Abimelek kills his brothers
And Abimelech son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem, to his mother's brothers, and spoke with them and with the whole clan of his mother's father, saying, Put this to all the men of Shechem: Which is better for you — that all seventy of Jerubbaal's sons rule over you, or that one man rules over you? And remember that I am your own flesh and blood. And his mother's brothers put all this to the men of Shechem, and their hearts leaned toward Abimelech, because they said, He is our brother. And they gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baalberith, and Abimelech hired worthless and reckless men with it, and they followed him. And he went to his father's house at Ophrah and killed his brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, because he hid himself. And all the men of Shechem gathered together, with all the house of Millo, and made Abimelech king by the plain of the pillar at Shechem.
And Abimelek son of Jerub-Baal went to Shechem to his mother's brothers, and spoke to them and to all the family of his mother's father: Say this, please, in the ears of all the men of Shechem: Which is better for you — that all the sons of Jerub-Baal, seventy men, rule over you, or that one man rules over you? And remember I'm your own flesh and bone. And his mother's brothers spoke about him in the ears of all the men of Shechem, all these words. And their hearts leaned towards Abimelek, because they said: He's our brother. And they gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-Berith. And Abimelek hired worthless and reckless men with it, who followed him. And he went to his father's house at Ophrah and killed his brothers, the sons of Jerub-Baal, seventy men on one stone. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerub-Baal, was left, because he hid himself. And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went and made Abimelek king by the oak of the pillar in Shechem.
And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother’s brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother’s father, saying, Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh. And his mother’s brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother. And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baalberith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him. And he went unto his father’s house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself. And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem.
And Abimelech son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem, to his mother's brothers, and spoke with them and with the whole clan of his mother's father, saying,
And Abimelek son of Jerub-Baal went to Shechem to his mother's brothers, and spoke to them and to all the family of his mother's father:
And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother’s brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother’s father, saying,
Put this to all the men of Shechem: Which is better for you — that all seventy of Jerubbaal's sons rule over you, or that one man rules over you? And remember that I am your own flesh and blood.
Say this, please, in the ears of all the men of Shechem: Which is better for you — that all the sons of Jerub-Baal, seventy men, rule over you, or that one man rules over you? And remember I'm your own flesh and bone.
Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.
And his mother's brothers put all this to the men of Shechem, and their hearts leaned toward Abimelech, because they said, He is our brother.
And his mother's brothers spoke about him in the ears of all the men of Shechem, all these words. And their hearts leaned towards Abimelek, because they said: He's our brother.
And his mother’s brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother.
And they gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baalberith, and Abimelech hired worthless and reckless men with it, and they followed him.
And they gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-Berith. And Abimelek hired worthless and reckless men with it, who followed him.
And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baalberith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him.
And he went to his father's house at Ophrah and killed his brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, because he hid himself.
And he went to his father's house at Ophrah and killed his brothers, the sons of Jerub-Baal, seventy men on one stone. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerub-Baal, was left, because he hid himself.
And he went unto his father’s house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.
And all the men of Shechem gathered together, with all the house of Millo, and made Abimelech king by the plain of the pillar at Shechem.
And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went and made Abimelek king by the oak of the pillar in Shechem.
And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem.
Jotham's story of the trees
And when they told Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim and lifted up his voice and called out to them: Listen to me, men of Shechem, so God may listen to you. The trees once went out to anoint a king over themselves. And they said to the olive tree, Reign over us. But the olive tree said to them, Should I give up my oil, by which God and men are honoured, and go and sway over the trees? And the trees said to the fig tree, Come, you reign over us. But the fig tree said to them, Should I give up my sweetness and my good fruit, and go and sway over the trees? Then the trees said to the vine, Come, you reign over us. And the vine said to them, Should I give up my wine, which cheers God and men, and go and sway over the trees? Then all the trees said to the bramble, Come, you reign over us. And the bramble said to the trees, If you really are anointing me king over you, then come and take shelter in my shade. And if not, let fire come out of the bramble and burn up the cedars of Lebanon. Now then, if you have acted truly and honestly in making Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and treated him as he deserved — because my father fought for you, and risked his life, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian, but today you have risen up against my father's house and killed his sons, seventy men, on one stone, and made Abimelech, the son of his servant girl, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother — if you have acted truly and honestly with Jerubbaal and his house today, then be glad in Abimelech, and let him be glad in you. But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and consume the men of Shechem and the house of Millo. And let fire come out from the men of Shechem and the house of Millo and consume Abimelech. And Jotham ran away and escaped, and went to Beer and lived there, out of the way of Abimelech his brother.
