“Put this question to all the citizens of Shechem: Which is better for you—to be ruled by all seventy sons of Jerubbaal, or to be ruled by one? And remember, I am your own flesh and blood.”aflesh and blood Lit. “bone and flesh.”
His mother’s brothers said all this in his behalf to all the citizens of Shechem, and they were won over to Abimelech; for they thought, “He is our kinsman.”
They gave him seventy shekels from the temple of Baal-berith; and with this Abimelech hired some worthlessbworthless Or “rootless”; cf. Kimhi. and reckless men, and they followed him.
Then he went to his father’s house in Ophrah and killed his brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy in succession on one stone. Only Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he went into hiding.
All the citizens of Shechem and all Beth-millo convened, and they proclaimed Abimelech king at the terebinth of the pillarcpillar Meaning of Heb. uncertain. at Shechem.
When Jotham was informed, he went and stood on top of Mount Gerizim and called out to them in a loud voice. “Citizens of Shechem!” he cried, “Listen to me, that God may listen to you.
Word-by-Word Analysis
ויגדו
29
ליותם
486
וילך
66
ויעמד
130
בראש
503
הרגרזים
465
וישא
317
קולו
142
ויקרא
317
ויאמר
257
להם
75
שמעו
416
אלי
41
בעלי
112
שכם
360
וישמע
426
אליכם
101
אלהים
86
Judges 9:8
Gematria: 2032
הלוךהלכוהעציםלמשחעליהםמלךויאמרולזיתמלוכהמלכהעלינו
“Once the trees went to anoint a king over themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’
But the olive tree replied, ‘Have I, through whom God and humans are honored, stopped yielding my rich oil, that I should go and wave above the trees?’
Word-by-Word Analysis
ויאמר
257
להם
75
הזית
422
החדלתי
457
אתדשני
765
אשרבי
513
יכבדו
42
אלהים
86
ואנשים
407
והלכתי
471
לנוע
156
עלהעצים
315
Judges 9:10
Gematria: 1691
ויאמרוהעציםלתאנהלכיאתמלכיעלינו
So the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You come and reign over us.’
And the thornbush said to the trees, ‘If you are acting honorably in anointing me king over you, come and take shelter in my shade; but if not, may fire issue from the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon!’
“Now then, if you acted honorably and loyally in making Abimelech king, if you have done right by Jerubbaal and his house and have requited him according to his deserts—
Word-by-Word Analysis
ועתה
481
אםבאמת
484
ובתמים
498
עשיתם
820
ותמליכו
512
אתאבימלך
504
ואםטובה
69
עשיתם
820
עםירבעל
422
ועםביתו
534
ואםכגמול
146
ידיו
30
עשיתם
820
לו
36
Judges 9:17
Gematria: 2867
אשרנלחםאביעליכםוישלךאתנפשומנגדויצלאתכםמידמדין
considering that my father fought for you and saved you from the Midianites at the risk of his life,
and now you have turned on my father’s household, killed his sons (seventy in succession on one stone!) and set up Abimelech, the son of his handmaid, as king over the citizens of Shechem just because he is your kinsman—
But if not, may fire issue from Abimelech and consume the citizens of Shechem and Beth-millo, and may fire issue from the citizens of Shechem and Beth-millo and consume Abimelech!”
Word-by-Word Analysis
ואםאין
108
תצא
491
אש
301
מאבימלך
143
ותאכל
457
אתבעלי
513
שכם
360
ואתבית
819
מלוא
77
ותצא
497
אש
301
מבעלי
152
שכם
360
ומבית
458
מלוא
77
ותאכל
457
אתאבימלך
504
Judges 9:21
Gematria: 2128
וינסיותםויברחוילךבארהוישבשםמפניאבימלךאחיופ
With that, Jotham fled. He ran to Beer and stayed there, because of his brother Abimelech.
to the end that the crime committed against the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might be avenged, and their blood recoil upon their brother Abimelech, who had slain them, and upon the citizens of Shechem, who had abetted him in the slaying of his brothers.
The citizens of Shechem planted ambuscades against him on the hilltops; and they robbed whoever passed by them on the road. Word of this reached Abimelech.
Word-by-Word Analysis
וישימו
372
לו
36
בעלי
112
שכם
360
מארבים
293
על
100
ראשי
511
ההרים
260
ויגזלו
62
את
401
כלאשריעבר
833
עליהם
155
בדרך
226
ויגד
23
לאבימלךפ
213
Judges 9:26
Gematria: 1458
ויבאגעלבןעבדואחיוויעברובשכםויבטחובובעלישכם
Then Gaal son of Ebed and his companions came passing through Shechem, and the citizens of Shechem gave him their confidence.
