Judges 3:22

Verse

Even the handle sank in after the blade, and Eglon’s fat closed in over it, so that Ehud did not withdraw the sword from his belly. And Eglon’s bowels emptied.

American Standard Version (1901)

and the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the blade, for he drew not the sword out of his body; and it came out behind.

Bible in Basic English

And the hand-part went in after the blade, and the fat was joined up over the blade; for he did not take the sword out of his stomach. And he went out into the ...

Free Bible Version

The handle went in with the blade and the fat closed over it. So Ehud didn't pull the sword out, and the king defecated.

Geneva Bible 1599

So that the hafte went in after the blade, and the fatte closed about the blade, so that he could not drawe the dagger out of his bellie, but the dirt came out.

King James (Authorized) Version

And the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the blade, so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly; and the dirt came out.

Translation for Translators

He thrust it in so far that the handle went into the king’s belly, and the blade came out the king’s back. Ehud did not pull the dagger out. He left it there, with the handle buried in the king’s fat.

Unlocked Literal Bible

The hilt of the sword also went into him following the blade. The tip of the sword came out of his back and the fat closed over it, for Ehud did not pull the sword out of his belly.

Noah Webster Bible

And the haft also entered after the blade: and the fat closed upon the blade, so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly; and the dirt came out.

World English Bible

The handle also went in after the blade; and the fat closed on the blade, for he didn’t draw the sword out of his body; and it came out behind.

Young's Literal Translation

and the haft also goeth in after the blade, and the fat shutteth on the blade, that he hath not drawn the sword out of his belly, and it goeth out at the fundament.

Context

Ehud

²¹And Ehud reached with his left hand, pulled the sword from his right thigh, and plunged it into Eglon’s belly.²²Even the handle sank in after the blade, and Eglon’s fat closed in over it, so that Ehud did not withdraw the sword from his belly. And Eglon’s bowels emptied.²³Then Ehud went out through the porch, closing and locking the doors of the upper room behind him.

Sermons

What Happened?

K.P. Yohannan

Summary

In this verse, Ehud, a judge of Israel, successfully carries out a covert operation to assassinate Eglon, the king of Moab, who was oppressing the Israelites. Ehud's cunning and bravery in executing this mission demonstrate God's faithfulness in delivering His people from their enemies. This event serves as a reminder that God can use unexpected individuals and unconventional methods to achieve His purposes and bring about justice. It also underscores the importance of courage and obedience in fulfilling God's call, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Then Ehud went forth through the porch,.... Which the Targum interprets by "exedra", a place, as Kimchi, where there were many seats, either for the people to sit in while waiting to have admittance into the presence of the king, or where the guards sat, and may be called the guard room; through this Ehud passed with all serenity and composure of mind imaginable, without the least show of distress and uneasiness in his countenance, being fully satisfied that what he had done was right, and according to the will of God: and shut the doors of the parlour upon him, and locked them; joined the doors of the parlour, as the Targum, the two folds of the door, shut them close together upon Eglon within the parlour, and bolted them within, or drew the bolt on the inside, which he was able to do with a key for that purpose; of which see more on Jdg 3:25; and which it is probable he took away along with him; this must be understood as done before he went through the porch, and therefore should be rendered, "when" or "after he had shut the doors", &c. (e); wherefore in the Vulgate Latin version this clause is put first. (e) "quum occlusisset", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.