Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Judges, Chapter 3שפטים 3

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Judges 3 puts the book's cycle to work: the remaining nations serve as both war-school and covenant test (vv.1-6), Othniel embodies the paradigm judge in miniature (vv.7-11), and Ehud's richly ironic assassination of Eglon and rout of Moab supplies the book's first sustained narrative (vv.12-30) — closing with the one-verse enigma of Shamgar (v.31).

Translation & textual notes

This chapter's Hebrew preserves several of the book's most debated textual cruxes. וַיֵּצֵא הַפַּרְשְׁדֹנָה (v.22) contains a hapax legomenon whose sense is genuinely disputed — proposals include 'the excrement came out,' 'it (the blade) came out at the rear/anus,' and 'he (Ehud) went out to the vestibule/porch'; no reading commands consensus, and this annotation treats the crux honestly rather than forcing a decision. הַפְּסִילִים 'near Gilgal' (vv.19, 26) is similarly ambiguous between 'the carved images/idols' and 'the quarried/hewn stones,' a place-name whose exact referent is unrecoverable with certainty. The chapter also contains several rare or unique terms: גֹּמֶד (v.16, a short cubit/span measure), מְקֵרָה (vv.20, 24, the 'cool chamber'), מִסְדְּרוֹן (v.23, 'vestibule'), and מַלְמַד הַבָּקָר (v.31, 'ox-goad') — none elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible, each requiring judgment calls informed by cognate evidence and context rather than parallel usage. Cushan-rishathaim's title (v.8), 'Cushan of double wickedness, king of Aram of the two rivers,' is widely regarded as a satirical construction rather than a preserved historical name. Versification follows the MT throughout; the chapter divides cleanly into the remaining-nations unit (1-6), Othniel (7-11), Ehud (12-30), and Shamgar (31), with no major variation from LXX versification.

1

וְאֵ֤לֶּה הַגּוֹיִם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הִנִּ֣יחַ יְהוָ֔ה לְנַסּ֥וֹת בָּ֖ם אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אֵ֚ת כָּל אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹֽא יָדְע֔וּ אֵ֖ת כָּל מִלְחֲמ֥וֹת כְּנָֽעַן

Now these are the nations that YHWH left, to test Israel by them — all who had not known all the wars of Canaan —

Resumptive catalogue, grounding the preceding summaryוְ
The chapter opens by naming the nations just summarized generically in 2:23 and 3:1-2, turning theology into a concrete list. The purpose clause לְנַסּוֹת בָּם אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל restates the covenant-loyalty test of 2:22 in terms of the untested generation, setting up the pedagogical-war rationale developed in v.2.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְאֵ֤לֶּהand theseconj וְ + demonstrative pron comm pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (resumptive demonstrative, introduces the catalogue)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; demonstrative pronoun opening the roll of nations left as a test — picking up the theme of 2:21-23 and 3:1-2 with a concrete list.
הַגּוֹיִם֙the nationsart + N m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Predicate nominative ('these are the nations')גּוֹי (H1471) 'nation, people'; the peoples left unconquered in the land, about to be catalogued.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces the clause modifying הַגּוֹיִם)אֲשֶׁר (H834), the invariable Hebrew relative particle; introduces the clause explaining why these nations remain.
הִנִּ֣יחַhe leftHiphil perf 3ms · נוּחַ (H3240)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a settled, completed decision by YHWHנוּחַ (H3240 as Hiphil, root נוח) 'to give rest, cause to remain/let alone'; the causative stem makes explicit that YHWH deliberately left these nations — not a military failure but a divine design.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of הִנִּיחַיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; the subject responsible for leaving the nations — the theological point is that this is his own design.
לְנַסּ֥וֹתto testprep לְ + Piel inf constr · נִסָּה (H5254)Purpose infinitive clause (stating the divine intent behind הִנִּיחַ)→ Infinitive of purpose: the deliberate rationale behind YHWH's leaving the nationsנִסָּה (H5254) Piel 'to test, try, prove' (cf. the wilderness testing, Exod 15:25; 16:4; Abraham, Gen 22:1); here the pedagogy-of-war rationale — the book's third stated reason for incomplete conquest, alongside judgment for covenant-breaking (2:21) and covenant loyalty-testing (2:22).
בָּ֖םby themprep בְּ + 3mp suffix · בְּAdverbial (means, referring back to הַגּוֹיִם)בְּ with 3mp suffix, 'by/through them'; the nations are the instrument of the testing just named.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of לְנַסּוֹת)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יִשְׂרָאֵל as the definite direct object; untranslated in English.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Direct object of לְנַסּוֹתיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant people; the object of the divine testing that the remaining nations enable.
אֵ֚ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (epexegetical apposition specifying יִשְׂרָאֵל: 'all who had not known...')אֵת (H853), nota accusativi; introduces the appositional clause that defines exactly which Israel is meant — those without firsthand experience of Canaan's wars.
כָּלall (of)N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head (object clause: 'all who had not known...')כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every, whole'; construct governing the relative clause that follows.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces clause modifying כָּל)אֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle; identifies the generation lacking firsthand war experience.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יָדְעוּלֹא (H3808), the ordinary negative; negates experiential knowledge, not simple ignorance.
יָדְע֔וּhad knownQal perf 3cp · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a prior, completed lack of firsthand experienceיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; experiential knowledge gained by direct participation — what this generation lacks regarding Canaan's wars.
אֵ֖ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of יָדְעוּ)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the following phrase as the object known/unknown.
כָּלall (of)N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head (object of יָדְעוּ)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct governing 'the wars of Canaan.'
מִלְחֲמ֥וֹתthe wars ofN f pl constr · מִלְחָמָה (H4421)Genitive (construct: 'wars of Canaan')מִלְחָמָה (H4421) 'war, battle', from the root לחם; the conquest-era fighting this generation never experienced firsthand.
כְּנָֽעַןCanaanproper noun · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Genitive (construct chain completion)כְּנַעַן (H3667), the land and its indigenous population, whose subjugation the conquest generation had witnessed.
2

רַ֗ק לְמַ֨עַן֙ דַּ֚עַת דֹּר֣וֹת בְּנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לְלַמְּדָ֖ם מִלְחָמָ֑ה רַ֥ק אֲשֶׁר לְפָנִ֖ים לֹ֥א יְדָעֽוּם

only that the generations of the sons of Israel might know war, to teach it to them — only those who had not known it beforehand.

Purpose clause, restating and completing v.1's rationaleרַק
Verse 2 is syntactically bound to v.1: the same רַק ... אֲשֶׁר construction is repeated to bracket the digression and restate the pedagogical purpose in fuller terms — not merely testing loyalty (2:22) but instilling experiential competence in war, the book's third and final stated rationale for the incomplete conquest (cf. 2:20-21 judgment; 2:22 test).
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
רַ֗קonlyrestrictive adverb · רַק (H7535)Restrictive adverb (introduces the purpose clause narrowing the preceding rationale)רַק (H7535) 'only, surely'; restricts the testing motif of v.1 to this specific purpose — pedagogy, not punishment.
לְמַ֨עַן֙in order thatconj/prep לְמַעַן · לְמַעַן (H4616)Purpose conjunction (introduces the purpose clause with the following infinitive)לְמַעַן (H4616) 'for the sake of, in order that'; introduces the purpose clause explaining why the nations were left.
דַּ֚עַתthat [they] might knowQal inf constr · יָדַע (H1847)Purpose infinitive (with לְמַעַן: 'in order that the generations might know')→ Infinitive of purpose: the intended experiential outcome for the untested generationsדַּעַת, the infinitive construct of יָדַע 'to know' (Strong's lists it separately, H1847, since the form is homographic with the noun 'knowledge'); the experiential knowing this whole rationale aims at.
דֹּר֣וֹתthe generations ofN m pl constr · דּוֹר (H1755)Subject of the purpose clause (logical subject of דַּעַת)דּוֹר (H1755) 'generation, age'; construct with בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, naming the successive post-conquest cohorts who need this instruction.
בְּנֵֽיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (construct chain: 'generations of the sons of Israel')בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct, the standard collective designation of the covenant nation.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain completion)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant people whose future generations are the pupils of this pedagogy.
לְלַמְּדָ֖םto teach themprep לְ + Piel inf constr + 3mp suffix · לָמַד (H3925)Purpose infinitive (parallel to דַּעַת: the mechanism of the knowing — being taught through war)→ Infinitive of purpose: the pedagogical mechanism — direct instruction through combat itselfלָמַד (H3925) Piel 'to teach, train'; the suffixed object 'them' names the untested generations — war becomes their teacher, the book's third stated rationale (cf. 2:21 judgment; 2:22 covenant test).
מִלְחָמָ֑הwarN f sg abs · מִלְחָמָה (H4421)Direct object of לְלַמְּדָםמִלְחָמָה (H4421) 'war, battle'; the very content this generation lacks direct knowledge of (cf. v.1's מִלְחֲמוֹת כְּנָעַן).
רַ֥קonlyrestrictive adverb · רַק (H7535)Restrictive adverb (resumes and restates the qualification of v.1)רַק (H7535) 'only'; resumes the qualifying scope of v.1, narrowing the rationale strictly to the untested generation and bracketing the digression.
אֲשֶׁרwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (resumes v.1's אֲשֶׁר לֹא יָדְעוּ)אֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle; reintroduces the untested generation as the clause's referent.
לְפָנִ֖יםformerlyprep לְ + N comm pl abs · פָּנִים (H6440)Temporal adverbial ('formerly, beforetime')פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiomatically with לְ, 'formerly, in former times' — a temporal adverb built on 'face' (i.e., what lay before/in front).
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יְדָעוּםלֹא (H3808), the ordinary negative.
יְדָעֽוּםhad known themQal perf 3cp + 3mp suffix · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a prior, completed lack of experiential knowledgeיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; the 3mp suffix refers back to the wars of v.1 — the verse closes by restating v.1's point almost verbatim, framing vv.1-2 as a single rationale unit.
3

חֲמֵ֣שֶׁת סַרְנֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֗ים וְכָל הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙ וְהַצִּ֣ידֹנִ֔י וְהַ֣חִוִּ֔י יֹשֵׁ֖ב הַ֣ר הַלְּבָנ֑וֹן מֵהַר֙ בַּ֣עַל חֶרְמ֔וֹן עַ֖ד לְב֥וֹא חֲמָֽת

the five lords of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites dwelling in Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal-hermon to Lebo-hamath.

Appositional catalogue (specifies the nations named generically in v.1)asyndeton
The list moves geographically from the Philistine pentapolis on the southwest coast to the Phoenician and Hivite peoples of the far north, sketching the full territorial range in which the untested generation will gain its experience of war. The unique term סְרָנִים ('lords') marks the Philistines as a foreign, non-Canaanite political structure distinct from the Canaanite city-kings.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
חֲמֵ֣שֶׁתfive (of)cardinal number m sg constr · חָמֵשׁ (H2568)Construct head (numeral heading the list)חָמֵשׁ (H2568) 'five'; heads the construct chain naming the Philistine pentapolis lords.
סַרְנֵ֣יthe lords ofN m pl constr · סֶרֶן (H5633)Genitive (construct: 'five lords of the Philistines')סֶרֶן (H5633), a distinctive Philistine loanword for the five city-lords of the pentapolis; used in the MT only of Philistine rulers.
פְלִשְׁתִּ֗יםthe Philistinesgentilic N m pl abs · פְּלִשְׁתִּי (H6430)Genitive (construct chain completion)פְּלִשְׁתִּי (H6430), the Aegean-derived sea-peoples of the coastal plain, organized as a five-city confederation (Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Gath, Ekron).
וְכָלand all (of)conj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate subject (introduces the next item in the catalogue)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct heading 'all the Canaanite(s)', continuing the list of remaining nations.
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙the Canaaniteart + gentilic N m sg abs · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Genitive (construct chain completion, collective singular)כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669); collective singular for the indigenous lowland Canaanite population.
וְהַצִּ֣ידֹנִ֔יand the Sidonianconj וְ + art + gentilic N m sg abs · צִידֹנִי (H6722)Coordinate item in the catalogueצִידֹנִי (H6722) 'Sidonian'; the Phoenician coastal power to the north, named for its chief city Sidon.
וְהַ֣חִוִּ֔יand the Hiviteconj וְ + art + gentilic N m sg abs · חִוִּי (H2340)Coordinate item in the catalogueחִוִּי (H2340) 'Hivite'; one of the traditional pre-Israelite peoples of Canaan, here located in the Lebanon highlands.
יֹשֵׁ֖בdwellingQal ptc ms abs · יָשַׁב (H3427)Attributive participle (modifying הַחִוִּי, locating them geographically)→ Participle: an ongoing, characteristic state — habitual residence in the highlandsיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell, sit'; locates the Hivite specifically in the Lebanon range, distinct from the lowland peoples just named.
הַ֣רMountN m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Locative complement of יֹשֵׁב ('dwelling [in] Mount Lebanon')הַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill country'; construct with לְבָנוֹן.
הַלְּבָנ֑וֹןLebanonart + proper noun · לְבָנוֹן (H3844)Genitive (construct chain completion)לְבָנוֹן (H3844) 'Lebanon', related to לָבָן 'white' (its snow-capped peaks); the mountain range north of Israel.
מֵהַר֙from Mountprep מִן + N m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Adverbial (source, marking the northern extent)הַר (H2022) 'mountain'; with מִן, marks the starting point of the geographic span just described.
בַּ֣עַלBaalproper noun · בַּעַל (H1179)Genitive (construct chain: 'Mount Baal-hermon')בַּעַל חֶרְמוֹן (H1179), a place name pairing בַּעַל 'lord/Baal' with חֶרְמוֹן — likely a cultic site on Hermon's slopes.
חֶרְמ֔וֹןHermonproper noun · חֶרְמוֹן (H1179)Genitive (construct chain completion: 'Baal-hermon')חֶרְמוֹן, Mount Hermon, the tallest peak in the Anti-Lebanon range, marking the far northern extent of the remaining nations.
עַ֖דas far asprep · עַד (H5704)Preposition (marks the terminus of the geographic span)עַד (H5704) 'until, as far as'; marks the far end of the territorial extent from Baal-hermon to Lebo-hamath.
לְב֥וֹאLebo (entrance of)proper noun (place name) · לְבוֹא (H935)Construct (place name: 'the entrance of Hamath')לְבוֹא חֲמָת, 'Lebo-hamath'/'the entrance to Hamath' (cf. Num 34:8; Josh 13:5), built on בּוֹא 'to come, enter'; marks the ideal northern border of the land.
חֲמָֽתHamathproper noun · חֲמָת (H2574)Genitive (construct chain completion)חֲמָת (H2574), the kingdom/city on the Orontes in Syria; 'Lebo-hamath' marks the northern ideal border of the land promised to Israel.
4

וַֽיִּהְי֕וּ לְנַסּ֥וֹת בָּ֖ם אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל לָדַ֗עַת הֲיִשְׁמְעוּ֙ אֶת מִצְוֺ֣ת יְהוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר צִוָּ֥ה אֶת אֲבוֹתָ֖ם בְּיַד מֹשֶֽׁה

so they were there to test Israel by them, to know whether they would obey the commandments of YHWH, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.

