Judges 3:26

KJV

And Ehud escaped while they tarried, and passed beyond the quarries, and escaped unto Seirath.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Ehud {H164} escaped {H4422} while they tarried {H4102}, and passed beyond {H5674} the quarries {H6456}, and escaped {H4422} unto Seirath {H8167}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But while they were delaying, Ehud escaped- he passed beyond the quarries and arrived safely in Se'irah.

Berean Standard Bible

Ehud, however, had escaped while the servants waited. He passed by the idols and escaped to Seirah.

American Standard Version

And Ehud escaped while they tarried, and passed beyond the quarries, and escaped unto Seirah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 3:26 meticulously details the swift and successful escape of Ehud, Israel's left-handed judge, immediately following his daring assassination of Eglon, the oppressive king of Moab. This pivotal moment, facilitated by the unsuspecting delay of Eglon's servants, allowed Ehud to pass beyond a significant landmark—the "quarries" or "graven images"—and reach the safety of Seirath, setting the crucial stage for him to rally the Israelite forces and lead them to a decisive victory against their Moabite oppressors.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 3:26 is situated at the dramatic climax of Ehud's individual mission of deliverance, serving as the crucial transition point between the assassination of King Eglon and the subsequent rallying of Israel for battle. The preceding verses (Judges 3:21-25) vividly describe Ehud's ingenious and brutal act: plunging his double-edged sword into Eglon's corpulent body in the king's private chamber. The narrative emphasizes the locked chamber and the servants' respectful, yet ultimately fatal, delay, believing their king was merely relieving himself. This "tarrying" (Judges 3:24-25) directly creates the window of opportunity for Ehud's escape, making verse 26 the immediate consequence and fulfillment of that delay. The verses immediately following (Judges 3:27-28) show Ehud blowing the trumpet, rallying the Israelites from the hill country of Ephraim, and leading them down to seize the fords of the Jordan, effectively cutting off the Moabite retreat and securing Israel's victory. Thus, this verse is not merely an account of escape but the essential bridge to the larger military triumph.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** For eighteen years, the Israelites had suffered under the oppressive rule of Eglon, king of Moab, a consequence of their sin and turning away from God, as highlighted in [Judges 3:12](/judges/3-12 "Judges 3:12 - Israel's Disobedience and Oppression"). Moab, an eastern neighbor of Israel, frequently engaged in conflict and subjugation, often exploiting Israel's periods of spiritual decline. The cultural norms of a royal court would have dictated extreme deference to the king, especially concerning his private moments. Servants would not dare to disturb a monarch, particularly if they believed he was attending to personal needs, thus explaining their prolonged waiting outside Eglon's chamber. The mention of "quarries" (Hebrew: _pesilim_) could refer to actual stone quarries, which were common in the region, or, as suggested by the KJV margin and some scholars, "graven images" or cultic stones. If the latter, it would imply a pagan site, possibly near Gilgal, where Ehud had turned back earlier (Judges 3:19), underscoring his passage through a potentially idolatrous or religiously significant area as he made his escape. Seirath, though its exact location is debated, was likely a strategic point in the hill country of Ephraim, providing a safe haven and a suitable place to gather Israelite forces away from Moabite surveillance.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 3:26 powerfully reinforces several key themes present throughout the book of Judges and the broader narrative of Israel's early history. **Divine Providence and Timing** are paramount; the seemingly coincidental delay of Eglon's servants is clearly presented as God's orchestration, providing the necessary window for Ehud's escape and ensuring the success of the divine plan for deliverance. This echoes the theme of God using unlikely means and circumstances to achieve His purposes, as seen in other judges like Gideon (Judges 7). **Strategic Action and Cunning** are also evident in Ehud's swift and decisive movements post-assassination, demonstrating his quick thinking and calculated escape route, which was vital for his survival and the subsequent liberation of Israel. The verse also marks a crucial **Transition to Leadership** for Ehud; he is no longer merely an assassin on a covert mission but is now poised to gather and lead the Israelite forces, moving from individual heroism to communal deliverance, as foreshadowed in [Judges 3:27](/judges/3-27 "Judges 3:27 - Ehud Rallies Israel"). His safe return to Seirath is indispensable for rallying the tribes and initiating the full-scale rebellion against Moabite oppression.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Tarried (Hebrew, _mêhitmahməhām'_):** This word, derived from the root מָהַה (_mahah_), means "to delay," "to hesitate," or "to linger." In the context of Judges 3:26, it specifically refers to the prolonged waiting of Eglon's servants outside the locked chamber. This delay, born out of cultural deference and a misunderstanding of the situation, is presented as divinely orchestrated, providing the critical time Ehud needed to make his escape. It highlights God's sovereignty even over the seemingly mundane actions of individuals.
