In brief
Shamgar, son of Anath, is one of the judges of Israel, in the troubled period after the conquest of Canaan. He takes up only one verse: after Ehud, he struck down six hundred Philistines with an ox goad, a simple farm tool, and he too saved Israel. The song of Deborah recalls that in his day the highways were abandoned. He is remembered as proof that God can deliver his people with few resources and through little-known people.
What does the name Shamgar mean?
The origin of the name Shamgar is uncertain and it does not seem to be Hebrew; some link it to a language neighboring Canaan. His father is called Anath, a name also borne by a Canaanite deity or a locality, though the Bible draws no conclusion from this (Judges 3:31).
The story of Shamgar
A time of threat and insecurity
Judges 5:6The song of Deborah describes the era of Shamgar: in the days of Shamgar, son of Anath, and in the days of Jael, the highways were abandoned, and travelers took winding paths. The land lives in insecurity, travelers hide and enemies weigh on Israel. It is in this context that God raises up deliverers.
A deliverer after Ehud
Judges 3:31The book of Judges places Shamgar right after Ehud, who had delivered Israel from the Moabites. The text simply says that after him came Shamgar, son of Anath. No detail is given about his tribe, his family or how long he served. His presence reminds us that God never stops caring for his people from one generation to the next.
Six hundred Philistines and an ox goad
Judges 3:31Shamgar struck down six hundred Philistines with an ox goad. The goad was a long pointed stick used to drive plow animals. It was not a weapon of war. The text concludes that he too saved Israel. Victory does not come from equipment but from God who delivers.
What Shamgar teaches us
- God can use what we already have in hand, even a simple work tool, to accomplish his deliverance.
- One verse is enough for God to honor a faithful servant: the value of a life is not measured by fame.
- The victories of God's people do not depend on the strength of weapons but on the power of the Lord.
- In times of insecurity, God keeps raising up people who stand up to protect and serve others.
Key verses
Shamgar struck down six hundred Philistines with an ox goad and he too saved Israel. God accomplishes great things with modest means.
In the days of Shamgar, the highways were abandoned. This verse shows the climate of fear in which God raises up judges to restore his people.
Frequently asked questions
Why did God use Shamgar?
The Bible gives no particular reason. It presents him as a deliverer of Israel raised up in a time of threat (Judges 3:31). His weapon, an ox goad, shows that deliverance comes from God and not from human power or equipment.
What does the name Shamgar mean?
The meaning of the name Shamgar is uncertain; it does not appear to be of Hebrew origin and may come from a neighboring language. His father is named Anath. The Bible comments on neither; it is mainly interested in the deliverance God brought through him.
Where can I find the story of Shamgar in the Bible?
Shamgar is mentioned twice in the book of Judges: in Judges 3:31, which reports his victory over six hundred Philistines, and in Judges 5:6, in the song of Deborah, which describes the insecurity of his time.