Judges 3:27

And it came to pass, when he was come, that he blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them.

And it came to pass, when he was come {H935}, that he blew {H8628} a trumpet {H7782} in the mountain {H2022} of Ephraim {H669}, and the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} went down {H3381} with him from the mount {H2022}, and he before {H6440} them.

Upon arrival in the hills of Efrayim, he began sounding the call on the shofar; and the people of Isra'el went down with him from the hill-country; he himself took the lead.

On arriving in Seirah, he blew the ramโ€™s horn throughout the hill country of Ephraim. The Israelites came down with him from the hills, and he became their leader.

And it came to pass, when he was come, that he blew a trumpet in the hill-country of Ephraim; and the children of Israel went down with him from the hill-country, and he before them.

Commentary

Judges 3:27 describes the pivotal moment when Ehud, having secretly assassinated Eglon, the oppressive king of Moab, signals the uprising of Israel. This verse marks the transition from clandestine action to open rebellion, initiating Israel's deliverance from 18 years of Moabite subjugation.

Context

Following Ehud's divinely inspired act of assassinating Eglon (Judges 3:21), he escapes and returns to the Israelites who were suffering under Moabite rule. The "mountain of Ephraim" served as a strategic high ground, ideal for gathering the scattered tribes and launching a coordinated attack. Ehud's trumpet blast was not merely a sound but a prearranged signal, a call to arms for a people longing for freedom after eighteen years of Moabite oppression.

Key Themes

  • A Call to Action: The blowing of the trumpet, specifically a shofar, was a traditional signal for assembly, alarm, or war in ancient Israel. Here, it is a definitive call for the Israelites to rise up and fight for their freedom.
  • Inspired Leadership: Ehud demonstrates courageous and decisive leadership. After his bold initial act, he doesn't rest but immediately rallies his people, placing himself "before them" as their leader into battle. This exemplifies the role of a deliverer raised by God, as seen throughout the Book of Judges (Judges 2:16).
  • Divine Deliverance: This moment is a direct consequence of God's response to Israel's cry for help. Ehud's actions and the people's response are part of God's plan to liberate His people from their oppressors.
  • Unity and Obedience: The immediate response of the "children of Israel" to Ehud's trumpet call highlights their trust in their leader and their collective desire for liberation, demonstrating a critical moment of unity.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "trumpet" here is shofar (ืฉื•ืคืจ), a ram's horn. The sound of the shofar was deeply significant in Israelite culture, used for religious festivals, coronations, and crucially, for signaling war and assembly. Its loud, piercing sound was unmistakable and carried far, making it an effective instrument for rallying troops from across the mountainous terrain of Ephraim. This sound symbolized a divine command to act.

Practical Application

Judges 3:27 reminds us of several timeless principles:

  • Responding to the Call: Just as Israel responded to Ehud's trumpet, believers are called to respond to God's promptings, whether to action, repentance, or service. God often uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.
  • Courageous Leadership: The verse highlights the importance of leaders who are willing to go "before" their people, leading by example and inspiring confidence in challenging times.
  • The Power of a Clear Signal: Sometimes, a decisive and unmistakable call is needed to mobilize people towards a common, righteous goal. For Christians, this can be the clear call of the Gospel or the Holy Spirit's conviction.

This verse encapsulates the dynamic interplay of divine initiative, human leadership, and collective response that characterizes many stories of deliverance in the Bible.

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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

  • 1 Samuel 13:3 (5 votes)

    And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that [was] in Geba, and the Philistines heard [of it]. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear.

  • Judges 6:34 (5 votes)

    But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.

  • 2 Samuel 20:22 (2 votes)

    Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast [it] out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king.

  • Joshua 17:18 (2 votes)

    But the mountain shall be thine; for it [is] a wood, and thou shalt cut it down: and the outgoings of it shall be thine: for thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, [and] though they [be] strong.

  • 2 Kings 9:13 (2 votes)

    Then they hasted, and took every man his garment, and put [it] under him on the top of the stairs, and blew with trumpets, saying, Jehu is king.

  • Judges 19:1 (2 votes)

    ยถ And it came to pass in those days, when [there was] no king in Israel, that there was a certain Levite sojourning on the side of mount Ephraim, who took to him a concubine out of Bethlehemjudah.

  • Judges 5:14 (2 votes)

    Out of Ephraim [was there] a root of them against Amalek; after thee, Benjamin, among thy people; out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer.