Revised Literal Translation

Judges 9

1And Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ'a.vi.Me.lekhH40the sonבֶּן־ben-H1121of Jerubbaalיְרֻבַּ֙עַל֙ye.ru.Ba.'alH3378wentH3212to Shechemשְׁכֶ֔מָהshe.Khe.mahH7927unto his mother’sאִמּ֑וֹ'i.MoH517brethrenאֲחֵ֖י'a.CheiH251,and communedוַיְדַבֵּ֣רvay.da.BerH1696with them, and with all the familyמִשְׁפַּ֛חַתmish.Pa.chatH4940of the houseבֵּית־beit-H1004of his mother’sאִמּ֖וֹ'i.MoH517fatherאֲבִ֥י'a.ViH1,sayingלֵאמֹֽר׃le.MorH559,

2Speakדַּבְּרוּ־da.be.ru-H1696,I pray you, in the earsבְּאָזְנֵ֨יbe.'a.ze.NeiH241of all the menבַּעֲלֵ֣יba.'a.LeiH1167of Shechemשְׁכֶם֮she.KhemH7927, Whether isbetterטּ֣וֹבTovH2896for you, either that all the sonsבְּנֵ֣יbe.NeiH1121of Jerubbaalיְרֻבַּ֔עַלye.ru.Ba.'alH3378, which arethreescore and tenשִׁבְעִ֣יםshiv.'ImH7657personsH376,reignהַמְשֹׁ֨לham.SholH4910over you, or that oneאֶחָ֑ד'e.ChadH259reignמְשֹׁ֥לme.SholH4910over you? rememberוּזְכַרְתֶּ֕םu.ze.khar.TemH2142also that I amyour boneעַצְמֵכֶם'atz.me.KhemH6106and your fleshוּבְשַׂרְכֶ֖םu.ve.sar.KhemH1320.

3And his mother’sאִמּ֜וֹ'i.MoH517brethrenאֲחֵֽי־'a.chei-H251spakeוַיְדַבְּר֨וּvay.da.be.RuH1696of him in the earsבְּאָזְנֵי֙be.'a.ze.NeiH241of all the menבַּעֲלֵ֣יba.'a.LeiH1167of Shechemשְׁכֶ֔םshe.KhemH7927all these wordsהַדְּבָרִ֖יםha.de.va.RimH1697:and their heartsלִבָּם֙li.BamH3820inclinedוַיֵּ֤טvai.YetH5186to followאַחֲרֵ֣י'a.cha.ReiH310Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ'a.vi.Me.lekhH40;for they saidאָמְר֖וּ'a.me.RuH559, He isour brotherאָחִ֥ינוּ'a.Chi.nuH251.

4And they gaveוַיִּתְּנוּ־vai.yi.te.nu-H5414him threescore and tenשִׁבְעִ֣יםshiv.'ImH7657piecesof silverכֶּ֔סֶףKe.sefH3701out of the houseמִבֵּ֖יתּmi.BeitH1004of Baal–berithH1170,wherewith Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֗לֶךְ'a.vi.Me.lekhH40hiredוַיִּשְׂכֹּ֨רvai.yis.KorH7936vainרֵיקִים֙rei.KimH7386and lightוּפֹ֣חֲזִ֔יםu.Fo.cha.ZimH6348personsאֲנָשִׁ֤ים'a.na.ShimH582,which followedH3212himאַחֲרָֽיו׃'a.cha.RavH310.

5And he wentוַיָּבֹ֤אvai.ya.Vo'H935unto his father’sאָבִיו֙'a.VivH1houseבֵית־veit-H1004at Ophrahעָפְרָ֔תָה'a.fe.Ra.tahH6084,and slewוַֽיַּהֲרֹ֞גvai.ya.ha.RogH2026his brethrenאֶחָ֧יו'e.ChavH251the sonsבְּנֵֽי־be.nei-H1121of Jerubbaalיְרֻבַּ֛עַלye.ru.Ba.'alH3378, beingthreescore and tenשִׁבְּעִ֥יםshiv.'ImH7657personsאִ֖ישׁ'ishH376,upon oneאֶחָ֑ת'e.ChatH259stoneאֶ֣בֶן'E.venH68:notwithstanding yet Jothamיוֹתָ֧םyo.TamH3147the youngestהַקָּטֹ֖ןha.ka.TonH6996sonבֶּן־ben-H1121of Jerubbaalיְרֻבַּ֛עַלye.ru.Ba.'alH3378was leftוַיִּוָּתֵ֞רvai.yi.va.TerH3498;for he hidנֶחְבָּֽא׃ סnech.Ba'H2244himself.

6And all the menבַּעֲלֵ֤יba.'a.LeiH1167of Shechemשְׁכֶם֙she.KhemH7927gathered togetherוַיֵּאָ֨סְפ֜וּvai.ye.'A.se.FuH622,and all the houseH1004of MilloH1037 H4407,and wentH3212,and madeוַיַּמְלִ֥יכוּvai.yam.Li.khuH4427Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ'a.vi.Me.lekhH40kingלְמֶ֑לֶךְle.Me.lekhH4428,by the plainאֵל֥וֹן'e.LonH436of the pillarמֻצָּ֖בmu.TzavH5324that wasin Shechemבִּשְׁכֶֽם׃bish.KhemH7927.

