Judges 3 19

Judges 3:19 kjv

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.

Judges 3:19 nkjv

But he himself turned back from the stone images that were at Gilgal, and said, "I have a secret message for you, O king." He said, "Keep silence!" And all who attended him went out from him.

Judges 3:19 niv

But on reaching the stone images near Gilgal he himself went back to Eglon and said, "Your Majesty, I have a secret message for you." The king said to his attendants, "Leave us!" And they all left.

Judges 3:19 esv

But he himself turned back at the idols near Gilgal and said, "I have a secret message for you, O king." And he commanded, "Silence." And all his attendants went out from his presence.

Judges 3:19 nlt

But when Ehud reached the stone idols near Gilgal, he turned back. He came to Eglon and said, "I have a secret message for you." So the king commanded his servants, "Be quiet!" and he sent them all out of the room.

Judges 3 verses

Judges 3 19 Meaning

Judges 3:19 describes a critical turning point in Ehud's plan to deliver Israel from Moabite oppression. After delivering tribute to King Eglon, Ehud shrewdly feigns a secret divine message for the king, leveraging Eglon's curiosity and desire for clandestine information. This strategic deception results in Eglon dismissing his attendants, isolating himself with Ehud, and setting the stage for Ehud's swift execution of God's judgment against the oppressor.

Judges 3 19 Context

Chapter Context: Judges chapter 3 opens by explaining that God left certain nations in Canaan to test Israel's faithfulness. When Israel abandoned the Lord to serve other gods, He allowed oppressors to rule them. After eight years under Cushan-Rishathaim, God raised up Othniel. Following Othniel's death, Israel again fell into sin, leading to 18 years of oppression by King Eglon of Moab, allied with Ammon and Amalek. The Israelites cried out to the Lord, and He raised up Ehud, a left-handed Benjamite. Ehud crafts a short, double-edged sword and brings tribute to the corpulent King Eglon. After delivering the tribute, Ehud sends away his attendants but then, contrary to expectation, turns back with a feigned private message, setting the stage for the dramatic event described in verse 19.

Historical/Cultural Context: During the Judges period, Israel lacked a centralized monarchy, often falling into a cycle of apostasy, oppression, crying out to God, and deliverance through divinely raised leaders (Judges). The Moabites, descended from Lot (Gen 19:37), were perpetual adversaries of Israel, often characterized by idolatry and aggression. Kings like Eglon wielded significant power, and court etiquette demanded deference from those bringing tribute. The phrase "secret errand" or "secret word" (דְּבַר-סֵתֶר - davar sether) could imply a prophetic message, a private diplomatic proposal, or something sensitive that the king would deem worthy of hearing alone, appealing to his curiosity, ego, or strategic interests. The mention of "stone images" at Gilgal is highly significant, as Gilgal was a deeply meaningful and sacred site for Israel (where they first encamped, were circumcised, and renewed the covenant under Joshua). Their defilement by pesilim (idols/carved images), presumably Moabite cultic stones or boundary markers, highlights the depth of Israel's spiritual decline and Moab's successful subjugation, even extending its pagan symbols to once-sacred Israelite ground.

Judges 3 19 Word analysis

• But he himself turned back: Ehud's deliberate action. He was already dismissed and had left, but his return was planned and pivotal to his scheme, demonstrating his calculated and decisive nature.
• from the stone images (pesilim):
  • Pesilim (פְּסִילִים): A plural noun referring to carved images, often idols, whether of wood or stone (Deut 7:25; Isa 44:9). Their presence indicates Moabite idolatrous practices extended even to Israeli sacred ground. Their location here, close to where Ehud turns back, emphasizes the desecration of Gilgal.
• by Gilgal (בַּגִּלְגָּל - baggilgāl):
  • Gilgal (גִּלְגָּל): A highly significant site in early Israelite history, where the Israelites first encamped after crossing the Jordan (Josh 4:19), were circumcised, and celebrated Passover (Josh 5:9-10). Its association with "stone images" marks a tragic sign of spiritual decay and Moabite domination over formerly sacred Israelite territory, mirroring Israel's own apostasy.
• and said, 'I have a secret errand for you, O king.':
  • 'secret errand' (דְּבַר-סֵתֶר - davar sether): Literally "a word of secrecy" or "a hidden thing." This is Ehud's clever ruse. The phrasing likely suggested a divine oracle or a matter of grave political import, designed to appeal to King Eglon's curiosity, ego, or ambition.
• And he said, 'Keep silence.':
  • 'Keep silence' (הָס - has): An emphatic interjection meaning "Hush!" or "Be silent!" Eglon's immediate and sharp command reveals his eager desire to hear the 'secret' message without interruption. It highlights his unsuspecting eagerness and overconfidence, walking into Ehud's trap.
• And all who stood by him went out from him.: This crucial outcome is Ehud's desired result. It confirms Eglon's full acquiescence to Ehud's request for privacy, isolating the king and rendering him vulnerable. It signifies the success of Ehud's preparatory deception.

Judges 3 19 Bonus section

• Ehud's turning back "from the stone images by Gilgal" may also symbolize Israel's turn away from idolatry and towards deliverance through Ehud's decisive action.
• Ehud, being left-handed, was unique and allowed him to strap his dagger on his right thigh, which was an unusual and unexpected location, contributing to the element of surprise for the right-handed guards.
• The description of Eglon's command "Keep silence" illustrates his arrogance and sense of security, which led to his undoing. His self-assuredness made him overlook any potential threat from the unassuming deliverer.

Judges 3 19 Commentary

Judges 3:19 unfolds a masterclass in strategic deception by Ehud, divinely appointed to deliver Israel. Having discharged the initial task of tribute delivery, Ehud executes a critical U-turn "from the stone images by Gilgal." This geographical detail is loaded with theological significance; Gilgal, once a symbol of renewed covenant and national purity for Israel, now stood defiled by foreign pesilim, signifying the extent of Israel's apostasy and Moab's oppressive influence. Ehud's act of turning back not only surprises the guards but also indicates a deep knowledge of human nature.

His whispered claim, "I have a secret errand for you, O king," specifically a davar sether—a 'word of secret'—taps into a king's natural inclination towards intrigue, hidden knowledge, or what he might perceive as exclusive divine communication or a diplomatic advantage. Eglon, swelling with overconfidence and curiosity, responds with an imperious "Keep silence!", eagerly dismissing his entire entourage. This pivotal moment underscores Ehud's brilliance; he has precisely isolated his target, leveraging psychological warfare to remove all obstacles to his divine mission. The scene perfectly sets the stage for God's dramatic judgment to be meted out against the oppressive monarch through His chosen deliverer.