Judges 3 31

Judges 3:31 kjv

And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel.

Judges 3:31 nkjv

After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who killed six hundred men of the Philistines with an ox goad; and he also delivered Israel.

Judges 3:31 niv

After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad. He too saved Israel.

Judges 3:31 esv

After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who killed 600 of the Philistines with an oxgoad, and he also saved Israel.

Judges 3:31 nlt

After Ehud, Shamgar son of Anath rescued Israel. He once killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad.

Judges 3 verses

Judges 3 31 Meaning

Judges 3:31 presents Shamgar, son of Anath, as a divinely appointed deliverer who remarkably struck down six hundred Philistines using only an oxgoad, thus saving Israel. This brief account highlights God's power to deliver His people through unconventional means and unlikely individuals, demonstrating that His salvation does not depend on human strength or traditional warfare.

Judges 3 31 Context

Judges 3:31 provides a brief and striking interlude in the "cycle of apostasy" that characterizes the Book of Judges. It immediately follows the extended account of Ehud's deliverance of Israel from Moabite oppression (Judg 3:12-30) and precedes the significant narrative of Deborah and Barak saving Israel from Canaanite forces (Judg 4). This verse functions as a concise testament to God's continuous willingness to raise up deliverers for His people when they cry out, even if the deliverer is an obscure figure and the means are profoundly humble. Historically, it falls within the period when Israel struggled to establish control over the Promised Land, facing formidable Philistine military and technological superiority, particularly in ironwork, which explains the unconventional choice of weapon. Shamgar's act illustrates the constant state of vulnerability and the reliance on divine intervention during this turbulent era.

Judges 3 31 Word analysis

• "After him": Indicates temporal succession to Ehud. It maintains the flow of judges appointed by God.
• "Shamgar": (Hebrew: שַׁמְגַּר, Shamgar) - A rare personal name, possibly meaning "sword" or "he who lays waste." Its abrupt appearance and brief description highlight God's unexpected choice of instruments for His purpose.
• "the son of Anath": (Hebrew: בֶּן־עֲנָת, ben-'Anath) - While "Anath" can be a personal name, it was also the name of a prominent Canaanite war goddess, sister-consort of Baal. This naming might ironically underscore God's power through an Israelite connected to, or living amongst, pagan influence, demonstrating Yahweh's supremacy even over those who might bear a pagan-sounding name or lineage. It signifies God's ability to use anyone.
• "who struck down": (Hebrew: וַיַּךְ, vay-yakh) - Conveys decisive, lethal action. It is a powerful verb that emphasizes the completeness of his victory.
• "six hundred Philistines": Six hundred represents a very large and formidable military contingent, particularly for a single individual using an ordinary tool. It emphasizes the scale of the threat and the miraculous nature of the victory. The Philistines were a significant enemy of Israel, technologically advanced and a continuous threat.
• "with an oxgoad": (Hebrew: בְּמַלְמַד הַבָּקָר, bᵉmalmad haBaqar) - An "oxgoad" was a long stick, typically made of wood, used by farmers to guide or prod oxen while plowing, often with a metal point and a scraper. It was a common farming implement, not a military weapon. Its use emphasizes extreme disparity in weaponry, the humble origins of the deliverer, and strongly highlights the divine power at work, akin to David's sling against Goliath. It speaks to a lack of conventional weapons among the Israelites under Philistine dominance.
• "And he also delivered Israel": (Hebrew: וַיּוֹשַׁע אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵל, vayyoshiaʿ ʾet-Yiśrāʾēl) - This phrase is the definitive outcome of a "judge's" ministry. The root "יָשַׁע" (yasha'), meaning "to save" or "deliver," is central to the theme of God's redemptive work. Despite the brevity of his account and his unconventional method, Shamgar fulfilled the fundamental role of a judge—saving God's people from oppression.

Judges 3 31 Bonus section

• Shamgar's service is recorded as particularly short and isolated compared to other judges. This might suggest a very specific, localized act of deliverance rather than a widespread leadership.
• His single action effectively bridged a gap in leadership between Ehud and Deborah, highlighting the continuous need for God's intervention against constant threats.
• Shamgar is one of only two "minor" judges explicitly credited with a specific act of deliverance in Judges (the other being Tola and Jair who appear in the next chapter of judges).
• The subsequent mention of Shamgar in the Song of Deborah (Judg 5:6) speaks to the desperate conditions in Israel ("the highways were deserted..."), further underscoring the vital, if limited, impact of his courageous stand against the Philistines during a time of great insecurity. This retrospective look confirms the lasting significance of his act despite its brevity in his initial description.
• The victory with an oxgoad can also imply the profound state of disarmament of Israel at that time under Philistine domination, which rendered even basic farming tools into emergency weapons, amplifying the miraculous element of his feat.

Judges 3 31 Commentary

Judges 3:31, though remarkably concise, packs immense theological weight. Shamgar's sudden appearance and unconventional victory serve as a potent reminder of God's sovereign power and His unhindered ability to deliver His people. The "oxgoad" is central to its message: it magnifies the miracle by underscoring human weakness and the lack of conventional weaponry, forcing the observer to attribute the overwhelming victory solely to divine intervention. Shamgar's identity as "son of Anath" might further amplify this by suggesting God's ability to work through any individual, regardless of their background or even cultural association with pagan elements. This brief narrative, therefore, affirms God's continued faithfulness to Israel even in their cycles of apostasy, demonstrating that His saving arm is not limited by human means, might, or social standing, but operates supernaturally through the weakest instruments to achieve His mighty purposes, humbling human pride and elevating divine glory.