21 Ehud reached with his left hand, drew the sword from his right thigh and plunged it into the king's belly.

Other Translations of Judges 3:21

King James Version

21 And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly:

English Standard Version

21 And Ehud reached with his left hand, took the sword from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly.

The Message

21 Ehud reached with his left hand and took his sword from his right thigh and plunged it into the king's big belly.

New King James Version

21 Then Ehud reached with his left hand, took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly.

New Living Translation

21 Ehud reached with his left hand, pulled out the dagger strapped to his right thigh, and plunged it into the king's belly.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Judges 3:21

Commentary on Judges 3:12-30

(Read Judges 3:12-30)

When Israel sins again, God raises up a new oppressor. The Israelites did ill, and the Moabites did worse; yet because God punishes the sins of his own people in this world, Israel is weakened, and Moab strengthened against them. If lesser troubles do not do the work, God will send greater. When Israel prays again, God raises up Ehud. As a judge, or minister of Divine justice, Ehud put to death Eglon, the king of Moab, and thus executed the judgments of God upon him as an enemy to God and Israel. But the law of being subject to principalities and powers in all things lawful, is the rule of our conduct. No such commissions are now given; to pretend to them is to blaspheme God. Notice Ehud's address to Eglon. What message from God but a message of vengeance can a proud rebel expect? Such a message is contained in the word of God; his ministers are boldly to declare it, without fearing the frown, or respecting the persons of sinners. But, blessed be God, they have to deliver a message of mercy and of free salvation; the message of vengeance belongs only to those who neglect the offers of grace. The consequence of this victory was, that the land had rest eighty years. It was a great while for the land to rest; yet what is that to the saints' everlasting rest in the heavenly Canaan.