Judges 9:40 kjv
And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the gate.
Judges 9:40 nkjv
And Abimelech chased him, and he fled from him; and many fell wounded, to the very entrance of the gate.
Judges 9:40 niv
Abimelek chased him all the way to the entrance of the gate, and many were killed as they fled.
Judges 9:40 esv
And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him. And many fell wounded, up to the entrance of the gate.
Judges 9:40 nlt
But Abimelech chased him, and many of Shechem's men were wounded and fell along the road as they retreated to the city gate.
Judges 9 40 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jdg 9:23 | "God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem..." | God instigates the conflict and judgment |
| Jdg 9:15 | "...fire come out from Abimelech and devour the inhabitants of Shechem..." | Jotham's curse foretells destruction |
| Jdg 9:20 | "...fire come out from Shechem and devour Abimelech and from Beth-Millo." | Curse foretells mutual destruction |
| Jdg 9:53 | "a certain woman threw an upper millstone on Abimelech's head..." | Abimelech's violent end |
| Jdg 9:56 | "Thus God repaid the wickedness of Abimelech..." | God's justice on Abimelech |
| Jdg 9:57 | "...and all the wickedness of the men of Shechem did God repay..." | God's justice on Shechem |
| Jdg 21:25 | "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right..." | Chaos of Judges era |
| Prov 16:18 | "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." | Consequences of pride (Gaal, Abimelech) |
| Gal 6:7-8 | "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will..." | Reaping what one sows |
| Ps 68:21 | "But God will strike the heads of his enemies..." | God's judgment on His foes |
| Isa 1:20 | "But if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword..." | Consequences of rebellion |
| 1 Tim 6:9-10 | "...those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare..." | Dangers of seeking power/wealth |
| Deut 28:25 | "The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies..." | Defeat as consequence of disobedience |
| Jer 4:21 | "How long must I see the standard and hear the sound of the trumpet?" | Battle and impending judgment |
| 2 Sam 18:7 | "...there was a great slaughter there that day, twenty thousand men." | Describes a significant battle slaughter |
| Num 16:32 | "...the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their..." | Immediate, overwhelming judgment |
| Ps 55:23 | "You, O God, will cast them down into the pit of destruction..." | Wicked will fall |
| Prov 24:16 | "for though a righteous person falls seven times, he rises again..." | Contrast: Wicked fall permanently |
| Obad 1:15 | "...As you have done, it shall be done to you..." | Principle of retributive justice |
| Matt 7:2 | "For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the..." | Retribution principle reiterated (NT) |
| 2 Ki 3:24 | "...the Moabites were overcome before Israel. And they went into Moab..." | Pursuit and defeat in battle |
| Josh 10:19 | "Do not stay, but pursue your enemies and attack their rear..." | Command to pursue enemies |
| Neh 4:10 | "The strength of those who carry burdens is failing; there is too much..." | Fatigue in warfare leads to vulnerability |
| Ps 127:5 | "Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth..." | Mention of city gate as strategic point |
Judges 9 verses
Judges 9 40 Meaning
Judges 9:40 describes Abimelech's decisive military victory over Gaal and his forces, detailing a fierce pursuit that resulted in numerous casualties near the city gate of Shechem. It signifies the overwhelming defeat of the Shechemites under Gaal's leadership in this initial confrontation, confirming Abimelech's temporary dominance and ruthless military efficiency.
Judges 9 40 Context
Judges 9 recounts the tumultuous reign of Abimelech, son of Gideon by a concubine, who seized power in Shechem by murdering seventy of his brothers, leaving only Jotham, the youngest, to escape. Jotham delivered a parabolic curse (the Fable of the Trees) against Abimelech and the men of Shechem, predicting that "fire" (conflict and destruction) would come out from each side to consume the other. This verse (9:40) occurs during the initial fulfillment of this curse, as tensions rise between Abimelech and the Shechemites after three years. Gaal, a new leader, rallies a faction against Abimelech. This verse describes Abimelech's swift and brutal suppression of Gaal's forces in the open field, chasing them back to the protective, yet ultimately vulnerable, entrance of the city gate, inflicting heavy casualties. It highlights the widespread violence and lack of divine guidance prevalent in the era of Judges, where human ambition and treachery led to catastrophic civil strife.