They went out into the fields, gathered and trod out the vintage of their vineyards, and made a festival. They entered the temple of their god, and as they ate and drank they reviled Abimelech.
Gaal son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech and who are [we] Shechemites, that we should serve him? This same son of Jerubbaal and his lieutenant Zebul once served the entourage of Hamor, the father of Shechem;dThis same son … Shechem Meaning of Heb. uncertain. so why should we serve him?
Oh, if only this people were under my command, I would get rid of Abimelech! OneeOne Septuagint reads “I.” would challenge Abimelech, ‘Fill up your ranks and come out here!’”
Word-by-Word Analysis
ומי
56
יתן
460
אתהעם
516
הזה
17
בידי
26
ואסירה
282
אתאבימלך
504
ויאמר
257
לאבימלך
133
רבה
207
צבאך
113
וצאה
102
Judges 9:30
Gematria: 2409
וישמעזבלשרהעיראתדבריגעלבןעבדויחראפו
When Zebul, the governor of the city, heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed, he was furious.
He sent messages to Abimelech at TormahfTormah Called “Arumah” in v. 41. to say, “Gaal son of Ebed and his companions have come to Shechem and they are incitingginciting Meaning of Heb. uncertain. the city against you.
Word-by-Word Analysis
וישלח
354
מלאכים
141
אלאבימלך
134
בתרמה
647
לאמר
271
הנה
60
געל
103
בןעבד
128
ואחיו
31
באים
53
שכמה
365
והנם
101
צרים
340
אתהעיר
686
עליך
130
Judges 9:32
Gematria: 2671
ועתהקוםלילהאתהוהעםאשראתךוארבבשדה
Therefore, set out at night with the forces you have with you and conceal yourself in the fields.
Early next morning, as the sun rises, advance on the city. He and his troops will thereupon come out against you, and you will do to him whatever you find possible.”
Word-by-Word Analysis
והיה
26
בבקר
304
כזרח
235
השמש
645
תשכים
770
ופשטת
795
עלהעיר
385
והנההוא
78
והעם
121
אשראתו
908
יצאים
151
אליך
61
ועשית
786
לו
36
כאשר
521
תמצא
531
ידך
34
Judges 9:34
Gematria: 2636
ויקםאבימלךוכלהעםאשרעמולילהויארבועלשכםארבעהראשים
Abimelech and all the troops with him set out at night and disposed themselves against Shechem in four hiding places.
Gaal saw the troops and said to Zebul, “Look, troops are coming down from the hilltops!” But Zebul said to him, “The shadows of the hills look to you like people.”
“Well,” replied Zebul, “where is your boast, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him’? Are these not the troops you sneered at? Now go out and fight with them!”
Word-by-Word Analysis
ויאמר
257
אליו
47
זבל
39
איה
16
אפוא
88
פיך
110
אשר
501
תאמר
641
מי
50
אבימלך
103
כי
30
נעבדנו
182
הלא
36
זה
12
העם
115
אשר
501
מאסתה
506
בו
8
צאנא
142
עתה
475
והלחם
89
בו
8
Judges 9:39
Gematria: 1051
ויצאגעללפניבעלישכםוילחםבאבימלך
So Gaal went out at the head of the citizens of Shechem and gave battle to Abimelech.
Word-by-Word Analysis
ויצא
107
געל
103
לפני
170
בעלי
112
שכם
360
וילחם
94
באבימלך
105
Judges 9:40
Gematria: 2365
וירדפהואבימלךוינסמפניוויפלוחלליםרביםעדפתחהשער
But he had to flee before him, and Abimelech pursued him, and many fell slain, all the way to the entrance of the gate.
Word-by-Word Analysis
וירדפהו
311
אבימלך
103
וינס
126
מפניו
186
ויפלו
132
חללים
118
רבים
252
עדפתח
562
השער
575
Judges 9:41
Gematria: 3333
וישבאבימלךבארומהויגרשזבלאתגעלואתאחיומשבתבשכםס
Then Abimelech stayed in Arumah,hArumah Cf. “Tormah” in v. 31. while Zebul expelled Gaal and his companions and kept them out of Shechem.
Word-by-Word Analysis
וישב
318
אבימלך
103
בארומה
254
ויגרש
519
זבל
39
אתגעל
504
ואתאחיו
432
משבת
742
בשכםס
422
Judges 9:42
Gematria: 1417
ויהיממחרתויצאהעםהשדהויגדולאבימלך
The next day, people went out into the fields,iinto the fields For their everyday labor. and this was reported to Abimelech.
So he took his troops, divided them into three columns, and lay in ambush in the fields; and when he saw the people coming out of the city, he pounced upon them and struck them down.
While Abimelech and the columnjcolumn Heb. “columns.” that followed him dashed ahead and took up a position at the entrance of the city gate, the other two columns rushed upon all that were in the open and struck them down.
