Ehud

Technical Profile

• Name Meaning: Hebrew ’Ehûd; meaning uncertain, likely a personal name without clear etymology
• Period/Era: Divided Kingdom (era of the Judges, pre-monarchy)
• Main References: Judges 3:12–30
• Key Connections: Tribe of Benjamin; Israel under oppression by Moab; Moabite king Eglon

Who was Ehud?

Ehud was a Benjamite raised up as a deliverer during Israel’s oppression by Moab.
He is described as left-handed and was sent by Israel to deliver tribute to King Eglon.
After killing Eglon, he organized Israel to strike Moab and secure relief from foreign rule.

Key Events & Achievements

• Event 1: Delivered Israel’s tribute to Eglon while carrying a concealed double-edged sword (Judges 3:15–18).
• Event 2: Assassinated Eglon in his upper room and escaped to the hill country of Ephraim (Judges 3:19–26).
• Event 3: Led Israel to seize the fords of the Jordan and defeat Moab, resulting in prolonged rest for the land (Judges 3:27–30).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Ehud’s account portrays deliverance in Israel’s judges era through decisive leadership in a time of national oppression.

Key Verse

"And the land had rest for eighty years." — Judges 3:30, ESV