Judges 9 2

Judges 9:2 kjv

Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.

Judges 9:2 nkjv

"Please speak in the hearing of all the men of Shechem: 'Which is better for you, that all seventy of the sons of Jerubbaal reign over you, or that one reign over you?' Remember that I am your own flesh and bone."

Judges 9:2 niv

"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."

Judges 9:2 esv

"Say in the ears of all the leaders of Shechem, 'Which is better for you, that all seventy of the sons of Jerubbaal rule over you, or that one rule over you?' Remember also that I am your bone and your flesh."

Judges 9:2 nlt

"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!"

Judges 9 verses

Judges 9 2 Meaning

Judges 9:2 records Abimelech's manipulative plea to the citizens of Shechem, his mother's family, seeking to consolidate power for himself. He presents them with a rhetorical question, asking if it is preferable for all seventy legitimate sons of Gideon (Jerubbaal) to rule over them, or for only one man, himself, to reign. His appeal concludes with a potent reminder of their shared kinship, emphasizing his familial connection as "your bone and your flesh," a deeply significant tie in ancient Israelite society, intended to elicit loyalty and support for his audacious grab for the throne. This statement is the foundation of his conspiracy to seize leadership through violence.

Judges 9 2 Context

Judges chapter 9 marks a dark turn in Israel's history following the death of Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal. After delivering Israel from Midianite oppression, Gideon famously refused the offer of kingship, declaring, "The LORD shall rule over you" (Judg 8:23). Despite this, he inadvertently laid some groundwork for monarchy through his ephod (Judg 8:27) and large family. Upon his death, his many sons represented the continuation of his legacy. However, Abimelech, the son of Gideon by a concubine from Shechem, held aspirations contrary to his father's godly stance. This verse captures the initial stage of Abimelech's plan to usurp power. He travels to Shechem, the hometown of his mother's clan, seeking to leverage tribal loyalties and family connections to persuade its citizens to support his murderous agenda against his seventy half-brothers. Shechem was a city with a rich historical and spiritual significance, being a place where covenants were made (Josh 24), and thus its political support held significant weight.