7And when they toldוַיַּגִּ֣דוּvai.ya.Gi.duH5046itto Jothamלְיוֹתָ֗םle.yo.TamH3147,he wentH3212and stoodוַֽיַּעֲמֹד֙vai.ya.'a.ModH5975in the topבְּרֹ֣אשׁbe.RoshH7218of mountהַר־har-H2022Gerizimגְּרִזִ֔יםge.ri.ZimH1630,and lifted upוַיִּשָּׂ֥אvai.yi.Sa'H5375his voiceקוֹל֖וֹko.LoH6963,and criedוַיִּקְרָ֑אvai.yik.Ra'H7121,and saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559unto them, Hearkenשִׁמְע֤וּshim.'UH8085unto me, ye menבַּעֲלֵ֣יba.'a.LeiH1167of Shechemשְׁכֶ֔םshe.KhemH7927,that Godאֱלֹהִֽים׃'E.lo.HimH430may hearkenוְיִשְׁמַ֥עve.yish.Ma'H8085unto you.

8The treesהָעֵצִ֔יםha.'e.TzimH6086went forthH1980on a timeto anointלִמְשֹׁ֥חַlim.Sho.achH4886a kingמֶ֑לֶךְMe.lekhH4428over them; and they saidוַיֹּאמְר֥וּvai.yo.me.RuH559unto the olive treeלַזַּ֖יִתla.Za.yitH2132,Reignמָלְכָ֥הme.lo.khahH4427thou over us.

9But the olive treeהַזַּ֔יִתha.Za.yitH2132saidוַיֹּ֤אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559unto them, Should I leaveהֶחֳדַ֙לְתִּי֙he.cho.Dal.tiH2308my fatnessדִּשְׁנִ֔יdish.NiH1880,wherewith by me they honourיְכַבְּד֥וּye.kha.be.DuH3513Godאֱלֹהִ֖ים'E.lo.HimH430and manוַאֲנָשִׁ֑יםva.'a.na.ShimH582,and goוְהָ֣לַכְתִּ֔יve.Ha.lakh.TiH1980to be promotedלָנ֖וּעַla.Nu.a'H5128over the treesהָעֵצִֽים׃ha.'e.TzimH6086?

10And the treesהָעֵצִ֖יםha.'e.TzimH6086saidוַיֹּאמְר֥וּvai.yo.me.RuH559to the fig treeלַתְּאֵנָ֑הla.te.'e.NahH8384,ComeH3212thou, andreignמָלְכִ֥יma.le.KhiH4427over us.

11But the fig treeהַתְּאֵנָ֔הha.te.'e.NahH8384saidוַתֹּ֤אמֶרva.To.merH559unto them, Should I forsakeהֶחֳדַ֙לְתִּי֙he.cho.Dal.tiH2308my sweetnessמָתְקִ֔יma.te.KiH4987,and my goodהַטּוֹבָ֑הha.to.VahH2896fruitתְּנוּבָתִ֖יte.nu.va.TiH8570,and goוְהָ֣לַכְתִּ֔יve.Ha.lakh.TiH1980to be promotedלָנ֖וּעַla.Nu.a'H5128over the treesהָעֵצִֽים׃ha.'e.TzimH6086?

12Then saidוַיֹּאמְר֥וּvai.yo.me.RuH559the treesהָעֵצִ֖יםha.'e.TzimH6086unto the vineלַגָּ֑פֶןla.Ga.fenH1612,ComeH3212thou, andreignמָלְכִ֥יma.lo.khiH4427over us.

13And the vineהַגֶּ֔פֶןha.Ge.fenH1612saidוַתֹּ֤אמֶרva.To.merH559unto them, Should I leaveהֶחֳדַ֙לְתִּי֙he.cho.Dal.tiH2308my wineתִּ֣ירוֹשִׁ֔יti.ro.ShiH8492,which cheerethהַֽמְשַׂמֵּ֥חַham.sa.Me.achH8055Godאֱלֹהִ֖ים'E.lo.HimH430and manוַאֲנָשִׁ֑יםva.'a.na.ShimH582,and goוְהָ֣לַכְתִּ֔יve.Ha.lakh.TiH1980to be promotedלָנ֖וּעַla.Nu.a'H5128over the treesהָעֵצִֽים׃ha.'e.TzimH6086?

14Then saidוַיֹּאמְר֥וּvai.yo.me.RuH559all the treesהָעֵצִ֖יםha.'e.TzimH6086unto the brambleהָאָטָ֑דha.'a.TadH329,ComeH3212thou, andreignמְלָךְ־me.lokh-H4427over us.

15And the brambleהָאָטָד֮ha.'a.TadH329saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559unto the treesהָעֵצִים֒ha.'e.TzimH6086,If in truthבֶּאֱמֶ֣תbe.'e.MetH571ye anointמֹשְׁחִ֨יםmo.she.ChimH4886me kingלְמֶ֙לֶךְ֙le.Me.lekhH4428over you, thencomeבֹּ֖אוּBo.'uH935andput your trustחֲס֣וּcha.SuH2620in my shadowבְצִלִּ֑יve.tzi.LiH6738:and if not, let fireאֵשׁ֙'eshH784come outתֵּ֤צֵאTe.tze'H3318of the brambleהָ֣אָטָ֔דha.'a.TadH329,and devourוְתֹאכַ֖לve.to.KhalH398the cedarsאַרְזֵ֥י'ar.ZeiH730of Lebanonהַלְּבָנֽוֹן׃ha.le.va.NonH3844.

16Now therefore, if ye have doneעֲשִׂיתֶ֔ם'a.si.TemH6213trulyבֶּאֱמֶ֤תbe.'e.MetH571and sincerelyוּבְתָמִים֙u.ve.ta.MimH8549,in that ye have made Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ'a.vi.Me.lekhH40kingוַתַּמְלִ֖יכוּva.tam.Li.khuH4427,and if ye have dealtעֲשִׂיתֶם֙'a.si.TemH6213wellטוֹבָ֤הto.VahH2896with Jerubbaalיְרֻבַּ֣עַלye.ru.Ba.'alH3378and his houseבֵּית֔וֹbei.ToH1004,and have doneעֲשִׂ֥יתֶם'a.Si.temH6213unto him according to the deservingכִּגְמ֥וּלkig.MulH1576of his handsיָדָ֖יוya.DavH3027;

17(For my fatherאָבִ֖י'a.ViH1foughtנִלְחַ֥םnil.ChamH3898for you, and adventuredוַיַּשְׁלֵ֤ךְvai.yash.LekhH7993his lifeנַפְשׁוֹ֙naf.ShoH5315farמִנֶּ֔גֶדmi.Ne.gedH5048,and deliveredוַיַּצֵּ֥לvai.ya.TzelH5337you out of the handמִיַּ֥דmi.YadH3027of Midianמִדְיָֽן׃mid.YanH4080:

18And ye are risen upקַמְתֶּ֨םkam.TemH6965against my father’sאָבִי֙'a.ViH1houseבֵּ֤יתbeitH1004this dayהַיּ֔וֹםhai.YomH3117,and have slainוַתַּהַרְג֧וּva.ta.har.GuH2026his sonsבָּנָ֛יוba.NavH1121,threescore and tenשִׁבְעִ֥יםshiv.'ImH7657personsאִ֖ישׁ'ishH376,upon oneאֶחָ֑ת'e.ChatH259stoneאֶ֣בֶן'E.venH68,and have made Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ'a.vi.Me.lekhH40,the sonבֶּן־ben-H1121of his maidservantאֲמָתוֹ֙'a.ma.ToH519,kingוַתַּמְלִ֜יכוּva.tam.Li.khuH4427over the menבַּעֲלֵ֣יba.'a.LeiH1167of Shechemשְׁכֶ֔םshe.KhemH7927, because he isyour brotherאֲחִיכֶ֖ם'a.chi.KhemH251;)

19If ye then have dealtעֲשִׂיתֶ֛ם'a.si.TemH6213trulyבֶּאֱמֶ֨תbe.'e.MetH571and sincerelyוּבְתָמִ֧יםu.ve.ta.MimH8549with Jerubbaalיְרֻבַּ֥עַלye.ru.Ba.'alH3378and with his houseבֵּית֖וֹbei.ToH1004this dayהַיּ֣וֹםhai.YomH3117, thenrejoiceשִׂמְחוּ֙sim.ChuH8055ye in Abimelechבַּאֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְba.'a.vi.Me.lekhH40,and let him also rejoiceוְיִשְׂמַ֥חve.yis.MachH8055in you:

20But if not, let fireאֵשׁ֙'eshH784come outתֵּ֤צֵאTe.tze'H3318from Abimelechמֵאֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְme.'a.vi.Me.lekhH40,and devourוְתֹאכַ֛לve.to.KhalH398the menבַּעֲלֵ֥יba.'a.LeiH1167of Shechemשְׁכֶ֖םshe.KhemH7927,and the houseH1004of MilloH1037 H4407;and let fireאֵ֜שׁ'eshH784come outוְתֵצֵ֨אve.te.Tze'H3318from the menמִבַּעֲלֵ֤יmi.ba.'a.LeiH1167of Shechemשְׁכֶם֙she.KhemH7927,and from the houseH1004of MilloH1037 H4407,and devourוְתֹאכַ֖לve.to.KhalH398Abimelechאֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ׃'a.vi.Me.lekhH40.

21And Jothamיוֹתָ֔םyo.TamH3147ran awayוַיִּבְרַ֖חvai.yiv.RachH1272,and fledוַיָּ֣נָסvai.Ya.nosH5127,and wentH3212to Beerבְּאֵ֑רָהbe.'E.rahH876,and dweltוַיֵּ֣שֶׁבvai.Ye.shevH3427there, for fearמִפְּנֵ֖יmi.pe.NeiH6440of Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֥לֶךְ'a.vi.Me.lekhH40his brotherאָחִֽיו׃ פ'a.ChivH251.

