Judges 3:29

KJV

And they slew of Moab at that time about ten thousand men, all lusty, and all men of valour; and there escaped not a man.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they slew {H5221} of Moab {H4124} at that time {H6256} about ten {H6235} thousand {H505} men {H376}, all lusty {H8082}, and all men {H376} of valour {H2428}; and there escaped {H4422} not a man {H376}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On that occasion they defeated Mo'av, some ten thousand men, all tough, experienced soldiers; not one of them escaped.

Berean Standard Bible

At that time they struck down about ten thousand Moabites, all robust and valiant men. Not one of them escaped.

American Standard Version

And they smote of Moab at that time about ten thousand men, every lusty man, and every man of valor; and there escaped not a man.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 3:29 records the climactic and decisive victory of the Israelites over their Moabite oppressors, orchestrated by the judge Ehud. Following Ehud's strategic assassination of King Eglon, the Israelites rallied and ambushed the Moabite forces at the Jordan River fords, resulting in the slaughter of approximately ten thousand of Moab's most formidable and robust soldiers. This verse underscores the completeness of Israel's deliverance and the thoroughness of God's judgment against their enemies, marking the end of eighteen years of Moabite subjugation and ushering in a period of peace for the land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 3:29 serves as the dramatic culmination of the narrative concerning Ehud's judgeship, which commences in [Judges 3:12](/judges/3-12 "Judges 3:12 - Israel's Oppression by Moab"). After eighteen years of severe oppression under King Eglon of Moab, Israel's desperate cry for deliverance prompts God to raise up Ehud, a left-handed Benjamite, as their deliverer. The preceding verses meticulously detail Ehud's audacious and cunning plan to assassinate the corpulent King Eglon within his private chamber ([Judges 3:15-26](/judges/3-15-26 "Judges 3:15-26 - Ehud's Assassination of Eglon")). Following the assassination and his clever escape, Ehud rallies the Israelite forces from the hill country of Ephraim. His strategic genius is further demonstrated by his swift action to seize the fords of the Jordan River ([Judges 3:28](/judges/3-28 "Judges 3:28 - Ehud Seizes the Fords")), effectively cutting off the Moabites' retreat back to their territory. This verse, therefore, depicts the decisive military engagement that secures Israel's freedom, leading directly into the eighty years of peace and rest for the land, as recorded in [Judges 3:30](/judges/3-30 "Judges 3:30 - Eighty Years of Rest").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Judges portrays a tumultuous era in Israel's history, characterized by a recurrent cycle of apostasy, divine judgment through oppression, repentance, and subsequent deliverance. The Moabites, descendants of Lot, were a consistent rival and often an adversary of Israel, typically inhabiting the territory east of the Jordan River. Their oppression of Israel, described in [Judges 3:12-14](/judges/3-12-14 "Judges 3:12-14 - Moabite Oppression"), involved the imposition of tribute and subjugation. The Jordan River fords were critical strategic choke points, serving as the primary crossing routes between the Transjordanian plateau (Moabite domain) and the central hill country of Canaan (Israelite territory). Control of these fords was paramount for both offensive invasion and defensive retreat. The biblical description of the Moabite soldiers as "lusty" and "men of valour" reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of a formidable army—not merely numerous, but physically robust, well-fed, and militarily capable. This cultural context profoundly emphasizes that the Israelite victory was not against a weak or dispirited foe, but against a strong, well-equipped, and courageous enemy, thereby highlighting the clear and undeniable divine assistance in their triumph.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes prevalent within the book of Judges and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it strikingly illustrates **Divine Deliverance**, demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people, even in their cycles of disobedience. After Israel "cried out to the Lord" ([Judges 3:15](/judges/3-15 "Judges 3:15 - Israel Cries Out to the Lord")), God responded by raising up Ehud and granting him a decisive victory. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Total Victory and Comprehensive Judgment**. The complete annihilation of the Moabite forces, emphatically stated as "there escaped not a man," signifies God's thorough judgment against the oppressors and the completeness of the salvation provided to Israel. This absolute defeat ensures the cessation of Moabite oppression and ushers in a lengthy period of peace, as seen in [Judges 3:30](/judges/3-30 "Judges 3:30 - The Land Had Rest"). Lastly, the narrative powerfully reinforces the **Consequences of Disobedience and the Blessings of Repentance**. The cyclical pattern of sin leading to oppression, and repentance leading to deliverance, is a foundational theological framework in Judges, and this verse represents the glorious outcome when Israel turns back to God, leading to peace and rest in the land.