Judges 9
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Commentaries
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ABIMELECH IS MADE KING BY THE SHECHEMITES. (Jdg 9:1-6) Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem--The idolatry which had been stealthily creeping into Israel during the latter years of Gideon was now openly professed; Shechem was wholly inhabited by its adherents; at least, idolaters had the ascendency. Abimelech, one of Gideon's numerous sons, was connected with that place. Ambitious of sovereign power, and having plied successfully the arts of a demagogue with his maternal relatives and friends, he acquired both the influence and money by which he raised himself to a throne. communed . . . with all the family of the house of his mother's father--Here is a striking instance of the evils of polygamy--one son has connections and interests totally alien to those of his brothers.
Open source ↗And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem, unto his mother's brethren,.... It seems that though the mother of Abimelech lived at Shechem, he was taken and brought up in his father's house at Ophrah, where he was when he died; and from hence he came to Shechem, to pay a visit to his uncles there; whether his mother was now living, is not certain: and communed with them; about the death of his father, the state of his family, and the government of Israel: and with all the family of the house of his mother's father; that descended from his grandfather, the several branches of them, and of the family, the heads of them at least: saying, as follows.
Open source ↗Jdg 9:1-2 Having gone to Shechem, the home of his mother (Jdg 8:31), Abimelech applied to his mother's brothers and the whole family (all the relations) of the father's house of his mother, and addressed them thus: "Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the lords of Shechem," i.e., speak to them publicly and solemnly. שׁכם בּעלי, the lords, i.e., the possessors or citizens of Shechem (compare Jdg 9:46 with Jdg 9:49, where מגדּל בּעלי is interchangeable with אנשׁי a; also Jdg 20:5, and Jos 24:11): they are not merely Canaanitish citizens, of whom there were some still living in Shechem according to Jdg 9:28, but all the citizens of the town; therefore chiefly Israelites. "What is better for you, that seventy men rule over you, all the sons of Jerubbaal, or (only) one man (i.e., Abimelech)? and remember that I am your flesh and bone" (blood relation, Gen 29:14). The name "sons of Jerubbaal," i.e., of the man who had destroyed the altar of Baal, was just as little adapted to commend the sons of Gideon to the Shechemites, who were devoted to the worship of Baal, as the remark that seventy men were to rule over them. No such rule ever existed, or was even aspired to by the seventy sons of Gideon. But Abimelech assumed that his brothers possessed the same thirst for ruling as he did himself; and the citizens of Shechem might be all the more ready to put faith in his assertions, since the distinction which Gideon had enjoyed was thoroughly adapted to secure a prominent place in the nation for his sons. Jdg 9:3 When his mother's brethren spake to the citizens of Shechem concerning him, i.e., respecting him and his proposal, their heart turned to Abimelech. Jdg 9:4-5 They gave him seventy shekels of silver from the house of Baal-berith, i.e., from the treasury of the temple that…
Open source ↗We are here told by what arts Abimelech got into authority, and made himself great. His mother perhaps had instilled into his mind some towering ambitious thoughts, and the name his father gave him, carrying royalty in it, might help to blow up these sparks; and now that he has buried his father nothing will serve his proud spirit but he will succeed him in the government of Israel, directly contrary to his father's will, for he had declared no son of his should rule over them. He had no call from God to this honour as his father had, nor was there any present occasion for a judge to deliver Israel as there was when his father was advanced; but his own ambition must be gratified, and its gratification is all he aims at. Now observe here, I. How craftily he got his mother's relations into his interests. Shechem was a city in the tribe of Ephraim, of great note. Joshua had held his last assembly there. If that city would but appear for him, and set him up, he thought it would go far in his favour. There he had an interest in the family of which his mother was, and by them he made an interest in the leading men of the city. It does not appear that any of them had an eye to him as a man of merit, who had any thing to recommend him to such a choice, but the motion came first from himself. None would have dreamed of making such a one king, if he had not dreamed of it himself. And see here, 1. How he wheedled them into the choice, Jdg 9:2, Jdg 9:3. He basely suggested that Gideon having left seventy sons, who made a good figure and had a good interest, they were designing to keep the power which their father had in their hands, and by a joint-influence to reign over Israel. "Now," says he, "you had better have one king than more, than many, than so many. Affairs of state are b…
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (ʼĂbîymelek, H40) — Abimelek, the name of two Philistine kings and of two Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יְרֻבַּעַל (Yᵉrubbaʻal, H3378) — Jerubbaal, a symbolic name of Gideon יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) שְׁכֶם (Shᵉkem, H7927) — Shekem, a place in Palestine אֵם (ʼêm, H517) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpâchâh, H4940) — a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man) בַּעַל (baʻal, H1167) — a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in… שְׁכֶם (Shᵉkem, H7927) — Shekem, a place in Palestine טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יְרֻבַּעַל (Yᵉrubbaʻal, H3378) — Jerubbaal, a symbolic name of Gideon שִׁבְעִים (shibʻîym, H7657) — seventy אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… מָשַׁל (mâshal, H4910) — to rule אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first זָכַר (zâkar, H2142) — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention;… עֶצֶם (ʻetsem, H6106) — a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.)… בָּשָׂר (bâsâr, H1320) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the…
Open source ↗אֵם (ʼêm, H517) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man) בַּעַל (baʻal, H1167) — a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in… שְׁכֶם (Shᵉkem, H7927) — Shekem, a place in Palestine דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… נָטָה (nâṭâh, H5186) — to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used… אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (ʼĂbîymelek, H40) — Abimelek, the name of two Philistine kings and of two Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) שִׁבְעִים (shibʻîym, H7657) — seventy כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) בַּעַל בְּרִית (Baʻal Bᵉrîyth, H1170) — Baal-Berith, a special deity of the Shechemites אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (ʼĂbîymelek, H40) — Abimelek, the name of two Philistine kings and of two Israelites שָׂכַר (sâkar, H7936) — to hire רֵיק (rêyq, H7386) — empty; figuratively, worthless פָּחַז (pâchaz, H6348) — to bubble up or froth (as boiling water), i.e. (figuratively) to be unimportant אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various…
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) עׇפְרָה (ʻOphrâh, H6084) — Ophrah, the name of an Israelite and of two places in Palestine הָרַג (hârag, H2026) — to smite with deadly intent אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יְרֻבַּעַל (Yᵉrubbaʻal, H3378) — Jerubbaal, a symbolic name of Gideon שִׁבְעִים (shibʻîym, H7657) — seventy אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first אֶבֶן (ʼeben, H68) — a stone יוֹתָם (Yôwthâm, H3147) — Jotham, the name of three Israelites קָטָן (qâṭân, H6996) — abbreviated, i.e. diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in…
Open source ↗בַּעַל (baʻal, H1167) — a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in… שְׁכֶם (Shᵉkem, H7927) — Shekem, a place in Palestine אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) מִלּוֹא (millôwʼ, H4407) — a rampart (as filled in), i.e. the citadel בֵּית מִלּוֹא (Bêyth Millôwʼ, H1037) — Beth-Millo, the name of two citadels יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (ʼĂbîymelek, H40) — Abimelek, the name of two Philistine kings and of two Israelites מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֵלוֹן (ʼêlôwn, H436) — an oak or other strong tree נָצַב (nâtsab, H5324) — to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… יוֹתָם (Yôwthâm, H3147) — Jotham, the name of three Israelites יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) גְּרִזִים (Gᵉrizîym, H1630) — Gerizim, a mountain of Palestine נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… בַּעַל (baʻal, H1167) — a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in… שְׁכֶם (Shᵉkem, H7927) — Shekem, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) מָשַׁח (mâshach, H4886) — to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) זַיִת (zayith, H2132) — an olive (as yielding illuminating oil), the tree, the branch or the berry מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence…
Open source ↗זַיִת (zayith, H2132) — an olive (as yielding illuminating oil), the tree, the branch or the berry אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) חָדַל (châdal, H2308) — properly, to be flabby, i.e. (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle דֶּשֶׁן (deshen, H1880) — the fat; abstractly fatness, i.e. (figuratively) abundance; specifically the (fatty)… כָּבַד (kâbad, H3513) — to be heavy, i.e. in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous,… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) נוּעַ (nûwaʻ, H5128) — to waver, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (as subjoined) עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
Open source ↗עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) תְּאֵן (tᵉʼên, H8384) — the fig (tree or fruit) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence…
Open source ↗תְּאֵן (tᵉʼên, H8384) — the fig (tree or fruit) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) חָדַל (châdal, H2308) — properly, to be flabby, i.e. (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle מֹתֶק (môtheq, H4987) — sweetness טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… תְּנוּבָה (tᵉnûwbâh, H8570) — produce הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) נוּעַ (nûwaʻ, H5128) — to waver, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (as subjoined) עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) גֶּפֶן (gephen, H1612) — a vine (as twining), especially the grape יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence…
Open source ↗גֶּפֶן (gephen, H1612) — a vine (as twining), especially the grape אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) חָדַל (châdal, H2308) — properly, to be flabby, i.e. (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle תִּירוֹשׁ (tîyrôwsh, H8492) — must or fresh grape-juice (as just squeezed out); by implication (rarely) fermented wine שָׂמַח (sâmach, H8055) — probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) נוּעַ (nûwaʻ, H5128) — to waver, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (as subjoined) עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) אָטָד (ʼâṭâd, H329) — a thorn-tree (especially the buckthorn) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence…
Open source ↗Cross-references
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His concubine, who dwelt in Shechem, also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech.
When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they summoned him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. Only the tribe of Judah followed the house of David.
So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and the whole assembly of Israel came to Rehoboam and said,
Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king.
Then some said, “Come, let us make plans against Jeremiah, for the law will never be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the wise, nor an oracle to the prophet. Come, let us denounce him and pay no heed to any of his words.”
When Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the region, saw her, he took her and lay with her by force.
Absalom did this to all the Israelites who came to the king for justice. In this way he stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
After Jacob had come from Paddan-aram, he arrived safely at the city of Shechem in the land of Canaan, and he camped just outside the city.