Judges 9 43

Judges 9:43 kjv

And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them.

Judges 9:43 nkjv

So he took his people, divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the field. And he looked, and there were the people, coming out of the city; and he rose against them and attacked them.

Judges 9:43 niv

So he took his men, divided them into three companies and set an ambush in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he rose to attack them.

Judges 9:43 esv

He took his people and divided them into three companies and set an ambush in the fields. And he looked and saw the people coming out of the city. So he rose against them and killed them.

Judges 9:43 nlt

he divided his men into three groups and set an ambush in the fields. When Abimelech saw the people coming out of the city, he and his men jumped up from their hiding places and attacked them.

Judges 9 verses

Judges 9 43 Meaning

Judges 9:43 describes Abimelech's successful military strategy and swift execution against the inhabitants of Shechem. Having divided his army into three groups, he set an ambush in the open field surrounding the city. As the people of Shechem left their city, unsuspecting or unprepared, Abimelech's forces sprang their surprise attack, striking them down with devastating effectiveness. This verse marks a turning point in Abimelech's campaign of revenge and establishes his ruthless efficiency in warfare.

Judges 9 43 Context

Judges chapter 9 recounts the tragic and violent reign of Abimelech, the son of Gideon by a concubine. After Gideon's death, Abimelech brutally murdered 69 of his 70 half-brothers to secure kingship for himself in Shechem, relying on the support of the city's leaders. Jotham, the sole surviving brother, prophesied judgment against Abimelech and Shechem through his famous Fable of the Trees (Judg 9:7-15). This judgment begins to unfold seven years later as Gaal, son of Ebed, leads a revolt against Abimelech within Shechem (Judg 9:26-41). After initial skirmishes, Abimelech engages in a prolonged attack on Shechem. Verse 43 is part of this assault, specifically detailing Abimelech's tactic of ambush after a prior day of battle, leading to the decisive defeat of the Shechemite forces as they unwarily exited their city, thus fulfilling part of Jotham's curse on both Abimelech and the citizens of Shechem for their treachery.

Judges 9 43 Word analysis

• So Abimelech took his army: Abimelech, whose name means "my father is king," ironically asserts kingship through usurpation, unlike his father Gideon who rejected it. "His army" indicates a formidable, loyal force at his disposal.
• and divided them into three companies: The Hebrew term is shalosh ro'shim (שְׁלֹשָׁה רָאשִׁים), meaning "three heads" or "three divisions." This tactic echoes Gideon's successful strategy (Judg 7:16), yet Abimelech applies it for selfish destruction rather than divine deliverance. This common ancient military strategy aimed at outflanking, surprise attacks, or engaging multiple fronts.
• and lay in wait in the field: The Hebrew verb for "lay in wait" is 'arav (אָרַב), signifying to set an ambush, to hide, or to conspire. This indicates cunning, strategic deception, and a calculated surprise attack rather than a direct frontal assault. "In the field" refers to the open ground surrounding the fortified city, providing cover for the hidden troops.
• and looked, and behold, when the people were coming forth out of the city: "Looked, and behold" (וַיַּרְא וְהִנֵּה, wai-yar' v'hinneh) emphasizes Abimelech's watchful opportunism and the sudden appearance of his unsuspecting targets. The people "coming forth" likely includes those leaving for daily work, for foraging, or perhaps a small, poorly organized fighting force sent out to meet what they perceived as a retreating enemy. This act of exiting the city walls made them highly vulnerable.
• he rose up against them, and smote them: "Rose up against them" denotes a sudden, decisive, and aggressive assault, indicating the end of the ambush phase and the beginning of the attack. "Smote them" (וַיַּכֵּם, wai-yakkeim from nakah) means he struck them down decisively, killed, or thoroughly defeated them. It implies a significant slaughter or overwhelming victory, demonstrating Abimelech's ruthless efficiency in destroying his opposition.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "divided them into three companies, and lay in wait": This phrase highlights Abimelech's tactical skill, using common military maneuvers. It shows a strategic mindset focused on achieving a decisive victory through surprise rather than sheer force in an open confrontation. This specific tactical choice might imply Abimelech learned from past victories (like Gideon's) and applied the knowledge to his own nefarious ends, demonstrating that a successful tactic is morally neutral, its good or evil dependent on the intention and character of its user.
  • "looked, and behold, when the people were coming forth... he rose up against them": This captures the opportune moment of the ambush. It showcases the Shechemites' fatal error in exposing themselves, likely assuming the immediate danger was gone or underestimating Abimelech's determination. Abimelech's patience and precise timing underscore his dangerous and calculated nature. Their vulnerability outside the walls proved to be their downfall.

Judges 9 43 Bonus section

• The parallel to Gideon's three companies is significant. Gideon used the formation to scare and rout a numerically superior enemy to save Israel (Judg 7). Abimelech, Gideon's son, twisted this effective tactic for personal vengeance and ruthless destruction against his own countrymen. This illustrates how even sound strategies can be corrupted when disconnected from righteous leadership and divine purpose.
• The phrase "coming forth out of the city" might suggest the Shechemites felt a false sense of security or were engaged in routine activities, oblivious to the hidden danger, leading to their tragic downfall. It underscores the danger of vulnerability when one's enemies are strategically concealed and intent on destruction.

Judges 9 43 Commentary

Judges 9:43 captures the brutal efficiency of Abimelech’s vengeance against Shechem. It reveals him not just as a power-hungry tyrant but also as a competent, cunning military leader. By employing the tactic of dividing his forces into three companies and launching a perfectly timed ambush as the Shechemites left their protective walls, he demonstrates strategic prowess, albeit one twisted by his murderous ambition. This action highlights the dire consequences of both Abimelech’s wicked quest for power and Shechem’s complicity in supporting him initially and then rebelling without adequate preparation. The verse graphically portrays the swift judgment that came upon a people who had sown treachery and violence, reinforcing the overarching theme in Judges that rebellion against God's ways leads to chaos and suffering.