Judges 3:23

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Judges 3:23 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then Ehud went forth into the porch, and shut the doors of the upper room upon him, and locked them.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then Ehud went forth into the porch, and shut the doors of the upper room upon him, and locked them.
Judges 3:23 — American Standard Version

Context — Judges 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
23Then Ehud went forth into the porch, and shut the doors of the upper room upon him, and locked them.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then Ehud went forth through the porch, etc.] Which the Targum interprets by “exedra”, a place, as Kimchi, where there were many seats, either for the people to sit in while waiting to have admittance into the presence of the king, or where the guards sat, and may be called the guard room; through this Ehud passed with all serenity and composure of mind imaginable, without the least show of distress and uneasiness in his countenance, being fully satisfied that what he had done was right, and according to the will of God: and shut the doors of the parlour upon him, and locked them; joined the doors of the parlour, as the Targum, the two folds of the door, shut them close together upon Eglon…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Went forth - With a composed countenance and gait, being well assured, that God, who by his extraordinary call had put him upon that enterprise, would by his special providence carry him through it. Upon him - Upon or after himself. Locked them - Either pulling it close after him, as we do when doors have spring locks; or taking the key with him. Judges 3:24”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“As soon as the deed was accomplished, Ehud went out into the porch or front hall, shut the door of the room behind him (בּעדו, not behind himself, but literally round him, i.e., Eglon; cf. Gen 7:16; Kg2 4:4) and bolted it (this is only added as a more precise explanation of the previous verb). Judges 3:24”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification