Judges 3:17

17 Then he took the gifts to Eglon, who was a very fat man.

Judges 3:17 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 3:17

And he brought a present unto Eglon king of Moab
Accompanied by two servants, as Josephus says ^F2, and who doubtless bore the presents; for that there were such with him that did is clear from ( Judges 3:18 ) ; nor can it be thought that so great a personage as a judge in Israel should go alone and carry a present in his own hands; though it is possible, when come to the king of Moab, he might take it from his servants, and deliver it to him with his own hands:

and Eglon [was] a very fat man:
and so the less active, and unable to decline and avoid the stroke, he might see, when about to be given him.

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FOOTNOTES:

F2 Antiqu. l. 5. c. 4. sect. 2.

Judges 3:17 In-Context

15 Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord, and he sent someone to free them. This was Ehud, a left-handed man, who was the son of Gera, from the tribe of Benjamin. The people of Israel sent Ehud to King Eglon of Moab with gifts for him.

16 Ehud had made himself a double-edged sword about a foot and a half long. He had it fastened on his right side under his clothes.

17 Then he took the gifts to Eglon, who was a very fat man.

18 When Ehud had given him the gifts, he told the men who had carried them to go back home.

19 But Ehud himself turned back at the carved stones near Gilgal, went back to Eglon, and said, "Your Majesty, I have a secret message for you." So the king ordered his servants, "Leave us alone!" And they all went out.