And he said unto them, Follow after me: for the LORD hath delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over.

JUDGES 3:28KJV
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Judges 3:28 (KJV)

What does Judges 3:28 mean?

Judges 3:28 describes how Ehud, after killing the Moabite king, calls the Israelites to follow him because the LORD has given their enemies, the Moabites, into their hands. The Israelites then move quickly to seize the crossing points of the Jordan River near Moab, blocking any Moabite from escaping.

In this verse, Ehud is speaking to the people of Israel during a time when they were under Moabite oppression. He urges them to act because he believes God (the LORD) has ensured their victory. The Israelites respond by taking control of the river fords, which are strategic spots where people could cross, making sure no Moabite soldiers could flee or bring reinforcements.

The Hebrew behind Judges 3:28

  • "Follow" (רָדַף, radaph): This word means to pursue or chase after. Ehud is not just asking the Israelites to walk behind him, but to actively pursue their enemies with urgency.
  • "Delivered" (נָתַן, natan): This word means to give or hand over. Ehud is declaring that the LORD has handed the Moabites over to Israel, emphasizing that victory is due to God's action, not just their own strength.
  • "Fords" (מַעֲבָר, ma'abar): These are the shallow places in the river where people can cross. Controlling the fords was a key military move, as it cut off escape or reinforcements for the Moabites.

Why Judges 3:28 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the Israelites’ victory is attributed to the LORD’s intervention, not just their own efforts or Ehud’s leadership.
  • The focus on the fords of the Jordan highlights the strategic thinking in Israel’s response, showing that their actions were both faithful and practical.
  • Understanding this moment helps explain how Israel was able to break free from Moabite control, setting the stage for a period of peace that follows in the story.

Where else these words appear

“fords” Hebrew H4569 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 32:22 And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.
  • Judges 12:6 Then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said Sibboleth: for he could not frame to pronounce it right. Then they took him, and slew him at the passages of Jordan: and there fell at that time of the Ephraimites forty and two thousand.
  • Isaiah 10:29 They are gone over the passage: they have taken up their lodging at Geba; Ramah is afraid; Gibeah of Saul is fled.

“took” Hebrew H3920 · used in 112 verses

  • Numbers 21:32 And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof, and drove out the Amorites that were there.
  • Judges 9:50 Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.
  • Proverbs 5:22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.

“Follow” Hebrew H7291 · used in 135 verses

  • Genesis 14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
  • Judges 8:5 And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.
  • Psalms 69:26 For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.