Judges 8 | Biblion Bible Reader

WEB·Judges 9

¹Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem to his mother’s brothers, and spoke with them and with all the family of the house of his mother’s father, saying,

KJVAnd Abimelech^H40 the son^H1121 of Jerubbaal^H3378 went^H3212^(H8799) to Shechem^H7927 unto his mother's^H517 brethren^H251, and communed^H1696^(H8762) with them, and with all the family^H4940 of the house^H1004 of his mother's^H517 father^H1, saying^H559^(H8800),

² “Please speak in the ears of all the men of Shechem, ‘Is it better for you that all the sons of Jerubbaal, who are seventy persons, rule over you, or that one rule over you?’ Remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.”

KJVSpeak^H1696^(H8761), I pray you, in the ears^H241 of all the men^H1167 of Shechem^H7927, Whether is better^H2896 for you, either that all the sons^H1121 of Jerubbaal^H3378, which are threescore and ten^H7657 persons^H376, reign^H4910^(H8800) over you, or that one^H259 reign^H4910^(H8800) over you? remember^H2142^(H8804) also that I am your bone^H6106 and your flesh^H1320.

³ His mother’s brothers spoke of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words. Their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, “He is our brother.”

KJVAnd his mother's^H517 brethren^H251 spake^H1696^(H8762) of him in the ears^H241 of all the men^H1167 of Shechem^H7927 all these words^H1697: and their hearts^H3820 inclined^H5186^(H8799) to follow^H310 Abimelech^H40; for they said^H559^(H8804), He is our brother^H251.

⁴ They gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal Berith, with which Abimelech hired vain and reckless fellows who followed him.

KJVAnd they gave^H5414^(H8799) him threescore and ten^H7657 pieces of silver^H3701 out of the house^H1004 of Baalberith^H1170, wherewith Abimelech^H40 hired^H7936^(H8799) vain^H7386 and light^H6348^(H8802) persons^H582, which followed^H3212^(H8799) him^H310.

⁵ He went to his father’s house at Ophrah, and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, being seventy persons, on one stone; but Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, for he hid himself.

KJVAnd he went^H935^(H8799) unto his father's^H1 house^H1004 at Ophrah^H6084, and slew^H2026^(H8799) his brethren^H251 the sons^H1121 of Jerubbaal^H3378, being threescore and ten^H7657 persons^H376, upon one^H259 stone^H68: notwithstanding yet Jotham^H3147 the youngest^H6996 son^H1121 of Jerubbaal^H3378 was left^H3498^(H8735); for he hid^H2244^(H8738) himself.

⁶ All the men of Shechem assembled themselves together with all the house of Millo, and went and made Abimelech king by the oak of the pillar that was in Shechem.

KJVAnd all the men^H1167 of Shechem^H7927 gathered together^H622^(H8735), and all the house^H1004 of Millo^H4407^(H8677)^H1037, and went^H3212^(H8799), and made^H4427^(H8686) Abimelech^H40 king^H4428, by the plain^H436 of the pillar^H5324^(H8716) that was in Shechem^H7927.

⁷ When they told it to Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim and lifted up his voice, cried out, and said to them, “Listen to me, you men of Shechem, that God may listen to you.

KJVAnd when they told^H5046^(H8686) it to Jotham^H3147, he went^H3212^(H8799) and stood^H5975^(H8799) in the top^H7218 of mount^H2022 Gerizim^H1630, and lifted up^H5375^(H8799) his voice^H6963, and cried^H7121^(H8799), and said^H559^(H8799) unto them, Hearken^H8085^(H8798) unto me, ye men^H1167 of Shechem^H7927, that God^H430 may hearken^H8085^(H8799) unto you.

⁸ The trees set out to anoint a king over themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’

KJVThe trees^H6086 went forth^H1980^(H8804)^(H8676)^H1980^(H8800) on a time to anoint^H4886^(H8800) a king^H4428 over them; and they said^H559^(H8799) unto the olive tree^H2132, Reign^H4427^(H8798) thou over us.

⁹ “But the olive tree said to them, ‘Should I stop producing my oil, with which they honor God and man by me, and go to wave back and forth over the trees?’

KJVBut the olive tree^H2132 said^H559^(H8799) unto them, Should I leave^H2308^(H8804) my fatness^H1880, wherewith by me they honour^H3513^(H8762) God^H430 and man^H582, and go^H1980^(H8804) to be promoted^H5128^(H8800) over the trees^H6086?

¹⁰ “The trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and reign over us.’

KJVAnd the trees^H6086 said^H559^(H8799) to the fig tree^H8384, Come^H3212^(H8798) thou, and reign^H4427^(H8798) over us.

¹¹ “But the fig tree said to them, ‘Should I leave my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to wave back and forth over the trees?’

