What does Judges 9:34 mean?

"¶ And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies." - Judges 9:34

"¶ And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies." - Judges 9:34

Sure, here is a detailed and in-depth commentary on Judges 9:34 from the King James Version of the Bible.

"1 And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.

2 And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait.

3 And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.

4 And Gaal spake again and said, See there come people down by the middle of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim.

5 Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them.

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

7 And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the gate.

8 And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem."

Judges 9:34 tells the story of a power struggle and conflict between two leaders, Abimelech and Gaal, in the region of Shechem. The passage describes how Abimelech and his men laid wait against Shechem in four companies, and how Gaal, the son of Ebed, stood at the entrance of the city. Gaal saw the people of Abimelech approaching and spoke to Zebul about it, but Zebul dismissed his concerns. When Gaal went out to fight against Abimelech, he was ultimately defeated and forced to leave Shechem.

In this passage, we see themes of power, leadership, and conflict. Abimelech is a figure who seeks to consolidate his power and control over the region, and he is willing to use force and violence to achieve his goals. Gaal, on the other hand, represents a challenge to Abimelech's authority and a rival claim to leadership in Shechem. The conflict between these two men and their followers reflects the broader theme of political and social instability in the region during the time of the judges.

The context of this passage is important for understanding its significance. Judges 9 is part of the larger narrative of the book of Judges, which tells the story of the Israelites during the time between the conquest of Canaan and the establishment of the monarchy. During this period, the Israelites were led by a series of charismatic leaders known as judges, who played a key role in guiding the people and defending them against their enemies. However, the book of Judges also depicts a society marked by moral and political chaos, with frequent conflicts and power struggles among the tribes of Israel.

The symbolic significance of Judges 9:34 can be seen in the broader themes of the passage. The struggle between Abimelech and Gaal can be understood as a metaphor for the larger conflicts and divisions within Israelite society during this period. The passage highlights the destructive consequences of ambition, pride, and the pursuit of power at the expense of unity and community. The imagery of the battle between Abimelech and Gaal serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of political and social unrest and the need for strong and just leadership.

In conclusion, Judges 9:34 is a passage that conveys important themes of power, conflict, and the consequences of ambition in the context of the larger narrative of the book of Judges. The story of Abimelech and Gaal serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of political and social instability and the need for strong and just leadership. As with many passages in the Bible, it offers valuable insights into the complex and often turbulent role of leadership in human society.

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Judges 9:34 Artwork

Judges 9:34 - "¶ And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies."

Judges 9:34 - "¶ And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies."

"¶ And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies." - Judges 9:34

"¶ And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies." - Judges 9:34

Judges 1:34 - "And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley:"

Judges 1:34 - "And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley:"

Judges 6:34 - "But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him."

Judges 6:34 - "But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him."

Judges 8:34 - "And the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God, who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side:"

Judges 8:34 - "And the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God, who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side:"

Judges 20:34 - "And there came against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and the battle was sore: but they knew not that evil was near them."

Judges 20:34 - "And there came against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and the battle was sore: but they knew not that evil was near them."

Judges 9:8-15

Judges 9:8-15

2 kings 9:34-36

2 kings 9:34-36

Ezekiel 34:22 - "Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle."

Ezekiel 34:22 - "Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle."

Ezekiel 34:9 - "Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;"

Ezekiel 34:9 - "Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;"

Judges 9:50 - "¶ Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it."

Judges 9:50 - "¶ Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it."

Judges 9:22 - "¶ When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,"

Judges 9:22 - "¶ When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,"

Judges 15:9 - "¶ Then the Philistines went up, and pitched in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi."

Judges 15:9 - "¶ Then the Philistines went up, and pitched in Judah, and spread themselves in Lehi."

Judges 9:39 - "And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech."

Judges 9:39 - "And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech."

Matthew 9:34 - "But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils."

Matthew 9:34 - "But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils."

Judges 21:9 - "For the people were numbered, and, behold, there were none of the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead there."

Judges 21:9 - "For the people were numbered, and, behold, there were none of the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead there."

Judges 9:10 - "And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us."

Judges 9:10 - "And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us."

Judges 9:42 - "And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech."

Judges 9:42 - "And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and they told Abimelech."

Judges 9:12 - "Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us."

Judges 9:12 - "Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us."

Judges 9:47 - "And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together."

Judges 9:47 - "And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together."

Psalms 98:9 - "Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity."

Psalms 98:9 - "Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity."

Psalms 34:9 - "O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him."

Psalms 34:9 - "O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him."

Mark 9:34 - "But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest."

Mark 9:34 - "But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest."

1 Chronicles 9:34 - "These chief fathers of the Levites were chief throughout their generations; these dwelt at Jerusalem."

1 Chronicles 9:34 - "These chief fathers of the Levites were chief throughout their generations; these dwelt at Jerusalem."

Luke 9:34 - "While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud."

Luke 9:34 - "While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud."

Judges 9:9 - "But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?"

Judges 9:9 - "But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?"

"And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley:" - Judges 1:34

"And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley:" - Judges 1:34

Judges 9:32 - "Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that is with thee, and lie in wait in the field:"

Judges 9:32 - "Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that is with thee, and lie in wait in the field:"

Judges 9:14 - "Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us."

Judges 9:14 - "Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us."

Ezekiel 34:20 - "¶ Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD unto them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle."

Ezekiel 34:20 - "¶ Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD unto them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle."