Keraia
Judges 9

Judges 9:6

Abimelech’s Conspiracy · Judges 9:1–6
Read Judges 9

Translations

Modern
Then all the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo gathered beside the oak at the pillar in Shechem and proceeded to make Abimelech their king.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all of Beth-millo, and they went and made Abimelech king beside the oak at the pillar that was in Shechem.
Latin
Congregati sunt autem omnes viri Sichem, et universæ familiæ urbis Mello: abieruntque et constituerunt regem Abimelech, juxta quercum quæ stabat in Sichem.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then all the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo gathered beside the oak at the pillar in Shechem and proceeded to make Abimelech their king.

Notes

Judges 9:6

Beth-millo, meaning "house of filling," was likely a raised platform for a tower or inner keep (see 2 Samuel 5:9; 1 Kings 9:15, 24). The irony is strong: Abimelech, lacking divine approval, priestly blessing, and public support, met at the "house of filling." His rule was fake.

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 Preaching to a Tough Crowd Shechem

Events

People

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

Places

Beth-millo: Fortified place in Shechem, associated with Abimelech's rule Shechem: City in Canaan, later allotted to Ephraim

Glossary

Arumah Baal-Berith Beth-Millo Judges, Book of Millo Oak of the Pillar Ophrah (Place) Plain of the Pillar Shechem (Place) Warfare

Topics

Ambition: Abimelech Conspiracy: Abimelech Against Gideon's Sons Extraordinary Judges: Names of Abimelech Judge: Abimelech Millo: The House of Millo, Possibly a Clan at Shechem Pillar by Joshua, at Shechem