Shamgar

Shamgar is a figure in the Hebrew Bible identified as one of the judges who delivered Israel from its enemies. He is mentioned briefly in the book of Judges and is considered among the minor judges who appear in the early, pre-monarchy period of Israelite history. The biblical references to Shamgar are sparse, and his episode is presented as a brief, singular act rather than the result of a prolonged leadership.

The primary account of Shamgar’s deeds appears in Judges 3:31, which states that Shamgar, son of Anath, delivered Israel by striking down six hundred Philistines with an ox goad. In the Song of Deborah, Judges 5:6, there is a line referring to the days of Shamgar “the son of Anath” when the highways were abandoned, suggesting a time of distress and insecurity during which normal travel and commerce were impeded. The ox goad—a long farming tool used to drive oxen—is the notable weapon attributed to him.

Name and textual note: Shamgar’s patronymic is “son of Anath.” Some scholars discuss whether Anath is a personal name or a reference to the Canaanite goddess Anath, though the text does not provide further context. The brevity of the account has led to various interpretations, but no additional corroborating material is available in the biblical text.

In later tradition, Shamgar is regarded as a judge who contributed to Israel’s deliverance, though he remains one of the least-detailed figures among the judges. No independent non-biblical sources confirm his deeds.