22When Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֛לֶךְ'a.vi.Me.lekhH40had reignedוַיָּ֧שַׂרvai.Ya.sarH7786threeשָׁלֹ֥שׁsha.LoshH7969yearsשָׁנִֽים׃sha.NimH8141over Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לYis.ra.'ElH3478,

23Then Godאֱלֹהִים֙'E.lo.HimH430sentוַיִּשְׁלַ֤חvai.yish.LachH7971an evilרָעָ֔הra.'AhH7451spiritר֣וּחַRu.achH7307between Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ'a.vi.Me.lekhH40and the menבַּעֲלֵ֣יba.'a.LeiH1167of Shechemשְׁכֶ֑םshe.KhemH7927;and the menבַעֲלֵי־va.'a.lei-H1167of Shechemשְׁכֶ֖םshe.KhemH7927dealt treacherouslyוַיִּבְגְּד֥וּvai.yiv.ge.DuH898with Abimelechבַּאֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ׃ba.'a.vi.Me.lekhH40:

24That the crueltyחֲמַ֖סcha.MasH2555doneto the threescore and tenשִׁבְעִ֣יםshiv.'ImH7657sonsבְּנֵֽי־be.nei-H1121of Jerubbaalיְרֻבָּ֑עַלye.ru.Ba.'alH3378might comeלָב֕וֹאla.Vo'H935,and their bloodוְדָמָ֗םve.da.MamH1818be laidלָשׂ֞וּםla.SumH7760upon Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ'a.vi.Me.lekhH40their brotherאֲחִיהֶם֙'a.chi.HemH251,which slewהָרַ֣גha.RagH2026them; and upon the menבַּעֲלֵ֣יba.'a.LeiH1167of Shechemשְׁכֶ֔םshe.KhemH7927,which aidedחִזְּק֥וּ יָדָ֖יוchi.ze.Ku ya.DavH3027 H2388him in the killingלַהֲרֹ֥גla.ha.RogH2026of his brethrenאֶחָֽיו׃'e.ChavH251.

25And the menבַעֲלֵ֨יva.'a.LeiH1167of Shechemשְׁכֶ֜םshe.KhemH7927setוַיָּשִׂ֣ימוּvai.ya.Si.muH7760liers in waitמְאָרְבִ֗יםme.'a.re.VimH693for him in the topרָאשֵׁ֣יra.SheiH7218of the mountainsהֶהָרִ֔יםhe.ha.RimH2022,and they robbedוַיִּגְזְל֗וּvai.yig.ze.LuH1497all that cameיַעֲבֹ֥רya.'a.VorH5674along that wayבַּדָּ֑רֶךְba.Da.rekhH1870by them: and it was toldוַיֻּגַּ֖דvai.yu.GadH5046Abimelechלַאֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ׃ פla.'a.vi.Me.lekhH40.

26And Gaalגַּ֤עַלGa.'alH1603the sonבֶּן־ben-H1121of Ebedעֶ֙בֶד֙'e.vedH5651cameוַיָּבֹ֞אvai.ya.Vo'H935with his brethrenוְאֶחָ֔יוve.'e.ChavH251,and went overוַיַּעַבְר֖וּvai.ya.'av.RuH5674to Shechemבִּשְׁכֶ֑םbish.KhemH7927:and the menבַּעֲלֵ֥יba.'a.LeiH1167of Shechemשְׁכֶֽם׃she.KhemH7927put their confidenceוַיִּבְטְחוּ־vai.yiv.te.chu-H982in him.

27And they went outוַיֵּצְא֨וּvai.ye.tze.'UH3318into the fieldsהַשָּׂדֶ֜הha.sa.DehH7704,and gatheredוַֽיִּבְצְר֤וּvai.yiv.tze.RuH1219their vineyardsכַּרְמֵיהֶם֙kar.mei.HemH3754,and trodeוַֽיִּדְרְכ֔וּvai.yid.re.KhuH1869the grapes,and madeוַֽיַּעֲשׂ֖וּvai.ya.'a.SuH6213merryהִלּוּלִ֑יםhi.lu.LimH1974,and wentוַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙vai.ya.Vo.'uH935into the houseבֵּ֣יתbeitH1004of their godאֱֽלֹֽהֵיהֶ֔ם'elo.hei.HemH430,and did eatוַיֹּֽאכְלוּ֙vai.yo.khe.LuH398and drinkוַיִּשְׁתּ֔וּvai.yish.TuH8354,and cursedוַֽיְקַלְל֖וּvay.ka.LuH7043Abimelechאֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ׃'a.vi.Me.lekhH40.

28And Gaalגַּ֣עַלGa.'alH1603the sonבֶּן־ben-H1121of Ebedעֶ֗בֶד'E.vedH5651saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶר׀vai.Yo.merH559, Who isAbimelechאֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ'a.vi.Me.lekhH40, and who isShechemשְׁכֶם֙she.KhemH7927,that we should serveנַעַבְדֶ֔נּוּna.'av.De.nuH5647him? is not hethe sonבֶן־ven-H1121of Jerubbaalיְרֻבַּ֖עַלye.ru.Ba.'alH3378?and Zebulוּזְבֻ֣לu.ze.VulH2083his officerפְּקִיד֑וֹpe.ki.DoH6496?serveעִבְד֗וּ'iv.DuH5647the menאַנְשֵׁ֤י'an.SheiH582of Hamorחֲמוֹר֙cha.mOrH2544the fatherאֲבִ֣י'a.ViH1of Shechemשְׁכֶ֔םshe.KhemH7927:for why should we serveנַעַבְדֶ֥נּוּna.'av.De.nuH5647him?

