Judges 3:26

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

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

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

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

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

Commentary

Judges 3:26 (KJV) details a critical moment in the story of Ehud, Israel's left-handed judge, immediately following his daring assassination of Eglon, the oppressive king of Moab. This verse describes Ehud's swift and successful escape, setting the stage for the deliverance of Israel from Moabite bondage.

Context

This verse is situated at the climax of Ehud's individual mission of deliverance. For eighteen years, the Israelites had been oppressed by King Eglon of Moab, a consequence of their disobedience (Judges 3:12-14). Ehud, uniquely chosen by God, had just successfully carried out the assassination of Eglon in his private chamber (Judges 3:21-25). The key to his escape lies in the delay of Eglon's servants, who, out of respect, waited outside the locked chamber, believing their king was relieving himself. This "tarrying" provided Ehud with the precious time needed to make his getaway and regroup.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Providence and Timing: The servants' prolonged waiting, while seemingly coincidental, highlights God's hand in orchestrating events for Ehud's safe passage. Their respectful delay was integral to the success of Ehud's mission and Israel's subsequent freedom.
  • Strategic Escape: Ehud's immediate and decisive action after the assassination demonstrates his cunning and quick thinking. His escape was not accidental but a calculated move to secure his freedom before the discovery of Eglon's death.
  • Transition to Leadership: This escape marks a pivotal transition. Ehud is no longer just an assassin; he is now poised to gather the Israelite forces and lead them to victory, as seen in the following verses (Judges 3:27-28). His safe return to Seirath is crucial for rallying the tribes.

Linguistic Insights

The term "quarries" (KJV) translates from the Hebrew word pesilim (ืคึฐึผืกึดื™ืœึดื™ื). While it can mean "quarried stones" or "stone idols/graven images," the KJV margin notes "graven images." This location, possibly near Gilgal, where Ehud had turned back earlier (Judges 3:19), may have been a pagan cultic site or simply a prominent landmark. Its mention emphasizes Ehud's successful navigation through familiar territory and his clear path away from the Moabite presence.

Practical Application

Judges 3:26 reminds us that God often works through unexpected means and precise timing to bring about His purposes. Even in challenging or dangerous situations, moments of delay or seemingly opportune circumstances can be part of a larger divine plan for deliverance and victory. It encourages believers to trust in God's providence, recognizing that He can use various situations, even the actions of adversaries, to ensure the safety and success of those who serve Him.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

Cross-References

No cross-references found.