Samgar
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Introduction:
Samgar is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Judges. His account is brief but significant, highlighting the theme of divine deliverance through unexpected means. Samgar is recognized as one of the judges of Israel, a group of leaders raised by God to deliver the Israelites from oppression and lead them in times of crisis.

Biblical Reference:
The primary reference to Samgar is found in Judges 3:31: "After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath, who struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad. He too saved Israel."

Historical Context:
Samgar's time as a judge occurred during the period of the Judges, a tumultuous era in Israel's history following the conquest of Canaan and preceding the establishment of the monarchy. This period was characterized by a cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. The Israelites frequently turned away from God, leading to their subjugation by surrounding nations. In response to their cries for help, God raised judges to deliver them.

Name and Identity:
The name "Samgar" is of uncertain origin, and his designation as "son of Anath" has led to various interpretations. Some scholars suggest that "Anath" could refer to a Canaanite deity, indicating a possible connection to a warrior class or a geographical location. However, within the biblical narrative, Samgar is portrayed as a divinely appointed deliverer of Israel.

Role and Achievements:
Samgar's notable achievement is his defeat of six hundred Philistines using an oxgoad, a long, pointed stick used for driving oxen. This feat underscores the theme of God using unlikely instruments and individuals to accomplish His purposes. The oxgoad, a simple agricultural tool, becomes a weapon of deliverance in Samgar's hands, illustrating God's power to save through unconventional means.

Theological Significance:
Samgar's account, though brief, emphasizes several key theological themes. First, it highlights God's sovereignty and ability to deliver His people through unexpected and humble means. Second, it underscores the importance of faith and courage in the face of overwhelming odds. Samgar's willingness to stand against the Philistines with limited resources demonstrates a reliance on God's strength rather than human might.

Legacy:
While Samgar's account is concise, his legacy as a judge of Israel is preserved in the biblical narrative. His account serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness to His covenant people and His readiness to raise leaders who trust in Him. Samgar's victory over the Philistines contributes to the larger narrative of Israel's deliverance and the ongoing struggle against idolatry and foreign oppression.

Conclusion:
Samgar's inclusion in the Book of Judges, though brief, is a testament to the diverse ways God intervenes in history to fulfill His purposes. His account encourages believers to trust in God's provision and to recognize that He can use anyone, regardless of their background or resources, to accomplish His will.
Strong's Hebrew
5562. Samgar Nebo -- a Bab. officer
Samgar Nebo. 5561, 5562. Samgar Nebo. 5563 . a Bab. officer. Transliteration:
Samgar Nebo Phonetic Spelling: (sam-gar' neb-o') Short Definition: Samgar-nebu ...
/hebrew/5562.htm - 5k
Library

The Last Agony
... of the month, the city was broken up.3. And all the princes of the king of Babylon
came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarse ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the last agony.htm

Doubtful Fragments on the Pentateuch.
... And Anathal delivered it to Jehud. And Jehud delivered it to Samgar. And Samgar
delivered it to Baruk. And Baruk delivered it to Gideon. ...
/.../doubtful fragments on the pentateuch.htm

How the King of Babylon Took Jerusalem and Burnt the Temple and ...
... The names of these generals who ravaged and subdued Jerusalem, if any one desire
to know them, were these: Nergal Sharezer, Samgar Nebo, Rabsaris, Sorsechim ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 how the king.htm

Thesaurus
Samgar (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Samgar (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 39:3 that all
the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the ...
/s/samgar.htm - 6k

Samgar-nebo (1 Occurrence)
Samgar-nebo. Samgarnebo, Samgar-nebo. Sam'gar-ne'bo . Easton's Bible Dictionary
Be gracious, O Nebo! ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SAMGAR-NEBO. ...
/s/samgar-nebo.htm - 8k

Samgar-nebu (1 Occurrence)
Samgar-nebu. Sam'gar-ne'bo, Samgar-nebu. Sami . Multi-Version
Concordance Samgar-nebu (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 39:3 ...
/s/samgar-nebu.htm - 6k

Samgarnebo (1 Occurrence)
... or a cup-bearer of Nebo, probably the title of Nergal-sharezer, one of the princes
of Babylon (Jeremiah 39:3). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SAMGAR-NEBO. ...
/s/samgarnebo.htm - 8k

Sam'gar-ne'bo (1 Occurrence)
Sam'gar-ne'bo. Samgar-nebo, Sam'gar-ne'bo. Samgar-nebu . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(See RSV). Samgar-nebo, Sam'gar-ne'bo. Samgar-nebu . Reference Bible
/s/sam'gar-ne'bo.htm - 6k

Nergal-sharezer (2 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 39:3 that all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the
middle gate, 'to wit', Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarsechim, Rab-saris ...
/n/nergal-sharezer.htm - 9k

Nergal-sar-ezer (2 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 39:3 and come in do all the heads of the king of Babylon, and they sit
at the middle gate, Nergal-Sharezer, Samgar-Nebo, Sarsechim, chief of the ...
/n/nergal-sar-ezer.htm - 7k

Nebo-sarsekim (1 Occurrence)
... Jeremiah 39:3 and come in do all the heads of the king of Babylon, and they sit
at the middle gate, Nergal-Sharezer, Samgar-Nebo, Sarsechim, chief of the ...
/n/nebo-sarsekim.htm - 6k

Nergal-sarezer (2 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 39:3 that all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the
middle gate, to wit , Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarsechim, Rab-saris ...
/n/nergal-sarezer.htm - 7k

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Concordance
Samgar (1 Occurrence)

Jeremiah 39:3
that all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, to wit, Nergal Sharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergal Sharezer, Rabmag, with all the rest of the princes of the king of Babylon.
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Subtopics

Samgar

Related Terms

Rabmag (2 Occurrences)

Samgar (1 Occurrence)

Samgar-nebo (1 Occurrence)

Nergalsharezer (2 Occurrences)

Nergal (3 Occurrences)

Rab-mag (2 Occurrences)

Rabsaris (3 Occurrences)

Sharezer (5 Occurrences)

Sarsechim (1 Occurrence)

Residue (47 Occurrences)

Wit (28 Occurrences)

Official (45 Occurrences)

Officer (70 Occurrences)

Sameus
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