29And would to God this peopleהָעָ֤םha.'AmH5971were underיִתֵּ֜ןyi.TenH5414my handבְּיָדִ֔יbe.ya.DiH3027!then would I removeוְאָסִ֖ירָהve.'a.Si.rahH5493Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ'a.vi.Me.lekhH40.And he saidוַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙vai.Yo.merH559to Abimelechלַאֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְla.'a.vi.Me.lekhH40,Increaseרַבֶּ֥הra.BehH7235thine armyצְבָאֲךָ֖tze.va.'a.KhaH6635,and come outוָצֵֽאָה׃va.Tze.'ahH3318.

30And when Zebulזְבֻל֙ze.VulH2083the rulerשַׂר־sar-H8269of the cityהָעִ֔ירha.'IrH5892heardוַיִּשְׁמַ֗עvai.yish.Ma'H8085the wordsדִּבְרֵ֖יdiv.ReiH1697of Gaalגַּ֣עַלGa.'alH1603the sonבֶּן־ben-H1121of Ebedעָ֑בֶד'A.vedH5651,his angerאַפּֽוֹ׃'a.PoH639was kindledוַיִּ֖חַרvai.Yi.charH2734.

31And he sentוַיִּשְׁלַ֧חvai.yish.LachH7971messengersמַלְאָכִ֛יםmal.'a.KhimH4397unto Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ'a.vi.Me.lekhH40privilyבְּתָרְמָ֣הbe.ta.re.MahH8649,sayingלֵאמֹ֑רle.MorH559,Behold, Gaalגַ֨עַלGa.'alH1603the sonבֶּן־ben-H1121of Ebedעֶ֤בֶד'E.vedH5651and his brethrenוְאֶחָיו֙ve.'e.ChavH251be comeבָּאִ֣יםba.'ImH935to Shechemשְׁכֶ֔מָהshe.Khe.mahH7927;and, behold, they fortifyצָרִ֥יםtza.RimH6696the cityהָעִ֖ירha.'IrH5892against thee.

32Now therefore upק֣וּםkumH6965by nightלַ֔יְלָהLay.lahH3915,thou and the peopleוְהָעָ֣םve.ha.'AmH5971that iswith thee, and lie in waitוֶאֱרֹ֖בve.'e.RoH693in the fieldבַּשָּׂדֶֽה׃ba.sa.DehH7704:

33And it shall be, thatin the morningבַבֹּ֙קֶר֙va.Bo.kerH1242,as soon as the sunהַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁha.She.meshH8121is upכִּזְרֹ֣חַkiz.Ro.achH2224,thou shalt rise earlyתַּשְׁכִּ֖יםtash.KimH7925,and setוּפָשַׁטְתָּ֣u.fa.sha.TaH6584upon the cityהָעִ֑ירha.'IrH5892: and, behold, whenhe and the peopleוְהָעָ֤םve.ha.'AmH5971that iswith him come outיֹצְאִ֣יםyo.tze.'ImH3318against thee, then mayest thou doוְעָשִׂ֣יתָve.'a.Si.taH6213to them as thouיָדֶֽךָ׃ סya.De.khaH3027shalt find occasionתִּמְצָ֥אtim.Tza'H4672.

34And Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֛לֶךְ'a.vi.Me.lekhH40rose upוַיָּ֧קָםvai.Ya.komH6965,and all the peopleהָעָ֥םha.'AmH5971that werewith him, by nightלָ֑יְלָהLa.ye.lahH3915,and they laid waitוַיֶּאֶרְב֣וּvai.ye.'er.VuH693against Shechemשְׁכֶ֔םshe.KhemH7927in fourאַרְבָּעָ֖ה'ar.ba.'AhH702companiesרָאשִֽׁים׃ra.ShimH7218.

35And Gaalגַּ֣עַלGa.'alH1603the sonבֶּן־ben-H1121of Ebedעֶ֔בֶד'E.vedH5651went outוַיֵּצֵא֙vai.ye.Tze'H3318,and stoodוַיַּעֲמֹ֕דvai.ya.'a.ModH5975in the enteringפֶּ֖תַחPe.tachH6607of the gateשַׁ֣עַרSha.'arH8179of the cityהָעִ֑ירha.'IrH5892:and Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֛לֶךְ'a.vi.Me.lekhH40rose upוַיָּ֧קָםvai.Ya.komH6965,and the peopleוְהָעָ֥םve.ha.'AmH5971that werewith him, from lying in waitהַמַּאְרָֽב׃ha.ma'.RavH3993.

36And when Gaalגַּעַל֮ga.'AlH1603sawוַיַּרְא־vai.yar'-H7200the peopleהָעָם֒ha.'AmH5971,he saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559to Zebulזְבֻ֔לze.VulH2083,Behold, there comeH3381peopleעָ֣ם'amH5971downיוֹרֵ֔דyo.RedH3381from the topמֵרָאשֵׁ֖יme.ra.SheiH7218of the mountainsהֶהָרִ֑יםhe.ha.RimH2022.And Zebulזְבֻ֔לze.VulH2083saidוַיֹּ֤אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559unto him, Thou seestרֹאֶ֖הro.'EhH7200the shadowצֵ֧לtzelH6738of the mountainsהֶהָרִ֛יםhe.ha.RimH2022as if they weremenכָּאֲנָשִֽׁים׃ סka.'a.na.ShimH582.

