the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man left-handed, who delivered Israel from the oppression of Eglon king of Moab, under whom they served for 18 years. See EGLON. It being customary for the Israelites to send a present or tribute to the king of Moab; in the year of the world 2579, being the last year of their servitude, Elud was appointed to carry it, who having a design either to free his country from this oppression, or perish in the attempt, had for this purpose provided himself with a dagger which had two edges, and which he had concealed on his right side, (Judges iii. 15, &c.). After he had delivered the present, pretending he had something of great importance to communicate to the king, he obtained a private audience of him; when taking his opportunity, he stabbed him with the poniard to the heart, and so shutting the door after him, had time to make his escape; for as the king was a very corpulent man, his attendants supposed that he was either reposing or eating himself, and therefore forbore to enter his apartment until Ehud was quite gone. As soon as he came to mount Ephraim, he gathered together the Israelites that lay nearest him, acquainted them with what he had done; and then securing the fords of Jordan that none of them might escape, he fell upon the Moabites, and subdued them.