When he was gone out, his servants came; and when they saw that, behold, the doors of the parlour were locked, they said, Surely he covereth his feet in his summer chamber.

JUDGES 3:24KJV
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Judges 3:24 (KJV)

What does Judges 3:24 mean?

Judges 3:24 shows King Eglon’s servants drawing the wrong conclusion after Ehud leaves his room. Finding the doors locked, they assume the king wants privacy while using the toilet. Their mistake gives Ehud time to get away.

The servants speak to one another outside the room. Their phrase “covereth his feet” is a discreet way of referring to relieving oneself. They do not yet know that Ehud has killed Eglon.

The Hebrew behind Judges 3:24

  • “covereth” — סָכַךְ (sakhakh): This word can mean “cover.” With “feet,” it forms an expression often understood as a discreet reference to using the toilet.
  • “parlour” — עֲלִיָּה (ʿaliyah): This word refers to an upper room. The KJV’s “parlour” may sound like a sitting room, but the Hebrew points to a room above the main level.

Why Judges 3:24 matters

  • The locked doors help explain the servants’ mistake. In verse 23, Ehud shuts and locks them as he leaves, so the servants cannot see what has happened inside.
  • The servants’ assumption creates a delay in the story. Verse 25 says they wait until they are embarrassed, then open the doors and find Eglon dead; verse 26 says Ehud escapes while they wait.
  • The word “Surely” shows how confident the servants are in their explanation. The reader already knows more than they do, because the account of Eglon’s death comes before their conversation.

Where else these words appear

“summer” Hebrew H4747 · used in 2 verses

  • Judges 3:20 And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting in a summer parlour, which he had for himself alone. And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto thee. And he arose out of his seat.

“locked” Hebrew H5274 · used in 7 verses

  • Judges 3:23 Then Ehud went forth through the porch, and shut the doors of the parlour upon him, and locked them.
  • 2 Samuel 13:18 And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king's daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her.
  • Song of Solomon 4:12 A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed.

“parlour” Hebrew H5944 · used in 20 verses

  • Judges 3:20 And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting in a summer parlour, which he had for himself alone. And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto thee. And he arose out of his seat.
  • 2 Kings 1:2 And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.
  • 2 Chronicles 9:4 And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.

“covereth” Hebrew H5526 · used in 23 verses

  • Exodus 25:20 And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.
  • 1 Chronicles 28:18 And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubims, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
  • Psalms 140:7 O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.