The term "Seventy Sons" is primarily associated with the biblical narrative of Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal, and his descendants. This account is found in the Book of Judges, specifically in Judges 8 and 9. Gideon, a judge of Israel, had many wives, and through them, he fathered seventy sons. This large number of offspring is indicative of Gideon's status and influence during his time as a leader in Israel.

Biblical Context

The account of Gideon and his seventy sons is set during the period of the Judges, a time characterized by a cyclical pattern of Israel's disobedience, oppression by foreign powers, cries for deliverance, and subsequent rescue by judges raised by God. Gideon is one of the most prominent judges, known for his military victory over the Midianites with a small army of 300 men, as recorded in Judges 6-7.

After Gideon's victory, the Israelites asked him to rule over them, but he refused, saying, "I will not rule over you, nor will my son. The LORD shall rule over you" (Judges 8:23). Despite this declaration, Gideon's actions following his victory, including the creation of an ephod that became a snare to Israel, suggest a complex legacy.

The Seventy Sons

Judges 8:30 states, "Gideon had seventy sons of his own, for he had many wives" . This detail highlights the practice of polygamy among some of Israel's leaders and the cultural norms of the time. The large number of sons also underscores Gideon's wealth and power, as having many children was often seen as a sign of divine blessing and social status.

Abimelech's Usurpation

The narrative of the seventy sons takes a dark turn with the rise of Abimelech, one of Gideon's sons by a concubine from Shechem. Abimelech sought to establish himself as king and, in a brutal act of ambition, murdered his seventy brothers on a single stone, as recorded in Judges 9:5. However, Jotham, the youngest son, escaped the massacre.

Abimelech's actions were a direct violation of the familial and tribal bonds that were meant to hold Israel together. His usurpation and the subsequent judgment upon him serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the rejection of God's intended order.

Jotham's Parable

Jotham, the sole surviving son, delivered a parable from Mount Gerizim, warning the people of Shechem about the consequences of their support for Abimelech. In Judges 9:7-15, Jotham's parable of the trees seeking a king serves as a prophetic indictment of Abimelech's illegitimate rule and foreshadows the eventual downfall of both Abimelech and the Shechemites.

Theological Significance

The account of Gideon's seventy sons and the subsequent events involving Abimelech highlight several theological themes. Firstly, it underscores the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant and the dangers of idolatry and self-exaltation. Gideon's initial faithfulness contrasts with the later idolatry associated with the ephod he made, which became a snare to his family and Israel.

Secondly, the narrative illustrates the consequences of sin and the breakdown of social and familial structures when God's commandments are ignored. Abimelech's fratricide and the ensuing chaos reflect the broader theme of Israel's need for righteous leadership and the ultimate kingship of God.

Lastly, the account serves as a reminder of God's justice. Despite the temporary success of Abimelech's violent coup, divine retribution eventually comes upon him, fulfilling Jotham's curse and demonstrating that God's justice prevails even amidst human wickedness.

In summary, the account of the seventy sons of Gideon provides a complex portrait of leadership, legacy, and the consequences of turning away from God's ordained order.