression, cry, deliverance) in Judges is designed to reveal Israel's stubbornness but also Yahweh's persistent mercy and commitment to His covenant. Ehud is just one of many proofs of God's active involvement in His people's lives.

Judges 3 15 Commentary

Judges 3:15 concisely portrays the second iteration of the cycle defining the book of Judges: Israel's deep distress, their cry to Yahweh, and His subsequent intervention. Despite their chronic faithlessness and recurrent sin of idolatry, the Lord, in His steadfast love and mercy, responded immediately to their appeal. This verse highlights that God's deliverance is not earned but given in response to His people turning back to Him in desperation. The selection of Ehud, a "left-handed man" from the "tribe of the right hand," underscores God's sovereignty in choosing His instruments. This characteristic, often considered unusual or even a disability in an ancient culture reliant on right-handed weaponry, became precisely the element God used to bring about His purposes, perfectly positioning Ehud for the clandestine mission against the heavily-set Moabite king Eglon. It demonstrates that God often uses unconventional means and overlooked individuals, turning their perceived weaknesses into strategic advantages for His glory and the salvation of His people. The verse is a powerful testimony to God's readiness to save when His people humble themselves and seek His face.