Judges 3:31

Shamgar

³¹ After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who killed 600 of the Philistines with an oxgoad, and he also saved Israel.

This passage in Judges 3:31 is loaded with rich truths, which, at first, seem to be as hidden and obscure as the man Shamgar is. Josephus, the Jewish Historian, said that Jewish traditions say that Shamgar died the very year he began his rule, thus making the historical narrative short. For example, we do not know what tribe he is from, nor do we know if he was a judge or a leader. We do know Shamagar is the son of Anath, killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad, and saved Israel. That is all we see on the surface. However, as we digger deeper, more truths and understandings are revealed, like peeling back the different layers of an onion.

First, we must consider the placement of Shamgar in the listing of judges. Othniel, from the tribe of Judah, was first. Othniel’s grandfather was a Kenite, one of the people living in Canaan during the time of Abraham. Othniel comes from a line of men with great strength and valor. For example, Othniel’s uncle and father-in-law was Caleb, the man of God who stood fast with Joshua, when they were spies in the land of Canaan after the exodus. After Israel wandered for forty years in the wilderness, Caleb entered the land of Canaan when he was 85 years old, strong and fit as a 45-year-old man (Joshua 14:7-14). Joshua gave Caleb the inheritance that Moses promised him. Ehud, the second judge from Israel, was from the tribe of Benjamine. He was a left-handed man who defeated the king of Moab. Ehud led an army of Ephraimites against Moab, and set the Israelites free. Shamgar, on the other, is a mystery, and very little is known about him. While the tribes of Judah and Benjamine are competing tribes to run Israel’s monarchy, if, in fact, the purpose and time of writing the Book of Judges are to ensure the Davidic kingdom for David and for future generations, as some scholars claim. The placement of the tribeless Shamgar seems to be more purposeful and strategic. It’s as if the writers inspired by the Holy Spirit were placing a pause button so readers can ponder and meditate on what was presented thus far. Additionally, the pause places an emphasis on the first two judges before introducing the other judges from the other tribes and having a more elaborate historical narrative. So, now we consider Shamgar.

The name Shamgar is not of Hebrew origin. The meaning is ‘called or named a stranger.’ It is interesting to note that the root words that construct the name Shamgar are the same for Moses’ first son, Gershom, but in a flipped order. The name Gershom means “a stranger there” in Hebrew, ( גר שם‎ ger sham). Moses named his son Gershom because he was a stranger living in the land of Midian. Scholars have proposed that Shamgar is a foreigner, probably of Hittite origin. He may have been one of the foreigners that lived among the Israelites because the Israelites disobeyed God and did not drive out the inhabitants. However, for Shamgar, ‘called or named a stranger,’ must have served and worshipped the one true God like Jephunnah, the Kenite did. God used Shamgard to defeat the Philistines and save Israel. God, the Holy Spirit, inspired the writers to enter Shamgard’s account into this divine revelation of truth, in the Book of Judges.

Additionally, Shamgar was the son of Anath. This is also interesting and has a significant meaning. Anath is one of the many Canaanite gods. Some have proposed that this description of Shamgar being the son of Anath is used to support the fact that Shamgar was not a Hebrew at all. Other scholars have said that Anath (Beth-Anath) is also a known city name in the upper region of Israel, in the Galilee area. The Biblical facts that must be studied and reconciled are: the Philistines lived in the southern regions of Judah (remember they were Saul’s and David’s enemies during their reigns). However, the city of Beth-Anath, is in the north. Nevertheless, a great man of courage who was able to save Israel had to have influence in all areas. Additionally, Othniel and Ehud were chosen by God because the kings of foreign enemies suppressed Israel (e.g., Cushan-Rishathaim king of Mesopotamia, and Eglon king of Moab). Shamgar, on the other hand, defeated the Philistines, even though no mention is made of their foreign king. It is also interesting to note that Shamgar was a contemporary of Deborah, who judged Israel from Ephraim. Deborah mentions Shamgar by name in her song, the Song of Deborah, in Judges 5:6, “In the days of Shamgar, son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were abandoned, and travelers kept to the byways.” Shamgar, the victor who saved Israel from the Philistines in the south, may also be a native son from the city of Anath in the north.

Shamgar’s conquest was noble. He killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad, a pointed stick about 8 to 10 feet long, used to poke and keep the oxen moving as they plowed the fields. This is similar to Samson who killed the 3,000 Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey. Both feats were victorious and brought both men honor. The interesting point in this is the obscurity of Shamgar and the humble, yet noble instrument he used, the ox goad. Shamgar, the man named a stranger, defeated the Philistines and saved Israel. Used the ox goad as his weapon.

In application, we do not have to be people who are well known with pomp and circumstance, having the limelight and receiving honor because of who we are. God despises the proud but gives grace to the humble. This is an encouragement to us. We can be unknown, a person called a stranger by all but not by God. Though very few people know anything about us, we may be overlooked, and sometimes rejected because we have no legitimate birthright. Yet, because we are chosen and called by God, we have a purpose and our birthright is sure: we are born again as a child of God. As we walk in obedience by faith, we are victorious, by God’s might only!

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My Jesus, my loving Savior, I praise and worship You for Your great awesomeness and wonder. Holy thou art! Lord, I am just a humble servant, I am poor and despised. Lord, give me purpose to stand and work in your kingdom. Help me to be bold for Your name’s sake. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, amen!

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Only a Sinner Saved by Grace, by James M. Grey in 1905