KJVBut the fig tree^H8384 said^H559^(H8799) unto them, Should I forsake^H2308^(H8804) my sweetness^H4987, and my good^H2896 fruit^H8570, and go^H1980^(H8804) to be promoted^H5128^(H8800) over the trees^H6086?

¹² “The trees said to the vine, ‘Come and reign over us.’

KJVThen said^H559^(H8799) the trees^H6086 unto the vine^H1612, Come^H3212^(H8798) thou, and reign^H4427^(H8798) over us.

¹³ “The vine said to them, ‘Should I leave my new wine, which cheers God and man, and go to wave back and forth over the trees?’

KJVAnd the vine^H1612 said^H559^(H8799) unto them, Should I leave^H2308^(H8804) my wine^H8492, which cheereth^H8055^(H8764) God^H430 and man^H582, and go^H1980^(H8804) to be promoted^H5128^(H8800) over the trees^H6086?

¹⁴ “Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘Come and reign over us.’

KJVThen said^H559^(H8799) all the trees^H6086 unto the bramble^H329, Come^H3212^(H8798) thou, and reign^H4427^(H8798) over us.

¹⁵ “The bramble said to the trees, ‘If in truth you anoint me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade; and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’

KJVAnd the bramble^H329 said^H559^(H8799) unto the trees^H6086, If in truth^H571 ye anoint^H4886^(H8802) me king^H4428 over you, then come^H935^(H8798) and put your trust^H2620^(H8798) in my shadow^H6738: and if not, let fire^H784 come out^H3318^(H8799) of the bramble^H329, and devour^H398^(H8799) the cedars^H730 of Lebanon^H3844.

¹⁶ “Now therefore, if you have dealt truly and righteously, in that you have made Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done to him according to the deserving of his hands

KJVNow therefore, if ye have done^H6213^(H8804) truly^H571 and sincerely^H8549, in that ye have made Abimelech^H40 king^H4427^(H8686), and if ye have dealt^H6213^(H8804) well^H2896 with Jerubbaal^H3378 and his house^H1004, and have done^H6213^(H8804) unto him according to the deserving^H1576 of his hands^H3027;

¹⁷ (for my father fought for you, risked his life, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian;

KJV(For my father^H1 fought^H3898^(H8738) for you, and adventured^H7993^(H8686) his life^H5315 far^H5048, and delivered^H5337^(H8686) you out of the hand^H3027 of Midian^H4080:

¹⁸ and you have risen up against my father’s house today and have slain his sons, seventy persons, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother);

KJVAnd ye are risen up^H6965^(H8804) against my father's^H1 house^H1004 this day^H3117, and have slain^H2026^(H8799) his sons^H1121, threescore and ten^H7657 persons^H376, upon one^H259 stone^H68, and have made Abimelech^H40, the son^H1121 of his maidservant^H519, king^H4427^(H8686) over the men^H1167 of Shechem^H7927, because he is your brother^H251;)

¹⁹ if you then have dealt truly and righteously with Jerubbaal and with his house today, then rejoice in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you;

KJVIf ye then have dealt^H6213^(H8804) truly^H571 and sincerely^H8549 with Jerubbaal^H3378 and with his house^H1004 this day^H3117, then rejoice^H8055^(H8798) ye in Abimelech^H40, and let him also rejoice^H8055^(H8799) in you:

²⁰ 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.”

KJVBut if not, let fire^H784 come out^H3318^(H8799) from Abimelech^H40, and devour^H398^(H8799) the men^H1167 of Shechem^H7927, and the house^H1004 of Millo^H4407^(H8677)^H1037; and let fire^H784 come out^H3318^(H8799) from the men^H1167 of Shechem^H7927, and from the house^H1004 of Millo^H4407^(H8676)^H1037, and devour^H398^(H8799) Abimelech^H40.

²¹ Jotham ran away and fled, and went to Beer and lived there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.

KJVAnd Jotham^H3147 ran away^H1272^(H8799), and fled^H5127^(H8799), and went^H3212^(H8799) to Beer^H876, and dwelt^H3427^(H8799) there, for fear^H6440 of Abimelech^H40 his brother^H251.

²² Abimelech was prince over Israel three years.

KJVWhen Abimelech^H40 had reigned^H7786^(H8799) three^H7969 years^H8141 over Israel^H3478,

²³ Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech,

KJVThen God^H430 sent^H7971^(H8799) an evil^H7451 spirit^H7307 between Abimelech^H40 and the men^H1167 of Shechem^H7927; and the men^H1167 of Shechem^H7927 dealt treacherously^H898^(H8799) with Abimelech^H40:

²⁴ that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and that their blood might be laid on Abimelech their brother who killed them, and on the men of Shechem who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers.