And when they told Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim and lifted up his voice and called out and said to them: Listen to me, you men of Shechem, so God can listen to you. The trees went out one time to anoint a king over them. And they said to the olive tree: Reign over us. But the olive tree said to them: Should I leave my oil, that God and man are honoured by, to go and be lifted up over the trees? And the trees said to the fig tree: You come and reign over us. But the fig tree said to them: Should I leave my sweetness and my good fruit, to go and be lifted up over the trees? Then the trees said to the vine: You come and reign over us. And the vine said to them: Should I leave my wine, that makes God and man glad, to go and be lifted up over the trees? Then all the trees said to the bramble: You come and reign over us. And the bramble said to the trees: If you're really anointing me king over you, then come and take shelter in my shade. And if not, let fire come out of the bramble and eat up the cedars of Lebanon. So now, if you've done truly and honestly by making Abimelek king, and if you've dealt well with Jerub-Baal and his house and done to him what his hands deserved — because my father fought for you and risked his life and got you out of the hand of Midian — and you've got up against my father's house today and killed his sons, seventy men on one stone, and made Abimelek, the son of his servant woman, king over the men of Shechem because he's your brother — if you've dealt truly and honestly with Jerub-Baal and his house today, then celebrate in Abimelek, and let him celebrate in you too. But if not, let fire come out of Abimelek and eat up the men of Shechem and the house of Millo. And let fire come out of the men of Shechem and the house of Millo and eat up Abimelek. And Jotham ran and got away and went to Beer, and lived there because he was frightened of Abimelek his brother.
And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you. The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us. But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees? Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us. And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us. And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon. Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands; (For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian: And ye are risen up against my father’s house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;) If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you: But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech. And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.
And when they told Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim and lifted up his voice and called out to them: Listen to me, men of Shechem, so God may listen to you.
And when they told Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim and lifted up his voice and called out and said to them: Listen to me, you men of Shechem, so God can listen to you.
And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.
The trees once went out to anoint a king over themselves. And they said to the olive tree, Reign over us.
The trees went out one time to anoint a king over them. And they said to the olive tree: Reign over us.
The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.
But the olive tree said to them, Should I give up my oil, by which God and men are honoured, and go and sway over the trees?
But the olive tree said to them: Should I leave my oil, that God and man are honoured by, to go and be lifted up over the trees?
But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
And the trees said to the fig tree, Come, you reign over us.
And the trees said to the fig tree: You come and reign over us.
And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us.
But the fig tree said to them, Should I give up my sweetness and my good fruit, and go and sway over the trees?
But the fig tree said to them: Should I leave my sweetness and my good fruit, to go and be lifted up over the trees?
But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?
Then the trees said to the vine, Come, you reign over us.
Then the trees said to the vine: You come and reign over us.
Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us.
And the vine said to them, Should I give up my wine, which cheers God and men, and go and sway over the trees?
And the vine said to them: Should I leave my wine, that makes God and man glad, to go and be lifted up over the trees?
And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
Then all the trees said to the bramble, Come, you reign over us.
Then all the trees said to the bramble: You come and reign over us.
Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.
And the bramble said to the trees, If you really are anointing me king over you, then come and take shelter in my shade. And if not, let fire come out of the bramble and burn up the cedars of Lebanon.
And the bramble said to the trees: If you're really anointing me king over you, then come and take shelter in my shade. And if not, let fire come out of the bramble and eat up the cedars of Lebanon.
And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.
Now then, if you have acted truly and honestly in making Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and treated him as he deserved —
So now, if you've done truly and honestly by making Abimelek king, and if you've dealt well with Jerub-Baal and his house and done to him what his hands deserved —
Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands;
because my father fought for you, and risked his life, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian,
because my father fought for you and risked his life and got you out of the hand of Midian —
(For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian:
but today you have risen up against my father's house and killed his sons, seventy men, on one stone, and made Abimelech, the son of his servant girl, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother —
and you've got up against my father's house today and killed his sons, seventy men on one stone, and made Abimelek, the son of his servant woman, king over the men of Shechem because he's your brother —
And ye are risen up against my father’s house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;)
if you have acted truly and honestly with Jerubbaal and his house today, then be glad in Abimelech, and let him be glad in you.
if you've dealt truly and honestly with Jerub-Baal and his house today, then celebrate in Abimelek, and let him celebrate in you too.
