Topical Bible: Judge: Shamgar

◄ Judge: Shamgar ►

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Introduction:
Shamgar is a lesser-known figure in the Book of Judges, yet his brief mention in the biblical narrative highlights his significant role as a deliverer of Israel. His account is found in Judges 3:31 and is briefly referenced in Judges 5:6. Despite the scarcity of information, Shamgar's actions demonstrate God's providence and the empowerment of individuals to deliver His people.

Biblical Account:
Shamgar is introduced in Judges 3:31: "After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad. He too saved Israel." This verse succinctly captures Shamgar's heroic deed, emphasizing his role as a savior of Israel during a time of oppression by the Philistines. The oxgoad, a farming implement typically used to drive oxen, becomes a symbol of Shamgar's resourcefulness and divine empowerment, as he uses it to achieve a remarkable victory against overwhelming odds.

Historical and Cultural Context:
The period of the Judges was marked by a cycle of Israel's disobedience, oppression by foreign powers, cries for deliverance, and the rise of judges who acted as leaders and deliverers. Shamgar's mention follows the account of Ehud, another judge who delivered Israel from Moabite oppression. The Philistines, a seafaring people known for their military prowess, were a constant threat to Israel during this era. Shamgar's victory over the Philistines underscores the ongoing struggle between Israel and its neighbors.

Name and Lineage:
Shamgar's name is of uncertain origin, and he is identified as the "son of Anath." The name Anath may refer to a Canaanite deity, suggesting that Shamgar's background might have been outside the traditional Israelite lineage. This detail highlights the diverse backgrounds from which God raised leaders for His people, demonstrating that divine calling transcends cultural and familial boundaries.

Role and Significance:
Though the biblical text provides limited information about Shamgar, his inclusion in the narrative serves several purposes. First, it illustrates the recurring theme of God using unlikely individuals and unconventional means to achieve His purposes. Shamgar's use of an oxgoad, a simple tool, to defeat a formidable enemy, exemplifies God's power working through human weakness.

Second, Shamgar's account is a testament to the faithfulness of God in responding to the cries of His people. Despite Israel's repeated disobedience, God raises up deliverers to rescue them from their oppressors, reaffirming His covenantal commitment to His chosen nation.

Reference in the Song of Deborah:
Shamgar is mentioned again in Judges 5:6, within the Song of Deborah: "In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were deserted, and travelers took byways." This reference situates Shamgar within the broader context of Israel's struggles during the time of the judges, highlighting the insecurity and danger that characterized the period.

Conclusion:
Shamgar's brief but impactful account in the Book of Judges serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His ability to deliver His people through unexpected means. His victory over the Philistines with an oxgoad stands as a testament to the divine empowerment of individuals called to fulfill God's purposes, regardless of their background or the tools at their disposal.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 3:31
And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel.
Nave's Topical Index

Strong's Hebrew

8044. Shamgar -- an Israelite judge
... judge NASB Word Usage Shamgar (2). Shamgar. Of uncertain derivation; Shamgar, an
Israelite judge -- Shamgar. 8043, 8044. Shamgar. 8045 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/8044.htm - 5k

Library

Judges
... apparently reckoned a judge, though he is not called one. Another computation, which
ignored Abimelech, reached the number twelve by adding Shamgar, iii.31 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/judges.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... years, would, doubtless, now be admitted as a thing legal by an impartial judge. ...
Then they showed him the ox's goad wherewith Shamgar slew six hundred men. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the pilgrims progress.htm

Canaan
... So far as we can judge from the evidence of proper names, the Hittites belonged
to ... Shamgar, we are told, one of the earliest of the Judges, slew six hundred of ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter ii canaan.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... But it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they turned back, and dealt more ...
Some of them have left only a name behind them, such as Shamgar, Ibzan, Tola ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... Yet there was, by reason of a fierce flame which issued out and came from before
him, a convenient distance betwixt him and them, as betwixt the judge and the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm