◄ Judges 9 ►
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1Now Abimelech son of Jerubbaal went to his mother’s brothers at Shechem and said to them and all the clan of his mother, 1וַיֵּ֨לֶךְ אֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ בֶּן־ יְרֻבַּ֙עַל֙ שְׁכֶ֔מָה אֶל־ אֲחֵ֖י אִמּ֑וֹ וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם וְאֶל־ כָּל־ מִשְׁפַּ֛חַת בֵּית־ אֲבִ֥י אִמּ֖וֹ לֵאמֹֽר׃
2“Please ask all the leaders of Shechem, ‘Is it better for you that seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, rule over you, or just one man?’ Remember that I am your own flesh and blood.” 2דַּבְּרוּ־ נָ֞א בְּאָזְנֵ֨י כָל־ בַּעֲלֵ֣י שְׁכֶם֮ מַה־ טּ֣וֹב לָכֶם֒ הַמְשֹׁ֨ל בָּכֶ֜ם שִׁבְעִ֣ים אִ֗ישׁ כֹּ֚ל בְּנֵ֣י יְרֻבַּ֔עַל אִם־ מְשֹׁ֥ל בָּכֶ֖ם אִ֣ישׁ אֶחָ֑ד וּזְכַרְתֶּ֕ם כִּֽי־ עַצְמֵכֶם‪‬‪‬‪‬ וּבְשַׂרְכֶ֖ם אָנִֽי׃‪‬
3And when his mother’s brothers spoke all these words about him in the presence of all the leaders of Shechem, their hearts were inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, “He is our brother.” 3וַיְדַבְּר֨וּ אֲחֵֽי־ אִמּ֜וֹ עָלָ֗יו בְּאָזְנֵי֙ כָּל־ בַּעֲלֵ֣י שְׁכֶ֔ם אֵ֥ת כָּל־ הַדְּבָרִ֖ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה וַיֵּ֤ט לִבָּם֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ כִּ֥י אָמְר֖וּ אָחִ֥ינוּ הֽוּא׃
4So they gave him seventy [shekels] of silver from the temple of Baal-berith, with which Abimelech hired some worthless and reckless men to follow him. 4וַיִּתְּנוּ־ לוֹ֙ שִׁבְעִ֣ים כֶּ֔סֶף מִבֵּ֖יתּ‪‬ בַ֣עַל‪‬ בְּרִ֑ית וַיִּשְׂכֹּ֨ר בָּהֶ֜ם אֲבִימֶ֗לֶךְ אֲנָשִׁ֤ים רֵיקִים֙ וּפֹ֣חֲזִ֔ים וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ אַחֲרָֽיו׃
5He went to his father’s house in Ophrah, and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he hid himself. 5וַיָּבֹ֤א בֵית־ אָבִיו֙ עָפְרָ֔תָה וַֽיַּהֲרֹ֞ג אֶת־ אֶחָ֧יו בְּנֵֽי־ יְרֻבַּ֛עַל שִׁבְּעִ֥ים‪‬ אִ֖ישׁ עַל־ אֶ֣בֶן אֶחָ֑ת וַיִּוָּתֵ֞ר יוֹתָ֧ם בֶּן־ יְרֻבַּ֛עַל הַקָּטֹ֖ן כִּ֥י נֶחְבָּֽא׃ ס
6Then all the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo gathered beside the oak at the pillar in Shechem and proceeded to make Abimelech [their] king. 6וַיֵּאָ֨סְפ֜וּ כָּל־ בַּעֲלֵ֤י שְׁכֶם֙ וְכָל־ בֵּ֣ית מִלּ֔וֹא וַיֵּ֣לְכ֔וּ וַיַּמְלִ֥יכוּ אֶת־ אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ לְמֶ֑לֶךְ עִם־ אֵל֥וֹן מֻצָּ֖ב אֲשֶׁ֥ר בִּשְׁכֶֽם׃
7When this was reported to Jotham, he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim, raised his voice, and cried out: “Listen to me, O leaders of Shechem, and may God listen to you. 7וַיַּגִּ֣דוּ לְיוֹתָ֗ם וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ וַֽיַּעֲמֹד֙ בְּרֹ֣אשׁ הַר־ גְּרִזִ֔ים וַיִּשָּׂ֥א קוֹל֖וֹ וַיִּקְרָ֑א וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לָהֶ֗ם שִׁמְע֤וּ אֵלַי֙ בַּעֲלֵ֣י שְׁכֶ֔ם וְיִשְׁמַ֥ע אֲלֵיכֶ֖ם אֱלֹהִֽים׃
8One day the trees set out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’ 8הָל֤וֹךְ הָֽלְכוּ֙ הָעֵצִ֔ים לִמְשֹׁ֥חַ עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם מֶ֑לֶךְ וַיֹּאמְר֥וּ לַזַּ֖יִת [מלוכה] (מָלְכָ֥ה) עָלֵֽינוּ׃
9But the olive tree replied, ‘Should I stop giving my oil that honors both God and man, to hold sway over the trees?’ 9וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לָהֶם֙ הַזַּ֔יִת הֶחֳדַ֙לְתִּי֙ אֶת־ דִּשְׁנִ֔י אֲשֶׁר־ בִּ֛י יְכַבְּד֥וּ אֱלֹהִ֖ים וַאֲנָשִׁ֑ים וְהָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י לָנ֖וּעַ עַל־ הָעֵצִֽים׃
10Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and reign over us.’ 10וַיֹּאמְר֥וּ הָעֵצִ֖ים לַתְּאֵנָ֑ה לְכִי־ אַ֖תְּ מָלְכִ֥י עָלֵֽינוּ׃
11But the fig tree replied, ‘Should I stop giving my sweetness and my good fruit, to hold sway over the trees?’ 11וַתֹּ֤אמֶר לָהֶם֙ הַתְּאֵנָ֔ה הֶחֳדַ֙לְתִּי֙ אֶת־ מָתְקִ֔י וְאֶת־ תְּנוּבָתִ֖י הַטּוֹבָ֑ה וְהָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י לָנ֖וּעַ עַל־ הָעֵצִֽים׃
12Then the trees said to the grapevine, ‘Come and reign over us.’ 12וַיֹּאמְר֥וּ הָעֵצִ֖ים לַגָּ֑פֶן לְכִי־ אַ֖תְּ [מלוכי] (מָלְכִ֥י) עָלֵֽינוּ׃
13But the grapevine replied, ‘Should I stop giving my wine that cheers [both] God and man, to hold sway over the trees?’ 13וַתֹּ֤אמֶר לָהֶם֙ הַגֶּ֔פֶן הֶחֳדַ֙לְתִּי֙ אֶת־ תִּ֣ירוֹשִׁ֔י הַֽמְשַׂמֵּ֥חַ אֱלֹהִ֖ים וַאֲנָשִׁ֑ים וְהָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י לָנ֖וּעַ עַל־ הָעֵצִֽים׃
14Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘Come and reign over us.’ 14וַיֹּאמְר֥וּ כָל־ הָעֵצִ֖ים אֶל־ הָאָטָ֑ד לֵ֥ךְ אַתָּ֖ה מְלָךְ־ עָלֵֽינוּ׃
15But the thornbush replied, ‘If you really are anointing me as king over you, come and find refuge in my shade. But if not, may fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon.” 15וַיֹּ֣אמֶר הָאָטָד֮ אֶל־ הָעֵצִים֒ אִ֡ם בֶּאֱמֶ֣ת אַתֶּם֩ מֹשְׁחִ֨ים אֹתִ֤י לְמֶ֙לֶךְ֙ עֲלֵיכֶ֔ם בֹּ֖אוּ חֲס֣וּ בְצִלִּ֑י וְאִם־ אַ֕יִן תֵּ֤צֵא אֵשׁ֙ מִן־ הָ֣אָטָ֔ד וְתֹאכַ֖ל אֶת־ אַרְזֵ֥י הַלְּבָנֽוֹן׃
16Now if you have acted faithfully and honestly in making Abimelech king, if you have done well by Jerubbaal and his family, and if you have done to him as he deserves— 16וְעַתָּ֗ה אִם־ בֶּאֱמֶ֤ת וּבְתָמִים֙ עֲשִׂיתֶ֔ם וַתַּמְלִ֖יכוּ אֶת־ אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ וְאִם־ טוֹבָ֤ה עֲשִׂיתֶם֙ עִם־ יְרֻבַּ֣עַל וְעִם־ בֵּית֔וֹ וְאִם־ כִּגְמ֥וּל יָדָ֖יו עֲשִׂ֥יתֶם לֽוֹ׃
17for my father fought for you and risked his life to deliver you from the hand of Midian, 17אֲשֶׁר־ נִלְחַ֥ם אָבִ֖י עֲלֵיכֶ֑ם וַיַּשְׁלֵ֤ךְ אֶת־ נַפְשׁוֹ֙ מִנֶּ֔גֶד וַיַּצֵּ֥ל אֶתְכֶ֖ם מִיַּ֥ד מִדְיָֽן׃
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— 18וְאַתֶּ֞ם קַמְתֶּ֨ם עַל־ בֵּ֤ית אָבִי֙ הַיּ֔וֹם וַתַּהַרְג֧וּ אֶת־ בָּנָ֛יו שִׁבְעִ֥ים אִ֖ישׁ עַל־ אֶ֣בֶן אֶחָ֑ת וַתַּמְלִ֜יכוּ אֶת־ אֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ בֶּן־ אֲמָתוֹ֙ עַל־ בַּעֲלֵ֣י שְׁכֶ֔ם כִּ֥י אֲחִיכֶ֖ם הֽוּא׃
19if you have acted faithfully and honestly toward Jerubbaal and his house this day, [then] may you rejoice in Abimelech, and he in you. 19וְאִם־ בֶּאֱמֶ֨ת וּבְתָמִ֧ים עֲשִׂיתֶ֛ם עִם־ יְרֻבַּ֥עַל וְעִם־ בֵּית֖וֹ הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה שִׂמְחוּ֙ בַּאֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ וְיִשְׂמַ֥ח גַּם־ ה֖וּא בָּכֶֽם׃
20But if not, may fire come from Abimelech and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo, and may fire come from the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo and consume Abimelech.” 20וְאִם־ אַ֕יִן תֵּ֤צֵא אֵשׁ֙ מֵאֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ וְתֹאכַ֛ל אֶת־ בַּעֲלֵ֥י שְׁכֶ֖ם וְאֶת־ בֵּ֣ית מִלּ֑וֹא וְתֵצֵ֨א אֵ֜שׁ מִבַּעֲלֵ֤י שְׁכֶם֙ וּמִבֵּ֣ית מִלּ֔וֹא וְתֹאכַ֖ל אֶת־ אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ׃
21Then Jotham ran away, escaping to Beer, and he lived there for fear of his brother Abimelech. 21וַיָּ֣נָס יוֹתָ֔ם וַיִּבְרַ֖ח וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ בְּאֵ֑רָה וַיֵּ֣שֶׁב שָׁ֔ם מִפְּנֵ֖י אֲבִימֶ֥לֶךְ אָחִֽיו׃ פ
22After Abimelech had reigned over Israel for three years, 22וַיָּ֧שַׂר אֲבִימֶ֛לֶךְ עַל־ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל שָׁלֹ֥שׁ שָׁנִֽים׃
23God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem and caused them to treat Abimelech deceitfully, 23וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח אֱלֹהִים֙ ר֣וּחַ רָעָ֔ה בֵּ֣ין אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ וּבֵ֖ין בַּעֲלֵ֣י שְׁכֶ֑ם וַיִּבְגְּד֥וּ בַעֲלֵי־ שְׁכֶ֖ם בַּאֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ׃
24in order that the crime against the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come to justice and their blood be avenged on their brother Abimelech and on the leaders of Shechem, who had helped him murder his brothers. 24לָב֕וֹא חֲמַ֖ס שִׁבְעִ֣ים בְּנֵֽי־ יְרֻבָּ֑עַל וְדָמָ֗ם לָשׂ֞וּם עַל־ אֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ אֲחִיהֶם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הָרַ֣ג אוֹתָ֔ם וְעַל֙ בַּעֲלֵ֣י שְׁכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁר־ חִזְּק֥וּ אֶת־ יָדָ֖יו לַהֲרֹ֥ג אֶת־ אֶחָֽיו׃
25The leaders of Shechem set an ambush against [Abimelech] on the hilltops, and they robbed all who passed by them on the road. So this was reported to Abimelech. 25וַיָּשִׂ֣ימוּ לוֹ֩ בַעֲלֵ֨י שְׁכֶ֜ם מְאָרְבִ֗ים עַ֚ל רָאשֵׁ֣י הֶהָרִ֔ים וַיִּגְזְל֗וּ אֵ֛ת כָּל־ אֲשֶׁר־ יַעֲבֹ֥ר עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם בַּדָּ֑רֶךְ וַיֻּגַּ֖ד לַאֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ׃ פ
26Meanwhile, Gaal son of Ebed came with his brothers and crossed into Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem put their confidence in him. 26וַיָּבֹ֞א גַּ֤עַל בֶּן־ עֶ֙בֶד֙ וְאֶחָ֔יו וַיַּעַבְר֖וּ בִּשְׁכֶ֑ם וַיִּבְטְחוּ־ ב֖וֹ בַּעֲלֵ֥י שְׁכֶֽם׃
27And after they had gone out into the fields, gathered [grapes] from their vineyards, and trodden [them], they held a festival and went into the house of their god; and as they ate and drank, they cursed Abimelech. 27וַיֵּצְא֨וּ הַשָּׂדֶ֜ה וַֽיִּבְצְר֤וּ אֶת־ כַּרְמֵיהֶם֙ וַֽיִּדְרְכ֔וּ וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֖וּ הִלּוּלִ֑ים וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ בֵּ֣ית אֱ‍ֽלֹֽהֵיהֶ֔ם וַיֹּֽאכְלוּ֙ וַיִּשְׁתּ֔וּ וַֽיְקַלְל֖וּ אֶת־ אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ׃
28Then Gaal son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, and is not Zebul his officer? You are to serve the men of Hamor, the father of Shechem. Why should we serve Abimelech? 28וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ׀ גַּ֣עַל בֶּן־ עֶ֗בֶד מִֽי־ אֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ וּמִֽי־ שְׁכֶם֙ כִּ֣י נַעַבְדֶ֔נּוּ הֲלֹ֥א בֶן־ יְרֻבַּ֖עַל וּזְבֻ֣ל פְּקִיד֑וֹ עִבְד֗וּ אֶת־ אַנְשֵׁ֤י חֲמוֹר֙ אֲבִ֣י שְׁכֶ֔ם וּמַדּ֖וּעַ נַעַבְדֶ֥נּוּ אֲנָֽחְנוּ׃
29If only this people were under my authority, I would remove Abimelech; I would say to [him], ‘Muster your army and come out!’” 29וּמִ֨י יִתֵּ֜ן אֶת־ הָעָ֤ם הַזֶּה֙ בְּיָדִ֔י וְאָסִ֖ירָה אֶת־ אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לַאֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ רַבֶּ֥ה צְבָאֲךָ֖ וָצֵֽאָה׃
30When Zebul the governor of the city heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed, he burned with anger. 30וַיִּשְׁמַ֗ע זְבֻל֙ שַׂר־ הָעִ֔יר אֶת־ דִּבְרֵ֖י גַּ֣עַל בֶּן־ עָ֑בֶד וַיִּ֖חַר אַפּֽוֹ׃
31So he covertly sent messengers to Abimelech to say, “Look, Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem and are stirring up the city against you. 31וַיִּשְׁלַ֧ח מַלְאָכִ֛ים אֶל־ אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ בְּתָרְמָ֣ה לֵאמֹ֑ר הִנֵּה֩ גַ֨עַל בֶּן־ עֶ֤בֶד וְאֶחָיו֙ בָּאִ֣ים שְׁכֶ֔מָה וְהִנָּ֛ם צָרִ֥ים אֶת־ הָעִ֖יר עָלֶֽיךָ׃
32Now then, tonight you and the people with you are to come and lie in wait in the fields. 32וְעַתָּה֙ ק֣וּם לַ֔יְלָה אַתָּ֖ה וְהָעָ֣ם אֲשֶׁר־ אִתָּ֑ךְ וֶאֱרֹ֖ב בַּשָּׂדֶֽה׃