Wayyiqtol resuming the purpose clause after the geographic digressionוַ
Verse 4 closes the unit begun in v.1, restating the testing rationale a final time and, crucially, tying it to covenant obedience: the test is not neutral curiosity but a real evaluation of loyalty to the Sinai commandments, echoing Deuteronomy 8:2's wilderness-testing idiom. Vv.1-4 together give the fullest, most deliberate statement of the pedagogy-of-war/covenant-test rationale in the book.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַֽיִּהְי֕וּand they werewaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (resumes the main line after the geographic digression of v.3)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the remaining nations now stand confirmed as functioning for this testהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; resumes the purpose clause begun in v.1 after the parenthetical catalogue of vv.1b-3.
לְנַסּ֥וֹתto testprep לְ + Piel inf constr · נִסָּה (H5254)Purpose infinitive (restates v.1's purpose)→ Infinitive of purpose: restates the deliberate testing rationaleנִסָּה (H5254) Piel 'to test, try'; the root's third occurrence in this opening unit, underscoring how central the testing-rationale is to the chapter.
בָּ֖םby themprep בְּ + 3mp suffix · בְּAdverbial (means, referring to the nations)בְּ with 3mp suffix, 'by/through them' — repeating v.1's phrase verbatim.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of לְנַסּוֹת)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יִשְׂרָאֵל as the definite direct object.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Direct object of לְנַסּוֹתיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant people, object of the ongoing test.
לָדַ֗עַתto knowprep לְ + Qal inf constr · יָדַע (H3045)Purpose infinitive (parallel to לְנַסּוֹת: names the content of the test)→ Infinitive of purpose: states exactly what the testing is meant to revealיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; of YHWH's own testing-knowledge, echoing the wilderness-testing idiom of Deut 8:2 — 'to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments.'
הֲיִשְׁמְעוּ֙whether they would obeyinterrogative particle הֲ + Qal impf 3mp · שָׁמַע (H8085)Indirect question (object clause of לָדַעַת)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — a genuinely open future possibility under testשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, obey'; the interrogative הֲ frames a real, unresolved question — would this untested generation listen and obey?
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of יִשְׁמְעוּ)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking מִצְוֹת יְהוָה as the definite object of obedience.
מִצְוֺ֣תthe commandments ofN f pl constr · מִצְוָה (H4687)Direct object of יִשְׁמְעוּמִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment', from the root צוה; the covenant stipulations mediated through Moses.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain completion)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; source and owner of the commandments.
אֲשֶׁרwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (modifying מִצְוֹת יְהוָה)אֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle; introduces the clause tracing the commandments to their Mosaic transmission.
צִוָּ֥הhe commandedPiel perf 3ms · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed, authoritative act of commandצָוָה (H6680) Piel 'to command, charge'; the verbal root behind מִצְוָה — these are, precisely, what YHWH 'commanded.'
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of צִוָּה)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking אֲבוֹתָם as the definite recipient of the command.
אֲבוֹתָ֖םtheir fathersN m pl constr + 3mp suffix · אָב (H1)Direct object of צִוָּהאָב (H1) 'father'; the exodus/wilderness generation who received the commandments directly, contrasted with the untested sons of v.2.
בְּיַדby the hand ofprep בְּ + N comm sg constr · יָד (H3027)Adverbial (instrumental/agency: 'through Moses')יָד (H3027) 'hand'; the idiom 'by the hand of' denotes mediated agency — through Moses as intermediary.
מֹשֶֽׁהMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Genitive (construct chain completion)מֹשֶׁה (H4872), mediator of the Sinai covenant and its commandments to the fathers.
5

וּבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל יָשְׁב֖וּ בְּקֶ֣רֶב הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֑י הַחִתִּ֤י וְהָֽאֱמֹרִי֙ וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔י וְהַחִוִּ֖י וְהַיְבוּסִֽי

And the sons of Israel dwelt among the Canaanite, the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.

Narrative confirmation of the preceding rationaleוּ
This is the narrative payoff of vv.1-4: Israel's ordinary, extended coexistence 'in the midst of' six named peoples — the classic pre-conquest nation-list (cf. Deut 7:1; Josh 3:10) — confirming in plain narrative terms what the theological rationale had already stated. The verse sets the stage for v.6's climactic intermarriage and apostasy.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וּבְנֵ֣יand the sons ofconj וְ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of יָשְׁבוּבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; 'sons of Israel', the covenant nation as agent of this verse.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain completion)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant nation, subject of this verse's coexistence.
יָשְׁב֖וּdweltQal perf 3cp · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a settled, ongoing state of cohabitationיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell, sit'; describes prolonged intermingled residence, not conquest — narrative confirmation that these nations indeed remained (cf. 2:23; 3:1-2).
בְּקֶ֣רֶבamongprep בְּ + N m sg constr · קֶרֶב (H7130)Locative adverbial (specifies where Israel dwelt)קֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, inward part'; with בְּ, 'in the midst of' — intermixed, not segregated, coexistence.
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֑יthe Canaaniteart + gentilic N m sg abs · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Object of בְּקֶרֶב (heads the fivefold list of peoples in apposition)כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669); here an umbrella term heading the fivefold enumeration that follows in apposition.
הַחִתִּ֤יthe Hittiteart + gentilic N m sg abs · חִתִּי (H2850)Coordinate item (in apposition to הַכְּנַעֲנִי)חִתִּי (H2850) 'Hittite'; one of the traditional peoples of Canaan in the standard nation-lists (cf. Deut 7:1).
וְהָֽאֱמֹרִי֙and the Amoriteconj וְ + art + gentilic N m sg abs · אֱמֹרִי (H567)Coordinate item in the listאֱמֹרִי (H567) 'Amorite'; often used broadly for the highland Canaanite population.
וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔יand the Perizziteconj וְ + art + gentilic N m sg abs · פְּרִזִּי (H6522)Coordinate item in the listפְּרִזִּי (H6522) 'Perizzite'; possibly denoting rural/unwalled-settlement dwellers rather than a distinct ethnicity.
וְהַחִוִּ֖יand the Hiviteconj וְ + art + gentilic N m sg abs · חִוִּי (H2340)Coordinate item in the listחִוִּי (H2340) 'Hivite'; recurs from v.3, here within the standard sixfold nation-list.
וְהַיְבוּסִֽיand the Jebusiteconj וְ + art + gentilic N m sg abs · יְבוּסִי (H2983)Coordinate item (final in the list)יְבוּסִי (H2983) 'Jebusite'; the pre-Israelite inhabitants of Jerusalem, closing the traditional nation-list.
6

וַיִּקְח֨וּ אֶת בְּנוֹתֵיהֶ֤ם לָהֶם֙ לְנָשִׁ֔ים וְאֶת בְּנוֹתֵיהֶ֖ם נָתְנ֣וּ לִבְנֵיהֶ֑ם וַיַּעַבְד֖וּ אֶת אֱלֹהֵיהֶֽם

And they took their daughters as wives for themselves, and their own daughters they gave to their sons, and they served their gods.

Climactic narrative sequence — Deut 7:3-4 realizedוַ
Three tightly sequenced verbs — took, gave, served — trace intermarriage to its predicted end. The chiastic structure (Israel's men take the nations' daughters; Israel's daughters go to the nations' sons) frames the exchange as fully reciprocal, exactly the two-directional prohibition of Deut 7:3, and the final wayyiqtol (served their gods) is presented as intermarriage's direct, almost inevitable consequence, per Deut 7:4's warning.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיִּקְח֨וּand they tookwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · לָקַח (H3947)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the decisive act of intermarriageלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; of taking wives — the specific act realizing the prohibition of Deut 7:3.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיִּקְחוּ)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking בְּנוֹתֵיהֶם as the definite object taken.
בְּנוֹתֵיהֶ֤םtheir daughtersN f pl constr + 3mp suffix · בַּת (H1323)Direct object of וַיִּקְחוּבַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; the daughters of the six nations just listed, taken as wives for Israelite men.
לָהֶם֙for themselvesprep לְ + 3mp suffix · לְBenefactive prepositional phrase (reflexive)לְ with 3mp suffix; benefactive, marking the Israelite men as beneficiaries of the taking.
לְנָשִׁ֔יםas wivesprep לְ + N f pl abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Predicate complement (result: 'as wives')אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; with לְ, the result/purpose of the taking — 'to become wives.'
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (fronted second object, resumed by נָתְנוּ)וְ joins the reciprocal clause; אֵת marks בְּנוֹתֵיהֶם (now Israel's own daughters) as the fronted definite object of נָתְנוּ.
בְּנוֹתֵיהֶ֖םtheir (own) daughtersN f pl constr + 3mp suffix · בַּת (H1323)Direct object of נָתְנוּ (fronted for chiastic balance with the previous clause)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; now Israel's own daughters, given in the reciprocal direction — completing the two-way exchange Deut 7:3 forbids.
נָתְנ֣וּthey gaveQal perf 3cp · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause, object fronted for emphasis)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive actנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the reciprocal half of the intermarriage exchange — Israelite daughters given to the nations' sons.
לִבְנֵיהֶ֑םto their sonsprep לְ + N m pl constr + 3mp suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Indirect object of נָתְנוּבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the sons of the six nations, recipients of Israelite daughters.
וַיַּעַבְד֖וּand they servedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · עָבַד (H5647)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (climactic third act)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — intermarriage's ultimate spiritual outcomeעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, worship'; the climactic consequence Deut 7:4 warns of — intermarriage leading directly to apostasy.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיַּעַבְדוּ)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking אֱלֹהֵיהֶם as the definite object served.
אֱלֹהֵיהֶֽםtheir godsN m pl constr + 3mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Direct object of וַיַּעַבְדוּאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'god(s)'; the gods of the intermarried nations — the verse's final, damning verb-object pair, fulfilling exactly what Deut 7:3-4 predicted.
7

וַיַּעֲשׂ֨וּ בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל אֶת הָרַע֙ בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֔ה וַֽיִּשְׁכְּח֖וּ אֶת יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶ֑ם וַיַּעַבְד֥וּ אֶת הַבְּעָלִ֖ים וְאֶת הָאֲשֵׁרֽוֹת

And the sons of Israel did the evil in the eyes of YHWH, and they forgot YHWH their God, and they served the Baals and the Asherahs.

Opens the Othniel cycle — the paradigm of 2:11-19 enacted for the first timeוַ
This verse is the cycle-formula's first concrete instantiation: 'did evil' / 'forgot YHWH' / 'served the Baals and Asheroth' is the fixed triad that will recur (with variation) for every subsequent judge. Othniel's account is deliberately schematic — no personal anecdote is given, only the formula in its purest form, making it the paradigm against which every later, more elaborated cycle will be measured.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיַּעֲשׂ֨וּand they didwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (opens the Othniel cycle's apostasy formula)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — first element of the recurring cycle-formulaעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; enacts, for the first named judge, the paradigmatic formula stated programmatically in 2:11-19.
בְנֵיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of וַיַּעֲשׂוּבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; 'sons of Israel', the recurring subject of the cycle-formula.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֤לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain completion)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant people, subject of the recurring apostasy.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיַּעֲשׂוּ)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הָרַע as the definite object done.
הָרַע֙the evilart + adj m sg abs · רַע (H7451)Direct object of וַיַּעֲשׂוּרַע (H7451) 'evil, bad'; the fixed idiom עָשָׂה הָרַע בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה, 'to do the evil in YHWH's eyes' — the recurring formula opening every judges-cycle.
בְּעֵינֵ֣יin the eyes ofprep בְּ + N comm dual constr · עַיִן (H5869)Adverbial (standard of evaluation)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; dual construct, idiom 'in the eyes of' = 'in the judgment/estimation of.'
יְהוָ֔הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain completion)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; the standard by which Israel's conduct is judged.
וַֽיִּשְׁכְּח֖וּand they forgotwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · שָׁכַח (H7911)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (second element of the cycle-formula)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — a deepening of apostasy from evildoing to active forgettingשָׁכַח (H7911) 'to forget'; theological forgetting — covenantal amnesia, not mere lapse of memory, echoing the generation that 'did not know YHWH' (2:10).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיִּשְׁכְּחוּ)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יְהוָה as the definite object forgotten.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of וַיִּשְׁכְּחוּיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name, forgotten by his own people.
אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶ֑םtheir GodN m pl constr + 3mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition (further specifying יְהוָה as 'their God')אֱלֹהִים (H430); in apposition to יְהוָה, underscoring the covenant relationship being forgotten.
וַיַּעַבְד֥וּand they servedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · עָבַד (H5647)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (third element: the positive turn to idolatry)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — apostasy completed by active service of rival godsעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, worship'; completes the apostasy formula — forgetting YHWH issues directly in serving the Baals and Asheroth.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיַּעַבְדוּ)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַבְּעָלִים as the definite object served.
הַבְּעָלִ֖יםthe Baalsart + proper noun (pl) · בַּעַל (H1168)Direct object of וַיַּעַבְדוּבַּעַל (H1168) 'Baal, lord'; plural denotes the various local manifestations of the Canaanite storm-god cult.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object of וַיַּעַבְדוּ)וְ joins the second object; אֵת marks הָאֲשֵׁרוֹת as the definite second object served.
הָאֲשֵׁרֽוֹתthe Asherahsart + proper noun (pl) · אֲשֵׁרָה (H842)Direct object of וַיַּעַבְדוּ (second object)אֲשֵׁרָה (H842), the Canaanite mother-goddess and/or her cultic wooden pole-symbol; plural denotes the many local shrine-objects.
8

וַיִּֽחַר אַ֤ף יְהוָה֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַֽיִּמְכְּרֵ֗ם בְּיַד֙ כּוּשַׁ֣ן רִשְׁעָתַ֔יִם מֶ֖לֶךְ אֲרַ֣ם נַהֲרָ֑יִם וַיַּעַבְד֧וּ בְנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל אֶת כּוּשַׁ֥ן רִשְׁעָתַ֖יִם שְׁמֹנֶ֥ה שָׁנִֽים

And the anger of YHWH burned against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram-naharaim; and the sons of Israel served Cushan-rishathaim eight years.

Judgment element of the cycle-formula (anger, sale, foreign servitude)וַ
The verse supplies the judgment stage of the paradigm (cf. 2:14, 2:20): YHWH's own anger, expressed as a commercial 'selling' into an oppressor's power. The oppressor's name and title are almost certainly satirical rather than historical — 'Cushan of double wickedness, king of Aram of the two rivers' piles up an exaggerated, faraway menace whose mocking construction matches the book's ironic tone (cf. Eglon in vv.12-30).
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיִּֽחַרand it burnedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · חָרָה (H2734)Predicate verb (main clause, idiom חָרָה אַף, 'anger burned')→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — YHWH's kindled anger, the standard cycle response to apostasyחָרָה (H2734) 'to burn, be kindled'; with אַף, the fixed idiom for divine anger — the cycle's second stage (cf. 2:14, 2:20).
אַ֤ףthe anger ofN m sg constr · אַף (H639)Subject of וַיִּחַר (idiom: 'the anger of X burned' = X became angry)אַף (H639) 'nose, anger'; anger figured as heat in the nostrils — subject of the burning.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain completion)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name, whose anger is provoked.
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לagainst Israelprep בְּ + proper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Adverbial (object/target of the divine anger)בְּ here hostile, 'against'; יִשְׂרָאֵל, target of YHWH's kindled anger.
וַֽיִּמְכְּרֵ֗םand he sold themwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms + 3mp suffix · מָכַר (H4376)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (judgment element: divine sale into foreign oppression)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — YHWH's judicial act of handing Israel overמָכַר (H4376) 'to sell'; a commercial metaphor for YHWH surrendering Israel to a foreign power — the cycle's judgment stage (cf. 2:14).
בְּיַד֙into the hand ofprep בְּ + N comm sg constr · יָד (H3027)Adverbial (marks the oppressor's power)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiom for power/control — 'into the hand of' = into the power of.
כּוּשַׁ֣ןCushanproper noun · כּוּשַׁן (H3573)Genitive (construct chain: 'the hand of Cushan-rishathaim')כּוּשַׁן רִשְׁעָתַיִם (H3573), likely a mocking epithet — 'Cushan of double wickedness' — no such king is otherwise attested, suggesting the narrator's own derisive coinage.
רִשְׁעָתַ֔יִםRishathaimproper noun (epithet) · רִשְׁעָתַיִם (H3573)Genitive (construct chain completion, in apposition to כּוּשַׁן)רִשְׁעָתַיִם, dual of רֶשַׁע 'wickedness' — 'double wickedness'; almost certainly a satirical nickname rather than the oppressor's real name.
מֶ֖לֶךְking ofN m sg constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Apposition (identifies Cushan-rishathaim's title)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; construct with אֲרַם נַהֲרָיִם.
אֲרַ֣םAramproper noun · אֲרָם (H763)Genitive (construct chain: 'king of Aram-naharaim')אֲרָם נַהֲרָיִם (H763), 'Aram of the two rivers' — Upper Mesopotamia, an improbably distant origin adding to the epithet's larger-than-life menace.
נַהֲרָ֑יִםNaharaimproper noun · נַהֲרָיִם (H763)Genitive (construct chain completion)נַהֲרָיִם, dual 'two rivers' (Euphrates/Tigris or Euphrates/Habur); marks the far-off Mesopotamian origin of Israel's first oppressor.
וַיַּעַבְד֧וּand they servedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · עָבַד (H5647)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (states the fact of servitude)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the oppression stated as accomplished factעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve'; here forced political servitude/vassalage, not worship — an ironic echo of v.7's idolatrous 'service.'
בְנֵֽיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of וַיַּעַבְדוּבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; 'sons of Israel', the recurring cycle subject.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain completion)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), now subjugated to foreign servitude.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיַּעַבְדוּ)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking כּוּשַׁן רִשְׁעָתַיִם as the definite object served.
כּוּשַׁ֥ןCushanproper noun · כּוּשַׁן (H3573)Direct object (construct chain: 'Cushan-rishathaim')כּוּשַׁן רִשְׁעָתַיִם, repeated for emphasis as Israel's servitude to him is stated as accomplished fact.
רִשְׁעָתַ֖יִםRishathaimproper noun (epithet) · רִשְׁעָתַיִם (H3573)Genitive (construct chain completion, in apposition)רִשְׁעָתַיִם, 'double wickedness'; the mocking epithet repeated a second time within this same verse.
שְׁמֹנֶ֥הeightcardinal number f sg abs · שְׁמֹנֶה (H8083)Construct/adverbial numeral (heading 'eight years')שְׁמֹנֶה (H8083) 'eight'; the first of the book's oppression-duration numbers.
שָׁנִֽיםyearsN f pl abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Adverbial accusative of duration ('for eight years')שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; specifies the numeral's unit — the length of Israel's first oppression.
9

וַיִּזְעֲק֤וּ בְנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֶל יְהוָ֔ה וַיָּ֨קֶם יְהוָ֥ה מוֹשִׁ֛יעַ לִבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל וַיּֽוֹשִׁיעֵ֑ם אֵ֚ת עָתְנִיאֵ֣ל בֶּן קְנַ֔ז אֲחִ֥י כָלֵ֖ב הַקָּטֹ֥ן מִמֶּֽנּוּ

And the sons of Israel cried out to YHWH, and YHWH raised up a savior for the sons of Israel, and he saved them: Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.

Cry-and-deliverance elements of the cycle-formula, bridging to ch.1's Othnielוַ
The cry (זָעַק) and the raising-up of a מוֹשִׁיעַ are the cycle's fixed fourth and fifth elements (cf. 2:16-18). Naming Othniel by his ch.1 credentials — Kenaz's son, Caleb's younger brother, conqueror of Debir (1:11-13) — makes him a known quantity: the paradigm judge is deliberately drawn from the conquest generation's own proven leadership, not an unknown outsider.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיִּזְעֲק֤וּand they cried outwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · זָעַק (H2199)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (cycle element: the cry of distress)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the cry that triggers deliveranceזָעַק (H2199) 'to cry out'; the standard cycle-formula cry of distress that prompts YHWH's raising up of a deliverer (cf. 2:18).
בְנֵֽיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of וַיִּזְעֲקוּבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; 'sons of Israel,' the recurring cycle subject.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙Israelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain completion)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant people crying out under oppression.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Preposition (marks the recipient of the cry)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; directs the cry specifically to YHWH, not to any other power.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of the preposition אֶליְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name, recipient of Israel's cry.
וַיָּ֨קֶםand he raised upwaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · קוּם (H6965)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (cycle element: YHWH's raising up of a deliverer)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — decisive divine interventionקוּם (H6965) Hiphil 'to raise up, cause to stand'; the fixed cycle-formula verb for YHWH's appointment of a judge (cf. 2:16, 2:18) — the book's first Spirit-attended deliverer follows in v.10.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיָּקֶםיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name, agent of deliverance.
מוֹשִׁ֛יעַa saviorHiphil ptc ms abs · יָשַׁע (H3467)Direct object of וַיָּקֶם (substantival participle)→ Participle: a characterizing title/role — 'one who delivers'יָשַׁע (H3467) Hiphil 'to save, deliver'; מוֹשִׁיעַ, the technical title given to each judge YHWH raises up (cf. 2:16, 2:18).
לִבְנֵ֥יfor the sons ofprep לְ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Adverbial (benefactive: 'for the sons of Israel')בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the beneficiaries of the raised-up deliverer.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain completion)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the beneficiary nation.
וַיּֽוֹשִׁיעֵ֑םand he saved themwaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms + 3mp suffix · יָשַׁע (H3467)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (states the accomplished deliverance)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the deliverance realized in factיָשַׁע (H3467) Hiphil 'to save, deliver'; the cognate verb to מוֹשִׁיעַ — the title enacted in narrative fact.
אֵ֚ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (introduces the deliverer's name in apposition)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi; introduces עָתְנִיאֵל as the specific referent of the מוֹשִׁיעַ just named.
עָתְנִיאֵ֣לOthnielproper noun · עָתְנִיאֵל (H6274)Apposition (identifies the מוֹשִׁיעַ by name)עָתְנִיאֵל (H6274), perhaps 'lion of El' or 'my strength is El'; already introduced in 1:13 as Caleb's conqueror of Debir and husband of Achsah — the ch.1 bridge that makes him a known figure to the reader.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (construct: 'Othniel son of Kenaz')בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; identifies Othniel's paternity.
קְנַ֔זKenazproper noun · קְנַז (H7073)Genitive (construct chain completion)קְנַז (H7073), Othniel's father (or clan-ancestor); cf. 1:13, where Othniel is Caleb's 'younger brother' — likely nephew or clan-kinsman rather than literal sibling.
אֲחִ֥יbrother ofN m sg constr · אָח (H251)Apposition (further identifies Othniel)אָח (H251) 'brother'; construct, 'brother of Caleb' — the ch.1 bridge repeated verbatim from 1:13.
כָלֵ֖בCalebproper noun · כָּלֵב (H3612)Genitive (construct chain completion)כָּלֵב (H3612), the faithful spy of Num 13-14 and conqueror of Hebron (Judg 1:20); links Othniel directly to the conquest generation of ch.1.
הַקָּטֹ֥ןthe youngerart + adj m sg abs · קָטֹן (H6996)Attributive adjective (modifying Othniel, comparative with מִמֶּנּוּ)קָטֹן (H6996) 'small, young'; with מִמֶּנּוּ, comparative — 'younger than he [Caleb].'
מִמֶּֽנּוּthan heprep מִן + 3ms suffix · מִן (H4480)Comparative complement (with הַקָּטֹן)מִן (H4480) 'from'; comparative use with adjectives, 'younger than.'
10

וַתְּהִ֨י עָלָ֥יו רֽוּחַ יְהוָה֮ וַיִּשְׁפֹּ֣ט אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ וַיֵּצֵא֙ לַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה וַיִּתֵּ֤ן יְהוָה֙ בְּיָד֔וֹ אֶת כּוּשַׁ֥ן רִשְׁעָתַ֖יִם מֶ֣לֶךְ אֲרָ֑ם וַתָּ֣עָז יָד֔וֹ עַ֖ל כּוּשַׁ֥ן רִשְׁעָתָֽיִם

And the Spirit of YHWH came upon him, and he judged Israel; and he went out to war, and YHWH gave Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram into his hand, and his hand prevailed over Cushan-rishathaim.

Spirit-endowment and victory — the paradigm judge's central actוַ
The verse compresses the paradigm's central act into four rapid wayyiqtols: Spirit-endowment (the book's first, establishing the pattern for later judges), judging, going to war, and victory. Othniel's war experience directly realizes the pedagogical rationale of vv.1-2 — he is a product of exactly the training the remaining nations were left to provide.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וַתְּהִ֨יand it came to bewaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (3fs agreeing with fem. רוּחַ)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the book's first recorded Spirit-endowment of a judgeהָיָה (H1961); the fixed formula וַתְּהִי עָלָיו רוּחַ־יְהוָה, 'the Spirit of YHWH came upon him' — Othniel is the first judge so equipped, setting the pattern later repeated for Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson.
עָלָ֥יוupon himprep עַל + 3ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial (locative, marks the recipient of the Spirit)עַל (H5921) 'upon, on'; with suffix, 'upon him' — the Spirit's coming figured as descending onto a person.
רֽוּחַthe Spirit ofN comm sg constr · רוּחַ (H7307)Subject of וַתְּהִירוּחַ (H7307) 'spirit, wind, breath'; construct with יְהוָה — the divine empowering presence marking Othniel as the book's first Spirit-endowed deliverer.
יְהוָה֮YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain completion)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; source of the empowering Spirit.
וַיִּשְׁפֹּ֣טand he judgedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁפַט (H8199)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the Spirit-empowered exercise of leadershipשָׁפַט (H8199) 'to judge, govern, vindicate'; the verb giving the book its title — leadership combining legal and military deliverance, not courtroom adjudication alone.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיִּשְׁפֹּט)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יִשְׂרָאֵל as the definite object judged.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֒Israelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Direct object of וַיִּשְׁפֹּטיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), now under Othniel's Spirit-empowered leadership.
וַיֵּצֵא֙and he went outwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the transition from governance to military campaignיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; idiom for setting out to battle.
לַמִּלְחָמָ֔הto warprep לְ + art + N f sg abs · מִלְחָמָה (H4421)Adverbial (goal: 'to war')מִלְחָמָה (H4421) 'war, battle'; Othniel embodies exactly the war-experience the pedagogy of vv.1-2 aimed to produce.
וַיִּתֵּ֤ןand he gavewaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — YHWH's decisive granting of victoryנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the standard idiom for YHWH granting an enemy into Israel's hand.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיִּתֵּןיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; agent of the victory granted.
בְּיָד֔וֹinto his handprep בְּ + N comm sg constr + 3ms suffix · יָד (H3027)Adverbial (locative: 'into Othniel's hand')יָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiom for power — Othniel now holds the power once held by his oppressor (cf. v.8's בְּיַד כּוּשַׁן).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיִּתֵּן)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking כּוּשַׁן רִשְׁעָתַיִם as the definite object given over.
כּוּשַׁ֥ןCushanproper noun · כּוּשַׁן (H3573)Direct object of וַיִּתֵּןכּוּשַׁן רִשְׁעָתַיִם, the oppressor of v.8, now delivered into Othniel's hand — the cycle's reversal completed.
רִשְׁעָתַ֖יִםRishathaimproper noun (epithet) · רִשְׁעָתַיִם (H3573)Genitive (construct chain completion, apposition)רִשְׁעָתַיִם, 'double wickedness'; the mocking epithet, now on the losing side of the reversal.
מֶ֣לֶךְking ofN m sg constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Apposition (identifies Cushan-rishathaim's title)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; construct with אֲרָם.
אֲרָ֑םAramproper noun · אֲרָם (H758)Genitive (construct chain completion)אֲרָם (H758); the shortened form of אֲרַם נַהֲרַיִם from v.8, the same oppressor's homeland.
וַתָּ֣עָזand it prevailedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3fs · עָזַז (H5810)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (3fs agreeing with fem. יָד)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the decisive military triumphעָזַז (H5810) 'to be strong, prevail'; 'his hand prevailed against Cushan-rishathaim' — total victory closing the reversal.
יָד֔וֹhis handN comm sg constr + 3ms suffix · יָד (H3027)Subject of וַתָּעָזיָד (H3027) 'hand'; Othniel's power, now triumphant over his former oppressor.
עַ֖לagainstprep · עַל (H5921)Preposition (marks the object overcome)עַל (H5921) 'upon, against'; marks the defeated oppressor.
כּוּשַׁ֥ןCushanproper noun · כּוּשַׁן (H3573)Object of the preposition עַלכּוּשַׁן רִשְׁעָתָיִם, the defeated oppressor, named a final time as the object of Othniel's victory.
רִשְׁעָתָֽיִםRishathaimproper noun (epithet) · רִשְׁעָתָיִם (H3573)Genitive (construct chain completion, apposition)רִשְׁעָתָיִם, 'double wickedness'; the mocking epithet's final appearance in the chapter, now permanently defeated.
11

וַתִּשְׁקֹ֥ט הָאָ֖רֶץ אַרְבָּעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה וַיָּ֖מָת עָתְנִיאֵ֥ל בֶּן קְנַֽז

And the land had rest forty years. And Othniel son of Kenaz died.

Closing rest-formula and death notice — completes the paradigm cycleוַ
Forty years is the book's base unit of peace (doubled to eighty for Ehud, v.30). The death notice is not incidental: per 2:19, apostasy resumes precisely when a judge dies, so this brief clause silently sets up the next cycle even as it closes this one. With Othniel's death, the paradigm — apostasy, anger, sale, cry, Spirit-raised savior, victory, rest, death — has been given complete, unelaborated, once for all.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַתִּשְׁקֹ֥טand it had restwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3fs · שָׁקַט (H8252)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (closing formula, 3fs agreeing with fem. הָאָרֶץ)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the peace concluding a judge's eraשָׁקַט (H8252) 'to be quiet, at rest'; the fixed closing formula 'and the land had rest,' marking the interlude of peace after deliverance (cf. 3:30, 5:31, 8:28).
הָאָ֖רֶץthe landart + N comm sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subject of וַתִּשְׁקֹטאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; the land of Israel, personified as at rest.
אַרְבָּעִ֣יםfortycardinal number comm pl abs · אַרְבָּעִים (H705)Adverbial numeral (with שָׁנָה: duration)אַרְבָּעִים (H705) 'forty'; a formulaic round number for a full generation of peace.
שָׁנָ֑הyearsN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Adverbial accusative of durationשָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; forty years of peace, the standard base rest-period in the book.
וַיָּ֖מָתand he diedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (closes the Othniel cycle)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the judge's death, which sets up the next relapse (cf. 2:19)מוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the death notice is itself part of the cycle-formula, since 2:19 ties Israel's relapse specifically to a judge's death.
עָתְנִיאֵ֥לOthnielproper noun · עָתְנִיאֵל (H6274)Subject of וַיָּמָתעָתְנִיאֵל (H6274), the paradigm judge, whose death closes his cycle exactly as 2:19 predicts.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (construct: patronymic)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the closing patronymic identification.
קְנַֽזKenazproper noun · קְנַז (H7073)Genitive (construct chain completion)קְנַז (H7073), Othniel's father, closing the paradigm judge's account with his full identification.
12

וַיֹּסִ֨פוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה וַיְחַזֵּ֨ק יְהוָ֜ה אֶת עֶגְל֤וֹן מֶֽלֶךְ מוֹאָב֙ עַל יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל עַ֛ל כִּֽי עָשׂ֥וּ אֶת הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֥י יְהוָֽה

And the sons of Israel again did the evil in the eyes of YHWH; and YHWH strengthened Eglon king of Moab against Israel, because they had done the evil in the eyes of YHWH.

Opens the Ehud cycle — second, intensified relapseוַ
יָסַף ('did again') explicitly flags recurrence, and the judgment verb is intensified from 'sold' (v.8) to 'strengthened' — YHWH now actively empowers the oppressor rather than merely surrendering Israel to him. Eglon's very name ('little calf') plants a wordplay the narrative will cash in at v.17, describing him as 'a very fat man' — the fattened calf awaiting slaughter.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וַיֹּסִ֨פוּ֙and they again didwaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · יָסַף (H3254)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (opens the Ehud cycle, marking recurrence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — explicitly flags repetition of the patternיָסַף (H3254) Hiphil 'to add, do again'; with the following infinitive, 'they did again' — the narrator marks this as a repeat of the downward cycle, Israel's second relapse.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of וַיֹּסִפוּבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; 'sons of Israel', the recurring cycle subject.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain completion)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), relapsing into the cycle's opening sin a second time.
לַעֲשׂ֥וֹתto doprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Complementary infinitive (with וַיֹּסִפוּ: 'they again did')→ Infinitive: completes the periphrastic 'do again' constructionעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; completes יָסַף's periphrasis, restating the cycle-formula's opening verb from v.7.
הָרַ֖עthe evilart + adj m sg abs · רַע (H7451)Direct object of לַעֲשׂוֹתרַע (H7451); repeats the fixed cycle-formula idiom of v.7, 'the evil in YHWH's eyes.'
בְּעֵינֵ֣יin the eyes ofprep בְּ + N comm dual constr · עַיִן (H5869)Adverbial (standard of evaluation)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; idiom 'in the eyes of' = in the judgment of.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain completion)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name, the standard by which Israel's conduct is judged.
וַיְחַזֵּ֨קand he strengthenedwaw-consec + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · חָזַק (H2388)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (judgment element: empowering the oppressor)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — YHWH's active empowerment of Israel's new oppressorחָזַק (H2388) Piel 'to strengthen'; unusually, YHWH directly strengthens the foreign king rather than merely 'selling' Israel as in v.8 — an intensified judgment formula matching the deeper relapse.
יְהוָ֜הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיְחַזֵּקיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; agent who empowers Eglon as an instrument of judgment.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיְחַזֵּק)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking עֶגְלוֹן as the definite object strengthened.
עֶגְל֤וֹןEglonproper noun · עֶגְלוֹן (H5700)Direct object of וַיְחַזֵּקעֶגְלוֹן (H5700), from עֵגֶל 'calf' — 'little calf/bull-calf'; the name sets up the fattened-calf wordplay realized in v.17's אִישׁ בָּרִיא מְאֹד, 'a very fat man.'
מֶֽלֶךְking ofN m sg constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Apposition (identifies Eglon's title)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; construct with מוֹאָב.
מוֹאָב֙Moabproper noun · מוֹאָב (H4124)Genitive (construct chain completion)מוֹאָב (H4124), the kingdom east of the Dead Sea — Israel's second oppressor in the book.
עַלagainstprep · עַל (H5921)Preposition (marks Israel as target of the empowerment)עַל (H5921) 'against'; marks Israel as the target of Eglon's newly strengthened power.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Object of the preposition עַליִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the target of Eglon's empowered aggression.
עַ֛לon account ofprep · עַל (H5921)Preposition (causal, with כִּי: 'because')עַל (H5921); with כִּי forms the causal phrase עַל כִּי, 'because, on account of the fact that.'
כִּֽיthatconjunction · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (with עַל: 'because')כִּי (H3588) 'that, because'; with עַל forms the causal construction explaining YHWH's empowering of Eglon.
עָשׂ֥וּthey had doneQal perf 3cp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act — the stated cause of divine judgmentעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; restates in summary the cause already given at the verse's opening — 'because they had done the evil.'
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of עָשׂוּ)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הָרַע as the definite object done.
הָרַ֖עthe evilart + adj m sg abs · רַע (H7451)Direct object of עָשׂוּרַע (H7451); the recurring formulaic idiom, restated here as the stated cause of judgment.
בְּעֵינֵ֥יin the eyes ofprep בְּ + N comm dual constr · עַיִן (H5869)Adverbial (standard of evaluation)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; idiom 'in the eyes of' = in the judgment of.
יְהוָֽהYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain completion)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name, whose standard of evil Israel repeatedly violates.
13

וַיֶּאֱסֹ֣ף אֵלָ֔יו אֶת בְּנֵ֥י עַמּ֖וֹן וַעֲמָלֵ֑ק וַיֵּ֗לֶךְ וַיַּךְ֙ אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיִּֽירְשׁ֖וּ אֶת עִ֥יר הַתְּמָרִֽים

And he gathered to himself the sons of Ammon and Amalek, and he went and struck Israel, and they took possession of the City of Palms.

Coalition-building and conquest — Eglon's campaignוַ
Eglon does not act alone: Ammon and Amalek — Israel's other perennial enemies — join him, escalating the threat beyond Othniel's single Mesopotamian oppressor. The seizure of 'the City of Palms' (Jericho) is pointed: the very city that opened the conquest under Joshua is now held by Israel's oppressors, an ironic reversal of ch.1's momentum.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיֶּאֱסֹ֣ףand he gatheredwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָסַף (H622)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Eglon's assembly of allied forcesאָסַף (H622) 'to gather'; Eglon musters a coalition, not acting alone.
אֵלָ֔יוto himselfprep אֶל + 3ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Adverbial (reflexive/benefactive)אֶל (H413) 'to'; with suffix, marks Eglon as the one gathering the coalition to himself.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיֶּאֱסֹף)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking בְּנֵי עַמּוֹן as the definite object gathered.
בְּנֵ֥יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object (construct: 'sons of Ammon')בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; heads the coalition-partner's name.
עַמּ֖וֹןAmmonproper noun · עַמּוֹן (H5983)Genitive (construct chain completion)עַמּוֹן (H5983), the kingdom northeast of Moab, allied here with Eglon against Israel.
וַעֲמָלֵ֑קand Amalekconj וְ + proper noun · עֲמָלֵק (H6002)Coordinate direct object (with בְּנֵי עַמּוֹן)עֲמָלֵק (H6002), the perennial nomadic raider-nation of the Negev/Sinai, Israel's arch-enemy since Exod 17 — a third coalition partner joining Eglon.
וַיֵּ֗לֶךְand he wentwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the coalition's advance against Israelהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; here of marching out to attack.
וַיַּךְ֙and he struckwaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · נָכָה (H5221)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the decisive military blowנָכָה (H5221) Hiphil 'to strike, smite'; the standard verb for defeating an enemy in battle.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיַּךְ)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יִשְׂרָאֵל as the definite object struck.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Direct object of וַיַּךְיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), struck down by the Ammon-Moab-Amalek coalition.
וַיִּֽירְשׁ֖וּand they took possession ofwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — occupation following military victoryיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess, dispossess'; the very verb of Israel's own conquest (cf. ch.1) now turned against Israel — a bitter reversal, the oppressors 'dispossessing' Israelite territory.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיִּירְשׁוּ)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking עִיר הַתְּמָרִים as the definite object possessed.
עִ֥ירthe city ofN f sg constr · עִיר (H5892)Direct object of וַיִּירְשׁוּעִיר (H5892) 'city'; construct with הַתְּמָרִים.
הַתְּמָרִֽיםthe palmsart + N m pl abs · תָּמָר (H8558)Genitive (construct chain completion: 'City of Palms')תָּמָר (H8558) 'palm tree'; עִיר הַתְּמָרִים, 'City of Palms', a byname for Jericho (cf. Deut 34:3; Judg 1:16) — Israel's oppressor now occupies the very city marking the conquest's beginning.
14

וַיַּעַבְד֤וּ בְנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֶת עֶגְל֣וֹן מֶֽלֶךְ מוֹאָ֔ב שְׁמוֹנֶ֥ה עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה שָׁנָֽה

And the sons of Israel served Eglon king of Moab eighteen years.

States the duration of the second oppressionוַ
Eighteen years, the longest oppression yet recorded in the book at this point, heightens the tension before the deliverance narrative that follows — the book's first genuinely developed story, vv.15-30.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיַּעַבְד֤וּand they servedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · עָבַד (H5647)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (states the fact/duration of servitude)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the oppression stated as accomplished factעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve'; forced political servitude to Moab, echoing the same verb's ironic double use of idolatrous vs. political 'service' in vv.6-8.
בְנֵֽיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of וַיַּעַבְדוּבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; 'sons of Israel', the recurring cycle subject.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙Israelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain completion)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), subjugated to Moabite servitude.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיַּעַבְדוּ)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking עֶגְלוֹן as the definite object served.
עֶגְל֣וֹןEglonproper noun · עֶגְלוֹן (H5700)Direct object of וַיַּעַבְדוּעֶגְלוֹן (H5700), 'little calf'; see v.12's note on the fattened-calf wordplay realized in v.17.
מֶֽלֶךְking ofN m sg constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Apposition (title)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; construct with מוֹאָב.
מוֹאָ֔בMoabproper noun · מוֹאָב (H4124)Genitive (construct chain completion)מוֹאָב (H4124), Israel's second oppressor-kingdom.
שְׁמוֹנֶ֥הeightcardinal number f sg abs · שְׁמֹנֶה (H8083)Numeral (with עֶשְׂרֵה: 'eighteen')שְׁמֹנֶה (H8083) 'eight'; paired with עֶשְׂרֵה to form 'eighteen.'
עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה-teennumeral f sg abs · עֶשְׂרֵה (H6240)Numeral (completes 'eighteen' with שְׁמוֹנֶה)עֶשְׂרֵה (H6240) '-teen'; combined with שְׁמוֹנֶה, 'eighteen' — the longest oppression-period yet named in the book.
שָׁנָֽהyearsN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Adverbial accusative of durationשָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; specifies the eighteen-year length of Moab's oppression.
15

וַיִּזְעֲק֣וּ בְנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵל֮ אֶל יְהוָה֒ וַיָּקֶם֩ יְהוָ֨ה לָהֶ֜ם מוֹשִׁ֗יעַ אֶת אֵה֤וּד בֶּן גֵּרָא֙ בֶּן הַיְמִינִ֔י אִ֥ישׁ אִטֵּ֖ר יַד יְמִינ֑וֹ וַיִּשְׁלְח֨וּ בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל בְּיָדוֹ֙ מִנְחָ֔ה לְעֶגְל֖וֹן מֶ֥לֶךְ מוֹאָֽב

And the sons of Israel cried out to YHWH, and YHWH raised up for them a savior: Ehud son of Gera, the Benjaminite, a man restricted in his right hand. And the sons of Israel sent tribute by his hand to Eglon king of Moab.

Cry-and-deliverance elements; introduces Ehud with the story's central ironyוַ
The cycle-formula (cry, raise-up, savior) is fused immediately with the story's driving detail: a left-handed man from Benjamin, 'son of the right hand' — an irony the narrator states plainly rather than leaving implicit. The tribute mission (מִנְחָה) that follows supplies Ehud's legitimate pretext for private access to the king, launching the book's first fully developed narrative.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
וַיִּזְעֲק֣וּand they cried outwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · זָעַק (H2199)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (cycle element: the cry of distress)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the cry that triggers deliveranceזָעַק (H2199) 'to cry out'; the standard cycle cry, here opening the book's first fully developed deliverance narrative.
בְנֵֽיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of וַיִּזְעֲקוּבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; 'sons of Israel', the recurring cycle subject.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֮Israelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain completion)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), crying out under eighteen years of Moabite oppression.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Preposition (marks the recipient of the cry)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; directs the cry to YHWH.
יְהוָה֒YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of the preposition אֶליְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name, recipient of Israel's cry.
וַיָּקֶם֩and he raised upwaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · קוּם (H6965)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (cycle element: YHWH's raising up of a deliverer)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — decisive divine interventionקוּם (H6965) Hiphil 'to raise up'; the fixed cycle-formula verb, now introducing the book's first extensively narrated judge.
יְהוָ֨הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיָּקֶםיְהוָה (H3068), agent of deliverance.
לָהֶ֜םfor themprep לְ + 3mp suffix · לְAdverbial (benefactive, 'for them')לְ with 3mp suffix; benefactive, Israel as beneficiary of the raised-up deliverer.
מוֹשִׁ֗יעַa saviorHiphil ptc ms abs · יָשַׁע (H3467)Direct object of וַיָּקֶם (substantival participle)→ Participle: a characterizing title/role — 'one who delivers'יָשַׁע (H3467) Hiphil 'to save, deliver'; מוֹשִׁיעַ, the technical title given to each raised-up judge (cf. v.9).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (introduces the deliverer's name in apposition)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi; introduces אֵהוּד as the specific referent of the מוֹשִׁיעַ just named.
אֵה֤וּדEhudproper noun · אֵהוּד (H164)Apposition (identifies the מוֹשִׁיעַ by name)אֵהוּד (H164), possibly 'union/majesty' or 'praised'; the book's first fully narrated deliverer, whose story (vv.15-30) is its earliest extended narrative art.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (construct: 'Ehud son of Gera')בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; identifies Ehud's paternity.
גֵּרָא֙Geraproper noun · גֵּרָא (H1617)Genitive (construct chain completion)גֵּרָא (H1617), Ehud's father; a Benjaminite family name recurring elsewhere (cf. 2 Sam 16:5).
בֶּןa Benjaminitegentilic N m sg constr · בֶּן־יְמִינִי (H1145)Apposition (gentilic identification, first part of 'the Benjaminite')בֶּן־יְמִינִי (H1145), 'Benjaminite', lit. 'son of the right hand' — the tribal name itself becomes the story's central irony against Ehud's left-handedness.
הַיְמִינִ֔יthe Benjaminiteart + gentilic N m sg abs · יְמִינִי (H1145)Apposition (gentilic identification, completes 'the Benjaminite')יְמִינִי (H1145) 'right-hand one'; the tribe's name (Benjamin, 'son of the right hand') sets up the driving irony: a left-handed man from the 'right-hand' tribe.
אִ֥ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Apposition (further identifies Ehud)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; introduces the descriptive epithet that follows.
אִטֵּ֖רbound inadj m sg constr · אִטֵּר (H334)Attributive adjective (construct: 'bound of hand')אִטֵּר (H334), a rare adjective 'bound, impeded'; construct with יַד־יְמִינוֹ, the idiom for left-handedness (cf. 20:16) — a detail the plot will make entirely load-bearing.
יַדthe hand ofN comm sg constr · יָד (H3027)Genitive (construct: 'his right hand')יָד (H3027) 'hand'; construct with יְמִינוֹ.
יְמִינ֑וֹhis rightN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · יָמִין (H3225)Genitive (construct chain completion: 'his right hand')יָמִין (H3225) 'right hand/side'; the idiom אִטֵּר יַד־יְמִינוֹ = left-handed, from a man of the tribe whose very name means 'son of the right hand' — the irony that drives the whole story (no guard would expect a blade on a left-handed man's right thigh, v.16).
וַיִּשְׁלְח֨וּand they sentwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · שָׁלַח (H7971)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the tribute delegation dispatchedשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; Israel dispatches Ehud bearing tribute, unwittingly providing him legitimate access to Eglon.
בְנֵיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of וַיִּשְׁלְחוּבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; 'sons of Israel', sending tribute to their oppressor.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֤לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain completion)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the vassal nation paying tribute.
בְּיָדוֹ֙by his handprep בְּ + N comm sg constr + 3ms suffix · יָד (H3027)Adverbial (means: 'by Ehud's hand')יָד (H3027) 'hand'; Ehud personally carries the tribute — the physical proximity to Eglon the plot requires.
מִנְחָ֔הtributeN f sg abs · מִנְחָה (H4503)Direct object of וַיִּשְׁלְחוּמִנְחָה (H4503) 'gift, tribute, offering'; the vassal-tribute owed to Moab, providing Ehud's cover for approaching the king.
לְעֶגְל֖וֹןto Eglonprep לְ + proper noun · עֶגְלוֹן (H5700)Adverbial (recipient of the tribute)עֶגְלוֹן (H5700), 'little calf'; recipient of the tribute that will bring Ehud into his presence.
מֶ֥לֶךְking ofN m sg constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Apposition (title)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; construct with מוֹאָב.
מוֹאָֽבMoabproper noun · מוֹאָב (H4124)Genitive (construct chain completion)מוֹאָב (H4124), the oppressor kingdom whose king now receives Ehud in person.
16

וַיַּעַשׂ֩ ל֨וֹ אֵה֜וּד חֶ֗רֶב וְלָ֛הּ שְׁנֵ֥י פֵי֖וֹת גֹּ֣מֶד אָרְכָּ֑הּ וַיַּחְגֹּ֤ר אוֹתָהּ֙ מִתַּ֣חַת לְמַדָּ֔יו עַ֖ל יֶ֥רֶךְ יְמִינֽוֹ

And Ehud made himself a sword with two edges, a gomed its length, and he girded it under his clothes on his right thigh.

The weapon's design — narrative preparation for the assassinationוַ
Every detail is engineered for concealment and surprise: a double-edged blade ('two mouths' — it will eat), a hapax measure (גֹּמֶד) short enough to hide, and, decisively, placement on the right thigh, where guards checking a visitor for a weapon would not think to look on a man they assume is right-handed. The narrator lingers on craftsmanship because the plot's success depends entirely on it.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיַּעַשׂ֩and he madewaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Ehud's covert preparationעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make'; Ehud personally crafts the weapon, underscoring premeditation.
ל֨וֹfor himselfprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְBenefactive prepositional phrase (reflexive)לְ with 3ms suffix; Ehud makes the sword for his own use.
אֵה֜וּדEhudproper noun · אֵהוּד (H164)Subject of וַיַּעַשׂאֵהוּד (H164), personally arming himself in secret for the mission ahead.
חֶ֗רֶבa swordN f sg abs · חֶרֶב (H2719)Direct object of וַיַּעַשׂחֶרֶב (H2719) 'sword'; the custom weapon whose design (vv.16-17) is essential to the plot.
וְלָ֛הּand it hadconj וְ + prep לְ + 3fs suffix · לְPossessive construction ('and it had...')לְ with 3fs suffix referring to the sword; possessive idiom, 'and it had two edges.'
שְׁנֵ֥יtwo (of)cardinal number m dual constr · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Construct head (numeral: 'two edges')שְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; construct with פֵיוֹת.
פֵי֖וֹתedgesN m pl abs · פֶּה (H6366)Genitive (construct chain completion)פֶּה (H6366) 'mouth'; here 'edges' of a blade — the vivid idiom 'two mouths,' a sword that will 'eat' on both sides.
גֹּ֣מֶדa gomedN m sg abs · גֹּמֶד (H1574)Predicate (measurement: 'a gomed was its length')גֹּמֶד (H1574), a hapax-legomenon measure, likely a short cubit or 'span' (roughly 30-45 cm) — small enough to conceal under clothing.
אָרְכָּ֑הּits lengthN m sg constr + 3fs suffix · אֹרֶךְ (H753)Subject of the nominal clause (with גֹּמֶד as predicate)אֹרֶךְ (H753) 'length'; with 3fs suffix referring to the sword — its concealable length.
וַיַּחְגֹּ֤רand he girdedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · חָגַר (H2296)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — concealing the weapon on his personחָגַר (H2296) 'to gird, bind on'; concealment of the sword on the body, preparing for its later smuggling past any inspection.
אוֹתָהּ֙itobj marker + 3fs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker with suffix (object of וַיַּחְגֹּר)אֵת (H853) with 3fs suffix, referring back to the sword.
מִתַּ֣חַתunderneathprep מִן + prep תַּחַת · תַּחַת (H8478)Adverbial (locative, marks where the sword was concealed)תַּחַת (H8478) 'under, beneath'; the sword hidden 'from under' his garments — concealment is the whole point.
לְמַדָּ֔יוhis clothesprep לְ + N m pl constr + 3ms suffix · מַד (H4055)Adverbial complement (locative: 'under his clothes')מַד (H4055) 'garment, cloak'; Ehud's outer clothing conceals the weapon completely.
עַ֖לonprep · עַל (H5921)Preposition (locative, marks where on the body)עַל (H5921) 'upon, on'; marks the specific location of the concealed sword.
יֶ֥רֶךְthe thigh ofN f sg constr · יָרֵךְ (H3409)Genitive (construct: 'his right thigh')יָרֵךְ (H3409) 'thigh, side'; the sword's placement here, not the customary side, is exactly where no guard would search.
יְמִינֽוֹhis rightN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · יָמִין (H3225)Genitive (construct chain completion: 'his right thigh')יָמִין (H3225) 'right (side)'; bound on the RIGHT thigh — a right-handed man's sword would normally hang on the left for a cross-body draw, so a guard checking the expected side misses the weapon entirely on a left-handed man.
17

וַיַּקְרֵב֙ אֶת הַמִּנְחָ֔ה לְעֶגְל֖וֹן מֶ֣לֶךְ מוֹאָ֑ב וְעֶגְל֕וֹן אִ֥ישׁ בָּרִ֖יא מְאֹֽד

And he presented the tribute to Eglon king of Moab. Now Eglon was a very fat man.

Circumstantial description — Eglon's physique (the calf wordplay realized)וְ
The disjunctive clause pauses the action to describe Eglon, cashing in the wordplay planted by his name in v.12 ('little calf'): he is now revealed as literally a very fat man, the fattened calf about to be slaughtered. The narrator's dark humor operates throughout this account without ever breaking the story's tension.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיַּקְרֵב֙and he presentedwaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרַב (H7126)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the tribute formally presentedקָרַב (H7126) Hiphil 'to bring near, present'; the formal presentation of tribute, Ehud's legitimate pretext for access to the king.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיַּקְרֵב)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַמִּנְחָה as the definite object presented.
הַמִּנְחָ֔הthe tributeart + N f sg abs · מִנְחָה (H4503)Direct object of וַיַּקְרֵבמִנְחָה (H4503) 'tribute, gift'; now formally handed over to the king.
לְעֶגְל֖וֹןto Eglonprep לְ + proper noun · עֶגְלוֹן (H5700)Adverbial (recipient)עֶגְלוֹן (H5700), 'little calf'; recipient of the tribute.
מֶ֣לֶךְking ofN m sg constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Apposition (title)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; construct with מוֹאָב.
מוֹאָ֑בMoabproper noun · מוֹאָב (H4124)Genitive (construct chain completion)מוֹאָב (H4124), the oppressor kingdom, now receiving its tribute in person.
וְעֶגְל֕וֹןnow Eglonconj וְ + proper noun · עֶגְלוֹן (H5700)Subject (disjunctive clause introducing background description)עֶגְלוֹן (H5700); the disjunctive וְ shifts from action to a descriptive aside about the king himself.
אִ֥ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Predicate nominative (with בָּרִיא)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; heads the descriptive predicate.
בָּרִ֖יאfatadj m sg abs · בָּרִיא (H1277)Attributive/predicate adjective (describes Eglon)בָּרִיא (H1277) 'fat, well-fed'; the pointed realization of the עֵגֶל/'calf' wordplay planted by Eglon's name (v.12) — the fattened calf, unwittingly ready for slaughter.
מְאֹֽדveryadverb · מְאֹד (H3966)Adverbial intensifier (modifies בָּרִיא)מְאֹד (H3966) 'very, exceedingly'; intensifies בָּרִיא — 'a very fat man,' setting up the grotesque physical comedy of vv.21-22.
18

וַֽיְהִי֙ כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר כִּלָּ֔ה לְהַקְרִ֖יב אֶת הַמִּנְחָ֑ה וַיְשַׁלַּח֙ אֶת הָעָ֔ם נֹשְׂאֵ֖י הַמִּנְחָֽה

And it happened, when he had finished presenting the tribute, that he sent away the people who had carried the tribute.

Scene transition — Ehud isolates himself with the kingוַ
A quiet but tactically decisive move: with the official business done, Ehud dismisses the escort that carried the tribute, removing witnesses before he executes the plan that requires being alone with Eglon. The narrative's pacing slows here, building suspense before Ehud's actual approach in v.19.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַֽיְהִי֙and it came to passwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (temporal formula introducing a new scene)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the standard 'and it happened' formula marking a scene transitionהָיָה (H1961); the fixed narrative formula וַיְהִי כַּאֲשֶׁר, 'and it happened when,' introducing a new beat in the scene.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣רwhenprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Temporal conjunction (introduces the temporal clause)כַּאֲשֶׁר 'when, as'; introduces the temporal clause marking the moment the tribute-giving concludes.
כִּלָּ֔הhe finishedPiel perf 3ms · כָּלָה (H3615)Predicate verb (temporal clause)→ Perfective: a completed act marking the scene's transition pointכָּלָה (H3615) Piel 'to finish, complete'; marks the precise moment the formal tribute ceremony concludes.
לְהַקְרִ֖יבpresentingprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · קָרַב (H7126)Complementary infinitive (with כִּלָּה: 'finished presenting')→ Infinitive: completes the periphrasis of כִּלָּהקָרַב (H7126) Hiphil 'to bring near, present'; completes כִּלָּה — 'finished presenting the tribute.'
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of לְהַקְרִיב)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַמִּנְחָה as the definite object presented.
הַמִּנְחָ֑הthe tributeart + N f sg abs · מִנְחָה (H4503)Direct object of לְהַקְרִיבמִנְחָה (H4503); the tribute now fully delivered.
וַיְשַׁלַּח֙and he sent awaywaw-consec + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Ehud dismisses his escort, isolating himself with the kingשָׁלַח (H7971) Piel 'to send away, dismiss'; a critical tactical step, clearing the stage for the private encounter that follows.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיְשַׁלַּח)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הָעָם as the definite object dismissed.
הָעָ֔םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Direct object of וַיְשַׁלַּחעַם (H5971) 'people'; the accompanying escort/delegation, dismissed here.
נֹשְׂאֵ֖יthe bearers ofQal ptc mp constr · נָשָׂא (H5375)Apposition (substantival participle, identifies הָעָם: 'the bearers of the tribute')→ Participle: a characterizing role — those whose function was to carry the tributeנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to carry, bear'; identifies the dismissed escort specifically as the tribute-carriers, now no longer needed.
הַמִּנְחָֽהthe tributeart + N f sg abs · מִנְחָה (H4503)Direct object of the participle נֹשְׂאֵימִנְחָה (H4503); the tribute already delivered, its bearers now dismissed.
19

וְה֣וּא שָׁ֗ב מִן הַפְּסִילִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֶת הַגִּלְגָּ֔ל וַיֹּ֕אמֶר דְּבַר סֵ֥תֶר לִ֛י אֵלֶ֖יךָ הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר הָ֔ס וַיֵּֽצְאוּ֙ מֵֽעָלָ֔יו כָּל הָעֹמְדִ֖ים עָלָֽיו

But he himself turned back from the carved images (or: the quarries) that were near Gilgal, and said, 'I have a secret word for you, O king.' And he said, 'Silence!' And all who were standing beside him went out from his presence.

The ruse — Ehud's calculated return and isolation of the kingוְ
Ehud, having left with the escort, turns back alone — a detail the narrator marks with the disjunctive וְהוּא. 'The Pesilim near Gilgal' is genuinely ambiguous (idols, or carved/quarried stones), a crux left unresolved. Eglon's one-word command, הָס ('Silence!'), unwittingly clears the room and removes every witness, sealing his own vulnerability.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וְה֣וּאbut heconj וְ + independent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (disjunctive, resumes Ehud as topic)הוּא (H1931) 3ms independent pronoun; disjunctive וְ + pronoun marks a shift back to Ehud's own movements.
שָׁ֗בhe turned backQal perf 3ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act — Ehud's return journey, then interruptedשׁוּב (H7725) 'to turn back, return'; Ehud sets out for home, then turns back — the pivot the whole plan depends on.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Preposition (source, marks the point of return)מִן (H4480) 'from'; marks the geographic point from which Ehud turns back.
הַפְּסִילִים֙the carved imagesart + N m pl abs · פְּסִיל (H6456)Object of the preposition מִןפְּסִיל (H6456) 'carved image, idol'; a place named for cultic stone markers near Gilgal — the ambiguity between 'the idols' and 'the carved/quarried stones' has long puzzled interpreters, and either sense casts an ironic shadow over the scene.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhich (were)relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces the locating clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle; introduces the phrase locating the Pesilim.
אֶתatprep · אֵת (H854)Preposition (locative, 'at/by Gilgal')אֵת (H854) 'with, near' (same consonants as, but distinct from, the object-marker אֶת); locative here, 'near Gilgal.'
הַגִּלְגָּ֔לGilgalart + proper noun · גִּלְגָּל (H1537)Object of the preposition אֵתגִּלְגָּל (H1537), the covenant camp of Josh 4-5 with its twelve-stones memorial — its proximity to 'the Pesilim' may itself be part of the term's ambiguity.
וַיֹּ֕אמֶרand he saidwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Ehud's request for a private audienceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Ehud's calculated pretext for returning to the king.
דְּבַרa word ofN m sg constr · דָּבָר (H1697)Predicate nominative (construct: 'a secret word')דָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter'; construct with סֵתֶר.
סֵ֥תֶרsecrecyN m sg abs · סֵתֶר (H5643)Genitive (construct chain completion: 'a word of secrecy')סֵתֶר (H5643) 'hiding place, secrecy'; דְּבַר־סֵתֶר, 'a secret word' — Ehud's deliberately intriguing pretext, calculated to secure private access.
לִ֛יI haveprep לְ + 1cs suffix · לְPossessive complement ('I have a secret word')לְ with 1cs suffix; possessive idiom, 'I have.'
אֵלֶ֖יךָfor youprep אֶל + 2ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Adverbial (recipient: 'for you, O king')אֶל (H413) 'to'; with suffix, directs the secret word specifically to the king.
הַמֶּ֑לֶךְO kingart + N m sg abs · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Vocative (address to Eglon)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; vocative address, formally respectful even as it sets the trap.
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand he saidwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (the king's own command)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Eglon's response, unwittingly complyingאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Eglon's single-word command dismissing his attendants.
הָ֔סSilence!Piel impv 2ms (interjection) · הָסָה (H2013)Imperative (direct speech: dismissal of attendants)→ Volitional (imperative): an urgent command for quiet/privacyהָסָה (H2013) 'to be silent, hush'; here a bare interjection-imperative, 'Silence!' — Eglon's single word clears the room and seals his own fate.
וַיֵּֽצְאוּ֙and they went outwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · יָצָא (H3318)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the attendants comply, leaving Eglon alone with Ehudיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; the attendants' departure completes Ehud's isolation of the king.
מֵֽעָלָ֔יוfrom beside himprep מִן + prep עַל + 3ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial (source: 'from his presence')עַל (H5921) 'upon'; with מִן and suffix, 'from beside him' — total departure from Eglon's presence.
כָּלall (of)N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head (subject: 'all who were standing')כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; heads the substantival participle clause.
הָעֹמְדִ֖יםthose standingart + Qal ptc mp abs · עָמַד (H5975)Substantival participle (subject, construct with כָּל: 'all who were standing')→ Participle: a characterizing role — those in ongoing attendanceעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'; substantival, 'those standing [in attendance]' — Eglon's court attendants.
עָלָֽיוbeside himprep עַל + 3ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial (locative: 'beside/attending him')עַל (H5921) 'upon, beside'; marks the attendants' position relative to the king before their departure.
20

וְאֵה֣וּד בָּ֣א אֵלָ֗יו וְהֽוּא יֹ֠שֵׁב בַּעֲלִיַּ֨ת הַמְּקֵרָ֤ה אֲשֶׁר לוֹ֙ לְבַדּ֔וֹ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵה֔וּד דְּבַר אֱלֹהִ֥ים לִ֖י אֵלֶ֑יךָ וַיָּ֖קָם מֵעַ֥ל הַכִּסֵּֽא

And Ehud came to him — now he was sitting alone in his cool roof chamber — and Ehud said, 'I have a word of God for you.' And he arose from his seat.

The private audience — Ehud's fatal announcementוְ
Ehud escalates his pretext from a merely 'secret word' (v.19) to 'a word of God' — a claim no king could risk ignoring, and one that compels Eglon to stand in reverence. That single act of piety-driven courtesy is what exposes him and enables the killing stroke that follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וְאֵה֣וּדand Ehudconj וְ + proper noun · אֵהוּד (H164)Subject (resumes narrative focus on Ehud)אֵהוּד (H164); the narrative camera returns to Ehud's approach to the now-isolated king.
בָּ֣אcameQal perf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act — Ehud's approach to the kingבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; Ehud approaches Eglon now that the two are alone.
אֵלָ֗יוto himprep אֶל + 3ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Adverbial (goal: 'to him')אֶל (H413) 'to'; marks Eglon as the goal of Ehud's approach.
וְהֽוּאnow heconj וְ + independent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (disjunctive, circumstantial: describes Eglon's setting)הוּא (H1931); the disjunctive clause pauses to describe Eglon's exact position as Ehud approaches.
יֹ֠שֵׁבwas sittingQal ptc ms abs · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate (circumstantial participle, describes Eglon's position)→ Participle: an ongoing state — Eglon seated, unaware and vulnerableיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell'; describes Eglon enthroned in his private chamber, about to be caught off guard.
בַּעֲלִיַּ֨תin the upper room ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · עֲלִיָּה (H5944)Locative adverbial (specifies where Eglon sat)עֲלִיָּה (H5944) 'upper chamber, roof room'; construct with הַמְּקֵרָה.
הַמְּקֵרָ֤הthe coolart + N f sg abs · מְקֵרָה (H4747)Genitive (construct chain completion: 'the cool roof chamber')מְקֵרָה (H4747), a rare noun, 'coolness'; the private, air-cooled upper room — a summer retreat that grants Ehud the very isolation his plan requires.
אֲשֶׁרwhich (was)relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces the possessive clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle; introduces the note that the room belonged to Eglon alone.
לוֹ֙his (own)prep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְPossessive complement (with אֲשֶׁר: 'which was his own')לְ with 3ms suffix; possessive, underscoring the room's exclusivity to the king.
לְבַדּ֔וֹaloneprep לְ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · בַּד (H905)Adverbial (emphasizes solitude: 'by himself')בַּד (H905) 'separation, alone'; idiom לְבַדּוֹ, 'by himself' — doubly emphasizing that Eglon is utterly alone with Ehud.
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand he saidwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Ehud delivers his real messageאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Ehud now speaks his actual, deadly 'word.'
אֵה֔וּדEhudproper noun · אֵהוּד (H164)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶראֵהוּד (H164), about to speak the words that will end Eglon's life.
דְּבַרa word ofN m sg constr · דָּבָר (H1697)Predicate nominative (construct: 'a word of God')דָּבָר (H1697); construct with אֱלֹהִים — Ehud upgrades his pretext from a mere 'secret word' (v.19) to the unimpeachable claim of a divine oracle.
אֱלֹהִ֥יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Genitive (construct chain completion: 'word of God')אֱלֹהִים (H430); the claim of a divine oracle compels the king to rise in reverence — the fatal final ruse.
לִ֖יI haveprep לְ + 1cs suffix · לְPossessive complementלְ with 1cs suffix; possessive idiom, 'I have.'
אֵלֶ֑יךָfor youprep אֶל + 2ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Adverbial (recipient)אֶל (H413) 'to'; directs the divine word to the king, exactly as in v.19's pretext, now escalated.
וַיָּ֖קָםand he arosewaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · קוּם (H6965)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Eglon's fatal show of reverenceקוּם (H6965) 'to rise, stand'; Eglon rises in respect for the supposed divine word, exposing his belly and unwittingly assisting his own death.
מֵעַ֥לfromprep מִן + prep עַל · עַל (H5921)Adverbial (source, marks departure from the seated position)עַל (H5921) 'upon'; with מִן, 'up from' — marks Eglon rising off his seat.
הַכִּסֵּֽאthe throneart + N m sg abs · כִּסֵּא (H3678)Object of the preposition מֵעַלכִּסֵּא (H3678) 'throne, seat'; Eglon rises from his seat, now standing and utterly exposed.
21

וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח אֵהוּד֙ אֶת יַ֣ד שְׂמֹאל֔וֹ וַיִּקַּח֙ אֶת הַחֶ֔רֶב מֵעַ֖ל יֶ֣רֶךְ יְמִינ֑וֹ וַיִּתְקָעֶ֖הָ בְּבִטְנֽוֹ

And Ehud stretched out his left hand and took the sword from off his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly.

The killing stroke — the left-hand irony realized in actionוַ
Every detail set up since v.15 converges here in three rapid verbs: reaching, drawing, thrusting. תָּקַע, 'to thrust/drive in,' is the same root used of blowing a trumpet (v.27) — a macabre wordplay linking the private killing to the public call to battle that follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיִּשְׁלַ֤חand he stretched outwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the decisive first action of the strikeשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send, stretch out'; Ehud reaches for his hidden weapon at the critical moment.
אֵהוּד֙Ehudproper noun · אֵהוּד (H164)Subject of וַיִּשְׁלַחאֵהוּד (H164), executing the plan set up since v.15.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיִּשְׁלַח)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יַד שְׂמֹאלוֹ as the definite object.
יַ֣דthe hand ofN comm sg constr · יָד (H3027)Direct object (construct: 'his left hand')יָד (H3027) 'hand'; construct with שְׂמֹאלוֹ.
שְׂמֹאל֔וֹhis leftN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · שְׂמֹאל (H8040)Genitive (construct chain completion: 'his left hand')שְׂמֹאל (H8040) 'left (side/hand)'; confirms explicitly what אִטֵּר יַד־יְמִינוֹ implied in v.15 — Ehud draws with his dominant left hand.
וַיִּקַּח֙and he tookwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — drawing the concealed weaponלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; Ehud draws the sword hidden on his right thigh.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיִּקַּח)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַחֶרֶב as the definite object taken.
הַחֶ֔רֶבthe swordart + N f sg abs · חֶרֶב (H2719)Direct object of וַיִּקַּחחֶרֶב (H2719); the custom-made weapon of v.16, now drawn at last.
מֵעַ֖לfromprep מִן + prep עַל · עַל (H5921)Adverbial (source, marks where the sword was drawn from)עַל (H5921); with מִן, 'from off' — the weapon's hidden location.
יֶ֣רֶךְthe thigh ofN f sg constr · יָרֵךְ (H3409)Genitive (construct: 'his right thigh')יָרֵךְ (H3409) 'thigh'; the concealment site named in v.16.
יְמִינ֑וֹhis rightN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · יָמִין (H3225)Genitive (construct chain completion)יָמִין (H3225); confirms the concealment site of v.16 — precisely where a guard would not expect to find a weapon.
וַיִּתְקָעֶ֖הָand he thrust itwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms + 3fs suffix · תָּקַע (H8628)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (the killing blow)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the decisive, violent climaxתָּקַע (H8628) 'to thrust, drive in; blow (a trumpet)'; the violent plunge of the blade — the same verb recurs for Ehud's trumpet blast in v.27, a grim wordplay spanning the story.
בְּבִטְנֽוֹinto his bellyprep בְּ + N f sg constr + 3ms suffix · בֶּטֶן (H990)Adverbial (locative, target of the thrust)בֶּטֶן (H990) 'belly, abdomen'; the vulnerable target exposed the instant Eglon stood.
22

וַיָּבֹ֨א גַֽם הַנִּצָּ֜ב אַחַ֣ר הַלַּ֗הַב וַיִּסְגֹּ֤ר הַחֵ֨לֶב֙ בְּעַ֣ד הַלַּ֔הַב כִּ֣י לֹ֥א שָׁלַ֛ף הַחֶ֖רֶב מִבִּטְנ֑וֹ וַיֵּצֵ֖א הַֽפַּרְשְׁדֹֽנָה

And even the hilt went in after the blade, and the fat closed over the blade, for he did not draw the sword out of his belly; and it went out to the parshedon (a term of disputed meaning).

The grotesque climax — the notorious crux of פַּרְשְׁדֹנָהוַ
The narrator lingers on graphic, almost clinical detail — hilt, fat, unwithdrawn blade — building toward a final clause whose key term is a genuine hapax of contested meaning. Major proposals read it as excrement expelled, the blade's exit at the body's rear, or Ehud's own exit to a porch/vestibule; the text is presented here without forcing a false certainty on a genuinely disputed crux.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיָּבֹ֨אand it wentwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the hilt disappearing into the woundבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, go in'; the sword's handle enters the body along with the blade.
גַֽםevenadverb · גַּם (H1571)Adverbial intensifier (emphasizes הַנִּצָּב: 'even the hilt')גַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; intensifies the completeness of the thrust — even the handle went in.
הַנִּצָּ֜בthe hiltart + N m sg abs · נִצָּב (H5325)Subject of וַיָּבֹאנִצָּב (H5325) 'handle, hilt' (from יצב 'to stand'); the sword's handle, following the blade fully into the wound.
אַחַ֣רafterprep · אַחַר (H310)Preposition (marks sequence: 'after the blade')אַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; marks the hilt following the blade into the wound.
הַלַּ֗הַבthe bladeart + N m sg abs · לַהַב (H3851)Object of the preposition אַחַרלַהַב (H3851) 'blade, flame'; the sword's cutting edge, already fully embedded.
וַיִּסְגֹּ֤רand it closedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · סָגַר (H5462)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the gruesome detail of the fat closing over the bladeסָגַר (H5462) 'to close, shut'; the king's fat closes over the buried weapon — graphic evidence of his obesity (cf. v.17) and the totality of the thrust.
הַחֵ֨לֶב֙the fatart + N m sg abs · חֵלֶב (H2459)Subject of וַיִּסְגֹּרחֵלֶב (H2459) 'fat'; Eglon's fatness (v.17), now closing literally over the blade.
בְּעַ֣דoverprep · בְּעַד (H1157)Preposition (locative: 'over the blade')בְּעַד (H1157) 'behind, through, around'; marks the fat enclosing the blade completely.
הַלַּ֔הַבthe bladeart + N m sg abs · לַהַב (H3851)Object of the preposition בְּעַדלַהַב (H3851); the blade, now completely enclosed.
כִּ֣יforconjunction · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (explains why Ehud left the sword in place)כִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the reason the sword was not withdrawn.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates שָׁלַףלֹא (H3808), the ordinary negative.
שָׁלַ֛ףhe drew outQal perf 3ms · שָׁלַף (H8025)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: a completed (non-)action — Ehud deliberately leaves the weapon behindשָׁלַף (H8025) 'to draw out, unsheathe'; negated here — Ehud does not retrieve the sword, presumably to avoid noise, mess, or delay in his escape.
הַחֶ֖רֶבthe swordart + N f sg abs · חֶרֶב (H2719)Direct object of שָׁלַףחֶרֶב (H2719); left lodged inside the body.
מִבִּטְנ֑וֹfrom his bellyprep מִן + N f sg constr + 3ms suffix · בֶּטֶן (H990)Adverbial (source: 'out of his belly')בֶּטֶן (H990) 'belly'; the sword remains lodged inside, unretrieved.
וַיֵּצֵ֖אand it came outwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (the crux clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the notorious, textually uncertain outcomeיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; subject and precise sense debated — see the following hapax פַּרְשְׁדֹנָה.
הַֽפַּרְשְׁדֹֽנָהto the parshedon(ah)art + N m sg abs + directive-he · פַּרְשְׁדֹן (H6574)Adverbial complement (locative, with directive-he: destination/result of וַיֵּצֵא)פַּרְשְׁדֹן (H6574), a notorious hapax legomenon of disputed meaning: 'the excrement came out,' 'it (the blade or its contents) came out at the rear/anus,' or 'he (Ehud) went out to the vestibule/porch' have all been proposed. The directive-he suggests a locative sense, but no philological consensus identifies the referent; treated here with honest uncertainty rather than false precision.
23

וַיֵּצֵ֥א אֵה֖וּד הַֽמִּסְדְּר֑וֹנָה וַיִּסְגֹּ֞ר דַּלְת֧וֹת הָעַלִיָּ֛ה בַּעֲד֖וֹ וְנָעָֽל

And Ehud went out to the vestibule, and shut the doors of the roof chamber behind him and locked them.

The escape and the locked room — buying time for flightוַ
סָגַר ('shut') echoes v.22's grim wordplay (the fat that 'closed' over the blade), now applied to Ehud's own deliberate action. The locked doors will produce the servants' fatal misreading in vv.24-25, buying Ehud the time he needs to escape completely.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיֵּצֵ֥אand he went outwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Ehud's escape beginsיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; Ehud exits the chamber, leaving the body behind.
אֵה֖וּדEhudproper noun · אֵהוּד (H164)Subject of וַיֵּצֵאאֵהוּד (H164), now fleeing the scene.
הַֽמִּסְדְּר֑וֹנָהto the vestibuleart + N m sg abs + directive-he · מִסְדְּרוֹן (H4528)Adverbial complement (locative, with directive-he: 'to the vestibule')מִסְדְּרוֹן (H4528), another rare term, 'vestibule, porch, colonnade'; Ehud passes through an antechamber en route out — some connect this root to the crux of v.22.
וַיִּסְגֹּ֞רand he shutwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · סָגַר (H5462)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Ehud seals the room to delay discoveryסָגַר (H5462) 'to shut, close'; the same verb used of the fat closing over the blade in v.22 — now Ehud closes the doors, buying time for his escape.
דַּלְת֧וֹתthe doors ofN f pl constr · דֶּלֶת (H1817)Direct object of וַיִּסְגֹּרדֶּלֶת (H1817) 'door'; construct with הָעַלִיָּה.
הָעַלִיָּ֛הthe upper roomart + N f sg abs · עֲלִיָּה (H5944)Genitive (construct chain completion)עֲלִיָּה (H5944); the same roof chamber of v.20, now sealed with the body inside.
בַּעֲד֖וֹbehind himprep בְּעַד + 3ms suffix · בְּעַד (H1157)Adverbial (locative: 'behind him')בְּעַד (H1157) 'behind, through'; with suffix, marks the doors shut behind Ehud as he departs.
וְנָעָֽלand lockedwaw + Qal weqatal 3ms · נָעַל (H5274)Weqatal continuing the narrative sequence→ Weqatal: sequential continuation — the deliberate securing of the roomנָעַל (H5274) 'to lock, bolt'; the room is secured, ensuring the delay that lets Ehud escape unnoticed.
24

וְה֤וּא יָצָא֙ וַעֲבָדָ֣יו בָּ֔אוּ וַיִּרְא֕וּ וְהִנֵּ֛ה דַּלְת֥וֹת הָעֲלִיָּ֖ה נְעֻל֑וֹת וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ אַ֣ךְ מֵסִ֥יךְ ה֛וּא אֶת רַגְלָ֖יו בַּחֲדַ֥ר הַמְּקֵרָֽה

Now he had gone out, and his servants came and saw, and behold, the doors of the roof chamber were locked; and they said, 'Surely he is covering his feet in the cool chamber.'

Dramatic irony — the servants' fatal misreading of the locked doorוְ
The narrator briefly shifts focalization to the servants, letting the reader watch them draw a plausible but wrong inference from a true fact (the locked door). The euphemism 'covering his feet' is decorous rather than crude, which makes their delay entirely reasonable — no one wants to interrupt a king relieving himself — and thereby buys Ehud the time to complete his escape.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְה֤וּאnow heconj וְ + independent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (disjunctive, resumes Ehud's movement)הוּא (H1931); tracks Ehud continuing his escape as the scene shifts to the servants.
יָצָא֙had gone outQal perf 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (disjunctive clause)→ Perfective: an already-completed departure, prior to the servants' arrivalיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; Ehud's exit is already accomplished by the time the narrative returns to the servants.
וַעֲבָדָ֣יוand his servantsconj וְ + N m pl constr + 3ms suffix · עֶבֶד (H5650)Subject (coordinate with the following clause)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant'; Eglon's own attendants, now approaching the sealed room.
בָּ֔אוּcameQal perf 3cp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed arrivalבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; the servants return to check on their king.
וַיִּרְא֕וּand they sawwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · רָאָה (H7200)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the servants' discovery of the locked doorsרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; the servants observe the locked doors, the detail that will mislead them.
וְהִנֵּ֛הand beholdconj וְ + presentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Discourse particle (introduces the vivid, focalized observation)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; marks the servants' own perception, drawing the reader into their mistaken point of view.
דַּלְת֥וֹתthe doors ofN f pl constr · דֶּלֶת (H1817)Subject (of the nominal clause with נְעֻלוֹת)דֶּלֶת (H1817) 'door'; construct with הָעֲלִיָּה.
הָעֲלִיָּ֖הthe upper roomart + N f sg abs · עֲלִיָּה (H5944)Genitive (construct chain completion)עֲלִיָּה (H5944); the sealed roof chamber, seen from outside.
נְעֻל֑וֹתlockedQal passive ptc fp abs · נָעַל (H5274)Predicate (passive participle, describes the doors)→ Participle (passive): a resulting state — the doors found already lockedנָעַל (H5274) 'to lock'; describes the state the servants observe, from which they draw a mistaken conclusion.
וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּand they saidwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the servants voice their mistaken explanationאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the servants' rationalization for the locked doors.
אַ֣ךְsurelyrestrictive adverb · אַךְ (H389)Adverbial (asseverative: 'surely, no doubt')אַךְ (H389) 'surely, only'; introduces the servants' confident but mistaken assumption.
מֵסִ֥יךְcoveringHiphil ptc ms abs · סָכַךְ (H5526)Predicate (participle, describes the assumed action of the king)→ Participle: an ongoing, assumed action — the euphemistic explanation for the king's absenceסָכַךְ (H5526) Hiphil 'to cover'; the fixed euphemism מֵסִיךְ רַגְלָיו, 'covering his feet' = relieving himself — the servants' innocent, decorous explanation for the silence and the locked door.
ה֛וּאheindependent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (resumptive, emphasizes the king as subject of מֵסִיךְ)הוּא (H1931); emphasizes it is the king himself, presumably, engaged in this private act.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of מֵסִיךְ)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking רַגְלָיו as the definite object.
רַגְלָ֖יוhis feetN f dual constr + 3ms suffix · רֶגֶל (H7272)Direct object of מֵסִיךְרֶגֶל (H7272) 'foot'; euphemistic dual, 'his feet' — a decorous circumlocution for the genitals/act of relieving oneself.
בַּחֲדַ֥רin the chamber ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · חֶדֶר (H2315)Locative adverbial (specifies where the assumed act takes place)חֶדֶר (H2315) 'chamber, room'; construct with הַמְּקֵרָה.
הַמְּקֵרָֽהthe coolart + N f sg abs · מְקֵרָה (H4747)Genitive (construct chain completion: 'the cool chamber')מְקֵרָה (H4747); the same private roof-chamber of v.20 — the servants assume privacy, not murder.
25

וַיָּחִ֣ילוּ עַד בּ֔וֹשׁ וְהְנֵּ֛ה אֵינֶ֥נּוּ פֹתֵ֖חַ דַּלְת֣וֹת הָֽעֲלִיָּ֑ה וַיִּקְח֤וּ אֶת הַמַּפְתֵּ֨חַ֙ וַיִּפְתָּ֔חוּ וְהִנֵּה֙ אֲדֹ֣נֵיהֶ֔ם נֹפֵ֥ל אַ֖רְצָה מֵֽת

And they waited until they were ashamed; and behold, he was not opening the doors of the roof chamber. So they took the key and opened them, and behold, their lord was fallen to the ground, dead.

The delayed discovery — the body foundוַ
עַד־בּוֹשׁ ('until they were ashamed') captures the servants' escalating discomfort at what still seems like an awkward but innocent delay, right up until the second הִנֵּה of this scene finally forces the truth on them: their king, fallen, dead. The narrative's careful pacing has let the reader watch an entire household misread the evidence in real time.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיָּחִ֣ילוּand they waited anxiouslywaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חוּל (H2342)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — mounting anxious delayחוּל (H2342) 'to writhe, wait anxiously'; the servants' mounting unease as the king fails to emerge.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Preposition (temporal, introduces the point of shame)עַד (H5704) 'until'; marks the duration of their waiting.
בּ֔וֹשׁbeing ashamedQal inf constr · בּוֹשׁ (H954)Temporal infinitive (with עַד: 'until they were ashamed')→ Infinitive: marks the terminus of the waiting periodבּוֹשׁ (H954) 'to be ashamed'; idiom עַד־בּוֹשׁ, 'until embarrassment' — they wait so long it becomes awkward, still assuming the innocent explanation.
וְהְנֵּ֛הand beholdconj וְ + presentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Discourse particle (introduces the servants' realization)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; marks the moment their assumption starts to fail.
אֵינֶ֥נּוּhe was notnegative existential + 3ms suffix · אַיִן (H369)Predicate (negates the participle: 'he was not opening')אַיִן (H369) 'there is not'; with suffix and following participle, a negated periphrastic construction — 'he was not opening.'
פֹתֵ֖חַopeningQal ptc ms abs · פָּתַח (H6605)Predicate (participle, with אֵינֶנּוּ: 'he was not opening')→ Participle: an ongoing (negated) state — the king failing to open the doorsפָּתַח (H6605) 'to open'; the king's continued failure to open the doors finally registers as truly ominous.
דַּלְת֣וֹתthe doors ofN f pl constr · דֶּלֶת (H1817)Direct object of the participle פֹתֵחַדֶּלֶת (H1817) 'door'; construct with הָעֲלִיָּה.
הָֽעֲלִיָּ֑הthe upper roomart + N f sg abs · עֲלִיָּה (H5944)Genitive (construct chain completion)עֲלִיָּה (H5944); the still-sealed roof chamber.
וַיִּקְח֤וּand they tookwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · לָקַח (H3947)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — decisive action finally takenלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; the servants finally act, retrieving a key.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיִּקְחוּ)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַמַּפְתֵּחַ as the definite object taken.
הַמַּפְתֵּ֨חַ֙the keyart + N m sg abs · מַפְתֵּחַ (H4668)Direct object of וַיִּקְחוּמַפְתֵּחַ (H4668) 'key' (from פָּתַח 'to open'); the instrument that finally grants access to the sealed room.
וַיִּפְתָּ֔חוּand they openedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · פָּתַח (H6605)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the discovery momentפָּתַח (H6605) 'to open'; same root as הַמַּפְתֵּחַ — the doors finally give way to reveal the scene.
וְהִנֵּה֙and beholdconj וְ + presentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Discourse particle (introduces the shocking discovery)הִנֵּה (H2009); marks the climactic moment of visual discovery — the servants' (and reader's) view of the body.
אֲדֹ֣נֵיהֶ֔םtheir lordN m pl constr + 3mp suffix · אָדוֹן (H113)Subject of נֹפֵלאָדוֹן (H113) 'lord, master'; the servants' own king, now found in his fallen state.
נֹפֵ֥לfallenQal ptc ms abs · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate (participle, describes the discovered state)→ Participle: a vivid, ongoing visual state — the body found collapsedנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; the participle presents the scene as directly, vividly witnessed.
אַ֖רְצָהto the groundN comm sg abs + directive-he · אֶרֶץ (H776)Adverbial complement (locative, with directive-he: 'to the ground')אֶרֶץ (H776) 'ground, earth'; with directive-he, 'to the ground' — the king's collapsed body.
מֵֽתdeadQal ptc ms abs · מוּת (H4191)Predicate (participle, further describes אֲדֹנֵיהֶם: 'dead')→ Participle: a resulting state — confirmed deathמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; here functioning adjectivally, 'dead' — the final, unambiguous word of the discovery scene.
26

וְאֵה֥וּד נִמְלַ֖ט עַ֣ד הִֽתְמַהְמְהָ֑ם וְהוּא֙ עָבַ֣ר אֶת הַפְּסִילִ֔ים וַיִּמָּלֵ֖ט הַשְּׂעִירָֽתָה

Meanwhile Ehud had escaped while they delayed; he passed by the carved images and escaped to Seirah.

Ehud's flight to safety — the escape completedוְ
The narrator briefly rejoins Ehud's timeline, confirming his safe escape ran concurrent with the servants' anxious wait of v.25. Passing the Pesilim again (cf. v.19) frames his flight as a mirror of his earlier approach, and Seirah — otherwise unattested — sets the stage for the trumpet call of v.27.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְאֵה֥וּדmeanwhile Ehudconj וְ + proper noun · אֵהוּד (H164)Subject (disjunctive, resumes Ehud during the servants' delay)אֵהוּד (H164); the narrative cuts back to Ehud's flight while the servants were still delaying.
נִמְלַ֖טhad escapedNiphal perf 3ms · מָלַט (H4422)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act — Ehud's escape already accomplishedמָלַט (H4422) Niphal 'to escape, slip away'; Ehud is already gone by the time the servants find the body.
עַ֣דuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Preposition (temporal, marks duration)עַד (H5704) 'until'; marks the period overlapping with the servants' delay.
הִֽתְמַהְמְהָ֑םtheir delayingHitpalpel inf constr + 3mp suffix · מָהַהּ (H4102)Temporal infinitive (with עַד: 'until/while they delayed')→ Infinitive: marks a duration overlapping with the servants' hesitationמָהַהּ (H4102) Hitpalpel (reduplicated stem) 'to tarry, delay'; refers back to the servants' hesitation in v.25 — Ehud's escape window is precisely their delay.
וְהוּא֙and heconj וְ + independent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (resumptive, continues tracking Ehud)הוּא (H1931); tracks Ehud's continued flight.
עָבַ֣רpassed byQal perf 3ms · עָבַר (H5674)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act along the escape routeעָבַר (H5674) 'to pass over, through'; Ehud's route takes him back past the same Pesilim mentioned in v.19.
אֶתpastobj marker (marks path/location) · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking the place passed: the Pesilim)אֵת (H853), here marking the place-object of עָבַר, 'passed [by] the Pesilim' — same construction pattern as a transitive verb of motion.
הַפְּסִילִ֔יםthe carved imagesart + N m pl abs · פְּסִיל (H6456)Object of עָבַר (via אֵת)פְּסִיל (H6456); the same site named in v.19, marking Ehud's escape route back past the border-marker.
וַיִּמָּלֵ֖טand he escapedwaw-consec + Niphal wayyiqtol 3ms · מָלַט (H4422)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Ehud reaches safetyמָלַט (H4422) Niphal 'to escape'; repeats the verse's own נִמְלַט, confirming Ehud's safe arrival at his destination.
הַשְּׂעִירָֽתָהto Seirahart + proper noun + directive-he · שְׂעִירָה (H8167)Adverbial complement (locative, with directive-he: destination of וַיִּמָּלֵט)שְׂעִירָה (H8167), 'Seirah' (perhaps 'the wooded/hairy place'), an otherwise unknown location in the Ephraim highlands (cf. v.27) — Ehud's refuge before rallying the troops.
27

וַיְהִ֣י בְּבוֹא֔וֹ וַיִּתְקַ֥ע בַּשּׁוֹפָ֖ר בְּהַ֣ר אֶפְרָ֑יִם וַיֵּרְד֨וּ עִמּ֧וֹ בְנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל מִן הָהָ֖ר וְה֥וּא לִפְנֵיהֶֽם

And it happened, when he arrived, that he blew the trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim, and the sons of Israel went down with him from the hill country, and he was before them.

The trumpet call — private act becomes public warוַ
תָּקַע recurs from v.21's fatal thrust, now transposed from private assassination to public mobilization — the same root binds the covert killing to the open battle it triggers. Ehud personally leads the descent, not merely commanding from behind.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיְהִ֣יand it came to passwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (temporal formula introducing a new scene)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the standard scene-transition formulaהָיָה (H1961); introduces the trumpet-call scene.
בְּבוֹא֔וֹwhen he cameprep בְּ + Qal inf constr + 3ms suffix · בּוֹא (H935)Temporal infinitive clause ('when he arrived')→ Infinitive: marks the temporal point of Ehud's arrival at safetyבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; marks Ehud's arrival, presumably at Seirah or the hill country of Ephraim.
וַיִּתְקַ֥עand he blewwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · תָּקַע (H8628)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the public call to armsתָּקַע (H8628) 'to blow (a trumpet), thrust'; the same verb as the killing thrust of v.21 — private violence becomes public mobilization.
בַּשּׁוֹפָ֖רthe trumpetprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · שׁוֹפָר (H7782)Adverbial (instrument, object of תָּקַע)שׁוֹפָר (H7782) 'ram's horn trumpet'; the standard instrument for mustering Israelite forces.
בְּהַ֣רin the hill country ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Locative adverbialהַר (H2022) 'hill country'; construct with אֶפְרָיִם.
אֶפְרָ֑יִםEphraimproper noun · אֶפְרָיִם (H669)Genitive (construct chain completion)אֶפְרָיִם (H669), the central hill-country tribe, providing the base for mustering troops.
וַיֵּרְד֨וּand they went downwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · יָרַד (H3381)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the mustered troops descendיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down'; Israel's response to the trumpet call, descending from the highlands.
עִמּ֧וֹwith himprep עִם + 3ms suffix · עִם (H5973)Adverbial (accompaniment)עִם (H5973) 'with'; marks the troops following Ehud's lead.
בְנֵֽיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of וַיֵּרְדוּבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; 'sons of Israel', now mustered for battle.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain completion)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), answering Ehud's summons.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Preposition (source)מִן (H4480) 'from'; marks the point of descent.
הָהָ֖רthe hill countryart + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Object of the preposition מִןהַר (H2022); the same Ephraimite highlands just named.
וְה֥וּאand heconj וְ + independent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (disjunctive, emphatic: Ehud personally leading)הוּא (H1931); emphatic, underscoring Ehud's personal leadership at the front of the troops.
לִפְנֵיהֶֽםbefore themprep לְ + N comm pl constr + 3mp suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial (locative: 'ahead of them')פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiom לִפְנֵי, 'before, in front of' — Ehud leads the charge in person.
28

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵהֶם֙ רִדְפ֣וּ אַחֲרַ֔י כִּֽי נָתַ֨ן יְהוָ֧ה אֶת אֹיְבֵיכֶ֛ם אֶת מוֹאָ֖ב בְּיֶדְכֶ֑ם וַיֵּרְד֣וּ אַחֲרָ֗יו וַֽיִּלְכְּד֞וּ אֶת מַעְבְּר֤וֹת הַיַּרְדֵּן֙ לְמוֹאָ֔ב וְלֹֽא נָתְנ֥וּ אִ֖ישׁ לַעֲבֹֽר

And he said to them, 'Follow me, for YHWH has given your enemies, the Moabites, into your hand.' And they went down after him, and seized the fords of the Jordan toward Moab, and did not allow a man to cross over.