KJVThat the cruelty^H2555 done to the threescore and ten^H7657 sons^H1121 of Jerubbaal^H3378 might come^H935^(H8800), and their blood^H1818 be laid^H7760^(H8800) upon Abimelech^H40 their brother^H251, which slew^H2026^(H8804) them; and upon the men^H1167 of Shechem^H7927, which aided^H2388^(H8765)^H3027 him in the killing^H2026^(H8800) of his brethren^H251.

²⁵ The men of Shechem set an ambush for him on the tops of the mountains, and they robbed all who came along that way by them; and Abimelech was told about it.

KJVAnd the men^H1167 of Shechem^H7927 set^H7760^(H8799) liers in wait^H693^(H8764) for him in the top^H7218 of the mountains^H2022, and they robbed^H1497^(H8799) all that came^H5674^(H8799) along that way^H1870 by them: and it was told^H5046^(H8714) Abimelech^H40.

²⁶ Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brothers and went over to Shechem; and the men of Shechem put their trust in him.

KJVAnd Gaal^H1603 the son^H1121 of Ebed^H5651 came^H935^(H8799) with his brethren^H251, and went over^H5674^(H8799) to Shechem^H7927: and the men^H1167 of Shechem^H7927 put their confidence^H982^(H8799) in him.

²⁷ They went out into the field, harvested their vineyards, trod the grapes, celebrated, and went into the house of their god and ate and drank, and cursed Abimelech.

KJVAnd they went out^H3318^(H8799) into the fields^H7704, and gathered^H1219^(H8799) their vineyards^H3754, and trode^H1869^(H8799) the grapes, and made^H6213^(H8799) merry^H1974, and went^H935^(H8799) into the house^H1004 of their god^H430, and did eat^H398^(H8799) and drink^H8354^(H8799), and cursed^H7043^(H8762) Abimelech^H40.

²⁸ Gaal the son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Isn’t he the son of Jerubbaal? Isn’t Zebul his officer? Serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem, but why should we serve him?

KJVAnd Gaal^H1603 the son^H1121 of Ebed^H5651 said^H559^(H8799), Who is Abimelech^H40, and who is Shechem^H7927, that we should serve^H5647^(H8799) him? is not he the son^H1121 of Jerubbaal^H3378? and Zebul^H2083 his officer^H6496? serve^H5647^(H8798) the men^H582 of Hamor^H2544 the father^H1 of Shechem^H7927: for why should we serve^H5647^(H8799) him?

²⁹ I wish that this people were under my hand! Then I would remove Abimelech.” He said to Abimelech, “Increase your army and come out!”

KJVAnd would to God this people^H5971 were under^H5414^(H8799) my hand^H3027! then would I remove^H5493^(H8686) Abimelech^H40. And he said^H559^(H8799) to Abimelech^H40, Increase^H7235^(H8761) thine army^H6635, and come out^H3318^(H8798).

³⁰ When Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger burned.

KJVAnd when Zebul^H2083 the ruler^H8269 of the city^H5892 heard^H8085^(H8799) the words^H1697 of Gaal^H1603 the son^H1121 of Ebed^H5651, his anger^H639 was kindled^H2734^(H8799).

³¹ He sent messengers to Abimelech craftily, saying, “Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem; and behold, they incite the city against you.

KJVAnd he sent^H7971^(H8799) messengers^H4397 unto Abimelech^H40 privily^H8649, saying^H559^(H8800), Behold, Gaal^H1603 the son^H1121 of Ebed^H5651 and his brethren^H251 be come^H935^(H8802) to Shechem^H7927; and, behold, they fortify^H6696^(H8802) the city^H5892 against thee.

³² Now therefore, go up by night, you and the people who are with you, and lie in wait in the field.

KJVNow therefore up^H6965^(H8798) by night^H3915, thou and the people^H5971 that is with thee, and lie in wait^H693^(H8798) in the field^H7704:

³³ It shall be that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, you shall rise early and rush on the city. Behold, when he and the people who are with him come out against you, then may you do to them as you shall find occasion.”

KJVAnd it shall be, that in the morning^H1242, as soon as the sun^H8121 is up^H2224^(H8800), thou shalt rise early^H7925^(H8686), and set^H6584^(H8804) upon the city^H5892: and, behold, when he and the people^H5971 that is with him come out^H3318^(H8802) against thee, then mayest thou do^H6213^(H8804) to them as thou^H3027 shalt find occasion^H4672^(H8799).

³⁴ Abimelech rose up, and all the people who were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.

KJVAnd Abimelech^H40 rose up^H6965^(H8799), and all the people^H5971 that were with him, by night^H3915, and they laid wait^H693^(H8799) against Shechem^H7927 in four^H702 companies^H7218.

³⁵ Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city. Abimelech rose up, and the people who were with him, from the ambush.

