Shamgar שַׁמְגַּר
Judge of Israel who killed 600 Philistines
Who is Shamgar in the Bible?
Shamgar, the son of Anath, was a judge of Israel who delivered the nation from Philistine oppression by killing 600 Philistines with an oxgoad, a long stick used for driving cattle (Judges 3:31). He is mentioned briefly in the biblical narrative but appears again in the Song of Deborah (Judges 5:6), where he is recognized alongside other deliverers of Israel as bringing relief during a time of hardship. Though details about his life are sparse, Shamgar's remarkable feat with an improvised weapon demonstrated extraordinary courage and strength, showing how God could work through seemingly ordinary individuals to accomplish extraordinary deliverance for His people.
Biography
Shamgar, mentioned in Jdg.3.31 and Jdg.5.6, was a judge of Israel during the period before the monarchy. He is described as the son of Anath, which may refer to his lineage or his place of origin. Shamgar is noted for his remarkable feat of killing 600 Philistines with an oxgoad, a long stick used for driving cattle. This achievement is particularly significant because it occurred during a time when the Philistines were oppressing Israel. Shamgar's victory provided a measure of deliverance for the nation, demonstrating his strength, courage, and leadership. In the Song of Deborah (Judges 5), Shamgar is mentioned alongside Jael as a figure who brought relief to Israel during a time of hardship and oppression. Although the text does not provide extensive details about Shamgar's life or the duration of his judgeship, his inclusion in the narrative highlights the role of judges as deliverers and leaders who fought against Israel's enemies and provided temporary respite from oppression.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical bookJudges 2 verses
- Judges 3:31
"After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath. And he too saved Israel, striking down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad."
- Judges 5:6
"In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were deserted and the travelers took the byways."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שַׁמְגַּר |
Encyclopedia Article
ISBE 1915 (Public Domain) Shamgar
7">7) and followed those of Ehud, Israel's subjugation was so complete that "the highways were unoccupied, and the travelers walked through byways." The government had become thoroughly disorganized, and apparently, as in the days of Deborah, the people were entirely unprepared for war. Shamgar's improvised weapon with which he helped to "save Israel" is spoken of as an oxgoad. With this he smote of the Philistines 600 men. This is the first mention of the Philistines as troublesome neighbors of the Israelites (Jud 3:31). According to a tradition represented in Josephus (Ant., V, iv, 3), Shamgar died in the year he became judge.
2Critical Hypotheses
Several writers have challenged the Biblical account on the following grounds: that in Jud 5 no mention is made of any deliverance; that the name "Shamgar" resembles the name of a Hittite king and the name "Anath" that of a Syrian goddess; that the deed recorded in Jud 3:31 is analogous to that of Samson (Jud 15:15), and that of Shammah, son of Agee (2Sa 23:11 f); and lastly, that in a group of Greek manuscripts and other versions this verse is inserted after the account of Samson's exploits. None of these is necessarily inconsistent with the traditional account. Neverthelesss, they have been used as a basis not only for overthrowing the tradition, but also for constructive theories such as that which makes Shamgar a foreign oppressor and not a judge, and even the father of Sisera. There is, of course, no limit to which this kind of interesting speculation cannot lead.
(For a complete account of these views see Moore, "Judges," in ICC, 1895, 104 f, and same author in Journal of the American Oriental Society, XIX, 2, 159-60.)
Ella Davis Isaacs
sham'-huth.
See SHAMMUAH, IV.
(1) Mentioned along with Jattir and Socoh (Jos 15:48) as one o