* **Quarries (Hebrew, _happəsilîm'_):** This term is significant for its ambiguity. While it can denote "quarried stones" or a place where stones are cut, the KJV margin and many scholars suggest "graven images" or "idols." The root פֶּסֶל (_pesel_) means "carved image" or "idol." If referring to idols, it would imply Ehud passed by a pagan cultic site, possibly near Gilgal, where Ehud had previously turned back (Judges 3:19). This dual meaning adds a layer of symbolic significance, perhaps indicating Ehud's passage away from a place of idolatry and oppression towards a place of Israelite freedom.
* **Seirath (Hebrew, _śəʿîrāṯāh'_):** This is a geographical location, likely in the hill country of Ephraim, though its precise modern identification remains uncertain. The name itself might be related to "hairy" or "shaggy," possibly referring to a rugged, forested, or goat-infested area. Its importance lies in its function as Ehud's destination, a strategic rallying point where he could safely gather the Israelite forces after his daring act in Moabite territory. It represents the secure base from which the counter-offensive would be launched.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Ehud escaped while they tarried":** This clause directly links Ehud's successful getaway to the critical delay of Eglon's servants. The Hebrew verb for "escaped" (וַיִּמָּלֵט, _wayyimmāleṭ_) emphasizes a swift and narrow deliverance from danger. The "tarrying" refers to the servants' prolonged waiting outside Eglon's chamber, believing him to be relieving himself (Judges 3:24-25). This delay, born of cultural deference and a lack of suspicion, was providentially orchestrated, providing Ehud with the crucial window of time to flee before Eglon's death was discovered.
* **"and passed beyond the quarries":** This phrase specifies a key landmark on Ehud's escape route. As discussed in "Key Word Analysis," "quarries" (_pesilim_) could refer to actual stone quarries or, more symbolically, to "graven images" or pagan idols. If the latter, it would signify Ehud's passage through a place associated with idolatry or Moabite religious influence, perhaps near Gilgal, where he had earlier turned back (Judges 3:19). This detail underscores the specific, known path Ehud took, emphasizing the calculated nature of his escape.
* **"and escaped unto Seirath":** This final clause identifies Ehud's ultimate destination—a place of safety and strategic importance. Seirath, located in the hill country of Ephraim, served as the secure base from which Ehud would subsequently rally the Israelite forces. His successful arrival there was crucial for the next phase of the deliverance, transforming him from a lone assassin into the leader of Israel's army, poised to liberate his people from Moabite oppression.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of Judges 3:26 masterfully employs several literary devices to heighten its impact. **Irony** is prominent, as the very cultural deference and respectful delay of Eglon's servants, intended to honor their king, become the unwitting instruments of his kingdom's downfall by facilitating Ehud's escape. This **Narrative Pacing** builds tension by drawing out the servants' waiting period (Judges 3:24-25), making Ehud's swift escape in verse 26 feel like a triumphant release. The mention of "the quarries" (_happəsilîm_) introduces a potential **Symbolism** or **Allusion**. If understood as "graven images," it symbolically represents Ehud's movement away from the realm of paganism and oppression (Moab) back towards the land of Israel, preparing to restore the worship of Yahweh. The entire episode functions as a form of **Foreshadowing**, as Ehud's successful escape and arrival at Seirath clearly signal the impending victory for Israel, setting the stage for the dramatic rallying of troops and the subsequent defeat of Moab.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 3:26 powerfully illustrates the theme of divine providence working through human agency, even in the most perilous and unconventional circumstances. Ehud's escape, seemingly dependent on the servants' delay and his own cunning, is presented as part of God's larger plan to deliver Israel. This highlights that God's sovereignty is not limited to miraculous interventions but extends to orchestrating everyday events and human decisions to achieve His redemptive purposes. It reassures believers that even when facing overwhelming odds or dangerous situations, God can open doors, create opportunities, and provide the necessary timing for escape and ultimate victory. This verse serves as a reminder that God can use the actions of adversaries, their delays, or their misjudgments, to secure the safety and success of His chosen instruments, leading to the deliverance of His people.