37And Gaalגַּעַל֮ga.'AlH1603spakeלְדַבֵּר֒le.da.BerH1696againוַיֹּ֨סֶףvai.Yo.sefH3254and saidוַיֹּ֕אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559,See there comeH3381peopleעָם֙'amH5971downיֽוֹרְדִ֔יםyor.DimH3381by the middleטַבּ֣וּרta.BurH2872of the landהָאָ֑רֶץha.'A.retzH776,and anotherאֶחָ֣ד'e.ChadH259companyוְרֹאשׁ־ve.rosh-H7218comeבָּ֔אBa'H935along by the plainאֵל֥וֹן'e.LonH436ofמִדֶּ֖רֶךְmi.De.rekhH1870Meonenimמְעוֹנְנִֽים׃me.'o.NimH6049.

38Then saidוַיֹּ֨אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559Zebulזְבֻ֗לze.VulH2083unto him, Where isnowאֵפ֥וֹא'e.Fo'H645thy mouthפִ֙יךָ֙fi.khaH6310,wherewith thou saidstתֹּאמַ֔רto.MarH559, Who isAbimelechאֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ'a.vi.Me.lekhH40,that we should serveנַעַבְדֶ֑נּוּna.'av.De.nuH5647him? isnot this the peopleהָעָם֙ha.'AmH5971that thou hast despisedמָאַ֣סְתָּהma.'As.tahH3988?go outצֵא־tze'-H3318,I pray nowנָ֥אna'H4994,and fightוְהִלָּ֥חֶםve.hi.La.chemH3898with them.

39And Gaalגַ֔עַלGa.'alH1603went outוַיֵּ֣צֵאvai.Ye.tze'H3318beforeלִפְנֵ֖יlif.NeiH6440the menבַּעֲלֵ֣יba.'a.LeiH1167of Shechemשְׁכֶ֑םshe.KhemH7927,and foughtוַיִּלָּ֖חֶםvai.yi.La.chemH3898with Abimelechבַּאֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ׃ba.'a.vi.Me.lekhH40.

40And Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ'a.vi.Me.lekhH40chasedוַיִּרְדְּפֵ֣הוּvai.yir.de.Fe.huH7291him, and he fledוַיָּ֖נָסvai.Ya.nosH5127beforeמִפָּנָ֑יוmi.pa.NavH6440him, and manyרַבִּ֖יםra.BimH7227were overthrownוַֽיִּפְּל֛וּvai.yi.pe.LuH5307andwoundedחֲלָלִ֥יםcha.la.LimH2491, evenunto the enteringפֶּ֥תַחPe.tachH6607of the gateהַשָּֽׁעַר׃ha.Sha.'arH8179.

41And Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ'a.vi.Me.lekhH40dweltוַיֵּ֥שֶׁבvai.Ye.shevH3427at Arumahבָּארוּמָ֑הba.ru.MahH725:and Zebulזְבֻ֛לze.VulH2083thrust outוַיְגָ֧רֶשׁvay.Ga.reshH1644Gaalגַּ֥עַלGa.'alH1603and his brethrenאֶחָ֖יו'e.ChavH251,that they should not dwellמִשֶּׁ֥בֶתmi.She.vetH3427in Shechemבִּשְׁכֶֽם׃bish.KhemH7927.

42And it came to pass on the morrowמִֽמָּחֳרָ֔תmi.mo.cho.RatH4283,that the peopleהָעָ֖םha.'AmH5971went outוַיֵּצֵ֥אvai.ye.Tze'H3318into the fieldהַשָּׂדֶ֑הha.sa.DehH7704;and they toldוַיַּגִּ֖דוּvai.ya.Gi.duH5046Abimelechלַאֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ׃la.'a.vi.Me.lekhH40.

43And he tookוַיִּקַּ֣חvai.yi.KachH3947the peopleהָעָ֗םha.'AmH5971,and dividedוַֽיֶּחֱצֵם֙vai.ye.che.TzemH2673them into threeלִשְׁלֹשָׁ֣הlish.lo.ShahH7969companiesרָאשִׁ֔יםra.ShimH7218,and laid waitוַיֶּאֱרֹ֖בvai.ye.'e.RoH693in the fieldבַּשָּׂדֶ֑הba.sa.DehH7704,and lookedוַיַּ֗רְאvai.Yar'H7200,and, behold, the peopleהָעָם֙ha.'AmH5971werecome forthיֹצֵ֣אyo.Tze'H3318out of the cityהָעִ֔ירha.'IrH5892;and he rose upוַיָּ֥קָםvai.Ya.komH6965against them, and smoteוַיַּכֵּֽם׃vai.ya.KemH5221them.

