BibleWord.ai› Bible› Judges› Chapter 3› Verse 22

Judges 3:22

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Judges 3:22 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the blade, for he drew not the sword out of his body; and it came out behind.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the blade, for he drew not the sword out of his body; and it came out behind.
Judges 3:22 — American Standard Version

Context — Judges 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19But he himself turned back from the quarries that were by Gilgal, and said, I have a secret errand unto thee, O king. And he said, Keep silence. And all that stood by him went out from him.
20And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting by himself alone in the cool upper room. And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto thee. And he arose out of his seat.
21And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the sword from his right thigh, and thrust it into his body:
22and the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the blade, for he drew not the sword out of his body; and it came out behind.
23Then Ehud went forth into the porch, and shut the doors of the upper room upon him, and locked them.
24Now when he was gone out, his servants came; and they saw, and, behold, the doors of the upper room were locked; and they said, Surely he is covering his feet in the upper chamber.
25And they tarried till they were ashamed; and, behold, he opened not the doors of the upper room: therefore they took the key, and opened [them], and, behold, their lord was fallen down dead on the earth.
← Judges 3:21Judges 3:23 →
← Full Chapter 3 Judges Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the haft went in, after the blade, etc.] The handle of the dagger, as well as the blade; so strong and violent was the thrust, he determining to do his business effectually; and the fat closed upon the blade; being an excessive fat man, the wound made by the dagger closed up at once upon it, through the fat: so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly; being not able to take hold of the haft or handle, that having slipped in through the fat after the blade, so that he was obliged to leave it in him: and the dirt came out; the margin of our Bibles is, “it came out at the fundament”; that is, the dagger did, the thrust being so strong and vehement; but that is not so likely, the…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The King James Version and margin give different explanations of the last words of this verse. Others explain it of a vestibule or chamber, through which Ehud passed into the porch where the entrance doors were. He locked the doors, took the key with him; and then retired through the midst of the attendants below (or: more probably, through the door which communicated directly with the outside). return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the dirt came out: or, it came out at the fundament, Jdg 3:22 Judges 3:24”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Judges 3 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification