Who was Eglon in the Bible?

Eglon was the king of Moab who, with the help of the Ammonites and Amalekites, conquered and oppressed the Israelites for 18 years. He is a key figure in the Book of Judges, representing a period of Israel's disobedience and subsequent judgment.

How did Eglon die in the Bible?

Eglon was assassinated by Ehud, a left-handed Israelite judge, who delivered a fatal blow with a concealed sword. This act, detailed in Judges 3:21-22, led to Israel's victory over Moab and ended their 18-year oppression.

What is the significance of Eglon's story?

Eglon's story illustrates the cyclical pattern in Judges: Israel sins, God allows oppression (by rulers like Eglon), Israel cries out, and God raises a deliverer (like Ehud). It shows God's faithfulness in responding to repentance, even through unconventional means.

Eglon

Old TestamentMaleKing

Eglon, king of Moab, oppressed Israel for 18 years until Ehud, a left-handed Benjamite, assassinated him and delivered Israel. (Jdg.3.12,14,15,17,17)

Eglon

Biography

Eglon was the king of Moab who, with the support of the Ammonites and Amalekites, crossed the Jordan River and seized the "City of Palms", Jericho, subjecting Israel to eighteen years of oppression during the period of the Judges (Judges 3:12-14). God raised him up as an instrument of discipline against an Israel that had again abandoned covenant faithfulness. Eglon is described as a very fat man, a detail that becomes significant in the narrative of his assassination. Israel's deliverance came through Ehud, a left-handed Benjamite, who crafted a double-edged dagger and concealed it beneath his garment on his right thigh, gained a private audience with Eglon under the pretense of a secret message, and killed him (Judges 3:15-22). His death signaled the collapse of Moabite power over Israel.

Significance

Eglon's narrative in Judges 3 serves a dual theological function. First, his rise to power over Israel illustrates the Deuteronomic cycle's inexorable pattern: Israel's sin leads to servitude, suffering prompts repentance, and God raises a deliverer. Second, his dramatic assassination at the hands of the underestimated, left-handed Ehud exemplifies a recurring biblical theme: God's deliverance often comes through unexpected, even unconventional agents. Eglon stands as a type of the oppressive powers that God consistently overthrows on behalf of his covenant people. His story also reinforces that no earthly power, however dominant, can ultimately prevail against the God of Israel when his people cry out to him in genuine repentance.

Authority Records

Wikidata VIAF GND

Verse Appearances (4)

Judg

Judg 3:12 Judg 3:14 Judg 3:15 Judg 3:17

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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