44And Abimelechוַאֲבִימֶ֗לֶךְva.'a.vi.Me.lekhH40,and the companyוְהָרָאשִׁים֙ve.ha.ra.ShimH7218that waswith him, rushed forwardפָּשְׁט֕וּpa.she.TuH6584,and stoodוַיַּ֣עַמְד֔וּvai.Ya.'am.DuH5975in the enteringפֶּ֖תַחPe.tachH6607of the gateשַׁ֣עַרSha.'arH8179of the cityהָעִ֑ירha.'IrH5892:and the twoוּשְׁנֵ֣יu.she.NeiH8147othercompaniesהָֽרָאשִׁ֗יםha.ra.ShimH7218ran uponפָּֽשְׁט֛וּpa.she.TuH6584all the people that werein the fieldsבַּשָּׂדֶ֖הba.sa.DehH7704,and slewוַיַּכּֽוּם׃vai.ya.KumH5221them.

45And Abimelechוַאֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְva.'a.vi.Me.lekhH40foughtנִלְחָ֣םnil.ChamH3898against the cityבָּעִ֗ירba.'IrH5892all that dayהַיּ֣וֹםhai.YomH3117;and he tookוַיִּלְכֹּד֙vai.yil.KodH3920the cityהָעִ֔ירha.'IrH5892,and slewהָרָ֑גha.RagH2026the peopleהָעָ֥םha.'AmH5971that wastherein, and beat downוַיִּתֹּץ֙vai.yi.TotzH5422the cityהָעִ֔ירha.'IrH5892,and sowedוַיִּזְרָעֶ֖הָvai.yiz.ra.'E.haH2232it with saltמֶֽלַח׃ פMe.lachH4417.

46And when all the menבַּעֲלֵ֖יba.'a.LeiH1167of the towerמִֽגְדַּל־mig.dal-H4026of Shechemשְׁכֶ֑םshe.KhemH7927heardוַֽיִּשְׁמְע֔וּvai.yish.me.'UH8085that,they enteredוַיָּבֹ֣אוּvai.ya.Vo.'uH935into an holdצְרִ֔יחַtze.Ri.achH6877of the houseבֵּ֖יתbeitH1004of the godאֵ֥ל'elH410Berithבְּרִֽית׃be.RitH1286.

47And it was toldוַיֻּגַּ֖דvai.yu.GadH5046Abimelechלַאֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְla.'a.vi.Me.lekhH40,that all the menבַּעֲלֵ֖יba.'a.LeiH1167of the towerמִֽגְדַּל־mig.dal-H4026of Shechemשְׁכֶֽם׃she.KhemH7927were gathered togetherהִֽתְקַבְּצ֔וּhit.ka.be.TzuH6908.

48And Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְ'a.vi.Me.lekhH40gat him upוַיַּ֨עַלvai.Ya.'alH5927to mountהַר־har-H2022Zalmonצַלְמ֗וֹןtzal.MonH6756,he and all the peopleהָעָ֣םha.'AmH5971that werewith him; and Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֨לֶךְ'a.vi.Me.lekhH40tookוַיִּקַּח֩vai.yi.KachH3947an axeהַקַּרְדֻּמּ֜וֹתha.kar.du.MotH7134in his handבְּיָד֗וֹbe.ya.DoH3027,and cut downוַיִּכְרֹת֙vai.yikh.RotH3772a boughשׂוֹכַ֣תso.KhatH7754from the treesעֵצִ֔ים'e.TzimH6086,and tookוַיִּ֨שָּׂאֶ֔הָvai.Yi.sa.'E.haH5375it, and laidוַיָּ֖שֶׂםvai.Ya.semH7760iton his shoulderשִׁכְמ֑וֹshikh.MoH7926,and saidוַיֹּ֜אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559unto the peopleהָעָ֣םha.'AmH5971that werewith him, What ye have seenרְאִיתֶם֙re.'i.TemH7200me doעָשִׂ֔יתִי'a.Si.tiH6213,make hasteמַהֲר֖וּma.ha.RuH4116, anddoעֲשׂ֥וּ'a.SuH6213as Iכָמֽוֹנִי׃kha.Mo.niH3644have done.

49And all the peopleהָעָ֜םha.'AmH5971likewise cut downוַיִּכְרְת֨וּvai.yikh.re.TuH3772every manאִ֣ישׁ'ishH376his boughשׂוֹכֹ֗הso.KhohH7754,and followedאַחֲרֵ֤י'a.cha.ReiH310 H3212Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֙לֶךְ֙'a.vi.Me.lekhH40,and putוַיָּשִׂ֣ימוּvai.ya.Si.muH7760themto the holdהַצְּרִ֔יחַha.tze.Ri.achH6877,and setוַיַּצִּ֧יתוּvai.ya.Tzi.tuH3341the holdהַצְּרִ֖יחַha.tze.Ri.achH6877on fireבָּאֵ֑שׁba.'EshH784upon them; so that all the menאַנְשֵׁ֧י'an.SheiH582of the towerמִֽגְדַּל־mig.dal-H4026of Shechemשְׁכֶ֛םshe.KhemH7927diedוַיָּמֻ֜תוּvai.ya.Mu.tuH4191also, about a thousandכְּאֶ֖לֶףke.'E.lefH505menאִ֥ישׁ'ishH376and womenוְאִשָּֽׁה׃ פve.'i.ShahH802.

