Judges 3:16

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

But Ehud {H164} made {H6213} him a dagger {H2719} which had two {H8147} edges {H6366}, of a cubit {H1574} length {H753}; and he did gird {H2296} it under his raiment {H4055} upon his right {H3225} thigh {H3409}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Ehud made himself a double-edged sword eighteen inches long and strapped it to his right thigh under his clothes.

Berean Standard Bible

Now Ehud had made for himself a double-edged sword a cubit long. He strapped it to his right thigh under his cloak

American Standard Version

And Ehud made him a sword which had two edges, a cubit in length; and he girded it under his raiment upon his right thigh.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 3:16 meticulously details Ehud's cunning and precise preparation for his divinely appointed mission to assassinate Eglon, the oppressive king of Moab, and secure Israel's liberation. This verse specifically describes the unique, double-edged dagger Ehud crafted, its exact cubit length, and its strategic concealment under his garments upon his right thigh. This careful planning underscores Ehud's ingenuity and serves as a crucial prelude to the dramatic and divinely orchestrated deliverance of Israel from eighteen years of Moabite tyranny.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 3:16 is a pivotal verse within the narrative of Ehud, the second major deliverer (judge) in the book of Judges. It follows Israel's familiar cycle of apostasy, divine judgment through oppression (in this case, by Eglon of Moab for eighteen years, as seen in [Judges 3:12-14](/judges/3-12-14 "Judges 3:12-14 - Israel's Oppression by Moab")), and their subsequent cry for deliverance. God then raises up Ehud, a left-handed Benjamite, as their rescuer, a detail explicitly mentioned in [Judges 3:15](/judges/3-15 "Judges 3:15 - Ehud, the Left-Handed Deliverer"). This verse provides the critical detail of Ehud's unconventional weapon and its strategic placement, setting the stage for his unique method of infiltration and assassination, which will unfold in the subsequent verses ([Judges 3:17-25](/judges/3-17-25 "Judges 3:17-25 - Ehud's Assassination of Eglon")). The specificity of the weapon's design and concealment is not merely descriptive but absolutely essential to understanding the success of Ehud's audacious plan.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (roughly 1400-1050 BC) was characterized by a lack of central authority, frequent cycles of apostasy and oppression, and the rise of localized deliverers. Moab, situated east of the Dead Sea, was a perennial adversary of Israel, often engaging in border conflicts and exerting control over Israelite territories, as evidenced by Eglon's eighteen-year reign of oppression. In ancient Near Eastern courts, it was a standard security protocol for visitors to be disarmed before meeting a king, making Ehud's ability to conceal a weapon paramount. Furthermore, the mention of Ehud's left-handedness in [Judges 3:15](/judges/3-15 "Judges 3:15 - Ehud, the Left-Handed Deliverer") is crucial for understanding the strategic placement of the dagger on his "right thigh." While a typical right-handed person would carry a weapon on their left side for an easy draw, a left-handed individual would naturally carry it on their right, a location far less likely to be thoroughly searched by guards expecting a right-handed assailant.
* **Key Themes:** This verse highlights several significant themes that resonate throughout the book of Judges and beyond. First, it underscores **Divine Deliverance through Human Ingenuity**. While God raises up deliverers, He often works through their natural abilities, strategic thinking, and even unconventional characteristics. Ehud's cunning and meticulous planning are instruments in God's hand for Israel's liberation, demonstrating that faith does not negate the need for wise and diligent preparation. Second, the detailed description emphasizes **Strategic Preparation**. Ehud did not act impulsively; his crafting of a unique dagger and its specific concealment demonstrate careful foresight, which was crucial for a high-stakes mission against a powerful oppressor. Third, the narrative showcases **Exploiting Weaknesses**. The "two edges" made the dagger particularly lethal, while its concealment on the "right thigh" brilliantly exploited the guards' expectations and Eglon's complacency, leading to an unexpected and decisive blow against the oppressor, foreshadowing the ultimate victory over the enemy described later in [Judges 3:28-30](/judges/3-28-30 "Judges 3:28-30 - Israel's Deliverance and Peace").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Dagger (Hebrew, _chereb_):** From H2719, meaning "a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement." While _chereb_ can denote a general sword, in this specific context, given its described length and purpose of concealment, it refers to a short sword, dirk, or dagger. It implies a blade designed for close-quarters combat and stealth, rather than open warfare, perfectly suited for Ehud's covert mission.
* **Two edges (Hebrew, _pêyâh_):** From H6366, meaning "an edge." The plural form here, combined with "two," describes a double-edged blade. This design made the weapon exceptionally lethal, capable of cutting in both directions, ensuring a fatal wound upon penetration. This was critical for Ehud's one-strike mission, maximizing the effectiveness of his single opportunity.
* **Cubit length (Hebrew, _gômed_):** From H1574, meaning "a span; cubit." A cubit was an ancient unit of measurement, typically ranging from 18 to 21 inches (approximately 45-53 cm), based on the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. This indicates that the dagger was substantial enough to be a deadly weapon, yet still short enough to be effectively concealed under clothing, striking a precise balance between lethality and discretion for Ehud's plan.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But Ehud made him a dagger":** This clause emphasizes Ehud's active, intentional, and personal involvement in his preparation. He didn't merely acquire a standard weapon; he specifically crafted or commissioned a unique instrument tailored to his precise, audacious plan. This highlights his ingenuity, foresight, and commitment to the mission of delivering Israel.
* **"which had two edges":** This detail underscores the weapon's design for maximum effectiveness and lethality. A double-edged blade ensures that the weapon can inflict damage regardless of the angle of entry or twist, making it highly efficient for a single, decisive strike, crucial for a high-stakes assassination.
* **"of a cubit length":** This specifies the weapon's dimensions, indicating it was a substantial, yet still concealable, short sword or dirk. Its length was sufficient to deliver a fatal blow, particularly against a corpulent target like Eglon, while remaining hidden from detection by guards.
* **"and he did gird it under his raiment":** This phrase reveals Ehud's strategic intent for secrecy and stealth. Concealment was paramount for gaining access to the king and executing the plan without detection, allowing him to bypass the typical security measures of an ancient court and surprising his target.
* **"upon his right thigh":** This is a critical detail that leverages Ehud's unique characteristic mentioned in the previous verse—his left-handedness. For a left-handed person, the right thigh is the natural and most accessible place to carry a weapon for a swift draw, while simultaneously being an unexpected location for guards who would typically search the left side of a right-handed individual. This placement was a brilliant tactical maneuver, exploiting the enemy's assumptions and ensuring the weapon remained undetected until the opportune moment.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of Judges 3:16 employs several potent literary devices to enhance its impact and convey its meaning. **Foreshadowing** is prominently featured, as the meticulous description of the dagger's unique design and its strategic concealment directly anticipates and explains the surprising and successful execution of Eglon's assassination later in the chapter. The very details of the weapon's "two edges" and "cubit length" hint at the precise, fatal manner of Eglon's death. Furthermore, there is a subtle but profound **Irony** at play: Ehud, a Benjamite (a name meaning "son of the right hand"), is paradoxically left-handed. He then uses this "unconventional" trait to his decisive advantage by placing the weapon on his "right thigh," a location that would be awkward for a right-handed person but ideal for him, thus brilliantly subverting the expectations and security protocols of his adversaries. The dagger itself functions as powerful **Symbolism**, representing not just a physical weapon but also the instrument of divine judgment against Moabite oppression, delivered through human agency and cunning.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 3:16, while describing a physical weapon and a violent act, carries profound theological implications regarding God's methods of deliverance. It illustrates that God, in His sovereign plan for liberating His people, often uses human agents with their unique skills, intelligence, and even perceived disadvantages. Ehud's careful preparation and strategic thinking are not antithetical to divine intervention but rather the very means through which God's purposes are accomplished. This passage reminds us that while God is omnipotent and fully capable of acting independently, He frequently calls His people to exercise wisdom, diligence, and intentionality in their endeavors, even when facing overwhelming odds. It underscores the principle that faith in God's power does not negate the need for thoughtful planning and the responsible, strategic use of the resources and abilities He has graciously given us.

* [Ephesians 6:11](/ephesians/6-11 "Put on the Full Armor of God")
* [Proverbs 21:30](/proverbs/21-30 "No Wisdom, No Understanding, No Counsel Against the Lord")
* [1 Samuel 17:40](/1_samuel/17-40 "David Chooses Five Smooth Stones")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Ehud's story, particularly the detail in Judges 3:16, offers rich and enduring lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God often chooses and empowers individuals with unique gifts, even those that might seem unconventional or disadvantageous from a human perspective, to fulfill His divine purposes. Just as Ehud leveraged his left-handedness and strategic thinking, we are called to identify and utilize the specific talents, experiences, and even "quirks" that God has given us for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom. This verse also underscores the profound importance of wise and diligent preparation in our spiritual lives and ministries. While we rely implicitly on God's omnipotent power, He expects us to be intentional, to plan, and to use the "weapons" He provides—whether they are spiritual disciplines, a deep knowledge of His Word, or practical skills—with discernment and purpose. We are called to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" ([Matthew 10:16](/matthew/10-16 "Matthew 10:16 - Be Wise as Serpents and Innocent as Doves")), discerning opportunities and acting strategically in a world that often operates by different rules and values. Ultimately, Ehud's unconventional victory encourages us to trust in God's surprising and often counter-intuitive methods of deliverance and to be open to how He might use us in ways that defy human expectation and logic.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God use our unique gifts or even perceived weaknesses for His purposes, as He did with Ehud's left-handedness?**
* **What "strategic preparations" are we called to make in our spiritual lives, and how do these preparations demonstrate both our faith and our responsibility?**
* **In what ways can we be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" in our daily walk, discerning opportunities to advance God's kingdom with both shrewdness and integrity?**
* **Can you recall a time when God used an unconventional method or person to bring about a significant outcome in your life or in the lives of those around you, defying conventional wisdom?**

### FAQ
**Why is the dagger's length significant?**

Answer: The dagger's length, specified as "of a cubit length" (approximately 18-21 inches), is profoundly significant because it indicates a weapon substantial enough to be lethal and effective for its intended purpose—a single, decisive strike against a large man like King Eglon. It was not a small, insignificant knife, but a formidable short sword. Yet, despite its considerable length, it was still short enough to be effectively concealed "under his raiment," allowing Ehud to bypass the typical security protocols of Eglon's court and gain access to the king undetected. This precise balance between lethality and concealability was absolutely crucial for the success of Ehud's audacious and covert plan.

**Why was it carried on the "right thigh" particularly strategic?**

Answer: This detail is profoundly strategic because Ehud was left-handed, a crucial characteristic explicitly stated in [Judges 3:15](/judges/3-15 "Ehud, a Left-Handed Man"). For a left-handed person, carrying a weapon on the right thigh is the natural and most efficient place for a swift and unencumbered draw. Conversely, the vast majority of people are right-handed and would typically carry a weapon on their left side. Therefore, Eglon's guards, expecting a right-handed individual, would most likely focus their search on Ehud's left side, making the weapon's placement on his right thigh a brilliant tactical deception that cleverly exploited common assumptions and allowed him to remain undetected until the opportune moment.

**Did God endorse Ehud's deception and assassination?**

Answer: The book of Judges, including the account of Ehud, describes God raising up deliverers to rescue Israel from oppression when they cried out to Him. The text presents Ehud as a divinely appointed agent of deliverance, and his actions lead directly to Israel's liberation and forty years of peace ([Judges 3:30](/judges/3-30 "Israel's Peace After Ehud")). While the narrative does not explicitly provide a moral endorsement of every detail of Ehud's methods (which involve deception and assassination), it portrays God working through imperfect human agents within a specific historical context of judgment against oppressive enemies. The primary focus is on God's sovereignty in delivering His people, even through means that might seem unconventional or violent by modern ethical standards. The Bible often describes events as they happened, demonstrating God's ability to achieve His purposes through various means, without necessarily commending every human action involved as a moral ideal for all times or as a prescriptive model for believers today.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The story of Ehud, particularly his strategic preparation in Judges 3:16, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Ehud, a deliverer chosen by God, used a specific, unconventional weapon and a cunning strategy to overcome an oppressive enemy and bring temporary liberation to Israel. This narrative powerfully foreshadows Christ, the ultimate Deliverer, who conquered humanity's greatest oppressors: sin, death, and the devil. However, unlike Ehud's physical dagger, Christ's "weaponry" was entirely spiritual and profoundly counter-intuitive to human wisdom. He conquered not through force or stealth, but through radical self-sacrifice on the cross, an act that appeared to be weakness and defeat but was, in fact, the ultimate strategic triumph over the principalities and powers of darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). Just as Ehud's "right thigh" concealment brilliantly exploited the enemy's expectations, Christ's victory through death utterly confounded Satan, who was defeated by the very act he orchestrated, thereby destroying the one who has the power of death ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Christ Destroyed the One Who Has the Power of Death")). The "unconventional" nature of Ehud's victory points to the "scandal" of the cross, where God chose the foolishness of the world to shame the wise, and the weakness of the world to shame the strong, demonstrating His power in unexpected ways ([1 Corinthians 1:27-29](/1_corinthians/1-27-29 "God Chose the Weak Things of the World")). Christ, the true Son of God, delivered humanity not by a physical blade, but by His shed blood, ushering in an eternal peace and freedom far surpassing the temporary respite Ehud provided.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Song Of Solomon 3:8

They all hold swords, [being] expert in war: every man [hath] his sword upon his thigh because of fear in the night.

Judges 3:21

And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly:

Revelation 1:16

And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance [was] as the sun shineth in his strength.

Revelation 2:12

¶ And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Psalms 45:3

Gird thy sword upon [thy] thigh, O [most] mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty.

Psalms 149:6

¶ [Let] the high [praises] of God [be] in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;