Judges 9 20

Judges 9:20 kjv

But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.

Judges 9:20 nkjv

"But if not, let fire come from Abimelech and devour the men of Shechem and Beth Millo; and let fire come from the men of Shechem and from Beth Millo and devour Abimelech!"

Judges 9:20 niv

But if you have not, let fire come out from Abimelek and consume you, the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo, and let fire come out from you, the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo, and consume Abimelek!"

Judges 9:20 esv

But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and devour the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo; and let fire come out from the leaders of Shechem and from Beth-millo and devour Abimelech."

Judges 9:20 nlt

But if you have not acted in good faith, then may fire come out from Abimelech and devour the leading citizens of Shechem and Beth-millo; and may fire come out from the citizens of Shechem and Beth-millo and devour Abimelech!"

Judges 9 verses

Judges 9 20 Meaning

Judges 9:20 pronounces a powerful, reciprocal curse delivered by Jotham, Gideon’s youngest son, upon the unholy alliance between Abimelech and the citizens of Shechem and Beth-millo. It foretells a mutual destruction where the "fire" (a metaphor for violent, destructive judgment) originating from Abimelech would consume the people who made him king, and, conversely, "fire" from the people would consume Abimelech. This prophecy underscores the instability and inherent self-destructive nature of alliances built on treachery and ungodliness.

Judges 9 20 Context

Judges chapter 9 recounts the brief, brutal, and tragic reign of Abimelech, a son of Gideon by a concubine in Shechem. Unlike the previous judges who were raised up by God, Abimelech actively seeks kingship for himself. He secures his position by ruthlessly murdering his seventy half-brothers, the rightful heirs of Gideon, on one stone, with only Jotham, the youngest, escaping. After the Shechemites proclaim Abimelech king, Jotham pronounces his famous "Parable of the Trees" (Jdg 9:8-15) from Mount Gerizim, vividly illustrating their foolish choice. The people (represented by the olive, fig, and vine trees) rejected humble, fruitful, and truly beneficial rule, instead choosing the "bramble" (Abimelech), a worthless, destructive, and ultimately self-consuming plant that promises only harm. Verse 20 is the climax of Jotham's curse and prophetic warning. It directly states the consequences of their wicked decision and shared bloodguilt: reciprocal destruction between Abimelech and the people of Shechem and Beth-millo who elevated him. The historical backdrop includes Shechem's significance as a place of covenant (Gen 12:6-7, Josh 24), which makes their treachery even more profound.

Judges 9 20 Word analysis

• But if not: The phrase initiates a conditional clause, emphasizing the dire consequences should the preceding conditions of justice and integrity (from Jdg 9:16, 19) not be met. It signals an inevitable judgment.
• let fire: (Hebrew: ’esh) A recurring biblical symbol. Here, it denotes destructive divine judgment and swift, consuming punishment. It is metaphorical, representing internal conflict and violence, rather than literal combustion. The "fire" is not merely physical flame but signifies violent societal breakdown, reciprocal destruction, and utter ruin.
• come out from Abimelech: This points to Abimelech as the source of affliction. Though the Shechemites installed him, his ruthless and tyrannical nature will become a source of their torment. His actions and character inherently carry destructive potential for those around him.
• and devour: (Hebrew: we-tō’kal, from ’akhal) Means to consume, eat, destroy, or utterly exhaust. In the context of fire, it suggests total annihilation, leaving nothing behind. It’s an active, powerful verb indicating complete eradication.
• the citizens of Shechem: Shechem (Shəchem) was a prominent Israelite city in Ephraim, known for its strategic location and historical significance (e.g., Abraham's first altar, Joshua's covenant renewal). Their treachery against Gideon’s house makes them recipients of this specific curse. They willingly embraced a murderous king.
• and Beth-millo: Literally "House of Millo." Millo could refer to a rampart, fortress, or a fill/embankment structure, often part of a city's fortifications (cf. 2 Sam 5:9, 1 Kgs 9:15). "Beth-millo" here likely designates a stronghold or a significant district within or near Shechem, perhaps where the Shechemite leaders resided or were associated with Abimelech's base. It signifies the core of Abimelech's support among the Shechemites.
• and let fire: Repetition emphasizes the reciprocal nature of the judgment. The same destructive force unleashed will boomerang.
• come out from the citizens of Shechem and Beth-millo: Now the source of judgment shifts, showing that the people who invited this "bramble king" will become the instrument of his downfall, reflecting the treachery they embodied.
• and devour Abimelech: The culmination of the curse: the one they elevated will be destroyed by them, as he destroyed his brothers for them.

Words-group analysis:

• "But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and devour the citizens of Shechem and Beth-millo;": This part establishes Abimelech as the initial agent of destructive judgment against the very people who elevated him. It suggests that his reign, built on blood and treachery, will inevitably turn on his supporters. His tyrannical nature is the "fire."
• "and let fire come out from the citizens of Shechem and Beth-millo and devour Abimelech.": This part completes the circle of reciprocal judgment. It indicates that the Shechemites, who embraced a wicked leader and shared in his guilt, would in turn rise up and destroy him. Their treacherous spirit, which led them to murder the sons of Gideon, would eventually turn against Abimelech himself. This prophetic imagery portrays internal strife and mutual ruin. It illustrates the biblical principle that evil, when embraced, often consumes itself and those who foster it.

Judges 9 20 Bonus section

The story of Abimelech and Shechem in Judges 9 serves as a potent polemic against ungodly leadership and mob rule. It contrasts sharply with the divinely appointed judges who saved Israel. Abimelech was not a deliverer but an oppressor. The choice of the "bramble" in Jotham's fable is crucial; it offers no good fruit or true shelter, only potential injury and a capacity to spark a consuming fire. This directly challenges any societal belief that a leader can be effective by simply being powerful, regardless of their moral character or the means by which they attain power. It asserts that true stability and blessing come only from righteous governance and divine alignment, not from human ambition and bloody coups. Shechem, once a significant covenant city, became a symbol of national decay and apostasy, ultimately self-destructing due to its rejection of divine order and its embrace of corruption.

Judges 9 20 Commentary

Jotham’s curse in Judges 9:20 is a profound prophetic statement illustrating the ultimate instability of an ungodly alliance and the retributive justice of God. The "fire" imagery is pivotal. It isn't just a threat but a prediction of mutual destruction arising from within their own ranks, a direct consequence of their choices. Abimelech, the "bramble king," inherently destructive and offering no true shelter, was bound to harm those who sought shade under him. Conversely, the citizens of Shechem, who willingly shed innocent blood and embraced a wicked leader, carried within them the capacity for treachery that would eventually turn on Abimelech.

This curse functions as an extended metaphor for self-consuming evil. When leadership is gained through violence and maintained through tyranny, and when the people embrace such a leader for their own corrupt gain, the partnership lacks divine sanction and internal integrity. Such a union, like dry tinder, is primed for conflagration from within. The tragedy unfolded precisely as predicted: after three years, discord arose, Shechem rebelled against Abimelech, leading to a brutal siege where Abimelech utterly destroyed Shechem and burnt down their stronghold. In the end, he was struck by a millstone thrown by a woman from the tower of Thebez, leading him to request his armor-bearer to kill him lest it be said a woman killed him, an ironic fulfillment of the reciprocal curse. The events testify that those who live by the sword and deception will perish by the sword and deception. The fire is not random chaos but divine justice manifesting through the very mechanisms of their own sin.