Judges 9 2 Word analysis

• "Please speak" (דַּבְּרוּ, dabbərû): An imperative verb, signaling a direct and authoritative instruction from Abimelech. It conveys urgency in his manipulative agenda.
• "in the hearing of" (בְּאָזְנֵי, bə’oznê): Literally "in the ears of." This idiom signifies a public, open address meant to gain the full attention and consideration of the audience. It implies a direct appeal and a desire for widespread understanding and consent among the people.
• "all the men of Shechem" (כָּל־בַּעֲלֵי שְׁכֶם, kāl baʿălê šəḵem): "Masters" or "citizens of Shechem." This refers to the prominent and influential leaders or landholders within the city. Abimelech targets those who hold power and influence, as their support would validate his claims. Shechem, an ancient and important city, frequently served as a center for covenant renewal and political assemblies, adding weight to its decision-making.
• "Which is better for you" (מַה־טּוֹב, mah ṭôḇ): A rhetorical question designed to lead the audience to a pre-determined conclusion. Abimelech frames his self-serving ambition as an issue of the citizens' well-being and practical advantage. He offers a false dilemma, omitting any possibility of Gideon's stated "the LORD shall rule" continuing.
• "that all seventy of the sons of Jerubbaal reign over you" (אִם־מְשֹׁל בָּכֶם לְכָל־שִׁבְעִים אִישׁ בְּנֵי יְרֻבַּעַל):
  • "Seventy sons": This number implies an improbable, chaotic, and potentially divisive multi-leadership. Abimelech presents a caricature of what co-rule by so many brothers would look like, appealing to a natural human desire for order and stability over potential anarchy.
  • "Jerubbaal": Gideon's alternative name, meaning "let Baal contend" or "Baal will plead." Abimelech uses this name to refer to his half-brothers, which, ironically, could highlight Gideon's fight against Baalism. However, Abimelech himself is operating from a Shechemite mother, suggesting connections to local deities like Baal-berith (Judg 9:4), which adds a layer of theological conflict to the political one.
  • "reign over you" (מְשֹׁל בָּכֶם, məšōl bāḵem): To rule, govern. The implication is active and authoritative governance.
• "or that one man reign over you?" (אִם־מְשֹׁל בָּכֶם אִישׁ אֶחָד):
  • "one man" (אִישׁ אֶחָד, ʾîš ʾeḥāḏ): Clearly referring to himself. This emphasizes the simplicity and decisiveness of a singular rule, appealing to practicality. Abimelech seeks to position himself as the desirable alternative to an unwieldy plurality of rulers.
• "Remember too" (וּזְכַרְתֶּם, u-zəḵartem): An imperative verb meaning "remember" or "be mindful." It calls for active recollection and emphasis on the crucial point that follows. Abimelech transitions from a logical/practical argument to an emotional, kinship-based appeal.
• "that I am your bone and your flesh" (כִּי עַצְמְכֶם וּבְשַׂרְכֶם אָנִי, kî ʿaṣməkhem u-ḇəśarkem ʾānî): This is a powerful, ancient Hebrew idiom for very close kinship and solidarity, used when affirming shared lineage and common identity (e.g., Gen 2:23, 2 Sam 5:1). By invoking this, Abimelech appeals to the deeply rooted tribal and familial loyalties of the Shechemites, who were his maternal relatives. It is a direct and forceful manipulation of their identity for his gain.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Please speak in the hearing of all the men of Shechem": This opening establishes a formal, public address to the influential leaders of Shechem. It underscores the public nature of Abimelech's overture and his intentional targeting of key decision-makers who can sway the rest of the populace.
• "Which is better for you, that all seventy of the sons of Jerubbaal reign over you, or that one man reign over you?": This is a masterstroke of rhetorical manipulation. Abimelech poses a loaded question that frames the issue as the Shechemites' personal benefit ("better for you"), presents an impractical and chaotic alternative (seventy rulers), and contrasts it with his seemingly logical and stable solution (one ruler). He assumes their desire for efficiency and avoids any spiritual or divine consideration for leadership.
• "Remember too that I am your bone and your flesh": This concluding phrase provides the emotional and communal leverage for Abimelech's argument. Having laid out the practical advantage, he now taps into the primal bond of family and clan, implying that choosing him would be an act of loyalty to one's own kin, making it a "natural" and unquestionable decision for his Shechemite relatives. This appeal to tribal affinity was profoundly effective in ancient Near Eastern society.

Judges 9 2 Bonus section

The appeal of "bone and your flesh" also subtly plays into a societal norm of having a king from among one's own people, a concept later codified in the Mosaic Law for kings (Deut 17:15). Abimelech is positioning himself as the only "local" option for Shechem from Gideon's lineage. His statement also contrasts with Gideon's refusal of kingship, marking a departure from Yahweh-centered rule to a purely political, self-seeking model. This verse illustrates the dangerous path Israel could take when seeking to establish a kingdom "like all the nations," guided by worldly logic and manipulative rhetoric rather than divine guidance. Abimelech's method reflects the human tendency to opt for what seems expedient and secure on the surface, overlooking deeper moral or spiritual implications.

Judges 9 2 Commentary

Judges 9:2 provides a chilling insight into Abimelech's character as a ruthless, manipulative, and ambitious individual who prioritizes power over kinship, truth, or God's will. His appeal to the Shechemites showcases a strategy of deception built on three pillars: presenting a false dichotomy (one vs. seventy rulers), appealing to practical convenience (simpler governance), and exploiting tribal loyalty (shared lineage). He offers a clear contrast between an imagined chaos of many rulers and the apparent efficiency of a single one, cleverly ignoring Gideon's previous rejection of kingship under Yahweh. The "bone and flesh" argument is a direct betrayal of his half-brothers but a powerful lever among the Shechemites, solidifying their allegiance based on blood ties, overriding moral judgment. This verse foreshadows the violence and instability that mark Abimelech's short, self-appointed reign, a period distinct from God-ordained leadership during the time of the Judges and serving as a dire warning against human-centered, power-hungry rule. It highlights how human ambition can twist truth and exploit relational bonds for destructive ends.