If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you:
But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and consume the men of Shechem and the house of Millo. And let fire come out from the men of Shechem and the house of Millo and consume Abimelech.
But if not, let fire come out of Abimelek and eat up the men of Shechem and the house of Millo. And let fire come out of the men of Shechem and the house of Millo and eat up Abimelek.
But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.
And Jotham ran away and escaped, and went to Beer and lived there, out of the way of Abimelech his brother.
And Jotham ran and got away and went to Beer, and lived there because he was frightened of Abimelek his brother.
And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.
The end of Abimelek
When Abimelech had ruled over Israel three years, God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem, and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech. This was so the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal would come back, and their blood be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and on the men of Shechem, who helped him kill his brothers. And the men of Shechem set men in ambush against him on the hilltops, and they robbed everyone who came along that road. And Abimelech was told about it. And Gaal son of Ebed came with his brothers and moved into Shechem, and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him. And they went out into the fields and gathered their grapes and trod them, and held a festival. And they went into the house of their god and ate and drank and cursed Abimelech. And Gaal son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Isn't he the son of Jerubbaal, with Zebul as his officer? Serve the men of Hamor, the father of Shechem. Why should we serve him? If only this people were under my command — then I would remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase your army and come out. And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard what Gaal son of Ebed said, his anger burned. And he sent messengers to Abimelech secretly, saying, Look — Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem, and they are stirring up the city against you. So get up by night, you and the men with you, and lie in wait in the fields. And in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, get up early and rush the city. And when Gaal and the men with him come out against you, do to them whatever your hand finds to do. So Abimelech got up by night with all his men, and they lay in wait against Shechem in four companies. And Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood at the entrance of the city gate. And Abimelech and his men got up from where they were lying in wait. And when Gaal saw the men, he said to Zebul, Look — men coming down from the hilltops. And Zebul said to him, You are seeing the shadow of the hills as if it were men. And Gaal spoke again and said, Look — people are coming down by the middle of the land, and another company is coming along by the plain of Meonenim. Then Zebul said to him, Where is your boasting now? You were the one who said, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? Aren't these the men you despised? Go out now and fight them. And Gaal went out at the head of the men of Shechem and fought Abimelech. And Abimelech chased him, and he ran from him, and many fell wounded, right up to the entrance of the gate. And Abimelech stayed at Arumah, and Zebul drove out Gaal and his brothers, so they couldn't live in Shechem. And the next day the people went out into the fields, and Abimelech was told about it. And he took his men and divided them into three companies and lay in wait in the fields. And he looked, and there were the people coming out of the city. So he rose against them and struck them down. And Abimelech and the company with him rushed forward and took their stand at the entrance of the city gate, while the other two companies ran at everyone in the fields and struck them down. And Abimelech fought against the city all that day. He took the city and killed the people in it, and pulled the city down and sowed it with salt. And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard about it, they went into the stronghold of the house of the god Berith. And Abimelech was told that all the men of the tower of Shechem had gathered together. So Abimelech went up Mount Zalmon with all his men. And Abimelech took an axe in his hand and cut a branch off the trees, and lifted it onto his shoulder, and said to the men with him, What you have seen me do, hurry up and do the same. So every man cut his own branch and followed Abimelech, and they piled them against the stronghold and set it on fire over them. So all the people of the tower of Shechem died too, about a thousand men and women. Then Abimelech went to Thebez and camped against it and took it. But there was a strong tower inside the city, and all the men and women and all the people of the city fled there and shut themselves in and went up to the roof of the tower. And Abimelech came up to the tower and fought against it, and went right up to the door of the tower to set it on fire. And a woman dropped a piece of a millstone on Abimelech's head and crushed his skull. Then he called quickly to the young man who carried his armour and said to him, Draw your sword and kill me, so nobody can say of me, A woman killed him. So his young man ran him through, and he died. And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home to their own places. So God repaid the wickedness Abimelech had done to his father in killing his seventy brothers. And God repaid all the wickedness of the men of Shechem on their own heads. And the curse of Jotham son of Jerubbaal came on them.