50Then wentH3212Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ'a.vi.Me.lekhH40to Thebezתֵּבֵ֑ץte.VetzH8405,and encampedוַיִּ֥חַןvai.Yi.chanH2583against Thebezבְּתֵבֵ֖ץbe.te.VetzH8405,and tookוַֽיִּלְכְּדָֽהּ׃Vai.yil.ke.DahH3920it.

51But there was a strongעֹז֮'ozH5797towerוּמִגְדַּל־u.mig.dal-H4026withinבְתוֹךְ־ve.tokh-H8432the cityהָעִיר֒ha.'IrH5892,and thither fledוַיָּנֻ֨סוּvai.ya.Nu.suH5127all the menהָאֲנָשִׁ֣יםha.'a.na.ShimH582and womenוְהַנָּשִׁ֗יםve.ha.na.ShimH802,and all theyבַּעֲלֵ֣יba.'a.LeiH1167of the cityהָעִ֔ירha.'IrH5892,and shutוַֽיִּסְגְּר֖וּvai.yis.ge.RuH5462itto them, and gat them upוַֽיַּעֲל֖וּvai.ya.'a.LuH5927to the topגַּ֥גgagH1406of the towerהַמִּגְדָּֽל׃ha.mig.DalH4026.

52And Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֙לֶךְ֙'a.vi.Me.lekhH40cameוַיָּבֹ֤אvai.ya.Vo'H935unto the towerהַמִּגְדָּ֔לha.mig.DalH4026,and foughtוַיִּלָּ֖חֶםvai.yi.La.chemH3898against it, and went hardוַיִּגַּ֛שׁvai.yi.GashH5066unto the doorפֶּ֥תַחPe.tachH6607of the towerהַמִּגְדָּ֖לha.mig.DalH4026to burnלְשָׂרְפ֥וֹle.sa.re.FoH8313it with fireבָאֵֽשׁ׃va.'EshH784.

53And a certainאַחַ֛ת'a.ChatH259womanאִשָּׁ֥ה'i.ShahH802castוַתַּשְׁלֵ֞ךְva.tash.LekhH7993a pieceפֶּ֥לַחPe.lachH6400of a millstoneרֶ֖כֶבRe.khevH7393upon Abimelech’sאֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ'a.vi.Me.lekhH40headרֹ֣אשׁroshH7218,and all to brakeוַתָּ֖רִץva.Ta.ritzH7533his skullגֻּלְגָּלְתּֽוֹ׃gul.gal.ToH1538.

54Then he calledוַיִּקְרָ֨אvai.yik.Ra'H7121hastilyמְהֵרָ֜הme.he.RahH4120unto the young manהַנַּ֣עַר׀ha.Na.'arH5288his armourbearerנֹשֵׂ֣א כֵלָ֗יוno.Se' khe.LavH3627 H5375,and saidוַיֹּ֤אמֶרvai.Yo.merH559unto him, Drawשְׁלֹ֤ףshe.LofH8025thy swordחַרְבְּךָ֙char.be.KhaH2719,and slayוּמ֣וֹתְתֵ֔נִיu.Mo.Te.niH4191me, that men sayיֹ֥אמְרוּYo.me.ruH559not of me, A womanאִשָּׁ֣ה'i.ShahH802slewהֲרָגָ֑תְהוּha.ra.Ga.te.huH2026him. And his young manנַעֲר֖וֹna.'a.RoH5288thrust him throughוַיִּדְקְרֵ֥הוּvai.yid.ke.Re.huH1856,and he diedוַיָּמֹֽת׃vai.ya.MotH4191.

55And when the menאִֽישׁ־'ish-H376of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לYis.ra.'ElH3478sawוַיִּרְא֥וּvai.yir.'UH7200that Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ'a.vi.Me.lekhH40was deadמֵ֣תmetH4191,they departedH3212every manאִ֥ישׁ'ishH376unto his placeלִמְקֹמֽוֹ׃lim.ko.MoH4725.

56Thus Godאֱלֹהִ֔ים'E.lo.HimH430renderedוַיָּ֣שֶׁבvai.Ya.shevH7725the wickednessרָעַ֣תra.'AtH7451of Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ'a.vi.Me.lekhH40,which he didעָשָׂה֙'a.SahH6213unto his fatherלְאָבִ֔יוle.'a.VivH1,in slayingלַהֲרֹ֖גla.ha.RogH2026his seventyשִׁבְעִ֥יםshiv.'ImH7657brethrenאֶחָֽיו׃'e.ChavH251:

57And all the evilרָעַת֙ra.'AtH7451of the menאַנְשֵׁ֣י'an.SheiH582of Shechemשְׁכֶ֔םshe.KhemH7927did Godאֱלֹהִ֖ים'E.lo.HimH430renderהֵשִׁ֥יבhe.ShivH7725upon their headsבְּרֹאשָׁ֑םbe.ro.ShamH7218:and upon them cameוַתָּבֹ֣אva.ta.Vo'H935the curseקִֽלֲלַ֖תki.la.LatH7045of Jothamיוֹתָ֥םyo.TamH3147the sonבֶּן־ben-H1121of Jerubbaalיְרֻבָּֽעַל׃ פye.ru.Ba.'alH3378.

Commentaries on Judges 9