Judges 3:15
New International Version
Again the Israelites cried out to the LORD, and he gave them a deliverer—Ehud, a left-handed man, the son of Gera the Benjamite. The Israelites sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab.

New Living Translation
But when the people of Israel cried out to the LORD for help, the LORD again raised up a rescuer to save them. His name was Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed man of the tribe of Benjamin. The Israelites sent Ehud to deliver their tribute money to King Eglon of Moab.

English Standard Version
Then the people of Israel cried out to the LORD, and the LORD raised up for them a deliverer, Ehud, the son of Gera, the Benjaminite, a left-handed man. The people of Israel sent tribute by him to Eglon the king of Moab.

Berean Standard Bible
And again they cried out to the LORD, and He raised up Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed Benjamite, as their deliverer. So they sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab.

King James Bible
But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab.

New King James Version
But when the children of Israel cried out to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer for them: Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a left-handed man. By him the children of Israel sent tribute to Eglon king of Moab.

New American Standard Bible
But when the sons of Israel cried out to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer for them, Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjaminite, a left-handed man. And the sons of Israel sent tribute by him to Eglon the king of Moab.

NASB 1995
But when the sons of Israel cried to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer for them, Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a left-handed man. And the sons of Israel sent tribute by him to Eglon the king of Moab.

NASB 1977
But when the sons of Israel cried to the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer for them, Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a left-handed man. And the sons of Israel sent tribute by him to Eglon the king of Moab.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the sons of Israel cried to Yahweh, and Yahweh raised up a savior for them, Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a left-handed man. And the sons of Israel sent tribute by his hand to Eglon the king of Moab.

Amplified Bible
But when the Israelites cried out to the LORD [for help], the LORD raised up a man to rescue them, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a left-handed man. And the Israelites sent a gift of tribute by him to Eglon king of Moab.

Christian Standard Bible
Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD, and he raised up Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed Benjaminite, as a deliverer for them. The Israelites sent him with the tribute for King Eglon of Moab.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD, and He raised up Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed Benjaminite, as a deliverer for them. The Israelites sent him to Eglon king of Moab with tribute money.

American Standard Version
But when the children of Israel cried unto Jehovah, Jehovah raised them up a saviour, Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a man left-handed. And the children of Israel sent tribute by him unto Eglon the king of Moab.

English Revised Version
But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a saviour, Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and the children of Israel sent a present by him unto Eglon the king of Moab.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the people of Israel cried out to the LORD for help. The LORD sent a savior to rescue them. It was Ehud, a left-handed man from the tribe of Benjamin. (Ehud was the son of Gera.) The people sent him with their tax payment to King Eglon of Moab.

Good News Translation
Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD, and he sent someone to free them. This was Ehud, a left-handed man, who was the son of Gera, from the tribe of Benjamin. The people of Israel sent Ehud to King Eglon of Moab with gifts for him.

International Standard Version
But when the Israelis cried out to the LORD, the LORD raised up Gera's son Ehud, a left-handed descendant of Benjamin, as a deliverer for them. The Israelis paid tribute through him to king Eglon of Moab.

Majority Standard Bible
And again they cried out to the LORD, and He raised up Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed Benjamite, as their deliverer. So they sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab.

NET Bible
When the Israelites cried out for help to the LORD, he raised up a deliverer for them. His name was Ehud son of Gera the Benjaminite, a left-handed man. The Israelites sent him to King Eglon of Moab with their tribute payment.

New Heart English Bible
But when the children of Israel cried to the LORD, the LORD raised them up a savior, Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a man left-handed. The children of Israel sent tribute by him to Eglon the king of Moab.

Webster's Bible Translation
But when the children of Israel cried to the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjaminite, a man left-handed: and by him the children of Israel sent a present to Eglon king of Moab.

World English Bible
But when the children of Israel cried to Yahweh, Yahweh raised up a savior for them: Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a left-handed man. The children of Israel sent tribute by him to Eglon the king of Moab.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the sons of Israel cry to YHWH, and YHWH raises a savior to them, Ehud son of Gera, a Benjamite (a man [with] his right hand bound), and the sons of Israel send a present by his hand to Eglon king of Moab;

Young's Literal Translation
And the sons of Israel cry unto Jehovah, and Jehovah raiseth to them a saviour, Ehud son of Gera, a Benjamite (a man -- shut of his right hand), and the sons of Israel send by his hand a present to Eglon king of Moab;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the sons of Israel will cry to Jehovah, and Jehovah will raise up to them a saviour, Ehud, son of Gera, son of a Benjamite, a man shut up of his right hand: and the sons of Israel will send a gift by his hand to Eglon, king of Moab.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And afterwards they cried to the Lord, who raised them up a saviour called Aod, the son of Gera, the son of Jemini, who used the left hand as well as the right. And the children of Israel sent presents to Eglon king of Moab by him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And afterward, they cried out to the Lord, who raised up for them a savior, called Ehud, the son of Gera, the son of Benjamin, who used either hand as well as the right hand. And the sons of Israel sent gifts to Eglon, the king of Moab, by him.

