Judges 3:31 (KJV)

What does Judges 3:31 mean?

Judges 3:31 tells how Shamgar, the son of Anath, killed six hundred Philistines with an ox goad and delivered Israel. This verse highlights Shamgar’s remarkable victory using a simple farming tool, showing that he rescued Israel from its enemies in an unexpected way.

Judges 3:31 is a brief summary about Shamgar, who appears right after the judge Ehud in the story. The verse is written as a historical record, describing how Shamgar, though not much else is said about him, played a key role in protecting Israel from the Philistines. The mention of an ox goad—a long stick used for driving cattle—emphasizes the unusual weapon and the surprising nature of Shamgar’s victory.

The Hebrew behind Judges 3:31

• שַׁמְגַּר (Shamgar): This is the name of the judge, and it stands out because Shamgar is not a typical Hebrew name, possibly hinting at a non-Israelite background or influence.
• מַלְמַד הַבָּקָר (malmad habakar, “ox goad”): This phrase refers to a pointed stick used for guiding oxen. The use of such an ordinary tool as a weapon highlights the unexpected way deliverance came.
• פְּלִשְׁתִּים (Pelishtim, “Philistines”): This word names the enemy group, showing that Israel’s troubles came from neighboring peoples, especially the Philistines, who appear often in Judges.
• יָשַׁע (yasha‘, “delivered”): This verb means to save or rescue. It is often used in the book of Judges to describe how God brings help to Israel through a chosen leader.

Why Judges 3:31 matters

• Judges 3:31 shows that God can use anyone, even someone with little background or fame, to bring deliverance—Shamgar is barely mentioned elsewhere, yet his action is significant.
• The verse emphasizes that even ordinary tools, like an ox goad, can become powerful in the right hands, challenging expectations about what is needed for victory.
• Shamgar’s story connects to a larger pattern in Judges, where unlikely leaders rise up to save Israel, highlighting the unpredictable ways help can come.