"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."
Biblical Name · Hebrew/Hurrian Origin
Shamgar Meaning in the Bible
Shamgar
boy
Shamgar means "Sword; Named after a Hurrian deity", a boy's name of Hebrew/Hurrian origin. Shamgar appears in the King James Bible, and Judges 3:31 is the passage most often tied to it. Shamgar killed 600 Philistines with a farm tool. His story teaches that God doesn't need your best equipment — He needs your availability. Use what you have, start where you are.
Is Shamgar in the Bible?
Yes — Shamgar appears in the King James Bible, including Judges 3:31.
Pronunciation:/SHAM-gar/
OriginHebrew/Hurrian
MeaningSword; Named after a Hurrian deity
What does Shamgar mean?
Shamgar is a boy name of Hebrew/Hurrian origin meaning "Sword; Named after a Hurrian deity". Shamgar's name may derive from a Hurrian word meaning "cup-bearer" or be related to the sword.
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What does Shamgar mean in the Bible?
Shamgar means "Sword; Named after a Hurrian deity" and is a name of Hebrew/Hurrian origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Shamgar's name may derive from a Hurrian word meaning "cup-bearer" or be related to the sword. He is one of the most enigmatic judges of Israel — given only a single verse in Judges 3 yet mentioned again in Deborah's song of triumph.
Shamgar's entire judgeship is summarized in one extraordinary statement: "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." An ox goad was a long stick with a metal point used to drive oxen — an improvised weapon that makes Shamgar's feat remarkable.
Deborah's song references the dangerous conditions of Shamgar's time: "In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through byways." Roads were so dangerous that people avoided main highways entirely. Into this chaos, Shamgar emerged with nothing but a farming tool and the courage to act.
Shamgar's story demonstrates that God doesn't require conventional weapons or polished credentials. A willing heart and whatever is in your hand — even an ox goad — is enough for God to work deliverance.
Where does Shamgar appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Shamgar is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with Judges 3:31. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through byways."
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What are the variants and nicknames of Shamgar?
Shamgar has 2 recorded variants, short forms, and translations across languages and biblical traditions.
Which books of the Bible mention Shamgar?
Shamgar is mentioned across 1 book of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Shamgar?
Shamgar killed 600 Philistines with a farm tool. His story teaches that God doesn't need your best equipment — He needs your availability. Use what you have, start where you are.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Shamgar:
God Promises Strength in Weakness
Bible promises that God's power is made perfect in your weakness.
God Promises a Harvest If You Don't Give Up
Bible promises for perseverance and not growing weary.
God Promises Courage for Every Battle
Bible promises about divine courage when facing opposition and challenges.
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What names are related to Shamgar?
Names that pair well with Shamgar
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
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Shamgar name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Shamgar appears in the King James Bible, including Judges 3:31.
Shamgar means "Sword; Named after a Hurrian deity." It is a Hebrew/Hurrian name. The King James Bible uses it in Judges 3:31, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew/Hurrian. Shamgar comes into English from Hebrew/Hurrian and carries the sense "Sword; Named after a Hurrian deity." It appears in the King James Bible, including Judges 3:31.
Common questions about the name Shamgar
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Shamgar?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Shamgar?
You can read every verse where Shamgar appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.