Judges 9 40 Word analysis
- Abimelech (אֲבִימֶלֶךְ,
’Avimelekh): Meaning "my father is king" or "father king." A poignant, ironic name for a man who established his "kingship" through fratricide and violence, rather than divine appointment or righteous leadership. He embodied the ungodly ambition contrasted with God's true kingship. His actions directly stemmed from the rejection of God's rule by Gideon's descendants. - chased (וַיִּרְדְּפֵהוּ,
vayyirdepehu): From the rootradap(רדף), meaning to pursue, chase, or follow diligently. This is an aggressive and determined military action, indicating a rout and a relentless pursuit of a fleeing enemy. It suggests a complete lack of mercy and a desire to maximize the destruction of the opponent. - him: Refers to Gaal and his fleeing forces. The singular pronoun can emphasize Gaal's responsibility for the defeat or represent him as the primary target of Abimelech's chase.
- many:
rabbim(רַבִּים), signifies a substantial number. It emphasizes the scale of the devastation and confirms a decisive military advantage for Abimelech. - fell wounded (חֲלָלִים,
ḥalalim):ḥalalimrefers to the slain, dead from battle, or pierced through. It denotes those who died or were mortally wounded. The term indicates severe, life-ending injuries, underscoring the lethal nature of the engagement rather than simply injuries. - up to (עַד,
‘ad): Expresses the extent or limit of the pursuit. It indicates that Abimelech's forces pushed the routed enemy all the way to the very threshold of the city's main defense. - entrance (פֶּתַח,
petah): Refers to an opening, specifically the gateway into the city. - the gate (הַשַּׁעַר,
ha-sha‘ar): The city gate in ancient Near Eastern cities was not merely an entry point but a heavily fortified defensive structure, a place of commerce, legal judgments, and public assembly. For casualties to reach "up to the entrance of the gate" implies the battle was fought very close to or even spilled into the city's immediate perimeter, signifying a comprehensive defeat and a severe threat to the city's inhabitants. - "Abimelech chased him": This phrase succinctly portrays Abimelech's immediate and aggressive military action. It showcases his personal involvement in leading the rout, underlining his direct hand in the violence that characterizes his entire ambition. It is the action of a ruthless leader bent on total subjugation.
- "many fell wounded up to the entrance of the gate": This phrase graphically conveys the tragic outcome and sheer brutality of the conflict. The phrase encapsulates the scale of the loss and the close proximity of the battle to the supposed sanctuary of the city. The defeat was so profound that bodies lay scattered at the very threshold of safety, signaling a devastating blow to the morale and defenses of Shechem.
Judges 9 40 Bonus section
- The proximity of the casualties to the city gate foreshadows the eventual destruction of Shechem by Abimelech, culminating in him sowing the city with salt (Jdg 9:45).
- This verse contributes to the bleak picture of the Judges period, where the lack of righteous leadership often led to internal strife, violence, and a departure from the Lord's covenant.
- The battle near the gate, a symbolic place of justice and defense, ironically highlights the breakdown of both in Shechem under such leadership.
Judges 9 40 Commentary
Judges 9:40 marks a significant moment in Abimelech's bloody rise and ultimate downfall, serving as a chilling reminder of the consequences of ungodly ambition and the chaos that ensues when "everyone does what is right in their own eyes." Abimelech's swift and brutal victory over Gaal is an early, powerful fulfillment of Jotham's curse, signifying the "fire" that was promised to come out of Abimelech to devour Shechem. The intense fighting and heavy casualties right at the city's gate underscored the complete rout of Gaal's forces, who, despite their initial boastfulness, were no match for Abimelech's hardened determination. This scene is not merely a description of ancient warfare; it is a vivid illustration of divine judgment unfolding against both the power-hungry usurper and the fickle, treacherous inhabitants of Shechem. It shows how sinful choices inevitably lead to destructive conflict and ultimately, a tragic demise for all involved.