The Hebrew name ʼÊhûwd, represented by H164, is defined as united. It appears 9 times across 8 unique verses in the Bible. The name is most prominently associated with the judge who delivered Israel from Moabite oppression, but it also appears in a genealogy.
In the biblical narrative, ʼÊhûwd is introduced as a deliverer H3467 whom the LORD H3068 raised up when the children of Israel H3478 cried out under the rule of Eglon H5700, king of Moab H4124 Judges 3:15. A Benjamite H1145 and a man described as lefthanded H334, ʼÊhûwd crafted a two-edged H6366 dagger H2719 which he girded H2296 under his raiment H4055 on his right thigh H3409 Judges 3:16. Under the pretense of delivering a secret message H1697 from God H430, ʼÊhûwd gained a private audience with King Eglon in his summer H4747 parlour H5944. He then put forth H7971 his left hand H8040, took the dagger, and thrust H8628 it into the king's belly H990 Judges 3:20-21. After the act, ʼÊhûwd escaped H4422 by locking the doors H1817 and passing beyond the quarries H6456 to Seirath H8167 (Judges 3:23, 26). The period of peace he secured ended with his death H4191 Judges 4:1. A different ʼÊhûwd is also listed in the genealogies of the sons of Benjamin H1144 1 Chronicles 7:10.
Several related words provide context for the story of Ehud:
- H3467 yâshaʻ (to free or succor): This word forms the title "deliverer," the role God raised ʼÊhûwd to fulfill for the oppressed Israelites Judges 3:15.
- H1145 Ben-yᵉmîynîy (a Benjaminite): This identifies Ehud's tribal lineage. He is specifically called a Benjamite, a man of Benjamin Judges 3:15.
- H334 ʼiṭṭêr (impeded... left-handed): This unique physical trait was central to Ehud's strategy, allowing him to conceal a weapon on his right thigh and draw it with his left hand to kill King Eglon (Judges 3:15, 21).
- H2719 chereb (a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword): This term describes the two-edged dagger ʼÊhûwd made H6213 and used to assassinate the Moabite king Judges 3:16.
- H5700 ʻEglôwn (Eglon): The king of Moab who oppressed Israel and was killed by ʼÊhûwd. He is described as a very fat man H376 Judges 3:17.
The narrative of ʼÊhûwd carries significant weight within the book of Judges.
- Divine Intervention: ʼÊhûwd is explicitly raised up by the LORD H3068 as a deliverer H3467 in response to Israel's cry H2199, underscoring God's direct involvement in the nation's history Judges 3:15.
- Unconventional Means: God uses the seemingly unusual trait of ʼÊhûwd being lefthanded H334 as the very means of deliverance. This allowed for the concealed dagger H2719 to go unnoticed, highlighting God's power to work through unexpected people and methods (Judges 3:16, 21).
- The Cycle of the Judges: The story of ʼÊhûwd exemplifies the repeating pattern in Judges. After his death H4191, the children of Israel again did evil H7451 in the sight of the LORD, initiating a new cycle of oppression and deliverance Judges 4:1.
In summary, ʼÊhûwd H164 is a name meaning "united," primarily remembered for the Benjamite judge who liberated Israel. His story is a striking example of cunning and courage, where a physical particularity becomes the instrument of divine rescue. As a deliverer raised by God, ʼÊhûwd embodies the theme of God using unlikely heroes to achieve His purposes, providing a period of rest for Israel before the nation fell back into sin following his death.
TRV