Question 1

What does Judges 3:21 mean?

Accepted Answer

Judges 3:21 describes how Ehud, using his left hand, took a dagger from his right thigh and forcefully stabbed it into the belly of Eglon, the king of Moab. This action was a sudden and decisive attack that Ehud carried out while in the presence of the king. In this scene, Ehud is an Israelite judge who has come before Eglon under the pretense of delivering a message. The detail that Ehud uses his left hand is important because it made his attack unexpected; most people were right-handed, so guards would not have checked his right thigh for a weapon. This verse marks the turning point where Ehud begins his mission to free Israel from Moabite oppression.

Question 2

The Hebrew behind Judges 3:21

Accepted Answer

שְׂמֹאול (s'mol, "left"): This word highlights that Ehud was left-handed, which is unusual and strategically significant in the story, as it allowed him to conceal his weapon. יָד (yad, "hand"): The use of "hand" here emphasizes the action and skill involved in Ehud's movement. חֶרֶב (cherev, "dagger" or "sword"): This term can refer to a short sword or dagger, indicating the weapon was small enough to be concealed but deadly. יָרֵךְ (yarekh, "thigh"): The mention of the right thigh shows where Ehud hid the dagger, reinforcing the cleverness of his plan.

Question 3

Why Judges 3:21 matters

Accepted Answer

The verse explains how Ehud’s left-handedness played a crucial role in his ability to carry out the assassination, showing the importance of unexpected strengths. It sets up the dramatic reversal in the story, where the oppressed Israelites gain the upper hand over their oppressor through Ehud’s bold act. Understanding the details of the weapon’s concealment and the method of attack helps clarify how Ehud was able to get close to Eglon without arousing suspicion, which is key to the narrative’s tension and outcome.

Judges 3:21 (KJV)