And when Abimelek had ruled three years over Israel, then God sent a bad spirit between Abimelek and the men of Shechem. And the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelek — so the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerub-Baal would come, and their blood be laid on Abimelek their brother who killed them, and on the men of Shechem who helped him kill his brothers. And the men of Shechem set men in ambush for him on the tops of the mountains, and they robbed everyone who came along that road. And Abimelek was told. And Gaal son of Ebed came with his brothers and went over to Shechem. And the men of Shechem put their trust in him. And they went out into the fields and gathered their vineyards and trod the grapes and celebrated. And they went into the house of their god and ate and drank and cursed Abimelek. And Gaal son of Ebed said: Who's Abimelek, and who's Shechem, that we should serve him? Isn't he the son of Jerub-Baal, and Zebul his officer? Serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem. So why should we serve him? If only this people were under my hand. Then I'd get rid of Abimelek. And he said to Abimelek: Build up your army and come out. And when Zebul the ruler of the town heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed, his anger was hot. And he sent messengers to Abimelek quietly: Look — Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem. And look — they're stirring up the town against you. So get up at night, you and the people with you, and lie in wait in the field. And in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, you'll get up early and set on the town. And look — when he and the people with him come out against you, then you can do to them whatever you find to do. And Abimelek got up at night, and all the people with him, and lay in wait against Shechem in four companies. And Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood at the entrance of the gate of the town. And Abimelek got up from where he was lying in wait, and the people with him. And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul: Look — people are coming down from the tops of the mountains. And Zebul said to him: You're seeing the shadow of the mountains as if they were men. And Gaal spoke again: Look — people are coming down by the middle of the land, and another company is coming along by the oak of Meonenim. Then Zebul said to him: Where's your mouth now, that you said, Who's Abimelek that we should serve him? Aren't these the people you looked down on? Go out now and fight them. And Gaal went out in front of the men of Shechem and fought Abimelek. And Abimelek chased him, and he ran from him. And plenty were thrown down wounded right to the entrance of the gate. And Abimelek stayed at Arumah. And Zebul threw out Gaal and his brothers, so they couldn't live in Shechem. And the next day the people went out into the field, and they told Abimelek. And he took the people and divided them into three companies and lay in wait in the field. And he looked, and there were the people coming out of the town. And he got up against them and struck them. And Abimelek and the company with him rushed forward and stood at the entrance of the gate of the town. And the two other companies ran on everyone in the fields and struck them. And Abimelek fought against the town all that day. And he took the town and killed the people in it, and pulled the town down and sowed it with salt. And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard about it, they went into a stronghold of the house of the god Berith. And Abimelek was told that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together. And Abimelek went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the people with him. And Abimelek took an axe in his hand and cut a branch off the trees and took it and laid it on his shoulder, and said to the people with him: What you've seen me do, hurry up and do the same. And all the people cut down every man his branch and followed Abimelek, and put them by the stronghold and set the stronghold on fire on them. So all the men of the tower of Shechem died too, about a thousand men and women. Then Abimelek went to Thebez and camped against Thebez and took it. But there was a strong tower in the town, and all the men and women and all the people of the town ran there and shut themselves in, and got up to the top of the tower. And Abimelek came to the tower and fought against it, and went close to the door of the tower to burn it with fire. And a certain woman threw a piece of a millstone on Abimelek's head and cracked his skull. Then he called quickly to the young man who carried his armour and said to him: Draw your sword and kill me, so men don't say about me, A woman killed him. And his young man ran him through, and he died. And when the men of Israel saw Abimelek was dead, they went off, every man to his place. So God paid back the wickedness Abimelek did to his father, by killing his seventy brothers. And God paid back all the wickedness of the men of Shechem on their heads. And the curse of Jotham son of Jerub-Baal came on them.
When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel, Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech: 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. And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech. And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him. And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode the grapes, and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech. And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him? And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out. And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled. And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee. Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that is with thee, and lie in wait in the field: And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold, when he and the people that is with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find occasion. And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies. 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. And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men. And Gaal spake again and said, See there come people down by the middle of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim. Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them. And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech. And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the gate. And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem. And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech. 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. And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and the two other companies ran upon all the people that were in the fields, and slew them. And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt. And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith. And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together. And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done. And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them; so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women. Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it. But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut it to them, and gat them up to the top of the tower. And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went hard unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire. And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech’s head, and all to brake his skull. 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 woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died. And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place. Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren: And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.
When Abimelech had ruled over Israel three years,
And when Abimelek had ruled three years over Israel,
When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,
God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem, and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech.
then God sent a bad spirit between Abimelek and the men of Shechem. And the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelek —
Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
This was so the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal would come back, and their blood be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and on the men of Shechem, who helped him kill his brothers.
so the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerub-Baal would come, and their blood be laid on Abimelek their brother who killed them, and on the men of Shechem who helped him kill his brothers.
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.
And the men of Shechem set men in ambush against him on the hilltops, and they robbed everyone who came along that road. And Abimelech was told about it.
And the men of Shechem set men in ambush for him on the tops of the mountains, and they robbed everyone who came along that road. And Abimelek was told.
And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech.
And Gaal son of Ebed came with his brothers and moved into Shechem, and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him.
And Gaal son of Ebed came with his brothers and went over to Shechem. And the men of Shechem put their trust in him.
And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him.
And they went out into the fields and gathered their grapes and trod them, and held a festival. And they went into the house of their god and ate and drank and cursed Abimelech.
And they went out into the fields and gathered their vineyards and trod the grapes and celebrated. And they went into the house of their god and ate and drank and cursed Abimelek.
And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode the grapes, and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.
And Gaal son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Isn't he the son of Jerubbaal, with Zebul as his officer? Serve the men of Hamor, the father of Shechem. Why should we serve him?
And Gaal son of Ebed said: Who's Abimelek, and who's Shechem, that we should serve him? Isn't he the son of Jerub-Baal, and Zebul his officer? Serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem. So why should we serve him?
And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him?
If only this people were under my command — then I would remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase your army and come out.
If only this people were under my hand. Then I'd get rid of Abimelek. And he said to Abimelek: Build up your army and come out.
And would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.
And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard what Gaal son of Ebed said, his anger burned.
And when Zebul the ruler of the town heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed, his anger was hot.
And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.
And he sent messengers to Abimelech secretly, saying, Look — Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem, and they are stirring up the city against you.
And he sent messengers to Abimelek quietly: Look — Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem. And look — they're stirring up the town against you.
And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee.
So get up by night, you and the men with you, and lie in wait in the fields.
So get up at night, you and the people with you, and lie in wait in the field.
Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that is with thee, and lie in wait in the field:
And in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, get up early and rush the city. And when Gaal and the men with him come out against you, do to them whatever your hand finds to do.
And in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, you'll get up early and set on the town. And look — when he and the people with him come out against you, then you can do to them whatever you find to do.
And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold, when he and the people that is with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find occasion.
So Abimelech got up by night with all his men, and they lay in wait against Shechem in four companies.
And Abimelek got up at night, and all the people with him, and lay in wait against Shechem in four companies.
And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.
And Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood at the entrance of the city gate. And Abimelech and his men got up from where they were lying in wait.
And Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood at the entrance of the gate of the town. And Abimelek got up from where he was lying in wait, and the people with him.
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.
And when Gaal saw the men, he said to Zebul, Look — men coming down from the hilltops. And Zebul said to him, You are seeing the shadow of the hills as if it were men.
And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul: Look — people are coming down from the tops of the mountains. And Zebul said to him: You're seeing the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.
And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.
And Gaal spoke again and said, Look — people are coming down by the middle of the land, and another company is coming along by the plain of Meonenim.
And Gaal spoke again: Look — people are coming down by the middle of the land, and another company is coming along by the oak of Meonenim.
And Gaal spake again and said, See there come people down by the middle of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim.
Then Zebul said to him, Where is your boasting now? You were the one who said, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? Aren't these the men you despised? Go out now and fight them.
Then Zebul said to him: Where's your mouth now, that you said, Who's Abimelek that we should serve him? Aren't these the people you looked down on? Go out now and fight them.
Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them.
And Gaal went out at the head of the men of Shechem and fought Abimelech.
And Gaal went out in front of the men of Shechem and fought Abimelek.
And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.
And Abimelech chased him, and he ran from him, and many fell wounded, right up to the entrance of the gate.
And Abimelek chased him, and he ran from him. And plenty were thrown down wounded right to the entrance of the gate.
And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the gate.
And Abimelech stayed at Arumah, and Zebul drove out Gaal and his brothers, so they couldn't live in Shechem.
And Abimelek stayed at Arumah. And Zebul threw out Gaal and his brothers, so they couldn't live in Shechem.
And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.
And the next day the people went out into the fields, and Abimelech was told about it.
And the next day the people went out into the field, and they told Abimelek.
And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech.
And he took his men and divided them into three companies and lay in wait in the fields. And he looked, and there were the people coming out of the city. So he rose against them and struck them down.
And he took the people and divided them into three companies and lay in wait in the field. And he looked, and there were the people coming out of the town. And he got up against them and struck them.
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.
And Abimelech and the company with him rushed forward and took their stand at the entrance of the city gate, while the other two companies ran at everyone in the fields and struck them down.
And Abimelek and the company with him rushed forward and stood at the entrance of the gate of the town. And the two other companies ran on everyone in the fields and struck them.
And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and the two other companies ran upon all the people that were in the fields, and slew them.
And Abimelech fought against the city all that day. He took the city and killed the people in it, and pulled the city down and sowed it with salt.
And Abimelek fought against the town all that day. And he took the town and killed the people in it, and pulled the town down and sowed it with salt.
And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.
And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard about it, they went into the stronghold of the house of the god Berith.
And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard about it, they went into a stronghold of the house of the god Berith.
And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith.
And Abimelech was told that all the men of the tower of Shechem had gathered together.
And Abimelek was told that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.
And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.
So Abimelech went up Mount Zalmon with all his men. And Abimelech took an axe in his hand and cut a branch off the trees, and lifted it onto his shoulder, and said to the men with him, What you have seen me do, hurry up and do the same.
And Abimelek went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the people with him. And Abimelek took an axe in his hand and cut a branch off the trees and took it and laid it on his shoulder, and said to the people with him: What you've seen me do, hurry up and do the same.
And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done.
So every man cut his own branch and followed Abimelech, and they piled them against the stronghold and set it on fire over them. So all the people of the tower of Shechem died too, about a thousand men and women.
And all the people cut down every man his branch and followed Abimelek, and put them by the stronghold and set the stronghold on fire on them. So all the men of the tower of Shechem died too, about a thousand men and women.
And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them; so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.
Then Abimelech went to Thebez and camped against it and took it.
Then Abimelek went to Thebez and camped against Thebez and took it.
Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.
But there was a strong tower inside the city, and all the men and women and all the people of the city fled there and shut themselves in and went up to the roof of the tower.
But there was a strong tower in the town, and all the men and women and all the people of the town ran there and shut themselves in, and got up to the top of the tower.
But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut it to them, and gat them up to the top of the tower.
And Abimelech came up to the tower and fought against it, and went right up to the door of the tower to set it on fire.
And Abimelek came to the tower and fought against it, and went close to the door of the tower to burn it with fire.
And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went hard unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire.
And a woman dropped a piece of a millstone on Abimelech's head and crushed his skull.
And a certain woman threw a piece of a millstone on Abimelek's head and cracked his skull.
And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech’s head, and all to brake his skull.
Then he called quickly to the young man who carried his armour and said to him, Draw your sword and kill me, so nobody can say of me, A woman killed him. So his young man ran him through, and he died.
Then he called quickly to the young man who carried his armour and said to him: Draw your sword and kill me, so men don't say about me, A woman killed him. And his young man ran him through, and he died.
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 woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.
And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home to their own places.
And when the men of Israel saw Abimelek was dead, they went off, every man to his place.
And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place.
So God repaid the wickedness Abimelech had done to his father in killing his seventy brothers.
So God paid back the wickedness Abimelek did to his father, by killing his seventy brothers.
Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren:
And God repaid all the wickedness of the men of Shechem on their own heads. And the curse of Jotham son of Jerubbaal came on them.
And God paid back all the wickedness of the men of Shechem on their heads. And the curse of Jotham son of Jerub-Baal came on them.
And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.