New American Bible
But when the Israelites cried out to the LORD, he raised up for them a savior, Ehud, son of Gera, a Benjaminite who was left-handed. The Israelites would send their tribute to Eglon, king of Moab, by him.

New Revised Standard Version
But when the Israelites cried out to the LORD, the LORD raised up for them a deliverer, Ehud son of Gera, the Benjaminite, a left-handed man. The Israelites sent tribute by him to King Eglon of Moab.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But when the children of Israel cried to the LORD, the LORD raised up for them a deliverer, Ehur the son of Gera, of the tribe of Benjamin, a man whose right hand was crippled, and the children of Israel sent a present by him to Eglon the king of Moab.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the children of Israel called LORD JEHOVAH, and LORD JEHOVAH raised up for them a Savior, Ahor, son of Gara, from the tribe of Benyamin, a man whose right hand was crippled, and the children of Israel sent a gift by his hand to Eglun, King of Moab
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a saviour, Ehud the son of Gera, the Benjamite, a man left-handed; and the children of Israel sent a present by him unto Eglon the king of Moab.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the children of Israel cried to the Lord; and he raised up to them a saviour, Aod the son of Gera a son of Jemeni, a man who used both hands alike: and the children of Israel sent gifts by his hand to Eglom king of Moab.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Ehud
14The Israelites served Eglon king of Moab eighteen years. 15And again they cried out to the LORD, and He raised up Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed Benjamite, as their deliverer. So they sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab. 16Now Ehud had made for himself a double-edged sword a cubit long. He strapped it to his right thigh under his cloak…

Cross References
Judges 2:16
Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them from the hands of those who plundered them.

Judges 4:1-3
After Ehud died, the Israelites again did evil in the sight of the LORD. / So the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his forces was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-hagoyim. / Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD, because Jabin had nine hundred chariots of iron, and he had harshly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years.

Judges 6:11-14
Then the angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. / And the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon and said, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.” / “Please, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all His wonders of which our fathers told us, saying, ‘Has not the LORD brought us up out of Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hand of Midian.” ...

Judges 10:10-16
Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD, saying, “We have sinned against You, for we have indeed forsaken our God and served the Baals.” / The LORD replied, “When the Egyptians, Amorites, Ammonites, Philistines, / Sidonians, Amalekites, and Maonites oppressed you and you cried out to Me, did I not save you from their hands? ...

Judges 11:29
Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh, then through Mizpah of Gilead. And from there he advanced against the Ammonites.

Judges 13:1
Again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD, so He delivered them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years.

1 Samuel 12:10-11
Then they cried out to the LORD and said, ‘We have sinned, for we have forsaken the LORD and served the Baals and Ashtoreths. Now deliver us from the hands of our enemies, that we may serve You.’ / So the LORD sent Jerubbaal, Barak, Jephthah, and Samuel, and He delivered you from the hands of your enemies on every side, and you dwelt securely.

2 Kings 13:4-5
Then Jehoahaz sought the favor of the LORD, and the LORD listened to him because He saw the oppression that the king of Aram had inflicted on Israel. / So the LORD gave Israel a deliverer, and they escaped the power of the Arameans. Then the people of Israel lived in their own homes as they had before.

Nehemiah 9:27
So You delivered them into the hands of enemies who oppressed them, and in their time of distress they cried out to You. From heaven You heard them, and in Your great compassion You gave them deliverers who saved them from the hands of their enemies.

Psalm 106:44-45
Nevertheless He heard their cry; He took note of their distress. / And He remembered His covenant with them, and relented by the abundance of His loving devotion.

Isaiah 19:20
It will be a sign and a witness to the LORD of Hosts in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the LORD because of their oppressors, He will send them a savior and defender to rescue them.

Acts 13:20
All this took about 450 years. After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet.

Hebrews 11:32-34
And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets, / who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, / quenched the raging fire, and escaped the edge of the sword; who gained strength from weakness, became mighty in battle, and put foreign armies to flight.

Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.

1 Corinthians 10:11
Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.


Treasury of Scripture

But when the children of Israel cried to the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man left handed: and by him the children of Israel sent a present to Eglon the king of Moab.

Judges 3:9
And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother.

Psalm 50:15
And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Psalm 78:34
When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and inquired early after God.

a Benjamite, or the son of Jemini.

Judges 20:16
Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded; every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss.

1 Chronicles 12:2
They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul's brethren of Benjamin.

sent a present

1 Samuel 10:27
But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.

Proverbs 18:16
A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

Proverbs 19:6
Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

Jump to Previous
Benjamite Children Cried Deliverer Eglon Ehud Israel Left-Handed Moab Present Raised Savior Saviour Tribute
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Benjamite Children Cried Deliverer Eglon Ehud Israel Left-Handed Moab Present Raised Savior Saviour Tribute
Judges 3
1. The nations which were left to prove Israel
5. By communion with them they commit idolatry
8. Othniel delivered them from Chushan-Rishathaim
12. Ehud from Eglon
31. and Shamgar from the Philistines