The rout begins — the fords seizedוַ
Ehud speaks with the perfect of certainty (נָתַן, 'has given') before the outcome is even decided — battlefield rhetoric asserting victory as already accomplished by YHWH. Seizing the Jordan fords is the tactically decisive move: it converts a battle into a total rout by denying the Moabite army any route home.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand he saidwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Ehud's command to pursueאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Ehud's battle command to the mustered troops.
אֲלֵהֶם֙to themprep אֶל + 3mp suffix · אֶל (H413)Adverbial (recipient)אֶל (H413) 'to'; addresses the mustered troops.
רִדְפ֣וּpursue!Qal impv 2mp · רָדַף (H7291)Imperative (direct command)→ Volitional (imperative): an urgent battle orderרָדַף (H7291) 'to pursue, chase'; the command launching the rout of the Moabite forces.
אַחֲרַ֔יafter meprep אַחַר + 1cs suffix · אַחַר (H310)Adverbial (locative: 'after me')אַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; Ehud commands the troops to follow his own lead into battle.
כִּֽיforconjunction · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (introduces the grounds for pursuit)כִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the theological warrant for the command.
נָתַ֨ןhas givenQal perf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: a completed act of certainty — victory treated as already assuredנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the perfect tense of certainty — YHWH's giving of the enemy is spoken of as already accomplished before the battle even begins.
יְהוָ֧הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נָתַןיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; agent of the victory.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of נָתַן)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking אֹיְבֵיכֶם as the definite object given.
אֹיְבֵיכֶ֛םyour enemiesQal ptc mp constr + 2mp suffix · אֹיֵב (H341)Direct object of נָתַן (substantival participle, in apposition with מוֹאָב)→ Participle: a characterizing role — 'those who are hostile to you'אֹיֵב (H341) 'enemy' (substantival participle of איב 'to be hostile'); identifies Moab explicitly as the enemy now given over.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (apposition, restates the object as specifically מוֹאָב)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi; identifies the enemy precisely as Moab.
מוֹאָ֖בMoabproper noun · מוֹאָב (H4124)Direct object (apposition to אֹיְבֵיכֶם)מוֹאָב (H4124), now given into Israel's hand.
בְּיֶדְכֶ֑םinto your handprep בְּ + N comm sg constr + 2mp suffix · יָד (H3027)Adverbial (destination of the giving)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiom for power — the enemy delivered into Israel's control.
וַיֵּרְד֣וּand they went downwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · יָרַד (H3381)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the troops obey and pursueיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down'; the troops' descent into battle behind Ehud.
אַחֲרָ֗יוafter himprep אַחַר + 3ms suffix · אַחַר (H310)Adverbial (locative: 'after him')אַחַר (H310); the troops follow Ehud exactly as commanded in the preceding verse.
וַֽיִּלְכְּד֞וּand they seizedwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · לָכַד (H3920)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — control of the strategic river crossingsלָכַד (H3920) 'to seize, capture'; Israel takes the Jordan fords, cutting off Moabite retreat.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיִּלְכְּדוּ)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking מַעְבְּרוֹת הַיַּרְדֵּן as the definite object seized.
מַעְבְּר֤וֹתthe fords ofN f pl constr · מַעְבָּרָה (H4569)Direct object of וַיִּלְכְּדוּמַעְבָּרָה (H4569) 'ford, crossing place'; construct with הַיַּרְדֵּן.
הַיַּרְדֵּן֙the Jordanart + proper noun · יַרְדֵּן (H3383)Genitive (construct chain completion)יַרְדֵּן (H3383), the river marking the border — the critical crossing point for anyone fleeing to Moab.
לְמוֹאָ֔בtoward Moabprep לְ + proper noun · מוֹאָב (H4124)Adverbial (direction: 'leading to Moab')מוֹאָב (H4124); the crossings that would allow retreat back to Moab, now sealed off.
וְלֹֽאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates נָתְנוּלֹא (H3808), the ordinary negative, negating permission to cross.
נָתְנ֥וּthey allowedQal perf 3cp · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive denialנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, allow'; negated here — 'they did not let/allow' anyone cross, controlling passage at the fords.
אִ֖ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Direct object of נָתְנוּ ('they did not allow a man')אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; universalizing negative, 'not a single man' permitted across.
לַעֲבֹֽרto cross overprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָבַר (H5674)Complementary infinitive (with נָתְנוּ: purpose/result)→ Infinitive: completes the periphrasis, 'to cross over'עָבַר (H5674) 'to cross over'; the Moabites are trapped east of the Jordan, cut off from retreat.
29

וַיַּכּ֨וּ אֶת מוֹאָ֜ב בָּעֵ֣ת הַהִ֗יא כַּעֲשֶׂ֤רֶת אֲלָפִים֙ אִ֔ישׁ כָּל שָׁמֵ֖ן וְכָל אִ֣ישׁ חָ֑יִל וְלֹ֥א נִמְלַ֖ט אִֽישׁ

And they struck Moab at that time, about ten thousand men, every stout one and every man of valor; and not a man escaped.

The total rout — no survivorsוַ
The description of the slain as שָׁמֵן, 'stout, fat,' echoes the fatness motif attached to Eglon (v.17) — Moab's best men share their king's build. The closing formula, 'not a man escaped,' is the strongest possible statement of victory, matching the totality of Ehud's earlier private triumph over Eglon himself.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיַּכּ֨וּand they struckwaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · נָכָה (H5221)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the decisive strike against the trapped armyנָכָה (H5221) Hiphil 'to strike, smite'; the culminating blow against the routed Moabite forces.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיַּכּוּ)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking מוֹאָב as the definite object struck.
מוֹאָ֜בMoabproper noun · מוֹאָב (H4124)Direct object of וַיַּכּוּמוֹאָב (H4124), now suffering total defeat.
בָּעֵ֣תat the timeprep בְּ + art + N comm sg abs · עֵת (H6256)Adverbial (temporal)עֵת (H6256) 'time'; phrase with הַהִיא, 'at that time.'
הַהִ֗יאthatart + demonstrative (fs pronoun) · הִיא (H1931)Attributive (modifies עֵת: 'at that time')הִיא (H1931) 'that, she'; with article, functions as a demonstrative adjective, 'that (time).'
כַּעֲשֶׂ֤רֶתabout ten (of)prep כְּ + cardinal number m sg constr · עֶשֶׂר (H6235)Adverbial numeral (approximation: 'about ten')עֶשֶׂר (H6235) 'ten'; with כְּ, 'about, approximately' — an estimate, not a precise count.
אֲלָפִים֙thousandcardinal number comm pl abs · אֶלֶף (H505)Genitive (construct chain completion: 'ten thousand')אֶלֶף (H505) 'thousand'; combines with עֲשֶׂרֶת, 'ten thousand' — the scale of Moabite losses.
אִ֔ישׁmenN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Genitive (specifies the unit counted: 'ten thousand men')אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; collective singular after the numeral.
כָּלevery (one)N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head (apposition to אִישׁ: 'every stout one')כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; heads the appositional description of the slain.
שָׁמֵ֖ןstoutadj m sg abs · שָׁמֵן (H8082)Genitive (construct chain completion: 'every stout one')שָׁמֵן (H8082) 'fat, robust, stout'; describes the physically able-bodied warriors — a notable echo of the fatness motif attached to Eglon himself (v.17).
וְכָלand everyconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate construct head (second description)כֹּל (H3605); heads the second descriptive phrase, 'every man of valor.'
אִ֣ישׁman ofN m sg constr · אִישׁ (H376)Construct (with חָיִל: 'man of valor')אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; construct with חַיִל.
חָ֑יִלvalorN m sg abs · חַיִל (H2428)Genitive (construct chain completion: 'man of valor')חַיִל (H2428) 'strength, valor, army'; אִישׁ חַיִל, 'a man of might' — the elite fighting men, all destroyed.
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates נִמְלַטלֹא (H3808), the ordinary negative.
נִמְלַ֖טescapedNiphal perf 3ms · מָלַט (H4422)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed (non-)action — total annihilation, no survivorsמָלַט (H4422) Niphal 'to escape'; negated here, emphasizing the totality of the Israelite victory.
אִֽישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of נִמְלַטאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; 'not a man escaped' — total, unqualified victory.
30

וַתִּכָּנַ֤ע מוֹאָב֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא תַּ֖חַת יַ֣ד יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַתִּשְׁקֹ֥ט הָאָ֖רֶץ שְׁמוֹנִ֥ים שָׁנָֽה

So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel, and the land had rest eighty years.

Closing formula — the longest rest in the bookוַ
Eighty years — double Othniel's forty (v.11) — marks Ehud's deliverance as the most enduring in the book, fitting the outsized scale of his story, the book's first fully developed narrative.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַתִּכָּנַ֤עand it was subduedwaw-consec + Niphal wayyiqtol 3fs · כָּנַע (H3665)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (3fs agreeing with fem. מוֹאָב)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the formal end of Moabite resistanceכָּנַע (H3665) Niphal 'to be subdued, humbled'; the formal statement of Moab's total defeat.
מוֹאָב֙Moabproper noun · מוֹאָב (H4124)Subject of וַתִּכָּנַעמוֹאָב (H4124), now formally subdued.
בַּיּ֣וֹםon the dayprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial (temporal)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with הַהוּא, 'on that day.'
הַה֔וּאthatart + demonstrative (ms pronoun) · הוּא (H1931)Attributive (modifies בַּיּוֹם)הוּא (H1931); with article, demonstrative, 'that (day).'
תַּ֖חַתunderprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Preposition (locative: 'under the hand of')תַּחַת (H8478) 'under, beneath'; marks subjugation.
יַ֣דthe hand ofN comm sg constr · יָד (H3027)Object of the preposition תַּחַתיָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiom for power/control.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain completion)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), now dominant over Moab.
וַתִּשְׁקֹ֥טand it had restwaw-consec + Qal wayyiqtol 3fs · שָׁקַט (H8252)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (closing formula)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the peace concluding the cycleשָׁקַט (H8252) 'to be quiet, at rest'; the fixed closing formula, repeated from v.11.
הָאָ֖רֶץthe landart + N comm sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subject of וַתִּשְׁקֹטאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; personified as at rest, as in v.11.
שְׁמוֹנִ֥יםeightycardinal number comm pl abs · שְׁמוֹנִים (H8084)Adverbial numeral (duration)שְׁמוֹנִים (H8084) 'eighty'; double the base forty years of v.11 — the longest peace in the book, matching Ehud's stature among the judges.
שָׁנָֽהyearsN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Adverbial accusative of durationשָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; specifies the record eighty-year length of peace.
31

וְאַחֲרָ֤יו הָיָה֙ שַׁמְגַּ֣ר בֶּן עֲנָ֔ת וַיַּ֤ךְ אֶת פְּלִשְׁתִּים֙ שֵֽׁשׁ מֵא֣וֹת אִ֔ישׁ בְּמַלְמַ֖ד הַבָּקָ֑ר וַיֹּ֥שַׁע גַּם ה֖וּא אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵֽל

And after him was Shamgar son of Anath, who struck six hundred of the Philistines with an ox-goad; and he too saved Israel.

The one-verse judge — deliverance compressed to its bare minimumוְ
Shamgar receives none of the cycle's usual apparatus — no stated apostasy, no named oppressor, no cry, no Spirit-endowment, no rest-formula — yet still earns the technical verb וַיֹּשַׁע, 'he saved.' His foreign-sounding name and the 'son of Anath' epithet (possibly a warrior title tied to the Canaanite goddess Anat) make him one of the book's most enigmatic figures, and the farm implement in place of a weapon anticipates the book's recurring pattern of unlikely deliverers and improvised means.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְאַחֲרָ֤יוand after himconj וְ + prep אַחַר + 3ms suffix · אַחַר (H310)Adverbial (temporal, introduces the next judge)אַחַר (H310) 'after'; marks the succession from Ehud to the next deliverer.
הָיָה֙there wasQal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (existential, introduces Shamgar)→ Perfective: a simple statement of existence — the barest possible introductionהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; matches the minimal, single-verse scope of Shamgar's entire account.
שַׁמְגַּ֣רShamgarproper noun · שַׁמְגַּר (H8044)Subject of הָיָהשַׁמְגַּר (H8044), a non-Israelite-sounding name, possibly of Hurrian or Anatolian origin — one of the book's most enigmatic judges, allotted only a single verse.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive (construct: patronymic)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; identifies Shamgar's lineage.
עֲנָ֔תAnathproper noun · עֲנָת (H6067)Genitive (construct chain completion)עֲנָת (H6067); the name recalls the Canaanite warrior-goddess Anat, raising the possibility that 'son of Anath' designates a guild or class of warriors (comparable titles occur in Ugaritic texts) rather than a literal father's name.
וַיַּ֤ךְand he struckwaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · נָכָה (H5221)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Shamgar's singular reported featנָכָה (H5221) Hiphil 'to strike, smite'; Shamgar's entire recorded career compressed into one decisive verb.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיַּךְ)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking פְּלִשְׁתִּים as the definite object struck.
פְּלִשְׁתִּים֙the Philistinesgentilic N m pl abs · פְּלִשְׁתִּי (H6430)Direct object of וַיַּךְפְּלִשְׁתִּי (H6430); their first appearance as antagonists in Judges' narrative proper (cf. the pentapolis lords of 3:3), foreshadowing their major role later in the book (Samson).
שֵֽׁשׁsixcardinal number f sg abs · שֵׁשׁ (H8337)Adverbial numeral (with מֵאוֹת: 'six hundred')שֵׁשׁ (H8337) 'six'; combines with מֵאוֹת.
מֵא֣וֹתhundredcardinal number comm pl abs · מֵאָה (H3967)Genitive (construct chain completion: 'six hundred')מֵאָה (H3967) 'hundred'; שֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת, 'six hundred' — a substantial number, especially for an apparently solo feat.
אִ֔ישׁmenN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Genitive (unit counted)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; collective singular after the numeral.
בְּמַלְמַ֖דwith the goad ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · מַלְמָד (H4451)Adverbial (instrument)מַלְמָד (H4451), a hapax legomenon, 'goad, cattle-prod'; construct with הַבָּקָר — an improvised farm implement, not a weapon of war, underscoring the unlikely, almost comic heroism of the feat.
הַבָּקָ֑רthe oxenart + N comm sg abs · בָּקָר (H1241)Genitive (construct chain completion: 'ox-goad')בָּקָר (H1241) 'cattle, oxen'; an everyday farming tool becomes an improbable instrument of deliverance.
וַיֹּ֥שַׁעand he savedwaw-consec + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · יָשַׁע (H3467)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the cycle-formula's deliverance verb, applied even to this minimal accountיָשַׁע (H3467) Hiphil 'to save, deliver'; despite no cry-formula, no Spirit-endowment, and no stated oppression, Shamgar still earns the technical verb of deliverance.
גַּםalsoadverb · גַּם (H1571)Adverbial (inclusive: 'he too')גַּם (H1571) 'also, too'; links Shamgar to the preceding roster of deliverers — he too saved Israel.
ה֖וּאheindependent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (emphatic, resumptive with גַּם)הוּא (H1931); emphatic pronoun reinforcing גַּם — 'he himself also.'
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וַיֹּשַׁע)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יִשְׂרָאֵל as the definite object saved.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Direct object of וַיֹּשַׁעיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant people, delivered by this unlikeliest of instruments and heroes.