Judges 3:23. Ehud went forth With a composed countenance and motion, being well assured that God, who by his extraordinary call had excited him to this enterprise, would, by his special providence, carry him through it. And shut the doors upon him Upon, or after, himself; and locked them Either pulling them closely after him, as we do, when doors have spring- locks; or taking the key with him. read more
Judges 3:24. He covereth his feet This phrase is used only here, and 1 Samuel 24:3. A late judicious interpreter expounds it, of composing himself to take a little sleep, as it was very usual to do in the day-time in those hot countries. And when they did so in cool places, such as this summer parlour unquestionably was, they used to cover their feet. And this may seem to be the more probable, both because the summer parlour was proper for this use, and because this was a more likely reason... read more
Othniel, Ehud and Shamgar (3:7-31)The first invader of Israel seems to have come from Aram, which was far to the north of Palestine. The Israelite leader who finally defeated him, Othniel, came from the tribe of Judah, which was in the south of Palestine (see Joshua 15:13-19). It appears, therefore, that the enemy had overrun most of the land. As in other cases recorded in Judges, Israel’s victory came through God’s special power given to the deliverer (7-11; cf. 6:34; 11:29; 13:25; 14:6,19;... read more
his left hand. Note the seven weak things in this book, illustrating 1 Corinthians 1:27 . 2 Corinthians 12:9 , left hand (Judges 3:21 ); ox goad (Judges 3:31 ); a woman (Judges 4:4 ); a nail (Judges 4:21 ); piece of a millstone (9, 53); pitcher and trumpet (Judges 7:20 ); jawbone of an ass (Judges 15:16 ). So in later times. Luther (a miner's son), Calvin (a cooper's son), Zwingle (a shepherd's son), Melancthon (an armourer's son), John Knox (a plain burgess's son). read more
haft = handle. Hebrew. nizzab, occurs only here. read more
behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 . covereth his feet. Figure of speech Euphemism for act performed while stooping, and causing feet to be covered. read more
THE ESCAPE OF EHUD AND THE DISCOVERY OF EGLON'S BODY"Then Ehud went forth into the porch and shut the doors of the upper room upon him and locked them. And when he was gone out his servants came; and they saw, and behold, the doors of the upper room were locked; and they said, Surely he is covering his feet in the upper chamber. And they tarried till they were ashamed; and, behold, he opened not the doors of the upper room: therefore they took the key, and opened them; and, behold, their lord... read more
Judges 3:22. So that he could not draw the dagger—and the dirt came out— The Hebrew word rendered dirt is found only here. It is after the Chaldee that we render it dirt or excrement. This account is so short, that it is no wonder various conjectures have been formed upon it, with which it would be as useless as tedious to acquaint the reader. read more
Judges 3:24. He covereth his feet— Some have supposed, that this is a modest expression for one of the necessities of nature; but it more probably, I should imagine, means in this place, lying down to rest, which is usual in the Eastern countries during the heat of the day. The Arabic and Syriac versions render this expression, by going to sleep, 1 Samuel 24:3. Josephus too gives it the same sense in this place. See Observations, p. 90. read more
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Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 3:22
Judges 3:22. And the dirt came out The Hebrew word פרשׁדנה , parschedona, here translated dirt, is found only in this place. It is from the Chaldee that it is thus rendered, and all agree that it signifies the excrements. read more