Again the Israelites cried out to the LORD
This phrase indicates a recurring pattern in the Book of Judges, where the Israelites repeatedly fall into sin, face oppression, and then cry out to God for deliverance. The Hebrew root for "cried out" (זָעַק, za'aq) conveys a deep, desperate plea for help, reflecting the Israelites' recognition of their need for divine intervention. This cycle underscores the theme of human frailty and the necessity of reliance on God, reminding believers of the importance of repentance and seeking God's mercy.

and He raised up Ehud son of Gera
The phrase "raised up" (קוּם, qum) signifies God's sovereign action in appointing a deliverer for His people. Ehud, whose name means "united" or "strong," is chosen by God to lead Israel out of oppression. This highlights the divine initiative in salvation history, where God actively intervenes to rescue His people, often using unexpected individuals to fulfill His purposes.

a left-handed Benjaminite
The mention of Ehud being "left-handed" (אִטֵּר יַד־יְמִינוֹ, iter yad-yemino) is significant, as it was considered unusual and even disadvantageous in ancient times. However, God uses Ehud's unique trait to accomplish His plan, demonstrating that He can use what the world sees as weaknesses for His glory. The tribe of Benjamin, meaning "son of the right hand," ironically produces a left-handed deliverer, showcasing God's ability to work beyond human expectations.

as their deliverer
The term "deliverer" (מוֹשִׁיעַ, moshi'a) is a key concept in the Book of Judges, referring to one who brings salvation or rescue. Ehud's role as a deliverer prefigures the ultimate deliverance found in Jesus Christ, who delivers humanity from sin and death. This foreshadows the greater salvation narrative within the Bible, where God continually raises up deliverers to point to the ultimate Deliverer.

The Israelites sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab
The act of sending tribute (מִנְחָה, minchah) to Eglon signifies Israel's subjugation and humiliation under Moabite rule. Eglon, whose name means "calf" or "round," symbolizes the oppressive foreign powers that dominate Israel due to their disobedience. This historical context emphasizes the consequences of turning away from God and the need for divine deliverance. The tribute mission becomes the setting for Ehud's cunning plan to liberate Israel, illustrating how God can use ordinary circumstances to achieve extraordinary outcomes.

(15) Ehud the son of Gera.--In Genesis 46:21 Gera is a son of Benjamin; in 1Chronicles 8:3 he is a son of Bela, son of Benjamin. The name Gera was hereditary in the tribe of Benjamin (see 2Samuel 19:18; 1Chronicles 8:1-7), and the Jews so constantly omit steps in their genealogies that we can never be sure that "son" means more than "descendant." Ehud seems to be another form of Abihud (1Chronicles 8:1-8). St. Jerome explains it to mean "one who praises "or "is praised." Josephus calls him a young man, and even "a youth" (neaniskos).

A Benjamite.--"Ben-ha-jemini," as in Psalm 7:1. The word is generally written undivided, so that here the LXX., Vulgate, and Luther have "son of Jemini." No doubt the Syriac, Arabic, and Chaldee rightly understood it to mean a Benjamite, but still there seems to be an intentional play on words, for "Ben-ha-jemini" may also mean "a son of the right hand, who," as the writer adds, "was helpless with his right hand" (Ben-ha-jemini eesh itter jad-jemini). . . .

Verse 15. - Left-handed. It was a peculiarity of the warriors of the tribe of Benjamin to be left-handed (see Judges 20:16; 1 Chronicles 12:2). A left-handed man wearing no sword or dagger on his left side, and using his right hand for other purposes, would naturally throw a man off his guard. Thus Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him, and then smote him with the sword in his left hand (2 Samuel 20:10). A deliverer. Hebrew, a saviour (ver. 9). A present, i.e. their tribute.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And again [they]
בְנֵֽי־ (ḇə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

cried out
וַיִּזְעֲק֣וּ (way·yiz·‘ă·qū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2199: To shriek, to announce, convene publicly

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the LORD,
יְהוָה֒ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

and He
יְהוָ֨ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

raised up
וַיָּקֶם֩ (way·yā·qem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

Ehud
אֵה֤וּד (’ê·hūḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 164: Ehud -- the name of several Israelites

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Gera,
גֵּרָא֙ (gê·rā)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1617: Gera -- the name of several Israelites, also a Benjamite family

a left-handed
אִטֵּ֖ר (’iṭ·ṭêr)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 334: Shut up, impeded

Benjamite,
בְנֵי־ (ḇə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

as their deliverer.
מוֹשִׁ֗יעַ (mō·wō·šî·a‘)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3467: To be open, wide, free, to be safe, to free, succor

So [they]
יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

sent
וַיִּשְׁלְח֨וּ (way·yiš·lə·ḥū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

him
בְּיָדוֹ֙ (bə·yā·ḏōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

with tribute
מִנְחָ֔ה (min·ḥāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4503: A donation, tribute, a sacrificial offering

to Eglon
לְעֶגְל֖וֹן (lə·‘eḡ·lō·wn)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5700: Eglon -- a king of Moab, also a city in Israel

king
מֶ֥לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Moab.
מוֹאָֽב׃ (mō·w·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4124: Moab -- a son of Lot,also his descendants and the territory where they settled


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OT History: Judges 3:15 But when the children of Israel cried (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 3:14
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