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lusty (Hebrew, _shâmên'_):** This word (H8082) is often translated as "fat" or "well-fed," but in this military context, it carries the significant nuance of robust health, physical strength, and prime physical condition. It does not imply gluttony but rather the ideal state for a warrior: strong, well-nourished, and capable of enduring the rigors of battle. The description emphasizes that the Moabite soldiers were not weak or emaciated, but formidable, well-prepared warriors, making the Israelite victory all the more remarkable and clearly indicative of divine intervention rather than mere human superiority.
* **Valour (Hebrew, _chayil'_):** This term (H2428) denotes strength, might, military force, and often refers to a capable army or a person of great ability and courage. When applied to soldiers, "men of valour" signifies their bravery, skill in combat, and military prowess. Coupled with "lusty," it paints a vivid picture of a truly formidable fighting force. The fact that ten thousand such men were slain, with "not a man" escaping, underscores the overwhelming nature of the Israelite victory and the divine power behind it, as it was not a defeat of a weak, dispirited army, but of a strong, courageous one.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they slew of Moab at that time":** This initial clause identifies the victorious party as the Israelites, acting under the leadership and strategic direction of Ehud. The phrase "at that time" specifies the immediate aftermath of Ehud's assassination of King Eglon and the subsequent rallying of the Israelite forces, indicating a swift and decisive counter-offensive.
* **"about ten thousand men":** This numerical approximation conveys the immense scale and devastating impact of the Israelite victory on the Moabite forces. While "about" suggests it may not be an exact census, it powerfully communicates the overwhelming nature of the slaughter, signifying a crushing military defeat that crippled Moab's fighting capacity and ensured their inability to continue oppressing Israel.
* **"all lusty, and all men of valour":** This descriptive phrase emphatically highlights the quality and formidable nature of the Moabite soldiers who were slain. They were not weak, old, or inexperienced conscripts, but rather physically strong, well-conditioned, and courageous warriors. The repetition of "all" underscores the uniform high quality of the defeated army, further magnifying the significance of the Israelite victory and pointing to the extraordinary divine power at work.
* **"and there escaped not a man.":** This concluding, dramatic phrase emphasizes the absolute totality and completeness of the Israelite victory. It signifies a comprehensive rout, where the Moabite forces were utterly annihilated, leaving no survivors from this particular engagement to flee, regroup, or report the defeat. This powerful statement underscores the finality of God's judgment on Moab and the thoroughness of Israel's deliverance.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 3:29 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the magnitude and divine nature of Israel's victory. The phrase "about ten thousand men" functions as **Hyperbole** or **Exaggeration**, a common biblical literary technique used not necessarily for precise numerical accuracy but to emphasize the vastness and overwhelming nature of the defeat. Similarly, "and there escaped not a man" is a clear example of **Hyperbole**, underscoring the completeness of the rout rather than a literal count of zero escapees. This emphasizes the divine hand in the victory, making it seem utterly impossible by human standards. The description of the Moabite soldiers as "all lusty, and all men of valour" utilizes **Emphasis through Repetition** and **Contrast**. By highlighting the formidable quality of the Moabite army, the narrative creates a stark **Contrast** with the previously oppressed and seemingly weaker Israelites, thereby magnifying the miraculous nature of their triumph. This **Contrast** serves to elevate the divine power at work, as God enables a seemingly disadvantaged people to utterly defeat a strong and valiant foe.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 3:29 stands as a powerful testament to God's unwavering commitment to deliver His people when they turn to Him in repentance. This verse is not merely a record of military success, but a profound theological statement about divine intervention and the fulfillment of God's covenant promises. The total annihilation of the Moabite forces demonstrates God's sovereign power to judge oppressors and provide complete salvation. It foreshadows a greater deliverance, reminding believers that God is capable of overcoming any enemy, no matter how formidable, and bringing about true peace and rest. This victory, achieved through a divinely appointed deliverer, underscores the recurring theme in Judges that Israel's well-being is directly tied to their obedience and God's faithfulness to respond to their cries.

