Boy Old Testament Rare
Shamgar
named a stranger; he is here a stranger
שַׁמְגַּר sham.gar
Shamgar (Hebrew: שַׁמְגַּר, sham.gar) means “named a stranger; he is here a stranger”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 2 verses across 1 book of the Bible. In United States birth records the name is below the reporting threshold. Appears in the same passages as Abinoam.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
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Shamgar
son of Anath
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 2 across 1 book
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Judges
Using it today
In United States birth records this name is below the reporting threshold. The Social Security Administration does not publish counts under five, so a name given to four children looks the same as one given to none.
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Judges 3:31 |
| Last appears | Judges 5:6 |
| Cross-references | 42 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Anath co-occurrence Appears with Anath in Judges 5.
- Jael co-occurrence Appears with Jael in Judges 5.
- Cushan-rishathaim co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Cushan-rishathaim.
- Gera co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Gera.
- Abinoam co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Abinoam.
- Heber co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Heber.
- Eglon co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Eglon.
Origin & meaning
A Judge living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jdg.3.31;
son of: Anath (H6067)
§ Shamgar = "sword"
son of Anath and a judge of Israel; with an ox-goad he slew 600 Philistines and delivered Israel
Shamgar, the son of Anath, was a judge of Israel who delivered the nation by killing 600 Philistines with an oxgoad.
The biblical story
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.
Key verses
Shamgar appears in 2 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel.
Judges 3:31 -
In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through byways.
Judges 5:6
Show all 2 references
Judges (2)
- Judges 3:31
- Judges 5:6