33And in the morning at sunrise, get up and advance against the city. When [Gaal] and his men come out against you, do to them whatever you are able.” 33וְהָיָ֤ה בַבֹּ֙קֶר֙ כִּזְרֹ֣חַ הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ תַּשְׁכִּ֖ים וּפָשַׁטְתָּ֣ עַל־ הָעִ֑יר וְהִנֵּה־ ה֞וּא וְהָעָ֤ם אֲשֶׁר־ אִתּוֹ֙ יֹצְאִ֣ים אֵלֶ֔יךָ וְעָשִׂ֣יתָ לּ֔וֹ כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר תִּמְצָ֥א יָדֶֽךָ׃ ס
34So Abimelech and all his troops set out by night and lay in wait against Shechem in four companies. 34וַיָּ֧קָם אֲבִימֶ֛לֶךְ וְכָל־ הָעָ֥ם אֲשֶׁר־ עִמּ֖וֹ לָ֑יְלָה וַיֶּאֶרְב֣וּ עַל־ שְׁכֶ֔ם אַרְבָּעָ֖ה רָאשִֽׁים׃
35Now Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood at the entrance of the city gate just as Abimelech and his men came out from their hiding places. 35וַיֵּצֵא֙ גַּ֣עַל בֶּן־ עֶ֔בֶד וַיַּעֲמֹ֕ד פֶּ֖תַח שַׁ֣עַר הָעִ֑יר וַיָּ֧קָם אֲבִימֶ֛לֶךְ וְהָעָ֥ם אֲשֶׁר־ אִתּ֖וֹ מִן־ הַמַּאְרָֽב׃
36When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Look, people are coming down from the mountains!” But Zebul replied, “The shadows of the mountains look like men to you.” 36וַיַּרְא־ גַּעַל֮ אֶת־ הָעָם֒ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֶל־ זְבֻ֔ל הִנֵּה־ עָ֣ם יוֹרֵ֔ד מֵרָאשֵׁ֖י הֶהָרִ֑ים וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלָיו֙ זְבֻ֔ל אֵ֣ת צֵ֧ל הֶהָרִ֛ים אַתָּ֥ה רֹאֶ֖ה כָּאֲנָשִֽׁים׃ ס
37Then Gaal spoke up again, “Look, people are coming down from the center of the land, and one company is coming by way of the Diviners’ Oak.” 37וַיֹּ֨סֶף ע֣וֹד גַּעַל֮ לְדַבֵּר֒ וַיֹּ֕אמֶר הִנֵּה־ עָם֙ יֽוֹרְדִ֔ים מֵעִ֖ם טַבּ֣וּר הָאָ֑רֶץ וְרֹאשׁ־ אֶחָ֣ד בָּ֔א מִדֶּ֖רֶךְ אֵל֥וֹן מְעוֹנְנִֽים׃
38“Where is your gloating now?” Zebul replied. “You said, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Are these not the people you ridiculed? Go out now and fight them!” 38וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֵלָ֜יו זְבֻ֗ל אַיֵּ֨ה אֵפ֥וֹא פִ֙יךָ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֹּאמַ֔ר מִ֥י אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ כִּ֣י נַעַבְדֶ֑נּוּ הֲלֹ֨א זֶ֤ה הָעָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר מָאַ֣סְתָּה בּ֔וֹ צֵא־ נָ֥א עַתָּ֖ה וְהִלָּ֥חֶם בּֽוֹ׃ ס
39So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought against Abimelech, 39וַיֵּ֣צֵא גַ֔עַל לִפְנֵ֖י בַּעֲלֵ֣י שְׁכֶ֑ם וַיִּלָּ֖חֶם בַּאֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ׃
40but Abimelech pursued him, and Gaal fled before him. And many [Shechemites] fell wounded all the way to the entrance of the gate. 40וַיִּרְדְּפֵ֣הוּ אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ וַיָּ֖נָס מִפָּנָ֑יו וַֽיִּפְּל֛וּ חֲלָלִ֥ים רַבִּ֖ים עַד־ פֶּ֥תַח הַשָּֽׁעַר׃
41Abimelech stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem. 41וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ בָּארוּמָ֑ה וַיְגָ֧רֶשׁ זְבֻ֛ל אֶת־ גַּ֥עַל וְאֶת־ אֶחָ֖יו מִשֶּׁ֥בֶת בִּשְׁכֶֽם׃