* [Deuteronomy 28:7](/deuteronomy/28-7 "Victory Over Enemies")
* [Psalm 18:37-40](/psalms/18-37-40 "God as Deliverer and Victor")
* [Isaiah 49:25](/isaiah/49-25 "Deliverance from the Mighty")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 3:29 offers profound encouragement for believers facing seemingly insurmountable challenges today. Just as the Moabites were described as "lusty" and "men of valour"—physically robust and courageous—our spiritual battles or personal struggles can often appear overwhelming, powerful, and relentless. This verse reminds us that God's power is not limited by the strength of our adversaries or the magnitude of our problems. When we cry out to the Lord, as Israel did in their distress, He is faithful to raise up deliverance, providing the strategy, strength, and ultimate victory. The "eighty years of rest" that followed this decisive triumph ([Judges 3:30](/judges/3-30 "Judges 3:30 - Eighty Years of Rest")) illustrate that God's deliverance brings not just temporary relief, but lasting peace and security. This passage calls us to trust in God's ability to achieve total victory in our lives, whether over sin, fear, oppression, or despair, and to rest in the profound peace that only He can provide.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Moabites" or overwhelming challenges are you currently facing in your life that seem "lusty" and "valourous"?**
* **How does the completeness of Israel's victory in this verse encourage your faith in God's ability to deliver you from your own struggles?**
* **In what ways might God be calling you to cry out to Him for deliverance, trusting that He will act decisively on your behalf?**
* **How can the "rest" experienced by Israel after this victory inform your pursuit of peace and security in God today, even amidst ongoing challenges?**

### FAQ
**Was the number "ten thousand men" an exact count, or is it symbolic?**

Answer: The phrase "about ten thousand men" (KJV) or "about ten thousand men" (ESV) strongly suggests it was an approximate, but very large, number. In ancient Near Eastern military accounts, large numbers were often used to emphasize the scale and decisiveness of a victory or defeat rather than providing a precise census. Coupled with the declaration "and there escaped not a man," which is clearly a hyperbolic expression for totality, the number serves to underscore the overwhelming and decisive nature of the Israelite victory. It highlights that the Moabite fighting force was utterly crushed, signifying a complete and devastating blow to Moab's military strength, achieved through divine intervention and not merely human might. This complete eradication ensured the cessation of Moabite oppression, leading to a long period of peace, as noted in [Judges 3:30](/judges/3-30 "Judges 3:30 - The Land Had Rest").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 3:29, depicting the complete and utter defeat of Israel's oppressors, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Ehud, a divinely appointed deliverer who brings about a period of rest and peace for Israel, serves as a powerful type of Christ, the true and ultimate Deliverer. Just as Ehud secured a total victory over the "lusty" and "valourous" Moabites, Jesus, through His sacrificial death on the cross and triumphant resurrection, achieved a comprehensive and definitive victory over the formidable spiritual enemies of humanity: sin, death, and the devil. The "eighty years of rest" that followed Ehud's victory ([Judges 3:30](/judges/3-30 "Judges 3:30 - Eighty Years of Rest")) powerfully foreshadow the eternal rest and perfect peace that believers find exclusively in Christ, who has forever conquered all spiritual adversaries. The [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), disarmed the powers and authorities through His cross, triumphing over them in it ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). His decisive victory ensures that those who are in Him are no longer slaves to sin ([Romans 6:6](/romans/6-6 "Romans 6:6 - Freedom from Sin")), but are set free to live in the newness of life, enjoying the peace of God that surpasses all understanding ([Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God")). Thus, the historical military triumph recorded in [Judges 3:29](/judges/3-29 "Judges 3:29 - Israel's Victory Over Moab") points forward to the definitive and eternal victory accomplished by our Lord, Jesus Christ, who has indeed ensured that "not a man" (of the spiritual enemy's dominion) escaped His ultimate judgment and defeat.

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

Psalms 17:10

They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.

Deuteronomy 32:15

¶ But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered [with fatness]; then he forsook God [which] made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.

Judges 3:17

And he brought the present unto Eglon king of Moab: and Eglon [was] a very fat man.

Job 15:27

Because he covereth his face with his fatness, and maketh collops of fat on [his] flanks.