Judges 3:28

And he said unto them, Follow after me: for the LORD hath delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they went down after him, and took the fords of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over.

And he said {H559} unto them, Follow {H7291} after {H310} me: for the LORD {H3068} hath delivered {H5414} your enemies {H341} the Moabites {H4124} into your hand {H3027}. And they went down {H3381} after {H310} him, and took {H3920} the fords {H4569} of Jordan {H3383} toward Moab {H4124}, and suffered {H5414} not a man {H376} to pass over {H5674}.

He said to them: "Follow me, because ADONAI has given your enemy Mo'av into your hands. They went down after him, seized the fords of the Yarden opposite Mo'av and permitted no one to cross.

“Follow me,” he told them, “for the LORD has delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand.” So they followed him down and seized the fords of the Jordan leading to Moab, and did not allow anyone to cross over.

And he said unto them, Follow after me; for Jehovah hath delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand. And they went down after him, and took the fords of the Jordan against the Moabites, and suffered not a man to pass over.

Commentary

Judges 3:28 marks a pivotal moment in Ehud's deliverance of Israel from Moabite oppression, showcasing decisive leadership, strategic military action, and a profound reliance on God's intervention.

Context

This verse immediately follows Ehud's successful, stealthy assassination of King Eglon of Moab, who had oppressed Israel for eighteen years. After escaping from Eglon's palace, Ehud blew a trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim, summoning the Israelites to action (Judges 3:27). The people responded, rallying behind their God-appointed deliverer. This verse describes Ehud's command and the immediate, effective response of the Israelite forces.

Key Themes

  • Divine Deliverance: Ehud's declaration, "the LORD hath delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand," underscores the central theme of the Book of Judges – that God raises up deliverers and grants victory to His people when they turn to Him (Judges 2:16). The victory is attributed to God's power, not merely human strength or cunning.
  • Decisive Leadership: Ehud's command, "Follow after me," demonstrates strong, confident leadership. The people's immediate obedience ("And they went down after him") highlights their trust in Ehud as God's chosen instrument. Effective leadership is crucial for rallying God's people to action.
  • Strategic Warfare: The act of taking "the fords of Jordan toward Moab" was a brilliant military tactic. These fords were critical crossing points, preventing any Moabite soldiers who might have been in Israelite territory from escaping back to Moab and also cutting off any potential reinforcements from Moab. This ensured a complete and decisive victory.
  • Complete Victory: By preventing "not a man to pass over," the Israelites secured a thorough victory, ensuring the end of Moabite dominion and preventing future threats from the remnants of their army. This echoes the pattern of God granting complete victory over enemies, as seen in other biblical accounts (e.g., Deuteronomy 2:36).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the LORD hath delivered your enemies the Moabites into your hand" is a common biblical idiom, signifying a complete and decisive victory granted by God. It emphasizes divine authorization and empowerment for the battle, indicating that the outcome was predetermined by God's will.

Practical Application

Judges 3:28 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It reminds us that when God calls us to action, He also provides the means and power for victory. We are called to follow God's chosen leaders or to step into leadership ourselves when God empowers us, trusting that He has already given us the victory over spiritual enemies. Just as Ehud's strategic move secured physical freedom, believers are called to take decisive spiritual action, relying on God's strength to overcome challenges and stand firm against spiritual opposition, knowing that the battle belongs to the Lord.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Judges 12:5

    And the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites: and it was [so], that when those Ephraimites which were escaped said, Let me go over; that the men of Gilead said unto him, [Art] thou an Ephraimite? If he said, Nay;

  • Joshua 2:7

    And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate.

  • Judges 7:9

    ¶ And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand.

  • Judges 7:15

    And it was [so], when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into the host of Israel, and said, Arise; for the LORD hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian.

  • 1 Samuel 17:47

    And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle [is] the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.

  • Judges 7:24

    And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan.

  • Judges 7:17

    And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I come to the outside of the camp, it shall be [that], as I do, so shall ye do.