Judges 3:16

Judges 3:16 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But Ehud made him a dagger which had two edges, of a cubit length; and he did gird it under his raiment upon his right thigh.
• New International Version (NIV)Now Ehud had made a double-edged sword about a cubit long, which he strapped to his right thigh under his clothing.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And Ehud made for himself a sword with two edges, a cubit in length, and he bound it on his right thigh under his clothes.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Now Ehud made himself a dagger (it was double-edged and a cubit in length) and fastened it under his clothes on his right thigh.

Context of Judges 3:16

14And the Israelites served Eglon of Moab for eighteen years. 15But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, the Lord again raised up a rescuer to save them. His name was Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed man of the tribe of Benjamin. The Israelites sent Ehud to deliver their tribute money to King Eglon of Moab. So Ehud made a double-edged dagger that was about a foot long, and he strapped it to his right thigh, keeping it hidden under his clothing. 17He brought the tribute money to Eglon, who was very fat. 18After delivering the payment, Ehud started home with those who had helped carry the tribute.

Judges 3:16 word by word

וַיַּעַשׂ֩ ל֨וֹ אֵה֜וּד חֶ֗רֶב וְלָ֛הּ שְׁנֵ֥י פֵי֖וֹת גֹּ֣מֶד אָרְכָּ֑הּ וַיַּחְגֹּ֤ר אוֹתָהּ֙ מִתַּ֣חַת לְמַדָּ֔יו עַ֖ל יֶ֥רֶךְ יְמִינֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• But Ehudאֵהוּד'êhûd · EhudH164
• madeעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to makeH6213
• him a daggerחֶ֫רֶבchereb · swordH2719
• which had twoשְׁנַ֫יִםshenayim shettayim · twoH8147
• edgesפֵּיָהpêyâh pîyâh · two-edgedH6366
• of a cubitגֹּ֫מֶדgômed · short cubitH1574
• lengthאֹ֫רֶךְ'ôrek · lengthH753
• and he did girdחָגַרchâgar · to girdH2296
• it under his raimentמַדmad mêd · garmentH4055
• upon his rightיָמִיןyâmîyn · rightH3225
• thighיָרֵךְyârêk · thighH3409

Cross-references for Judges 3:16

• Psalms 149:6Let the praises of God be in their mouths, and a sharp sword in their hands—
• Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
• Revelation 1:16He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.
• Revelation 2:12“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Pergamum. This is the message from the one with the sharp two-edged sword:
• Judges 3:21Ehud reached with his left hand, pulled out the dagger strapped to his right thigh, and plunged it into the king’s belly.
• Psalms 45:3Put on your sword, O mighty warrior! You are so glorious, so majestic!

Commentaries on Judges 3:16

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16A dagger which had two edges, of a cubit length - The word גמד gomed, which we translate cubit, is of very doubtful signification. As the root seems to signify contracted, it probably means an instrument made for the purpose shorter than usual, and something like the Italian stiletto. The Septuagint translate it by , a span, and most of the versions understand it in the same sense. Upon his right thigh - Because he was left-handed. Ordinarily the sword is…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16Upon his right thigh - The proper side for a left-handed man. It would give him the appearance of being unarmed. The narrative shows clearly that his action was premeditated Judges 3:21.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-30Verses 12-30 When Israel sins again, God raises up a new oppressor. The Israelites did ill, and the Moabites did worse; yet because God punishes the sins of his own people in this world, Israel is weakened, and Moab strengthened against them. If lesser troubles do not do the work, God will send greater. When Israel prays again, God raises up Ehud. As a judge, or minister of Divine justice, Ehud put to death Eglon, the king of Moab, and thus executed the…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16A knife for cutting has a single blade. This double-edged dagger is designed to easily stab a victim.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. Ehud made him a dagger ... and he did gird it ... upon his right thigh--The sword was usually worn on the left side; so that Ehud's was the more likely to escape detection.Read the comment

Topics related to Judges 3:16

• Assassination
• Confidence
• Dagger
• Deception
• Eglon
• Ehud
• Falsehood
• Gilgal
• Homicide
• Hypocrisy
• Israel
• Judge
• Regicide

In the dictionaries

• Close
• Cubit
• Dirt
• Ehud
• Errand
• Moabite
• Rest
• Secret
• Abdon (1)
• Armor; Arms

Commentaries on Judges 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• Darby Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary