Judges 3:23

Then Ehud went forth through the porch, and shut the doors of the parlour upon him, and locked them.

Then Ehud ^{H164} went forth ^{H3318} through the porch ^{H4528}, and shut ^{H5462} the doors ^{H1817} of the parlour ^{H5944} upon him, and locked ^{H5274} them.

Then Ehud went out onto the porch, shut the doors of the upstairs room behind him and locked them.

Then Ehud went out through the porch, closing and locking the doors of the upper room behind him.

Then Ehud went forth into the porch, and shut the doors of the upper room upon him, and locked them.

Judges 3:23 marks a pivotal moment immediately following Ehud's assassination of King Eglon of Moab. This verse details Ehud's cunning and strategic actions to secure his escape and delay the discovery of Eglon's death, thereby ensuring the success of his mission to deliver Israel.

Context

The book of Judges chronicles cycles of Israel's disobedience, subsequent oppression by foreign powers, and God raising up "judges" or deliverers to rescue His people. Ehud, a left-handed Benjamite, was chosen by God to free Israel from 18 years of Moabite subjugation under the excessively corpulent King Eglon. After presenting a tribute, Ehud secured a private audience with Eglon in his "summer parlour" (a private, cooling chamber). There, Ehud executed Eglon with a dagger, as described in Judges 3:22. This verse, Judges 3:23, describes the crucial next step in Ehud's plan: ensuring his undetected departure. His actions here were vital for the subsequent rallying of Israel against the Moabites, fulfilling his role as a deliverer for God's people.

Key Themes

Strategic Cunning and Foresight: Ehud's actions demonstrate meticulous planning. By "shutting the doors of the parlour upon him, and locked them," he created the illusion that Eglon was simply attending to private matters, buying himself crucial time to escape the palace and prepare for the next phase of the revolt.
Deception as a Tactic: In the context of ancient warfare and liberation, Ehud's deception was an integral part of his strategy. The locked doors were a silent signal to the king's servants that their master was engaged in a private act, preventing immediate alarm.
The Vulnerability of Oppressors: Despite Eglon's power and position, Ehud's precise and calculated actions highlight how even the most formidable oppressors can be overcome through strategic and divinely-guided intervention.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV term "parlour" (Hebrew: misderon) refers to a private chamber, often an upper room or a cool room, used for private conversations or resting. This emphasizes the secluded nature of the assassination. The phrase "shut the doors... and locked them" underscores Ehud's deliberate and thorough approach. He didn't just close the doors; he secured them, indicating a careful consideration of the consequences and a desire to maximize the delay before Eglon's body was discovered, as detailed in the following verses (Judges 3:24-25).

Practical Application

While Ehud's specific actions are tied to a unique historical event of national deliverance, this verse offers insights into the importance of thoroughness and follow-through in any endeavor. It teaches that effective action often requires not just the main deed, but also careful consideration of the steps needed to secure the outcome and prevent immediate complications. In a broader sense, it can serve as a reminder to "lock the door" on temptations or past struggles, ensuring a complete break and securing one's spiritual progress after overcoming an obstacle.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

No cross-references found for this verse.