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Shamgar

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A biblical judge noted for slaying six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad, symbolizing divinely empowered unconventional warfare.

Detailed Definition
Shamgar, a minor judge, delivered Israel with an unlikely weapon, illustrating God’s power through unconventional means. His brief mention highlights divine resourcefulness. In poetry, Shamgar embodies the unexpected deliverer, the triumph of the lowly tool over mighty foes, and the brevity of heroic acts in salvation history—often symbolizing the sufficiency of divine strength in human weakness.
Example
Example in poetry:
In Judges 3:31, Shamgar slays six hundred with an oxgoad—a detail inspiring heroic poetry; 18th-century verse depicts Shamgar as obscure yet mighty deliverer; Contemporary poems explore Shamgar as footnote of divine resourcefulness; In poems about unexpected weapons, Shamgar’s tool becomes instrument of liberation; Some liturgical laments honor Shamgar as brief but decisive rescuer; Educational poems cite Shamgar to teach about judges and unconventional means.
Additional Notes
Shamgar, a judge who killed 600 Philistines with an oxgoad (Judges 3:31), is one of the most obscure deliverers; his brief mention highlights the diversity of Israel’s rescuers; poets may use him to celebrate unexpected heroes or the improvisation of divine tools in unlikely hands.
Also Known As
Shamgar judge of Israel Shamgar son of Anath
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