Judges 9 54

Judges 9:54 kjv

Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A women slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.

Judges 9:54 nkjv

Then he called quickly to the young man, his armorbearer, and said to him, "Draw your sword and kill me, lest men say of me, 'A woman killed him.' " So his young man thrust him through, and he died.

Judges 9:54 niv

Hurriedly he called to his armor-bearer, "Draw your sword and kill me, so that they can't say, 'A woman killed him.'?" So his servant ran him through, and he died.

Judges 9:54 esv

Then he called quickly to the young man his armor-bearer and said to him, "Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, 'A woman killed him.'" And his young man thrust him through, and he died.

Judges 9:54 nlt

He quickly said to his young armor bearer, "Draw your sword and kill me! Don't let it be said that a woman killed Abimelech!" So the young man ran him through with his sword, and he died.

Judges 9 verses

Judges 9 54 Meaning

Judges 9:54 describes the dying moments of Abimelech. Critically injured by a millstone dropped by a woman, he urgently commands his armor-bearer to kill him with a sword. His central motivation is to escape the extreme shame of being remembered as a powerful warrior who was killed by a woman, thereby preserving his pride and public reputation even in death. This act reveals his deep-seated arrogance and underscores the ignoble end of a ruthless, self-appointed ruler who lacked divine anointing.

Judges 9 54 Context

Judges chapter 9 chronicles the tyrannical rule of Abimelech, a son of Gideon through his concubine in Shechem. Unlike the divinely appointed judges, Abimelech ruthlessly seized power by brutally murdering sixty-nine of his seventy half-brothers, installing himself as a self-proclaimed "king." His oppressive reign was built on human ambition and bloodshed, not divine favor. The chapter emphasizes Jotham's prophetic parable, which cursed both Abimelech and the citizens of Shechem for their treachery, predicting a "fire" that would consume them. Verse 54 details the climax of Abimelech's downfall during his assault on the tower of Thebez. Here, mortally wounded by a woman's unlikely weapon (a millstone), his final, desperate command to his armor-bearer reveals his overwhelming concern for reputation over life. This scene graphically illustrates the fulfillment of Jotham's curse and underscores the theme of divine retribution for Abimelech's violent and arrogant reign. It serves as a vivid reminder that God orchestrates justice even for the unrighteous rulers, often in ironically humiliating ways.

Judges 9 54 Word analysis

• Then: An adverb indicating immediate sequence, highlighting the rapid decision Abimelech made following his fatal injury in Jdg 9:53.
• he called (וַיִּקְרָא - vayyiqrā'): Signifies a direct, conscious vocal command given by Abimelech, showing he retained agency and speech despite his wounds.
• quickly (מַהֵר - mahēr): An adverb emphasizing urgency and haste, underscoring Abimelech's immediate desire to control the circumstances of his death and avoid any witnesses associating his imminent death directly with the woman's blow.
• to the young man (אֶל־הַנַּעַר - 'el-han-na'ar): Refers to his attendant or servant. In a military context, this "young man" would be an adult soldier or officer loyal to him.
• his armor-bearer (נֹשֵׂא כֵלָיו - nōsē' khēlāyw): Literally "bearer of his instruments/weapons." This position was one of significant trust and loyalty, involving carrying a warrior's arms, protecting his master, and being privy to sensitive commands. The armor-bearer's readiness to execute this command demonstrates his absolute devotion.
• and said to him: Confirms the clear and unambiguous nature of Abimelech's command.
• Draw (שְׁלֹף - shĕlōph): An imperative verb, commanding the act of unsheathing or pulling out a sword.
• your sword (חַרְבְּךָ - ḥarəbəḵā): Specifically instructs the armor-bearer to use his own weapon, implying quick access and a sure, fatal outcome.
• and kill me (וַהֲרָגֵנִי - wahărāḡēnî): A blunt and decisive imperative. Abimelech preferred to die by the hand of a trusted subordinate, rather than to linger or allow his death to be definitively linked to a woman.
• lest (פֶּן - pen): A conjunction indicating prevention, meaning "for fear that" or "so that not." This word directly introduces Abimelech's primary motivation for requesting his death.
• men say of me (יֹאמְרוּ לִי - yōmərū lī): Refers to public opinion and his legacy. Abimelech's concern was about how history and people would remember him.
• 'A woman killed him' (אִשָּׁה הֲרָגַתְהוּ - ishāh harāgathhu): Represents the ultimate humiliation and disgrace for a male warrior-leader in ancient patriarchal societies. Being killed by a woman, especially with a domestic implement like a millstone from a tower, symbolized the deepest possible subversion of masculine military might and honor, making it a source of profound shame.
• So his young man: Emphasizes the swift and obedient action of the armor-bearer.
• thrust him through (וַיִּדְקְרֵהוּ - vayyidqerēhū): A graphic verb signifying a piercing blow, confirming the successful and decisive execution of Abimelech's command.
• and he died (וַיָּמֹת - vayyāmot): A simple, factual statement concluding Abimelech's life, characterized by the same violence he employed to gain power.

