Shamgar was the third judge of Israel. Shamgar was one of the “minor” judges. But the distinction between “major” and “minor” is due more to the lack of information about the “minor” judges than to the lesser importance of the individuals themselves.
Judges 3:31
- He was succeeded by Shamgar, the son of Anath. He killed six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad, and he delivered Israel.
Shamgar killed more than 600 Philistines with an oxgoad. These Philistines were terrorizing the main travel routes. He did this with an oxgoad.
An oxgoad means an instrument of learning. It was used to teach the oxen where to go. It was long and pointed. Sometimes it had a metal tip. It was used to drive animals.
Shamgar is mentioned in the song of Deborah.
Judges 5:6-7
In the days of Shamgar, the son of Anath,
in the days of Jael,
the highways were deserted,
travelers took winding paths.
Village life ceased in Israel,
it ceased until I, Deborah,
until I rose up as mother in Israel.
Shamgar
- Strong’s H8044 – šamgar
- Outline of Biblical Usage
- Shamgar = “sword”
- son of Anath and a judge of Israel; with an ox-goad he slew 600 Philistines and delivered Israel
- Strong’s Definitions
- שַׁמְגַּר Shamgar, sham-gar’; of uncertain derivation; Shamgar, an Israelite judge:—Shamgar.
- Outline of Biblical Usage
Anath
- Strong’s H6067 – ʿănāṯ
- Outline of Biblical Usage
- Anath = “answer”
- father of Shamgar
- Strong’s Definitions
- עֲנָת ʻĂnâth, an-awth’; from H6030; answer; Anath, an Israelite:—Anath.
- Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon
- Outline of Biblical Usage
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