Keraia
Judges 3

Judges 3:15

Ehud · Judges 3:12–30
Read Judges 3

Translations

Modern
And again they cried out to the LORD, and He raised up Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed Benjamite, as their deliverer. So they sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And the sons of Israel cried out to YHWH, and YHWH raised up a deliverer for them, Ehud son of Gera the Benjamite, a man impeded in his right hand. And the sons of Israel sent by his hand tribute to Eglon king of Moab.
Latin
Et postea clamaverunt ad Dominum, qui suscitavit eis salvatorem vocabulo Aod, filium Gera, filii Jemini, qui utraque manu pro dextera utebatur. Miseruntque filii Israël per illum munera Eglon regi Moab.

Original

Hebrew
English
And again they cried out to the LORD, and He raised up Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed Benjamite, as their deliverer. So they sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab.

Notes

Judges 3:15

  • left-handed (literally restricted in the right hand): This trait allowed Ehud to hide his weapon on his right hip. The Greek Old Testament translates this phrase as “ambidextrous.” The term is linked to the tribe of Benjamin (“son of my right hand,” Genesis 35:18; see Judges 20:16) and is associated with heroic military skills (compare 1 Chronicles 12:1–2).

  • The tribute money was either pieces of metal or, more likely, agricultural goods that needed a team of bearers (Judges 3:18).

Judges 3:12–30

In this epic story of intrigue and cleverness, Ehud showed bravery when a group of nations from east of the Jordan invaded the hill country of Ephraim and Benjamin. The story uses a familiar pattern and emphasizes the people's repeated turning away from their faith.

Theme notes and profiles

Moab and Ammon

Events

People

Benjamin: Youngest son of Jacob and Rachel Eglon: King of Moab who oppressed Israel Ehud: Left-handed Benjamite judge who delivered Israel from Moabite oppression Gera: Descendant of Benjamin; ancestor of Ehud, a judge of Israel Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Places

Moab: Ancient kingdom east of the Dead Sea in Jordan

Glossary

Benjamin, Tribe of Deliverance, Deliverer Dibon Eglon (Person) Ehud Gera Judah, Tribe of Judges, Book of Moab, Moabites Savior

Topics

Assassination of Eglon, by Ehud Confidence: Betrayed: Eglon, by Ehud Deception: Ehud Deceives Eglon, and Kills Him Eglon: King of Moab: Assassinated by Ehud Extraordinary Judges: Names of Ehud Gera: The Son of Bela Gilgal: Eglon, King of Moab, Resides and is Slain At God: Mercy of God: Preserver: Under Ehud Hypocrisy: Ehud Israel: Renew Their Idolatry Judge: Ehud Left Handed People Left-Handed: General Scriptures Concerning Prayer: Answered: from the King of Mesopotamia Presents were Given: As Tribute The Hands: Many had More Command of the Left Tribe of Benjamin: Celebrated Persons of Ehud Tribe of Benjamin: Census of Skill in archery and as slingers of stones