Editing Ehud (section)

== Biblical criticism ==
Coogan argues that the story of Ehud was probably a folk tale of local origin that was edited by the [[Deuteronomist|Deuteronomistic historians]].<ref name=coogan176>Coogan, M., ''A Brief Introduction to the Old Testament: The Hebrew Bible in its Context'', Oxford University Press: Oxford, 2009. pp.176.</ref> The Deuteronomistic historians "incorporated a variety of previously existing sources into their narrative of life in early Israel"<ref name=coogan176/> and the story of Ehud is one such example of a "previously existing source",<ref name=coogan176/> that has been edited to include "the cyclical pattern" typical of the stories of the major judges.<ref name=nelson352>[[Richard D. Nelson|Nelson, Richard D.]] Harper Collins Study Bible, Revised Edition. HarperCollins: New York,  2006. p. 352.</ref> This pattern consists of apostasy, hardship, crying out to the Lord, and rescue<ref>Nelson, Richard D. ''Harper Collins Study Bible'', Revised Edition. HarperCollins: New York,  2006. p. 350.</ref> and it is clearly present in the tale of Ehud: apostasy and hardship occur in Judges 3.12, "The Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord; and the Lord strengthened King Eglon of Moab against Israel." The "crying out to the Lord" and the subsequent rescue are evident in Judges 3.15: "but when the Israelites cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up for them a deliverer, Ehud son of Gera". The rather lively and glorious tale is ended with the refrain of "and the land had rest 80 years", (Judges 3.30) an ending typical to [[Gideon]] and other "major" judge stories in the book of Judges.<ref name=nelson352/> He was the second judge chosen by God.

[[Barry Webb]] sees Ehud as "directed by the Lord, who used this most unlikely hero to bring deliverance to his undeserving but desperate people".<ref>''[[Inter-Varsity Press]] New Bible Commentary'' p.269</ref>