KJVAnd Gaal^H1603 the son^H1121 of Ebed^H5651 went out^H3318^(H8799), and stood^H5975^(H8799) in the entering^H6607 of the gate^H8179 of the city^H5892: and Abimelech^H40 rose up^H6965^(H8799), and the people^H5971 that were with him, from lying in wait^H3993.

³⁶ When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Behold, people are coming down from the tops of the mountains.” Zebul said to him, “You see the shadows of the mountains as if they were men.”

KJVAnd when Gaal^H1603 saw^H7200^(H8799) the people^H5971, he said^H559^(H8799) to Zebul^H2083, Behold, there come^H3381 people^H5971 down^H3381^(H8802) from the top^H7218 of the mountains^H2022. And Zebul^H2083 said^H559^(H8799) unto him, Thou seest^H7200^(H8802) the shadow^H6738 of the mountains^H2022 as if they were men^H582.

³⁷ Gaal spoke again and said, “Behold, people are coming down by the middle of the land, and one company comes by the way of the oak of Meonenim.”

KJVAnd Gaal^H1603 spake^H1696^(H8763) again^H3254^(H8686) and said^H559^(H8799), See there come^H3381 people^H5971 down^H3381^(H8802) by the middle^H2872 of the land^H776, and another^H259 company^H7218 come^H935^(H8804) along by the plain^H436 of^H1870 Meonenim^H6049^(H8781).

³⁸ Then Zebul said to him, “Now where is your mouth, that you said, ‘Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him?’ Isn’t this the people that you have despised? Please go out now and fight with them.”

KJVThen said^H559^(H8799) Zebul^H2083 unto him, Where is now^H645 thy mouth^H6310, wherewith thou saidst^H559^(H8799), Who is Abimelech^H40, that we should serve^H5647^(H8799) him? is not this the people^H5971 that thou hast despised^H3988^(H8804)? go out^H3318^(H8798), I pray now^H4994, and fight^H3898^(H8734) with them.

³⁹ Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.

KJVAnd Gaal^H1603 went out^H3318^(H8799) before^H6440 the men^H1167 of Shechem^H7927, and fought^H3898^(H8735) with Abimelech^H40.

⁴⁰ Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many fell wounded, even to the entrance of the gate.

KJVAnd Abimelech^H40 chased^H7291^(H8799) him, and he fled^H5127^(H8799) before^H6440 him, and many^H7227 were overthrown^H5307^(H8799) and wounded^H2491, even unto the entering^H6607 of the gate^H8179.

⁴¹ Abimelech lived at Arumah; and Zebul drove out Gaal and his brothers, that they should not dwell in Shechem.

KJVAnd Abimelech^H40 dwelt^H3427^(H8799) at Arumah^H725: and Zebul^H2083 thrust out^H1644^(H8762) Gaal^H1603 and his brethren^H251, that they should not dwell^H3427^(H8800) in Shechem^H7927.

⁴² On the next day, the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech.

KJVAnd it came to pass on the morrow^H4283, that the people^H5971 went out^H3318^(H8799) into the field^H7704; and they told^H5046^(H8686) Abimelech^H40.

⁴³ He took the people and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field; and he looked, and behold, the people came out of the city. So, he rose up against them and struck them.

KJVAnd he took^H3947^(H8799) the people^H5971, and divided^H2673^(H8799) them into three^H7969 companies^H7218, and laid wait^H693^(H8799) in the field^H7704, and looked^H7200^(H8799), and, behold, the people^H5971 were come forth^H3318^(H8802) out of the city^H5892; and he rose up^H6965^(H8799) against them, and smote^H5221^(H8686) them.

⁴⁴ Abimelech and the companies that were with him rushed forward and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city; and the two companies rushed on all who were in the field and struck them.

KJVAnd Abimelech^H40, and the company^H7218 that was with him, rushed forward^H6584^(H8804), and stood^H5975^(H8799) in the entering^H6607 of the gate^H8179 of the city^H5892: and the two^H8147 other companies^H7218 ran upon^H6584^(H8804) all the people that were in the fields^H7704, and slew^H5221^(H8686) them.

⁴⁵ Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city and killed the people in it. He beat down the city and sowed it with salt.

KJVAnd Abimelech^H40 fought^H3898^(H8738) against the city^H5892 all that day^H3117; and he took^H3920^(H8799) the city^H5892, and slew^H2026^(H8804) the people^H5971 that was therein, and beat down^H5422^(H8799) the city^H5892, and sowed^H2232^(H8799) it with salt^H4417.

⁴⁶ When all the men of the tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered into the stronghold of the house of Elberith.

KJVAnd when all the men^H1167 of the tower^H4026 of Shechem^H7927 heard^H8085^(H8799) that, they entered^H935^(H8799) into an hold^H6877 of the house^H1004 of the god^H410 Berith^H1286.

