One of the six minor judges chosen by God to deliver Israel from their enemies was Shamgar. Shamgar is not a Hebrew name, so Bible scholars think of him to be a non-Israelite. He was a contemporary of Deborah, the prophetess, for we read about him in her song in Judges 5.
In the days of Shamgar, son of Anath, In the days of Jael, The highways were deserted, And the travelers walked along the byways. (Judges 5:6)
Shamgar's name means "a stranger" and his father's name, Anath means "an answer." Perhaps
Shamgar must have been from Beth-Anath or for that matter.....son of Anath.....must have been a title given to him for his valor.
Anath, interestingly was the chief goddess of love and war, the sister and helpmate of the god Baal.
Whatever it be, Shamgar delivered Israel. The verse above says he used an ox-goad to kill six hundred Philistines. Ox-goad is a a long wooden stick with a pointed end, which may be metallic.
Perhaps he was a local judge rather than a national one.
The best thing that can be said about him is that he was available when God needed him.
He maybe not as well known as the other judges, but God used him mightily when the need arose. God not only uses "the Pauls and the Peters", but also the less knowns or unknowns. Praise be to him.
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