Keraia
Judges 9

Judges 9:25

Gaal Conspires with the Shechemites · Judges 9:22–29
Read Judges 9

Translations

Modern
The leaders of Shechem set up an ambush against Abimelech on the hilltops, and they robbed all who passed by them on the road. So this was reported to Abimelech.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And the men of Shechem set against him an ambush on the tops of the hills, and they robbed all who passed by them along that way. And it was told to Abimelech.
Latin
Posueruntque insidias adversus eum in summitate montium: et dum illius præstolabantur adventum, exercebant latrocinia, agentes prædas de prætereuntibus: nuntiatumque est Abimelech.

Original

Hebrew
English
The leaders of Shechem set up an ambush against Abimelech on the hilltops, and they robbed all who passed by them on the road. So this was reported to Abimelech.

Notes

Judges 9:25

An informer stopped the plot against Abimelech, but society was getting worse as God's curse unfolded.

Judges 9:22–25

As predicted in the story (Judges 9:8–15), Abimelech could not meet the Shechemites’ expectations, so they plotted against him.

Judges 9:22–57

Theological statements in Judges 9:23–24 and 9:56–57 frame the story of the civil conflict that caused the destruction of Abimelech and Shechem. This event fulfilled the curse that Jotham declared (Judges 9:19–20).

Judges 9:1–57

Abimelech's reign marked a shift from the relative peace of the early judges (Judges 3:7–8:35) to the decline of the later years (10:1–16:31).

Theme notes and profiles

Gideon Shechem

Events

People

Abimelech: Son of Gideon, self-proclaimed king of Shechem

Places

Shechem: City in Canaan, later allotted to Ephraim

Glossary

Abimelech Arumah Baal-Berith Curse, Cursed Judges, Book of Shechem (Place) Warfare

Topics

Ambush: At Shechem Armies: March in Ranks: Ambushes at Shechem Conspiracy: Gaal, Against Abimelech Judge: Abimelech Robbery: Instances of Theft: Shechemites Treason of the Shechemites Against Abimelech