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Judges 8:30-9:24
English Standard Version
Judges 8:30-9:24
English Standard Version
30 Now Gideon had (A)seventy sons, his own offspring,[a] for he had many wives. 31 And his concubine (B)who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he called his name Abimelech. 32 And Gideon the son of Joash died (C)in a good old age and was buried in the tomb of Joash his father, (D)at Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
33 (E)As soon as Gideon died, the people of Israel turned again and (F)whored after the Baals and made (G)Baal-berith their god. 34 And the people of Israel (H)did not remember the Lord their God, who had delivered them from the hand of all their enemies on every side, 35 (I)and they did not show steadfast love to the family of Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) in return for all the good that he had done to Israel.
Abimelech's Conspiracy
9 Now Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem to (J)his mother's relatives and said to them and to the whole clan of his mother's family, 2 “Say in the ears of all the leaders of Shechem, ‘Which is better for you, that all (K)seventy of the sons of Jerubbaal rule over you, or that one rule over you?’ Remember also that (L)I am (M)your bone and your flesh.”
3 And his mother's relatives spoke all these words on his behalf in the ears of all the leaders of Shechem, and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, (N)“He is our brother.” 4 And they gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of (O)Baal-berith with which Abimelech hired (P)worthless and reckless fellows, who followed him. 5 And he went to his father's house at (Q)Ophrah (R)and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, for he hid himself. 6 And all the leaders of Shechem came together, and all (S)Beth-millo, and they went and made Abimelech king, by the oak of the pillar at Shechem.
7 When it was told to Jotham, he went and stood on top of (T)Mount Gerizim and cried aloud and said to them, “Listen to me, you leaders of Shechem, that God may listen to you. 8 (U)The trees once went out to anoint a king over them, and they said to the olive tree, (V)‘Reign over us.’ 9 But the olive tree said to them, ‘Shall I leave my abundance, by which gods and men are honored, and go hold sway over the trees?’ 10 And the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You come and reign over us.’ 11 But the fig tree said to them, ‘Shall I leave my sweetness and my good fruit and go hold sway over the trees?’ 12 And the trees said to the vine, ‘You come and reign over us.’ 13 But the vine said to them, ‘Shall I leave my wine that (W)cheers God and men and go hold sway over the trees?’ 14 Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘You come and reign over us.’ 15 And the bramble said to the trees, ‘If in good faith you are anointing me king over you, then come and (X)take refuge in my shade, but if not, (Y)let fire come out of the bramble and devour (Z)the cedars of Lebanon.’
16 “Now therefore, if you acted in good faith and integrity when you made Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with (AA)Jerubbaal and his house and have done to him (AB)as his deeds deserved— 17 for my father fought for you and risked his life and delivered you from the hand of Midian, 18 and you have risen up against my father's house this day (AC)and have killed his sons, seventy men on one stone, and have made (AD)Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the leaders of Shechem, (AE)because he is your relative— 19 if you then have acted in good faith and integrity with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then (AF)rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you. 20 But if not, (AG)let fire come out from Abimelech and devour the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo; and let fire come out from the leaders of Shechem and from Beth-millo and devour Abimelech.” 21 And Jotham ran away and fled and went to (AH)Beer and lived there, because of Abimelech his brother.
The Downfall of Abimelech
22 Abimelech ruled over Israel three years. 23 (AI)And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem (AJ)dealt treacherously with Abimelech, 24 (AK)that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and on the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers.
Footnotes
- Judges 8:30 Hebrew who came from his own loins
Judges 8:30-9:24
New American Standard Bible
Judges 8:30-9:24
New American Standard Bible
30 Now Gideon had (A)seventy sons who [a]were his direct descendants, for he had many wives. 31 And his concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he [b]named him Abimelech. 32 And Gideon the son of Joash died at a good old age and was buried in the tomb of his father Joash, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
33 Then it came about, as soon as Gideon was dead, (B)that the sons of Israel again [c]committed infidelity with the Baals, and made (C)Baal-berith their god. 34 So the sons of Israel (D)did not remember the Lord their God, who had saved them from the hands of all their enemies on every side; 35 (E)nor did they show kindness to the household of Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) in accordance with all the good that he had done for Israel.
Abimelech’s Conspiracy
9 Now (F)Abimelech the son of [d]Jerubbaal went to Shechem, to his mother’s relatives, and spoke to them and to the entire family of the household of his mother’s father, saying, 2 “Speak, now, in the hearing of all the [e]leaders of Shechem, ‘Which is better for you: for (G)seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, to rule over you, or for one man to rule over you?’ Also, remember that I am (H)your bone and your flesh.” 3 So his mother’s relatives spoke all these words on his behalf in the hearing of all the [f]leaders of Shechem; and [g]they were inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, “He is (I)our relative.” 4 And they gave him seventy pieces of silver from the house of (J)Baal-berith, with which Abimelech hired worthless and reckless men, and they followed him. 5 Then he went to his father’s house in Ophrah and (K)killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, (L)seventy men, [h]on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, because he hid himself. 6 All the [i]leaders of Shechem and all [j]Beth-millo assembled together, and they went and made Abimelech king, by the [k]oak of the memorial stone which was in Shechem.
7 Now when they told Jotham, he went and stood on the top of (M)Mount Gerizim, and raised his voice and called out. And he said to them, “Listen to me, you [l]leaders of Shechem, that God may listen to you. 8 Once the trees went to anoint a king over them, and they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us!’ 9 But the olive tree said to them, ‘Shall I give up my fatness with [m]which God and mankind are honored, and go to wave over the trees?’ 10 Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You, come, reign over us!’ 11 But the fig tree said to them, ‘Shall I give up my sweetness and my good [n]fruit, and go to wave over the trees?’ 12 Then the trees said to the vine, ‘You, come, reign over us!’ 13 But the vine said to them, ‘Shall I give up my new wine, which cheers God and mankind, and go to wave over the trees?’ 14 Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘You, come, reign over us!’ 15 And the bramble said to the trees, ‘If you [o]really are anointing me as king over you, come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, may fire come out of the bramble and consume the cedars of Lebanon.’
16 “Now then, if you have acted with [p]honesty and integrity in making Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with (N)Jerubbaal and his house, and [q]have dealt with him [r]as he deserved— 17 for my father fought for you, and [s]risked his life and saved you from the hand of Midian; 18 but in fact you have risen against my father’s house today and have killed (O)his sons, seventy men, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, (P)the son of his female slave, king over the [t]leaders of Shechem, because he is your relative— 19 so if you have acted with [u]honesty and integrity toward Jerubbaal and his house this day, be joyful about Abimelech, and may he also be joyful about you. 20 But if not, may fire come out of Abimelech and consume the [v]leaders of Shechem and [w]Beth-millo; and may fire come out of the [x]leaders of Shechem and from [y]Beth-millo, and consume Abimelech.” 21 Then Jotham escaped and fled, and went to Beer; and he stayed there because of his brother Abimelech.
Shechem and Abimelech Fall
22 Now Abimelech ruled over Israel for three years. 23 (Q)Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the [z]leaders of Shechem; and the [aa]leaders of Shechem (R)dealt treacherously with Abimelech, 24 (S)so that the violence [ab]done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal would come, and the responsibility for (T)their blood would be placed on their brother Abimelech, who killed them, and on the [ac]leaders of Shechem, who [ad]encouraged him to kill his brothers.
Footnotes
- Judges 8:30 Lit came from his loins
- Judges 8:31 Lit appointed his name
- Judges 8:33 I.e., against God
- Judges 9:1 I.e., Gideon
- Judges 9:2 Or landowners
- Judges 9:3 Or landowners
- Judges 9:3 Lit their hearts inclined after
- Judges 9:5 Perhaps a mass human sacrifice
- Judges 9:6 Or landowners
- Judges 9:6 Or the house of Millo
- Judges 9:6 Or terebinth
- Judges 9:7 Or landowners
- Judges 9:9 Lit which by me
- Judges 9:11 Lit produce
- Judges 9:15 Or sincerely
- Judges 9:16 Or sincerity
- Judges 9:16 Lit if you have
- Judges 9:16 Lit according to the accomplishment of his hands
- Judges 9:17 Lit threw his soul away
- Judges 9:18 Or landowners
- Judges 9:19 Or sincerity
- Judges 9:20 Or landowners
- Judges 9:20 Or the house of Millo
- Judges 9:20 Or landowners
- Judges 9:20 Or the house of Millo
- Judges 9:23 Or landowners
- Judges 9:23 Or landowners
- Judges 9:24 Lit of the seventy
- Judges 9:24 Or landowners
- Judges 9:24 Lit strengthened his hands
Judges 8:30-9:24
New International Version
Judges 8:30-9:24
New International Version
30 He had seventy sons(A) of his own, for he had many wives. 31 His concubine,(B) who lived in Shechem, also bore him a son, whom he named Abimelek.(C) 32 Gideon son of Joash died at a good old age(D) and was buried in the tomb of his father Joash in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
33 No sooner had Gideon died than the Israelites again prostituted themselves to the Baals.(E) They set up Baal-Berith(F) as their god(G) 34 and did not remember(H) the Lord their God, who had rescued them from the hands of all their enemies on every side. 35 They also failed to show any loyalty to the family of Jerub-Baal(I) (that is, Gideon) in spite of all the good things he had done for them.(J)
Abimelek
9 Abimelek(K) son of Jerub-Baal(L) went to his mother’s brothers in Shechem and said to them and to all his mother’s clan, 2 “Ask all the citizens of Shechem, ‘Which is better for you: to have all seventy of Jerub-Baal’s sons rule over you, or just one man?’ Remember, I am your flesh and blood.(M)”
3 When the brothers repeated all this to the citizens of Shechem, they were inclined to follow Abimelek, for they said, “He is related to us.” 4 They gave him seventy shekels[a] of silver from the temple of Baal-Berith,(N) and Abimelek used it to hire reckless scoundrels,(O) who became his followers. 5 He went to his father’s home in Ophrah and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers,(P) the sons of Jerub-Baal. But Jotham,(Q) the youngest son of Jerub-Baal, escaped by hiding.(R) 6 Then all the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo(S) gathered beside the great tree(T) at the pillar in Shechem to crown Abimelek king.
7 When Jotham(U) was told about this, he climbed up on the top of Mount Gerizim(V) and shouted to them, “Listen to me, citizens of Shechem, so that God may listen to you. 8 One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Be our king.’
9 “But the olive tree answered, ‘Should I give up my oil, by which both gods and humans are honored, to hold sway over the trees?’
10 “Next, the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and be our king.’
11 “But the fig tree replied, ‘Should I give up my fruit, so good and sweet, to hold sway over the trees?’
12 “Then the trees said to the vine, ‘Come and be our king.’
13 “But the vine answered, ‘Should I give up my wine,(W) which cheers both gods and humans, to hold sway over the trees?’
14 “Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘Come and be our king.’
15 “The thornbush said to the trees, ‘If you really want to anoint me king over you, come and take refuge in my shade;(X) but if not, then let fire come out(Y) of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon!’(Z)
16 “Have you acted honorably and in good faith by making Abimelek king? Have you been fair to Jerub-Baal and his family? Have you treated him as he deserves? 17 Remember that my father fought for you and risked(AA) his life to rescue you from the hand of Midian. 18 But today you have revolted against my father’s family. You have murdered his seventy sons(AB) on a single stone and have made Abimelek, the son of his female slave, king over the citizens of Shechem because he is related to you. 19 So have you acted honorably and in good faith toward Jerub-Baal and his family today?(AC) If you have, may Abimelek be your joy, and may you be his, too! 20 But if you have not, let fire come out(AD) from Abimelek and consume you, the citizens of Shechem(AE) and Beth Millo,(AF) and let fire come out from you, the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo, and consume Abimelek!”
21 Then Jotham(AG) fled, escaping to Beer,(AH) and he lived there because he was afraid of his brother Abimelek.
22 After Abimelek had governed Israel three years, 23 God stirred up animosity(AI) between Abimelek and the citizens of Shechem so that they acted treacherously against Abimelek. 24 God did this in order that the crime against Jerub-Baal’s seventy sons,(AJ) the shedding(AK) of their blood, might be avenged(AL) on their brother Abimelek and on the citizens of Shechem, who had helped him(AM) murder his brothers.
Footnotes
- Judges 9:4 That is, about 1 3/4 pounds or about 800 grams
Judges 8:30-9:24
New Living Translation
Judges 8:30-9:24
New Living Translation
30 He had seventy sons born to him, for he had many wives. 31 He also had a concubine in Shechem, who gave birth to a son, whom he named Abimelech. 32 Gideon died when he was very old, and he was buried in the grave of his father, Joash, at Ophrah in the land of the clan of Abiezer.
33 As soon as Gideon died, the Israelites prostituted themselves by worshiping the images of Baal, making Baal-berith their god. 34 They forgot the Lord their God, who had rescued them from all their enemies surrounding them. 35 Nor did they show any loyalty to the family of Jerub-baal (that is, Gideon), despite all the good he had done for Israel.
Abimelech Rules over Shechem
9 One day Gideon’s[a] son Abimelech went to Shechem to visit his uncles—his mother’s brothers. He said to them and to the rest of his mother’s family, 2 “Ask the leading citizens of Shechem whether they want to be ruled by all seventy of Gideon’s sons or by one man. And remember that I am your own flesh and blood!”
3 So Abimelech’s uncles gave his message to all the citizens of Shechem on his behalf. And after listening to this proposal, the people of Shechem decided in favor of Abimelech because he was their relative. 4 They gave him seventy silver coins from the temple of Baal-berith, which he used to hire some reckless troublemakers who agreed to follow him. 5 He went to his father’s home at Ophrah, and there, on one stone, they killed all seventy of his half brothers, the sons of Gideon.[b] But the youngest brother, Jotham, escaped and hid.
6 Then all the leading citizens of Shechem and Beth-millo called a meeting under the oak beside the pillar[c] at Shechem and made Abimelech their king.
Jotham’s Parable
7 When Jotham heard about this, he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim and shouted,
“Listen to me, citizens of Shechem!
Listen to me if you want God to listen to you!
8 Once upon a time the trees decided to choose a king.
First they said to the olive tree,
‘Be our king!’
9 But the olive tree refused, saying,
‘Should I quit producing the olive oil
that blesses both God and people,
just to wave back and forth over the trees?’
10 “Then they said to the fig tree,
‘You be our king!’
11 But the fig tree also refused, saying,
‘Should I quit producing my sweet fruit
just to wave back and forth over the trees?’
12 “Then they said to the grapevine,
‘You be our king!’
13 But the grapevine also refused, saying,
‘Should I quit producing the wine
that cheers both God and people,
just to wave back and forth over the trees?’
14 “Then all the trees finally turned to the thornbush and said,
‘Come, you be our king!’
15 And the thornbush replied to the trees,
‘If you truly want to make me your king,
come and take shelter in my shade.
If not, let fire come out from me
and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’”
16 Jotham continued, “Now make sure you have acted honorably and in good faith by making Abimelech your king, and that you have done right by Gideon and all of his descendants. Have you treated him with the honor he deserves for all he accomplished? 17 For he fought for you and risked his life when he rescued you from the Midianites. 18 But today you have revolted against my father and his descendants, killing his seventy sons on one stone. And you have chosen his slave woman’s son, Abimelech, to be your king just because he is your relative.
19 “If you have acted honorably and in good faith toward Gideon and his descendants today, then may you find joy in Abimelech, and may he find joy in you. 20 But if you have not acted in good faith, then may fire come out from Abimelech and devour the leading citizens of Shechem and Beth-millo; and may fire come out from the citizens of Shechem and Beth-millo and devour Abimelech!”
21 Then Jotham escaped and lived in Beer because he was afraid of his brother Abimelech.
Shechem Rebels against Abimelech
22 After Abimelech had ruled over Israel for three years, 23 God sent a spirit that stirred up trouble between Abimelech and the leading citizens of Shechem, and they revolted. 24 God was punishing Abimelech for murdering Gideon’s seventy sons, and the citizens of Shechem for supporting him in this treachery of murdering his brothers.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) 
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.