⁴⁷ Abimelech was told that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.

KJVAnd it was told^H5046^(H8714) Abimelech^H40, that all the men^H1167 of the tower^H4026 of Shechem^H7927 were gathered together^H6908^(H8694).

⁴⁸ Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the people who were with him; and Abimelech took an ax in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it up, and laid it on his shoulder. Then he said to the people who were with him, “What you have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done!”

KJVAnd Abimelech^H40 gat him up^H5927^(H8799) to mount^H2022 Zalmon^H6756, he and all the people^H5971 that were with him; and Abimelech^H40 took^H3947^(H8799) an axe^H7134 in his hand^H3027, and cut down^H3772^(H8799) a bough^H7754 from the trees^H6086, and took^H5375^(H8799) it, and laid^H7760^(H8799) it on his shoulder^H7926, and said^H559^(H8799) unto the people^H5971 that were with him, What ye have seen^H7200^(H8804) me do^H6213^(H8804), make haste^H4116^(H8761), and do^H6213^(H8798) as I^H3644 have done.

⁴⁹ All the people likewise each cut down his bough, followed Abimelech, and put them at the base of the stronghold, and set the stronghold on fire over them, so that all the people of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.

KJVAnd all the people^H5971 likewise cut down^H3772^(H8799) every man^H376 his bough^H7754, and followed^H3212^(H8799)^H310 Abimelech^H40, and put^H7760^(H8799) them to the hold^H6877, and set^H3341^(H8686) the hold^H6877 on fire^H784 upon them; so that all the men^H582 of the tower^H4026 of Shechem^H7927 died^H4191^(H8799) also, about a thousand^H505 men^H376 and women^H802.

⁵⁰ Then Abimelech went to Thebez and encamped against Thebez, and took it.

KJVThen went^H3212^(H8799) Abimelech^H40 to Thebez^H8405, and encamped^H2583^(H8799) against Thebez^H8405, and took^H3920^(H8799) it.

⁵¹ But there was a strong tower within the city, and all the men and women of the city fled there, and shut themselves in, and went up to the roof of the tower.

KJVBut there was a strong^H5797 tower^H4026 within^H8432 the city^H5892, and thither fled^H5127^(H8799) all the men^H582 and women^H802, and all they^H1167 of the city^H5892, and shut^H5462^(H8799) it to them, and gat them up^H5927^(H8799) to the top^H1406 of the tower^H4026.

⁵² Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it, and came near to the door of the tower to burn it with fire.

KJVAnd Abimelech^H40 came^H935^(H8799) unto the tower^H4026, and fought^H3898^(H8735) against it, and went hard^H5066^(H8799) unto the door^H6607 of the tower^H4026 to burn^H8313^(H8800) it with fire^H784.

⁵³ A certain woman cast an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, and broke his skull.

KJVAnd a certain^H259 woman^H802 cast^H7993^(H8686) a piece^H6400 of a millstone^H7393 upon Abimelech's^H40 head^H7218, and all to brake^H7533^(H8686) his skull^H1538.

⁵⁴ Then he called hastily to the young man, his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, that men not say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’ His young man thrust him through, and he died.”

KJVThen he called^H7121^(H8799) hastily^H4120 unto the young man^H5288 his armourbearer^H5375^(H8802)^H3627, and said^H559^(H8799) unto him, Draw^H8025^(H8798) thy sword^H2719, and slay^H4191^(H8786) me, that men say^H559^(H8799) not of me, A woman^H802 slew^H2026^(H8804) him. And his young man^H5288 thrust him through^H1856^(H8799), and he died^H4191^(H8799).

⁵⁵ When the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they each departed to his place.

KJVAnd when the men^H376 of Israel^H3478 saw^H7200^(H8799) that Abimelech^H40 was dead^H4191^(H8804), they departed^H3212^(H8799) every man^H376 unto his place^H4725.

⁵⁶ Thus God repaid the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did to his father in killing his seventy brothers;

KJVThus God^H430 rendered^H7725^(H8686) the wickedness^H7451 of Abimelech^H40, which he did^H6213^(H8804) unto his father^H1, in slaying^H2026^(H8800) his seventy^H7657 brethren^H251:

⁵⁷ and God repaid all the wickedness of the men of Shechem on their heads; and the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal came on them.

KJVAnd all the evil^H7451 of the men^H582 of Shechem^H7927 did God^H430 render^H7725^(H8689) upon their heads^H7218: and upon them came^H935^(H8799) the curse^H7045 of Jotham^H3147 the son^H1121 of Jerubbaal^H3378.

WEB·Judges 8

¹The men of Ephraim said to him, “Why have you treated us this way, that you didn’t call us when you went to fight with Midian?” They rebuked him sharply.

