Keraia
Judges 3

Judges 3:19

Ehud · Judges 3:12–30
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Translations

Modern
But upon reaching the idols near Gilgal, he himself turned back and said, “I have a secret message for you, O king.” “Silence,” said the king, and all his attendants left him.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And he himself turned back from the stone images that were at Gilgal, and said, “I have a secret message for you, O king.” And He said, “Silence!” And all attending him went out from him.
Latin
Et reversus de Galgalis, ubi erant idola, dixit ad regem: Verbum secretum habeo ad te, o rex. Et ille imperavit silentium: egressisque omnibus qui circa eum erant,

Original

Hebrew
English
But upon reaching the idols near Gilgal, he himself turned back and said, “I have a secret message for you, O king.” “Silence,” said the king, and all his attendants left him.

Notes

Judges 3:19

Gilgal became the Israelites' first base after they crossed the Jordan River. It was the site of key events during their conquest (Joshua 4–6). The stone idols might have been a pagan shrine made from the twelve stones Joshua set up (Joshua 4:20). Later, Gilgal remained an important center for both the faithful (1 Samuel 7:16) and idol worshippers (Hosea 4:15; 9:15; 12:11; Amos 4:4; 5:5).

Judges 3:19–21

The message needed to be secret so Ehud could be alone with the king. It had to be from God to make sure the plan worked. Eglon likely stood up because he expected a message from the Lord, which he did receive.

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

Places

Gilgal: A significant site during Israel's early history in Canaan

Glossary

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

Topics

Assassination of Eglon, by Ehud Confidence: Betrayed: Eglon, by Ehud Dagger: A Short Sword Deception: Ehud Deceives Eglon, and Kills Him Eglon: King of Moab: Assassinated by Ehud Falsehood: Ehud Gilgal: Eglon, King of Moab, Resides and is Slain At Gilgal: Place of the First Encampment of the Israelites West of the Jordan River: Quarries At God: Preserver: Under Ehud Homicide: Felonious: Ehud Hypocrisy: Ehud Israel: Renew Their Idolatry Judge: Ehud Quarries: General Scriptures Concerning Regicide of Ehud