Shamgar
The Judge with the Ox Goad
Shamgar was one of Israel's judges, known for his unusual feat: he killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad. He is mentioned only briefly in the Bible, but his action helped free Israel from Philistine oppression.
Family
Key events
Killed 600 Philistines
Shamgar struck down 600 Philistines with an ox goad, thus saving Israel from their enemies. This was a remarkable feat accomplished with an improvised weapon.
31After him came Shamgar son of Anath, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad. He too delivered Israel.
וְאַחֲרָ֤יו הָיָה֙ שַׁמְגַּ֣ר בֶּן־עֲנָ֔ת וַיַּ֤ךְ אֶת־פְּלִשְׁתִּים֙ שֵֽׁשׁ־מֵא֣וֹת אִ֔ישׁ בְּמַלְמַ֖ד הַבָּקָ֑ר וַיֹּ֥שַׁע גַּם־ה֖וּא אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ ס
Mentioned in the Song of Deborah
In the victory song of Deborah and Barak, Shamgar's days are mentioned as a time when roads lay deserted and people had to travel on winding paths, indicating uncertain times in Israel.
6In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways lay empty, and travelers kept to the winding trails.
בִּימֵ֞י שַׁמְגַּ֤ר בֶּן־עֲנָת֙ בִּימֵ֣י יָעֵ֔ל חָדְל֖וּ אֳרָח֑וֹת וְהֹלְכֵ֣י נְתִיב֔וֹת יֵלְכ֕וּ אֳרָח֖וֹת עֲקַלְקַלּֽוֹת׃