Ehud, the judge story
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Who was Ehud?
Answer
Who was Ehud? Ehud served as the second judge of Israel following Othniel. After Othniel’s death, the people of Israel sinned and fell to the king of Moab, serving him for 18 years (Judges 3:13–14). When the Israelites cried out for help, God sent Ehud to serve as judge.
Facts about Ehud include that he was the son of Gera and belonged to the tribe of Benjamin. He was also noted as a left-handed man (Judges 3:15). This detail would become important to the success of his mission.
Beginning in Judges 3:16, we read that Ehud made himself a small sword (about 16 inches long) and strapped it to his right thigh under his clothes—had Ehud been right-handed, he would have carried the sword on his left side. Next, he visited the Moabites’ King Eglon under pretense of paying a tribute. When Ehud was checked for weapons, his small sword was apparently missed as it was in an unexpected location.
Following the presentation of his tribute, Ehud said that he had a secret message for the king. Everyone left the room except Ehud and King Eglon. Ehud then pu
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The Story of Ehud and Eglon in Judges 3:12-30: A Literary Pearl as a Theological Stumbling Block
Hans Ausloos
F.R.S.-FNRS - Universite Catholique de Louvain / University of the Free State
ABSTRACT
Making use of numerous stylistic devices and playing with words, the author of Judg 3:12-30 has succeeded in creating a masterpiece of literature that challenges its reader. Moreover and simultaneously, this story, that narrates the brutal murder of king Eglon by the Israelite Ehud, is very problematic from a theological perspective. The present article offers firstly an analysis of Judg 3:12-20 and subsequently demonstrates how a specific and often-overlooked aspect of the violent nature of the text - after all, king Eglon has been utilized by Yhwh to restore obedience among the Israelites - holds a key to unlocking the theological intention of this text.
Keywords: Ehud; Eglon; Judges; Violence; Judges 3.
A INTRODUCTION
Prof. Izak (Sakkie) Spangenberg undoubtedly is one of those scholars who substantially have influenc
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Who was Ehud in the Bible?
biblical character
The story of Ehud
in Hebrew: אהוד
Ehud was a judge and deliverer of Israel, as described in the Hebrew Bible's book of Judges. He was sent by God to save Israel from oppression under the Moabites. Ehud was a left-handed man and was able to defeat the Moabite king Eglon by concealing a short sword on his right thigh and using it to kill him. After killing Eglon, Ehud led Israel to defeat the Moabites and the Israelites enjoyed peace for 80 years. Ehud's name is mentioned in Judges 3:12-30, and he is remembered as one of the judges who delivered Israel from its oppressors and helped establish stability in the nation.
Chat with EhudBiography
⭐Position held
Biblical judge
💀Date of death
-1216
Place of death
Canaan
Did you know?
How many times Ehud was mentioned in the bible?
Ehud appears 10 times in the bible.
Where is the story of Ehud begins in the Bible?
Ehud first mention in the bible is in the book of Judges, chapter 3, verse 15.
What is the meaning of the name Ehud?
The name &
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