Abimelech fought against the city all that day. He captured the city and massacred the people in it; he razed the town and sowed it with salt.
Word-by-Word Analysis
ואבימלך
109
נלחם
128
בעיר
282
כל
50
היום
61
ההוא
17
וילכד
70
אתהעיר
686
ואתהעם
522
אשרבה
508
הרג
208
ויתץ
506
אתהעיר
686
ויזרעה
298
מלחפ
158
Judges 9:46
Gematria: 2450
וישמעוכלבעלימגדלשכםויבאואלצריחביתאלברית
When all the citizens of the Tower of ShechemkTower of Shechem Perhaps identical with Beth-millo of vv. 6 and 20. learned of this, they went into the tunnelltunnel Cf. 1 Sam. 13.6; in contrast to others “citadel.” of the temple of El-berith.mEl-berith Called “Baal-berith” in v. 4.
Word-by-Word Analysis
וישמעו
432
כלבעלי
162
מגדלשכם
437
ויבאו
25
אלצריח
339
בית
412
אל
31
ברית
612
Judges 9:47
Gematria: 1388
ויגדלאבימלךכיהתקבצוכלבעלימגדלשכם
When Abimelech was informed that all the citizens of the Tower of Shechem had gathered [there],
Abimelech and all the troops he had with him went up on Mount Zalmon. Taking an axnan ax Heb. plural. in his hand, Abimelech lopped off a tree limb and lifted it onto his shoulder. Then he said to the troops that accompanied him, “What you saw me do—quick, do the same!”
So each of the troops also lopped off a bough; then they marched behind Abimelech and laid them against the tunnel, and set fire to the tunnel over their heads. Thus all the peopleopeople Or “occupants.” of the Tower of Shechem also perished, about a thousand men and women.
Word-by-Word Analysis
ויכרתו
642
גםכלהעם
208
איש
311
שוכה
331
וילכו
72
אחרי
219
אבימלך
103
וישימו
372
עלהצריח
413
ויציתו
522
עליהם
155
אתהצריח
714
באש
303
וימתו
462
גם
43
כלאנשי
411
מגדלשכם
437
כאלף
131
איש
311
ואשהפ
392
Judges 9:50
Gematria: 1335
וילךאבימלךאלתבץויחןבתבץוילכדה
Abimelech proceeded to Thebez; he encamped at Thebez and occupied it.
Within the town was a fortified tower; and men and women took refuge there, including all the citizens of the town. They shut themselves in, and went up on the roof of the tower.
Word-by-Word Analysis
ומגדלעז
160
היה
20
בתוךהעיר
713
וינסו
132
שמה
345
כלהאנשים
456
והנשים
411
וכל
56
בעלי
112
העיר
285
ויסגרו
285
בעדם
116
ויעלו
122
עלגג
106
המגדל
82
Judges 9:52
Gematria: 2262
ויבאאבימלךעדהמגדלוילחםבוויגשעדפתחהמגדללשרפובאש
Abimelech pressed forward to the tower and attacked it. He approached the door of the tower to set it on fire.
Word-by-Word Analysis
ויבא
19
אבימלך
103
עדהמגדל
156
וילחם
94
בו
8
ויגש
319
עדפתח
562
המגדל
82
לשרפו
616
באש
303
Judges 9:53
Gematria: 4084
ותשלךאשהאחתפלחרכבעלראשאבימלךותרץאתגלגלתו
But a woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head and cracked his skull.
He immediately cried out to his attendant, his arms-bearer, “Draw your dagger and finish me off, that they may not say of me, ‘A woman killed him!’” So his attendant stabbed him, and he died.
Word-by-Word Analysis
ויקרא
317
מהרה
250
אלהנער
356
נשא
351
כליו
66
ויאמר
257
לו
36
שלף
410
חרבך
230
ומותתני
912
פןיאמרו
387
לי
40
אשה
306
הרגתהו
619
וידקרהו
331
נערו
326
וימת
456
Judges 9:55
Gematria: 2247
ויראואישישראלכימתאבימלךוילכואישלמקמו
When those on Israel’s side saw that Abimelech was dead, everyone went home.
Word-by-Word Analysis
ויראו
223
אישישראל
852
כי
30
מת
440
אבימלך
103
וילכו
72
איש
311
למקמו
216
Judges 9:56
Gematria: 3589
וישבאלהיםאתרעתאבימלךאשרעשהלאביולהרגאתשבעיםאחיו
Thus God repaid Abimelech for the evil he had done to his father by slaying his seventy brothers;
and God likewise repaid the people of Shechemppeople of Shechem Cf. v. 23 and note at 8.5. for all their wickedness. And so the curse of Jotham son of Jerubbaal was fulfilled upon them.