Judges 3:16
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Now Ehud had made for himself a double-edged sword a cubit long. He strapped it to his right thigh under his cloak
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Ehud availed himself of the opportunity to approach the king of the Moabites and put him to death, and thus to shake off the yoke of the Moabites from his nation. To this end he provided himself with a sword, which had two edges (פּיות from פּה, like שׂיו, Deu 22:1, from שׂה), a cubit long (גּמר, ἁπ. λεγ., signified primarily a staff, here a cubit, according to the Syriac and Arabic; not "a span," σπιθαμή, lxx), and "did gird it under his raiment upon his right thigh."
Open source ↗In this chapter, I. A general account of Israel's enemies is premised, and of the mischief they did them (Jdg 3:1-7). II. A particular account of the brave exploits done by the first three of the judges. 1. Othniel, whom God raised up to fight Israel's battles, and plead their cause against the king of Mesopotamia (Jdg 3:8-11). 2. Ehud, who was employed in rescuing Israel out of the hands of the Moabites, and did it by stabbing the king of Moab (v. 12-30). 3. Shamgar, who signalized himself in an encounter with the Philistines (Jdg 3:31).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Strap your sword at your side, O mighty warrior; appear in your majesty and splendor.
To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of the One who holds the sharp, double-edged sword.
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
He held in His right hand seven stars, and a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.
And Ehud reached with his left hand, pulled the sword from his right thigh, and plunged it into Eglon’s belly.
All are skilled with the sword, experienced in warfare. Each has his sword at his side prepared for the terror of the night.
May the high praises of God be in their mouths, and a double-edged sword in their hands,