Words-group analysis:

• "Then he called quickly to the young man his armor-bearer": This phrase demonstrates Abimelech's quick assessment of his grave situation and his immediate, precise command. The specific mention of "his armor-bearer" highlights the intimacy and trust of the relationship, allowing such an unusual and desperate request to be made and obeyed swiftly. The urgency underlines his desperate desire to control the narrative of his demise.
• "Draw your sword and kill me": This stark command embodies Abimelech's controlling and ruthless nature, even in death. It reveals his preference for an orchestrated end over a lingering or publicly shaming one, prioritizing his perceived honor over natural progression of life and death.
• "lest men say of me, 'A woman killed him'": This is the core of Abimelech's motivation and epitomizes his pride. In ancient cultures, to be killed by a woman was seen as the greatest dishonor for a male warrior. This phrase showcases the cultural understanding of masculinity and the immense importance placed on reputation, overshadowing even the instinct for self-preservation. It starkly highlights Abimelech's self-centered concerns over any form of humility or submission.
• "So his young man thrust him through, and he died": This concluding phrase concisely details the swift and successful execution of the command. It underscores the armor-bearer's unwavering loyalty and brings Abimelech's tyrannical and blood-soaked life to a quick, yet deeply ironic, end, perfectly illustrating divine justice against his pride and wickedness.

Judges 9 54 Bonus section

Abimelech's insistence on being killed by his armor-bearer rather than a woman parallels King Saul's similar request in 1 Sam 31:4-5, demonstrating a warrior's extreme aversion to falling dishonorably into enemy hands, though Abimelech's is uniquely focused on the "woman" aspect. This story can also be viewed as a polemic against the type of earthly, human-centric kingship that Abimelech represented, highlighting its inherent flaws, pride, and destructive nature in stark contrast to God's intended leadership for Israel through judges whom He raised. His actions and demise serve as a potent illustration that divine judgment can come through unexpected means and for the specific sins of pride and violence, directly linked to the consequences prophesied earlier in the narrative.

Judges 9 54 Commentary

Judges 9:54 succinctly narrates Abimelech’s inglorious end, painting a vivid picture of a ruler undone by his own overweening pride. Struck down by an ordinary millstone dropped by an unnamed woman, the perceived humiliation for a warrior of his standing was unbearable. His desperate command to his trusted armor-bearer, "Draw your sword and kill me, lest men say of me, 'A woman killed him,'" epitomizes his singular obsession: reputation above all else, even his very life. He could not tolerate the thought of his legacy being tainted by the shame of being conquered by a female, a deep indignity in the patriarchal societal structure of the time.

This ignoble end perfectly fulfills Jotham’s earlier curse against Abimelech and the people of Shechem (Jdg 9:15-20), showcasing the unfailing certainty of divine justice. Abimelech, who seized power through the massacre of his own seventy brothers, dies violently and with self-inflicted orchestration, embodying the principle that one reaps what one sows (Gal 6:7). His desperate maneuver to save face ironically serves to highlight his pride more effectively, marking his death not as that of a hero, but as a testament to the destructiveness of an unchecked ego. It also implicitly highlights God's sovereignty, as an insignificant woman becomes the instrument of judgment against a formidable oppressor, challenging the prevailing power structures and societal norms of the time. Abimelech's death stands as a clear warning against destructive ambition, pride, and ruthlessness, affirming God's ultimate dominion over the wicked.