Judges 9 24

Judges 9:24 kjv

That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them; and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren.

Judges 9:24 nkjv

that the crime done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might be settled and their blood be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and on the men of Shechem, who aided him in the killing of his brothers.

Judges 9:24 niv

God did this in order that the crime against Jerub-Baal's seventy sons, the shedding of their blood, might be avenged on their brother Abimelek and on the citizens of Shechem, who had helped him murder his brothers.

Judges 9:24 esv

that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and on the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers.

Judges 9:24 nlt

God was punishing Abimelech for murdering Gideon's seventy sons, and the citizens of Shechem for supporting him in this treachery of murdering his brothers.

Judges 9 verses

Judges 9 24 Meaning

Judges 9:24 declares that the subsequent internal conflict and destruction among Abimelech and the men of Shechem were divinely ordained consequences. This violence was God's retribution for the heinous act of murdering the seventy sons of Jerubbaal (Gideon), thereby imputing the guilt of their innocent blood upon Abimelech, their kin who committed the deed, and upon the men of Shechem who were his accomplices. It signifies God's justice in avenging the innocent bloodshed and fulfilling Jotham's curse.

Judges 9 24 Context

Judges chapter 9 recounts the brief, tragic reign of Abimelech, son of Gideon and his concubine from Shechem. After Gideon's death, Abimelech conspired with his maternal relatives and the prominent citizens of Shechem to seize power. He murdered his seventy half-brothers on one stone, aspiring to be king over Israel. Only Jotham, the youngest brother, escaped. Jotham then confronted the men of Shechem with a pointed parable (the trees choosing a king, with the worthless bramble reigning), concluding with a curse: that fire would come from Abimelech and devour the men of Shechem, and fire from Shechem would devour Abimelech (Judg 9:15, 20). Judges 9:24 serves as the divine pronouncement of the fulfillment of this curse, articulating God's role in orchestrating the conflict that follows. The historical context is the period of the Judges, a time when "there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judg 21:25), leading to moral and spiritual chaos. Abimelech's ambition to establish a monarchy outside of divine appointment and through heinous means is a stark example of this period's decline.

Judges 9 24 Word analysis

• That: Introduces the purpose clause, indicating that what followed was divinely orchestrated for the reason of the violence.
• the violence: The Hebrew word is חָמָס (hamas). This signifies more than just physical aggression; it denotes deep-seated injustice, wrongful aggression, cruelty, and moral wrong. It is violence that cries out for justice.
• done to: Implies that the seventy sons were the victims of this violent injustice.
• the seventy sons of Jerubbaal: Jerubbaal is Gideon's alternative name, meaning "Let Baal contend" or "Baal will strive," reflecting Gideon's action against Baal worship. The number seventy signifies a near-complete wiping out of Gideon's male lineage, making the atrocity comprehensive.
• might come: Signifies that the divine judgment or recompense would inevitably manifest. It emphasizes the active bringing about of the consequences.
• and their blood: The Hebrew is דָּם (dam). This refers not merely to the physical life essence but carries profound theological weight as representing innocent life unlawfully taken. The shedding of innocent blood (Gen 4:10, Num 35:33-34) demands retribution and defiles the land.
• be laid upon: Literally, "to be placed upon" or "to fall upon." This phrase denotes the imputation of guilt and the consequence of the shedding of blood directly attributed and accounted to those responsible. It signifies ultimate responsibility and bearing the weight of judgment.
• Abimelech their brother: This highlights the egregious nature of the crime—fratricide and treachery by a half-brother who betrayed familial ties for ambition. The "brother" relationship makes his guilt all the more heinous.
• and upon the men of Shechem: Emphasizes the collective responsibility and complicity. They aided Abimelech, actively participating in and sanctioning the evil, and are therefore equally liable for the divine judgment.
• who aided him: The Hebrew verb is וַיְחַזְּקֽוּהוּ (vaychazzeqhu), meaning "and they strengthened him" or "they enabled him." It signifies providing material, political, and moral support for his murderous plot. Their active encouragement and provision of funds (Judg 9:4) made them accessories before the fact.
• in the shedding of their blood: Specifies the exact nature of their collective sin: participation in cold-blooded murder. This is not passive observation but active enablement and complicity in taking innocent lives.

Judges 9 24 Bonus section

The narrative surrounding Judges 9:24 also serves as a strong polemic against the idea of self-appointed, tyrannical kingship in Israel, particularly one achieved through ungodly means. Abimelech's attempt to establish a dynasty through bloodshed stands in stark contrast to God's future divine appointment of kings like David, who would be chosen by Him and characterized by obedience. The Shechemite people's rejection of God's appointed leader (Gideon's sons, and indirectly Gideon's principled stand against kingship) in favor of a murderous usurper ultimately led to their downfall, illustrating the dangers of placing human ambition and power over divine order. The use of "brother" for Abimelech underscores the betrayal and moral depravity that pervaded this self-styled monarchy, an abhorrent act under the covenant.

Judges 9 24 Commentary

Judges 9:24 encapsulates the core principle of divine retribution for grievous sin. It confirms that the subsequent internal strife, conflict, and eventual destruction of Abimelech and the men of Shechem (detailed in Judg 9:22-57) were not random events or mere political fallout, but a direct consequence orchestrated by God as righteous judgment. The verse states that "God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem" (Judg 9:23), illustrating that divine justice can work through human agency and conflict. The "violence" (hamas) committed against Gideon's sons and the "blood" shed demanded a response from a holy and just God. This verse therefore reveals God's sovereignty over history, ensuring that the blood guilt (dam) of the innocent is laid squarely upon those responsible, both the direct perpetrator (Abimelech) and his willing accomplices (the men of Shechem). It underscores the universal biblical truth that what one sows, one will also reap, especially when it involves injustice and murder. It also signifies the fulfillment of Jotham's earlier curse (Judg 9:20), portraying God as the faithful administrator of both promise and judgment.