This verse, Judges 3:29, is describing a decisive victory by the Israelites over the Moabites under the leadership of Ehud. Let's break down what it means:
"They struck at that time about ten thousand men of Moab...": This indicates a large-scale military defeat for the Moabites. The number "ten thousand" is often used in the Bible to represent a large, but not necessarily precise, number.
"...every strong man, and every man of valor.": This phrase is significant. It emphasizes that the Israelite attack wasn't just targeting ordinary soldiers. They were specifically targeting and defeating the elite warriors, the most skilled and powerful men of the Moabite army. This suggests a strategically planned and executed attack aimed at crippling Moab's military strength.
"No man escaped.": This is a hyperbolic statement meant to convey the totality of the victory. It means that the defeat was complete and devastating. Very few, if any, Moabite soldiers survived the battle.
In essence, the verse is saying that the Israelites launched a highly successful attack, specifically targeting and eliminating the best Moabite soldiers, resulting in a crushing defeat from which the Moabites could not recover quickly.
Context is Important:
To fully understand the significance of this verse, you need to consider the surrounding narrative in Judges 3:
The Israelites had been under Moabite oppression because they had turned away from God.
Ehud, a left-handed Benjamite, was chosen by God to deliver them.
Ehud assassinated the Moabite king, Eglon, with a clever trick.
This assassination served as a signal for the Israelites to attack.
Therefore, Judges 3:29 is the culmination of Ehud's plan and the Israelite uprising. It's the moment of liberation from Moabite rule, achieved through a divinely ordained victory. It highlights God's intervention in delivering his people when they repent and call out to Him. It also establishes Ehud as a judge and deliverer of Israel.
This verse, Judges 3:29, is describing a decisive victory by the Israelites over the Moabites under the leadership of Ehud. Let's break down what it means:
"They struck at that time about ten thousand men of Moab...": This indicates a large-scale military defeat for the Moabites. The number "ten thousand" is often used in the Bible to represent a large, but not necessarily precise, number.
"...every strong man, and every man of valor.": This phrase is significant. It emphasizes that the Israelite attack wasn't just targeting ordinary soldiers. They were specifically targeting and defeating the elite warriors, the most skilled and powerful men of the Moabite army. This suggests a strategically planned and executed attack aimed at crippling Moab's military strength.
"No man escaped.": This is a hyperbolic statement meant to convey the totality of the victory. It means that the defeat was complete and devastating. Very few, if any, Moabite soldiers survived the battle.
In essence, the verse is saying that the Israelites launched a highly successful attack, specifically targeting and eliminating the best Moabite soldiers, resulting in a crushing defeat from which the Moabites could not recover quickly.
Context is Important:
To fully understand the significance of this verse, you need to consider the surrounding narrative in Judges 3:
The Israelites had been under Moabite oppression because they had turned away from God.
Ehud, a left-handed Benjamite, was chosen by God to deliver them.
Ehud assassinated the Moabite king, Eglon, with a clever trick.
This assassination served as a signal for the Israelites to attack.
Therefore, Judges 3:29 is the culmination of Ehud's plan and the Israelite uprising. It's the moment of liberation from Moabite rule, achieved through a divinely ordained victory. It highlights God's intervention in delivering his people when they repent and call out to Him. It also establishes Ehud as a judge and deliverer of Israel.