Judges 9:18
New International Version
But today you have revolted against my father’s family. You have murdered his seventy sons 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.

New Living Translation
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.

English Standard Version
and you have risen up against my father’s house this day and have killed his sons, seventy men on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the leaders of Shechem, because he is your relative—

Berean Standard Bible
but you have risen up against my father’s house this day and killed his seventy sons on a single stone, and you have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the leaders of Shechem because he is your brother—

King James Bible
And ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;)

New King James Version
but you have risen up against my father’s house this day, and killed his seventy sons on one stone, and made Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother—

New American Standard Bible
but in fact you have risen against my father’s house today and have killed his sons, seventy men, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his female slave, king over the leaders of Shechem, because he is your relative—

NASB 1995
but you have risen against my father’s house today and have killed his sons, seventy men, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your relative—

NASB 1977
but you have risen against my father’s house today and have killed his sons, seventy men, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your relative—

Legacy Standard Bible
but you have risen against my father’s house today and have killed his sons, seventy men, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the lords of Shechem, because he is your relative—

Amplified Bible
but you have risen against my father’s house today and have murdered his sons, seventy men, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, son of his maidservant, king over the people of Shechem, because he is your relative—

Christian Standard Bible
and now you have attacked my father’s family today, killed his seventy sons on top of a large stone, and made Abimelech, the son of his slave woman, king over the citizens of Shechem ‘because he is your brother’—

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and now you have attacked my father’s house today, killed his 70 sons on top of a large stone, and made Abimelech, the son of his slave, king over the lords of Shechem ‘because he is your brother—

American Standard Version
and ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maid-servant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother);

English Revised Version
and ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;)

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But today you have attacked my father's family. You have executed his 70 sons. You have made Abimelech, who is the son of my father's slave girl, king over the citizens of Shechem just because he's your brother.

Good News Translation
But today you turned against my father's family. You killed his sons--seventy men on a single stone--and just because Abimelech, his son by his servant woman, is your relative, you have made him king of Shechem.

International Standard Version
"But now as for you, you've rebelled against my father's house today. You've murdered his sons—70 men—in one place, and you've installed Abimelech, the son of his mistress, as king to rule over the "lords" of Shechem, since he's related to you.

Majority Standard Bible
but you have risen up against my father?s house this day and killed his seventy sons on a single stone, and you have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the leaders of Shechem because he is your brother?

NET Bible
But you have attacked my father's family today. You murdered his seventy legitimate sons on one stone and made Abimelech, the son of his female slave, king over the leaders of Shechem, just because he is your close relative.

New Heart English Bible
and you are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, seventy persons, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the lords of Shechem, because he is your brother).

Webster's Bible Translation
And ye have risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, seventy persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maid-servant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother:)

World English Bible
and you have risen up against my father’s house today and have slain his sons, seventy persons, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother);
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and you have risen against the house of my father today, and slay his sons, seventy men, on one stone, and cause Abimelech son of his handmaid to reign over the masters of Shechem, because he [is] your brother—

Young's Literal Translation
and ye have risen against the house of my father to-day, and slay his sons, seventy men, on one stone, and cause Abimelech son of his handmaid to reign over the masters of Shechem, because he is your brother --

Smith's Literal Translation
And ye rose up against the house of my father this day, and ye will kill his sons, seventy men, upon one stone; and ye will make Abimelech, son of his maid, king over the lords of Shechem, because he is your brother:)
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And you are now risen up against my father's house, and have killed his sons seventy men upon one stone, and have made Abimelech the son of his handmaid king over the inhabitants of Sichem, because he is your brother:

Catholic Public Domain Version
though you now have risen up against my father’s house, and have killed his sons, seventy men, upon one stone, and have appointed Abimelech, the son of his handmaid, as a king over the inhabitants of Shechem, since he is your brother,

New American Bible
but you have risen against my father’s house today and killed his seventy sons upon one stone and made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the lords of Shechem, because he is your kin—

New Revised Standard Version
but you have risen up against my father’s house this day, and have killed his sons, seventy men on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his slave woman, king over the lords of Shechem, because he is your kinsman—
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And you have risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, seventy men, upon one stone, and have made Abimeleck, the son of his maidservant, king over the lords of Shechem, because he is your brother;)

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you are risen over the house of my father today and you have murdered his sons, seventy men on one rock, and you set King Abimelek, son of his Handmaid, over the Lords of Shekeem because he is your brother
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maid-servant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother--

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and ye are risen up this day against the house of my father, and have slain his sons, being seventy men, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech the son of his bondwoman king over the men of Sicima, because he is your brother:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jotham's Parable
17for my father fought for you and risked his life to deliver you from the hand of Midian, 18but you have risen up against my father’s house this day and killed his seventy sons on a single stone, and you have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the leaders of Shechem because he is your brother— 19if you have acted faithfully and honestly toward Jerubbaal and his house this day, then may you rejoice in Abimelech, and he in you.…

Cross References
Genesis 4:8
Then Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.

1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”

2 Samuel 11:14-15
The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. / In the letter he wrote: “Put Uriah at the front of the fiercest battle; then withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and killed.”

1 Kings 21:8-13
Then Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab’s name, sealed them with his seal, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived with Naboth in his city. / In the letters she wrote: “Proclaim a fast and give Naboth a seat of honor among the people. / But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” ...

Psalm 55:21
His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.

Proverbs 26:24-26
A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart. / When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. / Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

Isaiah 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter.

Jeremiah 9:8
Their tongues are deadly arrows; they speak deception. With his mouth a man speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him.

Ezekiel 22:27
Her officials within her are like wolves tearing their prey, shedding blood, and destroying lives for dishonest gain.