KJVAnd the men^H376 of Ephraim^H669 said^H559^(H8799) unto him, Why hast thou^H4100 served^H6213^(H8804) us thus^H1697, that thou calledst^H7121^(H8800) us not, when thou wentest^H1980^(H8804) to fight^H3898^(H8736) with the Midianites^H4080? And they did chide^H7378^(H8799) with him sharply^H2394.

² He said to them, “What have I now done in comparison with you? Isn’t the gleaning of the grapes of Ephraim better than the vintage of Abiezer?

KJVAnd he said^H559^(H8799) unto them, What have I done^H6213^(H8804) now in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning^H5955 of the grapes of Ephraim^H669 better^H2896 than the vintage^H1210 of Abiezer^H44?

³ God has delivered into your hand the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb! What was I able to do in comparison with you?” Then their anger was abated toward him when he had said that.

KJVGod^H430 hath delivered^H5414^(H8804) into your hands^H3027 the princes^H8269 of Midian^H4080, Oreb^H6159 and Zeeb^H2062: and what was I able^H3201^(H8804) to do^H6213^(H8800) in comparison of you? Then their anger^H7307 was abated^H7503^(H8804) toward him, when he had said^H1697 that^H1696^(H8763).

⁴ Gideon came to the Jordan and passed over, he and the three hundred men who were with him, faint, yet pursuing.

KJVAnd Gideon^H1439 came^H935^(H8799) to Jordan^H3383, and passed over^H5674^(H8802), he, and the three^H7969 hundred^H3967 men^H376 that were with him, faint^H5889, yet pursuing^H7291^(H8802) them.

⁵ He said to the men of Succoth, “Please give loaves of bread to the people who follow me; for they are faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.”

KJVAnd he said^H559^(H8799) unto the men^H582 of Succoth^H5523, Give^H5414^(H8798), I pray you, loaves^H3603 of bread^H3899 unto the people^H5971 that follow^H7272 me; for they be faint^H5889, and I am pursuing^H7291^(H8802) after^H310 Zebah^H2078 and Zalmunna^H6759, kings^H4428 of Midian^H4080.

⁶ The princes of Succoth said, “Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread to your army?”

KJVAnd the princes^H8269 of Succoth^H5523 said^H559^(H8799), Are the hands^H3709 of Zebah^H2078 and Zalmunna^H6759 now in thine hand^H3027, that we should give^H5414^(H8799) bread^H3899 unto thine army^H6635?

⁷ Gideon said, “Therefore when Yahweh has delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, then I will tear your flesh with the thorns of the wilderness and with briers.”

KJVAnd Gideon^H1439 said^H559^(H8799), Therefore when the LORD^H3068 hath delivered^H5414^(H8800) Zebah^H2078 and Zalmunna^H6759 into mine hand^H3027, then I will tear^H1758^(H8804) your flesh^H1320 with the thorns^H6975 of the wilderness^H4057 and with briers^H1303.

⁸ He went up there to Penuel, and spoke to them in the same way; and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered.

KJVAnd he went up^H5927^(H8799) thence to Penuel^H6439, and spake^H1696^(H8762) unto them likewise^H2063: and the men^H582 of Penuel^H6439 answered^H6030^(H8799) him as the men^H582 of Succoth^H5523 had answered^H6030^(H8804) him.

⁹ He spoke also to the men of Penuel, saying, “When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower.”

KJVAnd he spake^H559^(H8799) also unto the men^H582 of Penuel^H6439, saying^H559^(H8800), When I come again^H7725^(H8800) in peace^H7965, I will break down^H5422^(H8799) this tower^H4026.

¹⁰ Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their armies with them, about fifteen thousand men, all who were left of all the army of the children of the east; for there fell one hundred twenty thousand men who drew sword.

KJVNow Zebah^H2078 and Zalmunna^H6759 were in Karkor^H7174, and their hosts^H4264 with them, about fifteen^H2568^H6240 thousand^H505 men, all that were left^H3498^(H8737) of all the hosts^H4264 of the children^H1121 of the east^H6924: for there fell^H5307^(H8802) an hundred^H3967 and twenty^H6242 thousand^H505 men^H376 that drew^H8025^(H8802) sword^H2719.

¹¹ Gideon went up by the way of those who lived in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and struck the army; for the army felt secure.

KJVAnd Gideon^H1439 went up^H5927^(H8799) by the way^H1870 of them that dwelt^H7931^(H8803) in tents^H168 on the east^H6924 of Nobah^H5025 and Jogbehah^H3011, and smote^H5221^(H8686) the host^H4264: for the host^H4264 was secure^H983.

¹² Zebah and Zalmunna fled and he pursued them. He took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and confused all the army.

KJVAnd when Zebah^H2078 and Zalmunna^H6759 fled^H5127^(H8799), he pursued^H7291^(H8799) after^H310 them, and took^H3920^(H8799) the two^H8147 kings^H4428 of Midian^H4080, Zebah^H2078 and Zalmunna^H6759, and discomfited^H2729^(H8689) all the host^H4264.

¹³ Gideon the son of Joash returned from the battle from the ascent of Heres.

KJVAnd Gideon^H1439 the son^H1121 of Joash^H3101 returned^H7725^(H8799) from battle^H4421 before^H4608 the sun^H2775 was up,

¹⁴ He caught a young man of the men of Succoth, and inquired of him; and he described for him the princes of Succoth, and its elders, seventy-seven men.

KJVAnd caught^H3920^(H8799) a young man^H5288 of the men^H582 of Succoth^H5523, and enquired^H7592^(H8799) of him: and he described^H3789^(H8799) unto him the princes^H8269 of Succoth^H5523, and the elders^H2205 thereof, even threescore and seventeen^H7657^H7651 men^H376.

¹⁵ He came to the men of Succoth, and said, “See Zebah and Zalmunna, concerning whom you taunted me, saying, ‘Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in your hand, that we should give bread to your men who are weary?’”

KJVAnd he came^H935^(H8799) unto the men^H582 of Succoth^H5523, and said^H559^(H8799), Behold Zebah^H2078 and Zalmunna^H6759, with whom ye did upbraid^H2778^(H8765) me, saying^H559^(H8800), Are the hands^H3709 of Zebah^H2078 and Zalmunna^H6759 now in thine hand^H3027, that we should give^H5414^(H8799) bread^H3899 unto thy men^H582 that are weary^H3287?

¹⁶ He took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth.

KJVAnd he took^H3947^(H8799) the elders^H2205 of the city^H5892, and thorns^H6975 of the wilderness^H4057 and briers^H1303, and with them he taught^H3045^(H8686) the men^H582 of Succoth^H5523.

¹⁷ He broke down the tower of Penuel, and killed the men of the city.

KJVAnd he beat down^H5422^(H8804) the tower^H4026 of Penuel^H6439, and slew^H2026^(H8799) the men^H582 of the city^H5892.

¹⁸ Then he said to Zebah and Zalmunna, “What kind of men were they whom you killed at Tabor?” They answered, “They were like you. They all resembled the children of a king.”

KJVThen said^H559^(H8799) he unto Zebah^H2078 and Zalmunna^H6759, What^H375 manner of men^H582 were they whom ye slew^H2026^(H8804) at Tabor^H8396? And they answered^H559^(H8799), As thou^H3644 art, so were they; each one^H259 resembled^H8389 the children^H1121 of a king^H4428.

¹⁹ He said, “They were my brothers, the sons of my mother. As Yahweh lives, if you had saved them alive, I would not kill you.”

KJVAnd he said^H559^(H8799), They were my brethren^H251, even the sons^H1121 of my mother^H517: as the LORD^H3068 liveth^H2416, if^H3863 ye had saved them alive^H2421^(H8689), I would not slay^H2026^(H8804) you.

²⁰ He said to Jether his firstborn, “Get up and kill them!” But the youth didn’t draw his sword; for he was afraid, because he was yet a youth.

KJVAnd he said^H559^(H8799) unto Jether^H3500 his firstborn^H1060, Up^H6965^(H8798), and slay^H2026^(H8798) them. But the youth^H5288 drew^H8025^(H8804) not his sword^H2719: for he feared^H3372^(H8804), because he was yet a youth^H5288.

²¹ Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, “You rise and fall on us; for as the man is, so is his strength.” Gideon arose, and killed Zebah and Zalmunna, and took the crescents that were on their camels’ necks.

KJVThen Zebah^H2078 and Zalmunna^H6759 said^H559^(H8799), Rise^H6965^(H8798) thou, and fall^H6293^(H8798) upon us: for as the man^H376 is, so is his strength^H1369. And Gideon^H1439 arose^H6965^(H8799), and slew^H2026^(H8799) Zebah^H2078 and Zalmunna^H6759, and took away^H3947^(H8799) the ornaments^H7720 that were on their camels^H1581' necks^H6677.

²² Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule over us, both you, your son, and your son’s son also; for you have saved us out of the hand of Midian.”

KJVThen the men^H376 of Israel^H3478 said^H559^(H8799) unto Gideon^H1439, Rule^H4910^(H8798) thou over us, both thou, and thy son^H1121, and thy son's^H1121 son^H1121 also: for thou hast delivered^H3467^(H8689) us from the hand^H3027 of Midian^H4080.

²³ Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you. Yahweh shall rule over you.”

KJVAnd Gideon^H1439 said^H559^(H8799) unto them, I will not rule^H4910^(H8799) over you, neither shall my son^H1121 rule^H4910^(H8799) over you: the LORD^H3068 shall rule^H4910^(H8799) over you.

²⁴ Gideon said to them, “I do have a request: that you would each give me the earrings of his plunder.” (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.)

KJVAnd Gideon^H1439 said^H559^(H8799) unto them, I would desire^H7592^(H8799) a request^H7596 of you, that ye would give^H5414^(H8798) me every man^H376 the earrings^H5141 of his prey^H7998.(For they had golden^H2091 earrings^H5141, because they were Ishmaelites^H3459.)

²⁵ They answered, “We will willingly give them.” They spread a garment, and every man threw the earrings of his plunder into it.

KJVAnd they answered^H559^(H8799), We will willingly^H5414^(H8800) give^H5414^(H8799) them. And they spread^H6566^(H8799) a garment^H8071, and did cast^H7993^(H8686) therein every man^H376 the earrings^H5141 of his prey^H7998.

²⁶ The weight of the golden earrings that he requested was one thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold, in addition to the crescents, and the pendants, and the purple clothing that was on the kings of Midian, and in addition to the chains that were about their camels’ necks.

KJVAnd the weight^H4948 of the golden^H2091 earrings^H5141 that he requested^H7592^(H8804) was a thousand^H505 and seven^H7651 hundred^H3967 shekels of gold^H2091; beside ornaments^H7720, and collars^H5188, and purple^H713 raiment^H899 that was on the kings^H4428 of Midian^H4080, and beside the chains^H6060 that were about their camels^H1581' necks^H6677.

²⁷ Gideon made an ephod out of it, and put it in Ophrah, his city. Then all Israel played the prostitute with it there; and it became a snare to Gideon and to his house.

KJVAnd Gideon^H1439 made^H6213^(H8799) an ephod^H646 thereof, and put^H3322^(H8686) it in his city^H5892, even in Ophrah^H6084: and all Israel^H3478 went thither a whoring^H2181^(H8799) after^H310 it: which thing became a snare^H4170 unto Gideon^H1439, and to his house^H1004.

²⁸ So Midian was subdued before the children of Israel, and they lifted up their heads no more. The land had rest forty years in the days of Gideon.

KJVThus was Midian^H4080 subdued^H3665^(H8735) before^H6440 the children^H1121 of Israel^H3478, so that they lifted up^H5375^(H8800) their heads^H7218 no more^H3254^(H8804). And the country^H776 was in quietness^H8252^(H8799) forty^H705 years^H8141 in the days^H3117 of Gideon^H1439.

²⁹ Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and lived in his own house.

KJVAnd Jerubbaal^H3378 the son^H1121 of Joash^H3101 went^H3212^(H8799) and dwelt^H3427^(H8799) in his own house^H1004.

³⁰ Gideon had seventy sons conceived from his body, for he had many wives.

KJVAnd Gideon^H1439 had threescore and ten^H7657 sons^H1121 of his body^H3409 begotten^H3318^(H8802): for he had many^H7227 wives^H802.

³¹ His concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech.

KJVAnd his concubine^H6370 that was in Shechem^H7927, she also bare^H3205^(H8804) him a son^H1121, whose name^H8034 he called^H7760^(H8799) Abimelech^H40.

³² Gideon the son of Joash died in a good old age, and was buried in the tomb of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

KJVAnd Gideon^H1439 the son^H1121 of Joash^H3101 died^H4191^(H8799) in a good^H2896 old age^H7872, and was buried^H6912^(H8735) in the sepulchre^H6913 of Joash^H3101 his father^H1, in Ophrah^H6084 of the Abiezrites^H33.

³³ As soon as Gideon was dead, the children of Israel turned again and played the prostitute following the Baals, and made Baal Berith their god.

KJVAnd it came to pass, as soon as Gideon^H1439 was dead^H4191^(H8804), that the children^H1121 of Israel^H3478 turned again^H7725^(H8799), and went a whoring^H2181^(H8799) after^H310 Baalim^H1168, and made^H7760^(H8799) Baalberith^H1170 their god^H430.

³⁴ The children of Israel didn’t remember Yahweh their God, who had delivered them out of the hand of all their enemies on every side;

KJVAnd the children^H1121 of Israel^H3478 remembered^H2142^(H8804) not the LORD^H3068 their God^H430, who had delivered^H5337^(H8688) them out of the hands^H3027 of all their enemies^H341^(H8802) on every side^H5439:

³⁵ neither did they show kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, that is, Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had shown to Israel.

KJVNeither shewed^H6213^(H8804) they kindness^H2617 to the house^H1004 of Jerubbaal^H3378, namely, Gideon^H1439, according to all the goodness^H2896 which he had shewed^H6213^(H8804) unto Israel^H3478.

Section titles come from the Biblion commentary, not from Scripture.

You can also read or listen to the Introduction to the book of Judges.