Keraia
People

Eglon

Eglon, king of Moab, oppressed Israel for 18 years until Ehud, a left-handed Benjamite, assassinated him and delivered Israel.
MaleMoabOld Testament1 book11 verses

Summary

A king in Moab living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Judges 3:12; only referred to as Eglon (עֶגְלוֹן).

Events

Dates are approximate

Glossary entries

Eglon (Person)

Alternative names

Mentions

Includes 7 verses that refer to Eglon without naming them, as “he”, “she”, or the subject of a verb.

  1. Judges 3:12
    Once again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD. So He gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD.
  2. Judges 3:13Referred to, not named
    After enlisting the Ammonites and Amalekites to join forces with him, Eglon attacked and defeated Israel, taking possession of the City of Palms.
  3. Judges 3:14
    The Israelites served Eglon king of Moab eighteen years.
  4. Judges 3:15
    And again they cried out to the LORD, and He raised up Ehud son of Gera, a left-handed Benjamite, as their deliverer. So they sent him with tribute to Eglon king of Moab.
  5. Judges 3:17
    …and brought the tribute to Eglon king of Moab, who was an obese man.
  6. Judges 3:19Referred to, not named
    But upon reaching the idols near Gilgal, he himself turned back and said, “I have a secret message for you, O king.” “Silence,” said the king, and all his attendants left him.
  7. Judges 3:20Referred to, not named
    Then Ehud approached him while he was sitting alone in the coolness of his upper room. “I have a word from God for you,” Ehud said, and the king rose from his seat.
  8. Judges 3:21Referred to, not named
    And Ehud reached with his left hand, pulled the sword from his right thigh, and plunged it into Eglon’s belly.
  9. Judges 3:22Referred to, not named
    Even the handle sank in after the blade, and Eglon’s fat closed in over it, so that Ehud did not withdraw the sword from his belly. And Eglon’s bowels emptied.
  10. Judges 3:24Referred to, not named
    After Ehud was gone, Eglon’s servants came in and found the doors of the upper room locked. “He must be relieving himself in the cool room,” they said.
  11. Judges 3:25Referred to, not named
    So they waited until they became worried and saw that he had still not opened the doors of the upper room. Then they took the key and opened the doors—and there was their lord lying dead on the floor.