Judges 3:22

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the haft {H5325} also went in {H935} after {H310} the blade {H3851}; and the fat {H2459} closed {H5462} upon {H1157} the blade {H3851}, so that he could not draw {H8025} the dagger {H2719} out of his belly {H990}; and the dirt {H6574} came out {H3318}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The hilt too went in after the blade, and the fat closed around the blade, for he did not draw the sword out of his belly, so that it came out behind.

Berean Standard Bible

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

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 3:22 graphically details the immediate and fatal consequences of Ehud's assassination of King Eglon of Moab, emphasizing the complete penetration of the dagger and the ignominious nature of the oppressor's demise. This vivid description underscores the efficiency and finality of God's judgment enacted through His chosen deliverer, leaving no doubt about Eglon's death and setting the stage for Israel's subsequent liberation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 3:22 is the climax of Ehud's narrative, following his introduction as a left-handed Benjamite deliverer in [Judges 3:15](/judges/3-15 "Judges 3:15 - Ehud, the Deliverer"). The preceding verses describe Ehud's cunning plan: crafting a short, double-edged dagger and concealing it on his right thigh, a strategic move given his left-handedness that would evade typical searches. He gained a private audience with the extremely corpulent King Eglon under the pretense of delivering a secret message from God, a ruse that isolated the king from his attendants. The verse itself immediately follows Ehud's decisive thrust in [Judges 3:21](/judges/3-21 "Judges 3:21 - Ehud Strikes Eglon"), providing the gruesome details of the dagger's impact. The narrative then proceeds to describe Ehud's escape and his rallying of Israel to defeat the Moabites, solidifying the impact of Eglon's death on the subsequent military victory, as seen in [Judges 3:28-30](/judges/3-28 "Judges 3:28-30 - Israel Defeats Moab").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This event takes place during the period of the Judges, a time in Israelite history characterized by cycles of apostasy, oppression by foreign powers, cries for help, and God raising up deliverers. Moab, located east of the Dead Sea, had historically been an antagonist to Israel, and at this time, King Eglon had subjected Israel to eighteen years of oppression, as noted in [Judges 3:14](/judges/3-14 "Judges 3:14 - Eighteen Years of Moabite Oppression"). The detail of Eglon's extreme obesity ("very fat" in [Judges 3:17](/judges/3-17 "Judges 3:17 - Eglon's Corpulence")) is not merely descriptive but crucial to the plot, allowing the dagger to be completely swallowed by his flesh and preventing its removal. The act of presenting tribute was a common diplomatic practice, and the private audience for a "secret message from God" would have been a culturally significant and believable pretext, leveraging the king's presumed piety or curiosity. The left-handedness of Ehud, a unique detail for a Benjamite (a tribe known for its slingers, often ambidextrous, as in [Judges 20:16](/judges/20-16 "Judges 20:16 - Benjamite Slingers")), was key to his unconventional method of concealment and attack.

* **Key Themes:** Judges 3:22 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Judges and beyond. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **divine retribution and judgment** against oppressors. Eglon's ignominious death is a direct consequence of his tyranny over God's people, showcasing God's active intervention on behalf of the oppressed. Secondly, it exemplifies **God's use of unconventional means and unexpected instruments** to achieve His purposes. Ehud, a left-handed individual from a relatively minor tribe, employing a deceptive and violent act, is a testament to God's sovereignty working through seemingly improbable agents, a pattern seen throughout the book with figures like Deborah and Gideon. Finally, the verse underscores the **decisiveness and finality of God's deliverance**. The graphic details ensure the reader understands that Eglon's death was absolute, paving the way for Israel's liberation and forty years of peace, as recorded in [Judges 3:30](/judges/3-30 "Judges 3:30 - Forty Years of Peace").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Haft (Hebrew, _niṣṣāḇ_):** Refers to the handle or hilt of the dagger. Its complete entry after the blade signifies the full depth of the penetration, indicating that the weapon was driven in with immense force and intent, ensuring a fatal wound. This detail emphasizes the thoroughness of Ehud's strike.
* **Fat (Hebrew, _ḥēleḇ_):** This word specifically refers to the layers of fat on Eglon's body. The text states that the fat "closed upon the blade," which is a crucial detail. It explains why Ehud could not withdraw the dagger and, later, why Eglon's servants assumed he was merely relieving himself in the "cooling chamber" ([Judges 3:24](/judges/3-24 "Judges 3:24 - Eglon's Servants Wait")), as the dagger's absence from the wound would have been less obvious, contributing to the delay in discovering his death. This detail highlights Eglon's extreme corpulence as both a physical characteristic and a factor in the success of Ehud's escape.
* **Dirt (Hebrew, _perašdōnāh_):** This is a KJV euphemism for the contents of Eglon's bowels, specifically excrement. The phrase "and the dirt came out" indicates that the dagger pierced Eglon's intestines, leading to an involuntary release of bodily waste. This detail adds to the ignominious and humiliating nature of Eglon's death, emphasizing the messy and undignified end of the oppressor, contrasting sharply with the clean, decisive act of deliverance from Ehud's perspective.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the haft also went in after the blade":** This clause describes the complete insertion of the dagger. It indicates that not only the sharp part (blade) but also the handle (haft) disappeared into Eglon's body. This detail underscores the force and depth of the stab, ensuring a mortal wound and preventing any possibility of survival. It also sets up the subsequent inability of Ehud to retrieve the weapon.
* **"and the fat closed upon the blade, so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly":** This is a critical descriptive element. Eglon's extreme corpulence meant that the layers of fat enveloped the dagger, effectively "swallowing" it. This physical characteristic served a dual purpose: it ensured the dagger remained lodged, guaranteeing Eglon's death, and it made it impossible for Ehud to retrieve his weapon, which ironically aided his escape as the absence of the dagger in the wound contributed to the servants' delayed discovery of the king's death.
* **"and the dirt came out":** This final, graphic detail confirms the nature of the wound. The "dirt" refers to the contents of Eglon's bowels, indicating that the dagger pierced his lower abdomen, specifically his intestines. This detail further emphasizes the brutal, messy, and ignominious death of Eglon, a humiliating end for a tyrannical king, serving as a powerful symbol of divine judgment and the complete subjugation of the oppressor.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 3:22 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Vivid Imagery** is paramount, painting a gruesome and unforgettable picture of Eglon's death. The description of the haft following the blade, the fat closing over the weapon, and the expulsion of "dirt" creates a visceral scene that leaves no doubt about the finality and brutality of the act. This imagery serves to emphasize the decisive nature of God's judgment. **Irony** is also present; Eglon's immense size, which might have been a symbol of his wealth and power, ultimately contributes to his downfall by trapping the dagger and delaying the discovery of his death. Furthermore, the "secret message from God" ([Judges 3:19](/judges/3-19 "Judges 3:19 - Ehud's Secret Message")) turns out to be a message of divine judgment delivered by a physical weapon. The phrase "and the dirt came out" is a clear example of **Euphemism**, using a less direct term to describe a crude and unpleasant bodily function. This euphemism, while softening the language, still effectively conveys the ignominious and defiling nature of Eglon's death, adding to his humiliation. Finally, the entire scene functions as **Symbolism**, where Eglon's complete and undignified demise symbolizes the utter defeat of Moabite oppression and the decisive nature of God's deliverance for Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 3:22, in its graphic detail, serves as a stark reminder of God's sovereign justice and His willingness to act decisively against those who oppress His people. While the methods employed by Ehud are rooted in the brutal realities of ancient warfare and divine judgment in that era, the underlying theological principle is God's unwavering commitment to His covenant and His attentiveness to the cries of the afflicted. Eglon's death is not merely a political assassination but a divinely orchestrated act of retribution, demonstrating that no earthly power, however formidable, can ultimately withstand the will of the Almighty. It underscores the theme that God often uses unexpected and even unconventional instruments to bring about His purposes, reminding us that His power is not limited by human strength or conventional means. This passage, therefore, reinforces the biblical truth that God is the ultimate arbiter of justice, and His deliverance is absolute.

* [Psalm 7:15-16](/psalms/7-15 "Psalm 7:15-16 - The Wicked Fall Into Their Own Pit")
* [Proverbs 11:5](/proverbs/11-5 "Proverbs 11:5 - The Righteous Path")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is the Lord's")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the graphic nature of Judges 3:22 might be unsettling, its enduring message for believers lies in the profound theological truths it conveys rather than a literal emulation of its actions. This passage calls us to reflect on God's unwavering commitment to justice and His active involvement in the affairs of humanity. In a world still rife with oppression, injustice, and suffering, Judges 3:22 reminds us that God hears the cries of the oppressed and will ultimately bring about His righteous judgment. It encourages us to trust in His sovereignty, even when His methods seem unconventional or His timing delayed. For us, this means committing to seeking justice, advocating for the vulnerable, and praying for God's kingdom to come, knowing that ultimate deliverance and restoration belong to Him. It also serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of rebellion against God's authority and the futility of trusting in earthly power over divine righteousness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the graphic detail of Eglon's death challenge or affirm your understanding of God's justice?**
* **In what ways does this narrative encourage you to trust in God's unconventional methods of deliverance in your own life or in the world?**
* **What does Eglon's fate teach us about the ultimate consequences of tyranny and oppression from a biblical perspective?**

### FAQ
**Why is Eglon's fatness emphasized so much in this story?**

Answer: Eglon's extreme corpulence, explicitly mentioned in [Judges 3:17](/judges/3-17 "Judges 3:17 - Eglon's Corpulence") and crucial to the details in [Judges 3:22](/judges/3-22 "Judges 3:22 - Eglon's Demise"), serves several narrative and thematic purposes. Firstly, it highlights the unique effectiveness of Ehud's assassination method; the fat layers "closed upon the blade," preventing Ehud from withdrawing the dagger and ensuring its complete, fatal penetration. Secondly, it explains the delay in discovering Eglon's death. His servants, seeing the door locked and assuming he was "covering his feet" (a euphemism for relieving himself) in the "cooling chamber" ([Judges 3:24](/judges/3-24 "Judges 3:24 - Eglon's Servants Wait")), were slow to investigate because the dagger was not visible. The fatness also subtly contributes to the ignominious nature of his death, contrasting with the typical image of a powerful king.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Judges 3:22 describes a violent act of divine judgment and deliverance in the Old Testament, it finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate deliverer and the embodiment of God's righteous judgment and salvation. Just as Ehud decisively struck down the oppressor Eglon, Christ decisively defeated the ultimate oppressors: sin, death, and the devil. His crucifixion, though seemingly a defeat, was the ultimate act of divine cunning and power, where through weakness, He triumphed over the spiritual forces that held humanity captive ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities")). The graphic finality of Eglon's death foreshadows the absolute and eternal victory achieved by Christ's sacrifice, which permanently breaks the power of sin and offers true liberation to all who believe ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Destroys the Power of Death")). Furthermore, while Ehud brought temporary peace to Israel, Jesus ushers in an eternal peace and a spiritual kingdom where true justice and righteousness reign ([Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Prince of Peace")). Eglon's ignominious end serves as a type of the final judgment awaiting all who oppose God, whereas Christ's resurrection promises eternal life and vindication for those who follow Him, fulfilling God's ultimate plan of deliverance and restoration for humanity ([Revelation 20:10-15](/revelation/20-10 "Revelation 20:10-15 - The Great White Throne Judgment")).

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.