Judges 9 35

Judges 9:35 kjv

And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait.

Judges 9:35 nkjv

When Gaal the son of Ebed went out and stood in the entrance to the city gate, Abimelech and the people who were with him rose from lying in wait.

Judges 9:35 niv

Now Gaal son of Ebed had gone out and was standing at the entrance of the city gate just as Abimelek and his troops came out from their hiding place.

Judges 9:35 esv

And Gaal the son of Ebed went out and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city, and Abimelech and the people who were with him rose from the ambush.

Judges 9:35 nlt

Gaal was standing at the city gates when Abimelech and his army came out of hiding.

Judges 9 verses

Judges 9 35 Meaning

Judges 9:35 describes Abimelech's strategic preparation for an attack on Shechem. It states that he positioned his forces into four distinct companies, placing them in ambush around the city, poised for a surprise assault. This action underscores his cunning and ruthless determination to conquer Shechem and suppress dissent against his self-appointed rule.

Judges 9 35 Context

Judges chapter 9 recounts the tumultuous reign of Abimelech, the self-proclaimed king of Shechem, and his violent rise and fall. After convincing the Shechemites to make him king, Abimelech brutally murdered 69 of his 70 brothers, leaving only Jotham to escape. Jotham then pronounced a curse through a parable, warning both Abimelech and the men of Shechem that their alliance, forged in bloodshed, would lead to mutual destruction. After three years, divine retribution began as an "evil spirit" was sent, causing animosity and conflict between Abimelech and Shechem. The Shechemites eventually rebelled against Abimelech, stirred by Gaal son of Ebed, who openly challenged Abimelech's authority. Upon learning of Gaal's boastings and the growing disloyalty in Shechem through Zebul, the city's governor, Abimelech launched his military campaign. Verse 35 details Abimelech's tactical decision to use an ambush, showing his determined and aggressive approach to crush the rebellion and reassert control over the rebellious city that once crowned him king.

Judges 9 35 Word analysis

• But Abimelech: וַיֶּאֱרֹב אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (wayye'erov Avimelech).

  • Abimelech: אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (Avimelech), meaning "my father is king" or "Melek is my father." This name highlights his illegitimate claim to kingship, which he obtained through bloodshed, standing in contrast to God's intended form of leadership. It underscores his ambition for personal power rather than divine appointment.

• lay in wait: וַיֶּאֱרֹב (wayye'erov).

  • From the Hebrew root ארב ('arav), meaning "to lie in ambush," "to set a snare." This verb signifies calculated deceit, secrecy, and surprise in military action. It depicts Abimelech's cunning and treacherous character, echoing his prior deceptive acts to gain power. In the Bible, "lying in wait" often carries negative connotations, associated with the wicked or those acting with ill intent (e.g., Ps 10:9; Prov 1:11).

• against Shechem: לְשְׁכֶם (leShekhem).

  • Shechem: שְׁכֶם (Shechem), a city of great historical and religious significance in Israel, often associated with covenant renewal (Josh 24). Its name means "shoulder" or "ridge." Its betrayal by and of Abimelech demonstrates the depths of its moral decay and highlights the consequences of forsaking divine principles for worldly ambition.

• in four companies: לְאַרְבָּעָה רָאשִׁים (le'arba'ah ro'shim).

  • four: אַרְבָּעָה ('arba'ah), the cardinal number four, denoting a specific, organized division.
  • companies: רָאשִׁים (ro'shim), literally "heads," meaning "divisions," "bands," "squads," or "groups" of soldiers. This indicates a well-planned and structured military strategy. It implies encircling movements or attacks from multiple directions simultaneously, aimed at maximizing surprise and minimizing resistance.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • Abimelech lay in wait against Shechem: This phrase succinctly portrays the core action and the adversarial relationship. It emphasizes Abimelech's calculated aggression and treachery directed towards the very city that previously elevated him. This strategic ambush reveals his ruthless efficiency in war, aligning with his character established in the chapter.
  • in four companies: This phrase elaborates on the tactical detail of Abimelech's ambush. It highlights the sophistication and coordination of his military plan. Dividing forces into "four heads" or divisions allowed for a multi-directional attack or the sealing off of escape routes, aiming for complete domination or annihilation of the enemy, which ultimately becomes the fate of Shechem.

Judges 9 35 Bonus section

• The strategic use of an ambush, dividing forces into multiple companies, was a common military tactic in the ancient Near East, designed to maximize surprise and create confusion, leading to a decisive victory with minimal losses to the attacker. Its application here by Abimelech shows his practical understanding of warfare.
• The repetitive use of themes like treachery, bloodshed, and retribution throughout Judges 9 underscores a significant message: that leadership chosen outside of God's wisdom and established through violence is inherently unstable and leads to widespread suffering and destruction, ultimately culminating in self-destruction.
• The Shechemites' turn against Abimelech, and his subsequent aggressive response, is presented as divine judgment (Jdg 9:23). Thus, Abimelech's careful planning and execution of the ambush are not merely human endeavors but part of God's sovereign hand in fulfilling Jotham's curse, even through wicked means.

Judges 9 35 Commentary

Judges 9:35 reveals Abimelech not just as a power-hungry leader, but as a cunning military tactician who employed deceit and calculated force. Hearing of Gaal's challenge and Shechem's disloyalty, Abimelech immediately prepared a strategic ambush. Dividing his forces into four "companies" or "heads" signifies a deliberate, organized maneuver designed to overwhelm the city by surprise, likely approaching from multiple directions simultaneously to ensure no escape. This tactical shrewdness demonstrates his capacity for ruthlessness in maintaining his usurped throne. The act of "lying in wait" itself carries a moral weight, often associated with malicious intent in biblical narratives, underscoring the inherently wicked nature of Abimelech's actions. This verse effectively sets the stage for the swift and brutal judgment that would be executed upon Shechem, directly fulfilling Jotham's prophetic curse and highlighting the destructive consequences of human ambition and alliances forged outside of divine will. It serves as a stark reminder that even meticulously planned evil schemes, while seemingly successful, ultimately fall under divine scrutiny and lead to deserved retribution.