Hosea 6:9
Like raiders who lie in ambush, so does a band of priests; they murder on the way to Shechem; surely they have committed atrocities.

Matthew 23:27-28
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. / In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

Mark 7:21-23
For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, / greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. / All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man.”

Luke 22:47-48
While He was still speaking, a crowd arrived, led by the man called Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him. / But Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.

Acts 7:52
Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers—


Treasury of Scripture

And you are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, three score and ten persons, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;)

are risen

Judges 9:5,6
And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself…

Judges 8:35
Neither shewed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had shewed unto Israel.

Psalm 109:4
For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.

Abimelech

Judges 9:6,14
And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem…

Judges 8:31
And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bare him a son, whose name he called Abimelech.

Jump to Previous
Abimelech House Maidservant Maid-Servant Persons Risen Servant Seventy Shechem Slain Stone Ten Threescore
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Abimelech House Maidservant Maid-Servant Persons Risen Servant Seventy Shechem Slain Stone Ten Threescore
Judges 9
1. Abimelech by conspiracy with the Shechemites, and murder of his brothers, is made king
7. Jotham by a parable rebukes them, and foretells their ruin
22. Gaal conspires with the Shechemites against him
30. Zebul reveals it
34. Abimelech overcomes them, and sows the city with salt
46. He burns the hold of the god Berith
50. At Thebez he is slain by a piece of a millstone
56. Jotham's curse is fulfilled.














But you have risen up
This phrase indicates an act of rebellion or insurrection. In the Hebrew context, the verb "risen up" (קוּם, qum) often implies a deliberate and forceful action. Historically, this reflects the turbulent period of the Judges, where Israel frequently experienced cycles of rebellion against God and His appointed leaders. The act of rising up against established authority is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, often leading to divine judgment.

against my father’s house
The "father's house" refers to the family lineage and authority of Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal. In ancient Israel, the family unit was central to social and religious life. The attack on Gideon's house is not just a personal vendetta but an assault on the God-ordained leadership and legacy. This highlights the gravity of Abimelech's actions, as he disrupts the divinely established order.

today
The use of "today" emphasizes the immediacy and urgency of the situation. It suggests a pivotal moment in Israel's history, where decisions and actions have immediate and long-lasting consequences. In the biblical narrative, "today" often marks a significant turning point, calling the audience to reflect on the present moment's spiritual and moral implications.

and killed his seventy sons
The number "seventy" in the Bible often symbolizes completeness or totality. The slaughter of Gideon's sons represents a complete eradication of his lineage, a heinous act of fratricide. This massacre underscores the depth of Abimelech's ambition and the moral decay present in Israel during this period. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's commandments.

on a single stone
The "single stone" may symbolize a place of execution or judgment. In ancient cultures, stones were often used as altars or places of sacrifice. This detail highlights the brutality and premeditated nature of the killings. It also serves as a metaphor for the hardness of Abimelech's heart and the solidification of his rebellion against God's chosen order.

and made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant
Abimelech's status as "the son of his maidservant" indicates his lower social standing and illegitimacy in the eyes of Israelite society. This background adds a layer of complexity to his character, as he seeks to overcome his status through ruthless ambition. It also reflects the broader biblical theme of God using unexpected individuals to fulfill His purposes, though in Abimelech's case, it is through negative example.

king over the leaders of Shechem
Shechem holds historical and spiritual significance in Israel's history, being a city of refuge and a place of covenant renewal. The leaders of Shechem's decision to make Abimelech king reveals their complicity in his rebellion and their departure from covenant faithfulness. This act of crowning a king outside of God's will foreshadows the later struggles Israel will face with monarchy.

because he is your brother
The phrase "because he is your brother" highlights the tribal and familial loyalties that often influenced political decisions in ancient Israel. This nepotism contrasts with the biblical ideal of leadership based on divine calling and righteousness. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of prioritizing human relationships over obedience to God.

(18) Threescore and ten persons.--See Note on. Judges 9:5.

The son of his maidservant.--The term is intentionally contemptuous. It seems clear from Judges 8:31; Judges 9:1, that she was not a slave, but even of high birth among the Canaanites.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
but you
וְאַתֶּ֞ם (wə·’at·tem)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

have risen up
קַמְתֶּ֨ם (qam·tem)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

against
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

my father's
אָבִי֙ (’ā·ḇî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1: Father

house
בֵּ֤ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

this day
הַיּ֔וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

and killed
וַתַּהַרְג֧וּ (wat·ta·har·ḡū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent

his seventy
שִׁבְעִ֥ים (šiḇ·‘îm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 7657: Seventy (a cardinal number)

sons
בָּנָ֛יו (bā·nāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

a single
אֶחָ֑ת (’e·ḥāṯ)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

stone,
אֶ֣בֶן (’e·ḇen)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 68: A stone

and you have made Abimelech,
אֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ (’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 40: Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite name

the son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of his maidservant,
אֲמָתוֹ֙ (’ă·mā·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 519: A maidservant, female slave

king
וַתַּמְלִ֜יכוּ (wat·tam·lî·ḵū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 4427: To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel

over
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the leaders
בַּעֲלֵ֣י (ba·‘ă·lê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1167: A master, a husband, owner

of Shechem
שְׁכֶ֔ם (šə·ḵem)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7927: Shechem -- 'ridge', a district in Northern Palestine, also a son of Hamor

because
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he
הֽוּא׃ (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

is your brother?
אֲחִיכֶ֖ם (’ă·ḥî·ḵem)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 251: A brother, )


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OT History: Judges 9:18 And you are risen up against my (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 9:17
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