Judges 3 18

Judges 3:18 kjv

And when he had made an end to offer the present, he sent away the people that bare the present.

Judges 3:18 nkjv

And when he had finished presenting the tribute, he sent away the people who had carried the tribute.

Judges 3:18 niv

After Ehud had presented the tribute, he sent on their way those who had carried it.

Judges 3:18 esv

And when Ehud had finished presenting the tribute, he sent away the people who carried the tribute.

Judges 3:18 nlt

After delivering the payment, Ehud started home with those who had helped carry the tribute.

Judges 3 verses

Judges 3 18 Meaning

Judges 3:18 describes Ehud, after formally presenting the tribute from Israel to King Eglon of Moab, sending away the Israelite delegation that had accompanied him. This seemingly mundane action is a crucial and deliberate strategic maneuver, isolating Ehud with the Moabite king and setting the stage for his subsequent assassination of Eglon, which was part of God’s plan to deliver Israel.

Judges 3 18 Context

Judges chapter 3 recounts Israel's cycle of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance, illustrating the divine pattern found throughout the book. After eighteen years of subjugation under Eglon, King of Moab, who allied with Ammon and Amalek, the Israelites cried out to the Lord. God raised Ehud, a left-handed Benjamite, as a deliverer. The immediate context of Judges 3:18 is Ehud's presentation of the Israelite tribute to Eglon. Ehud had carefully prepared a double-edged sword, hidden on his right thigh due to his left-handedness. His action of sending away the bearers of the present is a pivotal moment that transforms a public diplomatic gesture into a private, decisive confrontation, demonstrating Ehud's strategic intelligence and paving the way for his solo assassination of the Moabite king, an act of divine judgment and liberation for Israel.

Judges 3 18 Word analysis

• And when he had made an end of speaking,

  • Hebrew: כִּקְלּוֹתוֹ֙ (kiq'lō'tō) – from the root כָּלָה (kālāh), meaning "to finish, complete, accomplish, bring to an end." It implies a decisive cessation.
  • Significance: Ehud's "speaking" refers to the formal presentation of the tribute, likely involving official pronouncements or explanations. His completion of this public duty marks a clear transition, signaling the close of the formal, diplomatic engagement. It is a precise action in Ehud's calculated plan, moving from the open display of submission to a veiled agenda of subversion. This deliberate ending sets the stage for the next phase.

• he sent away

  • Hebrew: שִׁלַּח (shilakh) – "to send, send away, dismiss, release."
  • Significance: This is not a passive action but a commanding verb. Ehud actively dismisses his delegation, asserting his authority over them. The act of sending them away creates the desired isolation, indicating Ehud's strategic foresight. It ensured no witnesses from his own side and allowed him to operate without constraint. This moment reveals Ehud's resolve and commitment to his mission.

• the people that bare the present.

  • Hebrew: הָאֲנָשִׁים֩ נֹשְׂאֵ֥י הַמִּנְחָֽה (hā'ănāshīm nos'ē ha-minḥāh) – literally "the men carrying the tribute/gift."
  • Anashim (men) emphasizes that these were the members of the delegation.
  • Nos'ei (carrying/bearing) highlights their function in the tribute ceremony.
  • Minḥāh (מִנְחָה) – while often translated as "present" or "tribute" in this context, the term can also denote a "grain offering" to God or a "gift." Here, it specifically means a compulsory tribute, a symbol of Israel's vassalage and subjugation to Moab.
  • Significance: The presence of "the people that bare the present" emphasizes the public, official nature of the tribute delivery. Their dismissal underscores Ehud's desire to transition from this public formality to a private, clandestine act. By sending them away, Ehud severs any direct connection to his role as a mere tribute bearer, establishing a personal and singular encounter with Eglon. It also ensures their safety and non-involvement in the assassination.

Judges 3 18 Bonus section

Ehud's careful staging in verse 18 reveals a fundamental principle of biblical action: while God initiates and empowers, human agents are often called to exercise prudence, courage, and strategic thinking. Ehud's actions move beyond mere compliance with divine command, demonstrating intelligent initiative crucial for mission success. His dismissal of the delegation speaks volumes about his focus and commitment, prioritizing the singular, crucial task over the safety or companionship of his fellow Israelites. This moment also subtly contrasts the ceremonial obligations of tribute (human political ritual) with the hidden divine agenda (God's plan for liberation).

Judges 3 18 Commentary

Judges 3:18 marks a critical transition point in Ehud's narrative, showcasing his calculated intelligence and meticulous execution of his divine mission. After completing the ceremonial duty of delivering the tribute, Ehud decisively sends away his Israelite companions. This seemingly simple act is brimming with strategic intent. By dismissing the delegation, Ehud orchestrates a moment of secluded vulnerability for King Eglon, separating him from the expected public setting of tribute payment. This move is a testament to Ehud's foresight, ensuring no immediate witnesses to his impending assassination and securing his subsequent escape. The verse highlights that God uses individuals who demonstrate not only faith but also astute planning and daring. Ehud is not simply waiting for divine intervention; he is actively using his unique circumstances (left-handedness, alone time with the king) as instruments for God's purpose, reflecting divine wisdom working through human strategy to deliver His people.