Judges 9:20
18 but you have risen up against my father’s house this day and killed his seventy sons on a single stone, and you have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the leaders of Shechem because he is your brother—
19 if you have acted faithfully and honestly toward Jerubbaal and his house this day, then may you rejoice in Abimelech, and he in you.
But if not, may fire come from Abimelech and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo, and may fire come from the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo and consume Abimelech.”
21 Then Jotham ran away, escaping to Beer, and he lived there for fear of his brother Abimelech.
22 After Abimelech had reigned over Israel for three years,
Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- But if not, may fire come from Abimelech and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo, and may fire come from the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo and consume Abimelech.”
- KJV
- 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.
- WEB
- 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.”
- ASV
- 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.
- DARBY
- but if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the citizens of Shechem and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the citizens of Shechem and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.
- BLB
- But if not, let fire come from Abimelech and devour the men of Shechem and Beth-millo, and let come fire from the men of Shechem and Beth-millo, and devour Abimelech.”
- ÅB
- Men hvis ikke, da gå det ut ild fra Abimelek og fortære Sikems borgere og dem som bor i Millo, og ild fra Sikems menn og fra dem som bor i Millo, og fortære Abimelek.
- OTB
- Men hvis ikke, la ild komme ut fra Abimelek og fortære lederne i Sikem og Bet-Millo; og la ild komme ut fra lederne i Sikem og Bet-Millo og fortære Abimelek."
- B1930
- Men hvis ikke, da gå det ut ild fra Abimelek og fortære Sikems borgere og dem som bor i Millo, og ild fra Sikems menn og fra dem som bor i Millo, og fortære Abimelek.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Judges 9:15
But the thornbush replied, ‘If you really are anointing me as king over you, come and find refuge in my shade. But if not, may fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon.’
Read in contextJudges 9:56–57
In this way God repaid the wickedness that Abimelech had done to his father in murdering his seventy brothers.
Read in contextPsalms 140:10
May burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into the miry pits, never to rise again.
Read in context2 Chronicles 20:22–23
The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated.
Read in contextPsalms 28:4
Repay them according to their deeds and for their works of evil. Repay them for what their hands have done; bring back on them what they deserve.
Read in contextJudges 9:23
God sent a spirit of animosity between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem and caused them to treat Abimelech deceitfully,
Read in contextPsalms 52:1–5
Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The loving devotion of God endures all day long.
Read in contextJudges 7:22
And when the three hundred rams’ horns sounded, the LORD set all the men in the camp against one another with their swords. The army fled to Beth-shittah toward Zererah as far as the border of Abel-meholah near Tabbath.
Read in context