42The next day the people [of Shechem] went out into the fields, and this was reported to Abimelech. 42וַֽיְהִי֙ מִֽמָּחֳרָ֔ת וַיֵּצֵ֥א הָעָ֖ם הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה וַיַּגִּ֖דוּ לַאֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ׃
43So he took his men, divided them into three companies, and waited in ambush in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he rose up against them and attacked them. 43וַיִּקַּ֣ח אֶת־ הָעָ֗ם וַֽיֶּחֱצֵם֙ לִשְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה רָאשִׁ֔ים וַיֶּאֱרֹ֖ב בַּשָּׂדֶ֑ה וַיַּ֗רְא וְהִנֵּ֤ה הָעָם֙ יֹצֵ֣א מִן־ הָעִ֔יר וַיָּ֥קָם עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם וַיַּכֵּֽם׃
44Then Abimelech and the companies with him rushed forward and took their stand at the entrance of the city gate. The other two companies rushed against all who [were] in the fields and struck them down. 44וַאֲבִימֶ֗לֶךְ וְהָרָאשִׁים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עִמּ֔וֹ פָּשְׁט֕וּ וַיַּ֣עַמְד֔וּ פֶּ֖תַח שַׁ֣עַר הָעִ֑יר וּשְׁנֵ֣י הָֽרָאשִׁ֗ים פָּֽשְׁט֛וּ עַֽל־ כָּל־ אֲשֶׁ֥ר בַּשָּׂדֶ֖ה וַיַּכּֽוּם׃
45And all that day Abimelech fought against the city until he had captured it and killed its people. Then he demolished the city and sowed it with salt. 45וַאֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְ נִלְחָ֣ם בָּעִ֗יר כֹּ֚ל הַיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא וַיִּלְכֹּד֙ אֶת־ הָעִ֔יר וְאֶת־ הָעָ֥ם אֲשֶׁר־ בָּ֖הּ הָרָ֑ג וַיִּתֹּץ֙ אֶת־ הָעִ֔יר וַיִּזְרָעֶ֖הָ מֶֽלַח׃ פ
46On hearing of this, all the leaders in the tower of Shechem entered the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith. 46וַֽיִּשְׁמְע֔וּ כָּֽל־ בַּעֲלֵ֖י מִֽגְדַּל־ שְׁכֶ֑ם וַיָּבֹ֣אוּ אֶל־ צְרִ֔יחַ בֵּ֖ית אֵ֥ל בְּרִֽית׃
47And when it was reported to Abimelech that all the leaders in the tower of Shechem were gathered there, 47וַיֻּגַּ֖ד לַאֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ כִּ֣י הִֽתְקַבְּצ֔וּ כָּֽל־ בַּעֲלֵ֖י מִֽגְדַּל־ שְׁכֶֽם׃
48he and all his men went up to Mount Zalmon. Abimelech took his ax in his hand and cut a branch from the trees, which he lifted to his shoulder, saying to his men, “Hurry and do what you have seen me do.” 48וַיַּ֨עַל אֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְ הַר־ צַלְמ֗וֹן הוּא֮ וְכָל־ הָעָ֣ם אֲשֶׁר־ אִתּוֹ֒ וַיִּקַּח֩ אֲבִימֶ֨לֶךְ אֶת־ הַקַּרְדֻּמּ֜וֹת בְּיָד֗וֹ וַיִּכְרֹת֙ שׂוֹכַ֣ת עֵצִ֔ים וַיִּ֨שָּׂאֶ֔הָ וַיָּ֖שֶׂם עַל־ שִׁכְמ֑וֹ וַיֹּ֜אמֶר אֶל־ הָעָ֣ם אֲשֶׁר־ עִמּ֗וֹ מָ֤ה רְאִיתֶם֙ עָשִׂ֔יתִי מַהֲר֖וּ עֲשׂ֥וּ כָמֽוֹנִי׃
