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EGLON

(Heb. ʿeglôn)

(PERSON)

King of Moab whom Ehud assassinated to liberate Israel from Moabite rule (Judg. 3:12-30). “Eglon” appears to be a play on words for “fat” and “calf” and may have been chosen to fit with the puns which characterize the narrative. The ease with which Moabites in general might be tricked is a continuing motif in the OT, and this king embodies that trait fully, as well as being fat.

Eglon had conquered Israel with the aid of Ammonites and Amalekites as well as the empowerment of God (Judg. 3:12-13); he is the only ruler in the book of Judges to need such help. He ruled over the Israelites for 18 years before Ehud tricked him into allowing a private conference. The story suggests that Eglon was pious enough to wish the confidential word of the gods which he understands Ehud is coming to deliver. By deceit and clever punning, the Benjaminite manipulates Eglon into a situation where he may be murdered without recourse to his guards. The Moabites in the story are all deadly dense, heightening the stupidity of their leader.

If the biblical chronology could be adapted to historical events, this king would have ruled sometime in the 12th century b.c.e. However, an expanding Moabite nation and the possibility that the story reflects local conflicts between the tribe of Benjamin and the town Eglon (Josh. 12:12; 15:39) suggest a tale no earlier than the 9th century.

Bibliography. L. K. Handy, “Uneasy Laughter: Ehud and Eglon as Ethnic Humor.” SJOT 6 (1992): 233-246; E. A. Knauf, “Eglon and Orpah,” JSOT 51 (1991): 25-44.

Lowell K. Handy

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

EGLON

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)