Shamgar
Summary
A judge of Israel, son of Anath, who delivered Israel from Philistine oppression by single-handedly killing six hundred Philistines with an ox goad.
☩Historical Context
Shamgar lived during one of Israel's darkest periods of subjugation, following the judge Ehud and preceding Deborah and Barak. The Song of Deborah describes conditions during his time: highways were abandoned, travelers took dangerous byways, and villages were forsaken for walled towns. The oppressors had apparently disarmed Israel of swords and spears, a tactic later repeated by the Philistines.
☩The Exploit
Shamgar's recorded deed was striking down six hundred Philistines using only an ox goad—the long iron-pointed staff used to drive oxen while plowing. This improvised weapon, measuring eight feet or more, was his only available armament due to Israel's disarmament. He likely rallied nearby farmers when he spotted a Philistine raiding party, using surprise and ferocity to overcome superior numbers.
☩Limited Impact
Though Shamgar 'saved Israel,' his deliverance appears to have been partial and transient. He is not expressly called a judge, and the next period of Israel's apostasy is dated from Ehud's rather than Shamgar's time, suggesting his effort was too occasional to form an epoch in the history. Josephus records that his judgeship lasted less than one year. Nevertheless, his act of faith prepared the way for the more decisive victory of Deborah and Barak.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Shamgar," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Shamgar," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Shamgar," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).