49So each man also cut his own branch and followed Abimelech. Then they piled [the branches] against the inner chamber and set it on fire above them, killing everyone in the tower of Shechem, about a thousand men and women. 49וַיִּכְרְת֨וּ גַם־ כָּל־ הָעָ֜ם אִ֣ישׁ שׂוֹכֹ֗ה וַיֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ אַחֲרֵ֤י אֲבִימֶ֙לֶךְ֙ וַיָּשִׂ֣ימוּ עַֽל־ הַצְּרִ֔יחַ וַיַּצִּ֧יתוּ עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם אֶֽת־ הַצְּרִ֖יחַ בָּאֵ֑שׁ וַיָּמֻ֜תוּ גַּ֣ם כָּל־ אַנְשֵׁ֧י מִֽגְדַּל־ שְׁכֶ֛ם כְּאֶ֖לֶף אִ֥ישׁ וְאִשָּֽׁה׃ פ
50Then Abimelech went to Thebez, encamped against it, and captured it. 50וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ אֶל־ תֵּבֵ֑ץ וַיִּ֥חַן בְּתֵבֵ֖ץ וַֽיִּלְכְּדָֽהּ׃
51But there was a strong tower inside the city, and all the men, women, and leaders of the city fled there. They locked themselves in and went up to the roof of the tower. 51וּמִגְדַּל־ עֹז֮ הָיָ֣ה בְתוֹךְ־ הָעִיר֒ וַיָּנֻ֨סוּ שָׁ֜מָּה כָּל־ הָאֲנָשִׁ֣ים וְהַנָּשִׁ֗ים וְכֹל֙ בַּעֲלֵ֣י הָעִ֔יר וַֽיִּסְגְּר֖וּ בַּעֲדָ֑ם וַֽיַּעֲל֖וּ עַל־ גַּ֥ג הַמִּגְדָּֽל׃
52When Abimelech came to attack the tower, he approached its entrance to set it on fire. 52וַיָּבֹ֤א אֲבִימֶ֙לֶךְ֙ עַד־ הַמִּגְדָּ֔ל וַיִּלָּ֖חֶם בּ֑וֹ וַיִּגַּ֛שׁ עַד־ פֶּ֥תַח הַמִּגְדָּ֖ל לְשָׂרְפ֥וֹ בָאֵֽשׁ׃
53But a woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, crushing his skull. 53וַתַּשְׁלֵ֞ךְ אִשָּׁ֥ה אַחַ֛ת פֶּ֥לַח רֶ֖כֶב עַל־ רֹ֣אשׁ אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ וַתָּ֖רִץ אֶת־ גֻּלְגָּלְתּֽוֹ׃
54He quickly called his armor-bearer, saying, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So Abimelech’s armor-bearer ran [his sword] through him, and he died. 54וַיִּקְרָ֨א מְהֵרָ֜ה אֶל־ הַנַּ֣עַר ׀ נֹשֵׂ֣א כֵלָ֗יו וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לוֹ֙ שְׁלֹ֤ף חַרְבְּךָ֙ וּמ֣וֹתְתֵ֔נִי פֶּן־ יֹ֥אמְרוּ לִ֖י אִשָּׁ֣ה הֲרָגָ֑תְהוּ וַיִּדְקְרֵ֥הוּ נַעֲר֖וֹ וַיָּמֹֽת׃
55And when the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home. 55וַיִּרְא֥וּ אִֽישׁ־ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל כִּ֣י מֵ֣ת אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ אִ֥ישׁ לִמְקֹמֽוֹ׃
56In this way God repaid the wickedness that Abimelech had done to his father by murdering his seventy brothers. 56וַיָּ֣שֶׁב אֱלֹהִ֔ים אֵ֖ת רָעַ֣ת אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֤ר עָשָׂה֙ לְאָבִ֔יו לַהֲרֹ֖ג אֶת־ שִׁבְעִ֥ים אֶחָֽיו׃
57And God also brought back upon their own heads all the evil of the men of Shechem. So the curse of Jotham son of Jerubbaal came upon them. 57וְאֵ֗ת כָּל־ רָעַת֙ אַנְשֵׁ֣י שְׁכֶ֔ם הֵשִׁ֥יב אֱלֹהִ֖ים בְּרֹאשָׁ֑ם וַתָּבֹ֣א אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם קִֽלֲלַ֖ת יוֹתָ֥ם בֶּן־ יְרֻבָּֽעַל׃ פ
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Judges 8
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