Judges 3 26

Judges 3:26 kjv

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

Judges 3:26 nkjv

But Ehud had escaped while they delayed, and passed beyond the stone images and escaped to Seirah.

Judges 3:26 niv

While they waited, Ehud got away. He passed by the stone images and escaped to Seirah.

Judges 3:26 esv

Ehud escaped while they delayed, and he passed beyond the idols and escaped to Seirah.

Judges 3:26 nlt

While the servants were waiting, Ehud escaped, passing the stone idols on his way to Seirah.

Judges 3 verses

Judges 3 26 Meaning

Judges 3:26 describes a pivotal moment in Ehud's strategy after assassinating Eglon. While Eglon's servants were waiting and delaying outside his private chambers, Ehud successfully made his escape. He navigated past the significant landmark of the graven images, presumably near Gilgal, and reached a place of safety and strategic gathering called Seirath. The verse highlights the critical window of opportunity provided by the servants' prolonged wait, which enabled Ehud to secure his freedom and prepare for the next phase of deliverance.

Judges 3 26 Context

Judges 3 details Israel's cycle of apostasy, oppression, and God raising a deliverer. After eighty years of peace following Othniel's deliverance, the Israelites again did evil, leading to eighteen years of subjugation under Eglon, King of Moab. God then raised Ehud, a left-handed Benjamite, to be their judge and deliverer. Ehud approached Eglon with a tribute, concealed a short double-edged sword, and then sent away his retinue. He feigned a private message from God to gain a private audience with Eglon, during which he assassinated the obese king. The setting of verse 26 follows this assassination, as Ehud immediately locked the doors to the private room. Eglon's servants, finding the doors locked, assumed their king was relieving himself and respectfully waited, allowing Ehud a crucial window to escape before the king's death was discovered. Ehud's route back, passing the graven images, confirms the location as Gilgal, where the Moabites likely established a cultic presence.

Judges 3 26 Word analysis

• But Ehud: Ehud (אֵהוּד, Ehud - "He who praises" or "unity") is presented as God's chosen instrument. His personal name already suggests a connection to praise or being singular in purpose.
• escaped: (נִמְלַט, nimlat) This Hebrew verb signifies to deliver oneself, to be rescued, or to get away successfully. The emphasis is on a narrow but successful deliverance from danger, often implying divine enablement or a providential opening.
• while they tarried, (בְּהִתְמַהְמְהָם, behithmahameham - from מַהְמֵהַּ, mahmehah - "to linger," "to delay"): This word is critical. It signifies a significant, prolonged delay by Eglon's servants. Their politeness or cultural custom (not wanting to disturb the king in his private moment) becomes Ehud's key to freedom and Israel's deliverance. It highlights a critical moment of human error/miscalculation being providentially used.
• and passed beyond (וְהוּא עָבַר, vəhu avar - "and he crossed over" or "passed by"): This indicates movement past a significant point or over a geographical feature. It implies completing a certain segment of his journey to safety.
• the graven images, (אֶת־הַפְּסִילִים, et-hapesilim - "the idols" or "carved images"): Pesilim refers specifically to carved or hewn images, typically of deities or for idol worship. These were likely situated near Gilgal, where Ehud had initially delivered the tribute. Their presence underscores the Canaanite and Moabite idolatry that plagued Israel, and it's ironic that a monument of foreign worship served as a landmark for Israel's deliverer.
• and escaped (וַיִּמָּלֵט, vayyimalet): The verb "escaped" is repeated from earlier in the verse, emphasizing the successful and complete nature of his evasion. This repetition underscores the importance of this successful withdrawal for the entire strategic operation.
• unto Seirath. (סְעִירָתָה, se'iratah - "to Seirath"): A specific location, likely in the hills of Ephraim. The name might relate to "shaggy" or "hairy," possibly describing a rugged or forested area suitable for hiding and mustering. It served as Ehud's secure base from which he could rally the Israelites. It signifies reaching a designated safe haven and staging ground.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But Ehud escaped while they tarried": This phrase encapsulates the dramatic irony and critical timing of the narrative. Ehud's quick action contrasts with the servants' slow delay, which proved fatal for Eglon and fortunate for Israel.
• "passed beyond the graven images, and escaped unto Seirath": This segment outlines Ehud's escape route, marking geographical and religious points. The "graven images" are a pagan landmark now serving Ehud's divine mission, a stark contrast. Seirath represents his immediate goal: a secure place to gather his forces.

Judges 3 26 Bonus section

The location of "the graven images" (pesilim) is widely believed to be Gilgal (see Judges 3:19). Gilgal holds profound significance in Israel's history as the first encampment after crossing the Jordan, where circumcision was reinstated, and the Passover celebrated (Joshua 5). Its mention here, coupled with "graven images," might imply a deep religious syncretism or direct Moabite cultic presence at a site historically central to Israel's covenant with Yahweh, highlighting the extent of Israel's spiritual decline under oppression. Ehud's successful passage beyond these symbols of idolatry might carry a subtle message of a move from the defilement of the past towards God's future deliverance. The strategic insight of Ehud using a natural (left-handedness for a surprise attack) and opportune (servants' delay) advantage demonstrates divine enablement for the deliverer God raises.

Judges 3 26 Commentary

Judges 3:26 serves as a bridge in Ehud's story, transforming a single act of assassination into the impetus for a national deliverance. The "tarrying" of Eglon's servants is a providential delay, granting Ehud the vital time to distance himself from the Moabite palace and secure his freedom. This seemingly trivial delay on their part is crucial to the success of Ehud's mission. The "graven images" were likely at Gilgal, a place where Israel's covenant with God was renewed (Josh 5:1-12) but now seemingly occupied or corrupted by foreign idols. Passing this point underscores both the extent of Moabite occupation and Ehud's symbolic act of moving beyond the influences of idolatry as he proceeds with his God-given task. Seirath represents the strategic sanctuary where Ehud could transition from solo agent to rallying commander, setting the stage for the full military victory against Moab. The verse subtly highlights God's sovereignty, as He works even through the delays and landmarks of His enemies to accomplish His will for His people.