Keraia
Judges 9

Judges 9:54

Abimelech’s Punishment · Judges 9:50–57
Read Judges 9

Translations

Modern
He quickly called his armor-bearer, saying, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So Abimelech’s armor-bearer ran his sword through him, and he died.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And he called quickly to the young man bearing his armor and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” And his young man thrust him through, and he died.
Latin
Qui vocavit cito armigerum suum, et ait ad eum: Evagina gladium tuum, et percute me, ne forte dicatur quod a femina interfectus sim. Qui jussa perficiens, interfecit eum.

Original

Hebrew
English
He quickly called his armor-bearer, saying, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So Abimelech’s armor-bearer ran his sword through him, and he died.

Notes

Judges 9:54–55

It was considered shameful to die at the hands of a woman or a child (see study note on Judges 8:20–21). Abimelech did not receive a peace agreement or burial notice because his rule was not legitimate.

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

Glossary

Abimelech Citadel Curse, Cursed Judges, Book of Shechem (Place) Shield, Shield Bearer Warfare

Topics

Armor-Bearer of Abimelech Judge: Abimelech Judgments: Upon Abimelech Military Arms: Part of, Borne by Armour-Bearers The Power of a Woman Thebez: A City, at Which Abimelech Was Killed While Besieging Woman: To be Slain By, Considered a Great Disgrace