* [Psalm 34:7](/psalm/34-7 "The Angel of the Lord Encamps")
* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "The King's Heart in the Lord's Hand")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "All Things Work for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 3:26 invites us to reflect on the unseen hand of God at work in our lives, even in moments that appear to be mere coincidence or fortunate timing. Ehud's escape was not accidental; it was a critical step in God's plan for Israel's deliverance, facilitated by the unsuspecting actions of his enemies. This should encourage us to cultivate a posture of trust and discernment, recognizing that God often orchestrates circumstances, delays, or unexpected opportunities to protect us, guide us, and advance His purposes through us. It challenges us to be attentive to the "windows of opportunity" that open, whether for escape from difficulty, for bold action, or for new beginnings. Just as Ehud had to act decisively once the path was clear, we too are called to respond faithfully and courageously when God's providence creates an opening. Our safety and success are often interwoven with divine timing and our readiness to step through the doors God opens.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life have you experienced a "providential delay" or an unexpected opening that allowed you to escape a difficult situation or move forward?**
* **How does Ehud's immediate and decisive action after the assassination challenge you to be more responsive when God creates an opportunity for you?**
* **How can recognizing God's hand in seemingly mundane or coincidental events deepen your trust in His overarching plan for your life?**

### FAQ

**What are "the quarries" mentioned in Judges 3:26, and why are they significant?**

Answer: The term "quarries" (Hebrew: _happəsilîm_) is a point of scholarly discussion. It can refer to a literal site where stones were quarried, which would be a prominent landmark on Ehud's escape route. However, the Hebrew word _pesilim_ more commonly means "graven images" or "idols." The King James Version's margin note reflects this alternative translation. If it refers to "graven images," it would signify a pagan cultic site, possibly located near Gilgal, where Ehud had earlier turned back (Judges 3:19). In this interpretation, Ehud's passing "beyond the quarries" would symbolize his movement away from a place associated with idolatry and Moabite influence, back towards the land of Israel and the worship of the true God. Its significance lies in marking Ehud's successful navigation through potentially hostile or symbolically charged territory, underscoring the completeness of his escape.

**Why did Eglon's servants "tarry" for so long, allowing Ehud to escape?**

Answer: The servants' "tarrying" (Judges 3:24-25) was rooted in cultural deference and a misunderstanding of the situation. King Eglon had sent everyone away for his private meeting with Ehud, and when Ehud left, the servants found the chamber door locked. They assumed the king was "covering his feet," a euphemism for relieving himself, and it would have been highly disrespectful and potentially dangerous to disturb a monarch during such a private moment. This cultural norm, combined with their lack of suspicion regarding Ehud, led to their prolonged waiting. From a theological perspective, this delay is presented as a crucial element of divine providence, perfectly timed to allow Ehud to make his escape before Eglon's death was discovered, thereby ensuring the success of Israel's deliverance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Ehud's strategic escape in Judges 3:26, following his decisive act of deliverance, powerfully foreshadows the greater, ultimate deliverance accomplished by Jesus Christ. Just as Ehud, the chosen deliverer, escaped the clutches of the enemy king's court to rally his people, so too did Christ, after His decisive victory over sin and death on the cross, "escape" the confines of the tomb. His resurrection, a triumphant escape from death's dominion (Acts 2:24), was not merely a personal triumph but the essential act that enabled Him to gather His people and lead them to true freedom. Ehud's journey to Seirath to rally Israel finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ's ascension to the right hand of the Father, from where He continues to gather His church (Ephesians 4:8-10) and lead them in spiritual warfare against the true enemies of humanity (Colossians 2:15). The "tarrying" of Eglon's servants, which facilitated Ehud's escape, can be seen as a shadow of the divine timing and orchestration that allowed Christ to fulfill His mission, culminating in His victory over the powers of darkness (Hebrews 2:14-15). Christ's "escape" from death ensures that those who believe in Him are also delivered from the bondage of sin and death, becoming part of His victorious kingdom (Romans 6:4-11).

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.