Judges 9:24 - that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and that their blood might be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and on the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers.
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What does "Judges 9:24" mean?
Judges 9:24 is a verse that concludes a curse invoked upon Abimelech and the men of Shechem in the parable of Jotham (Judges 9:7-21). To understand its meaning, we need to consider the context:
Background: Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal) had seventy sons. After Gideon's death, Abimelech, one of his illegitimate sons, conspired with the men of Shechem to murder his seventy half-brothers, seeking to become king. He succeeded in killing all but one, Jotham, who escaped.
Jotham's Parable: Jotham, from the top of Mount Gerizim, tells a parable of trees seeking a king. The noble trees (olive, fig, vine) refuse the honor, representing those who are worthy but unwilling to rule. Finally, the bramble (a useless, thorny plant) accepts, representing Abimelech. The parable warns of the destruction that will come if Abimelech (the bramble) and the men of Shechem (who supported him) act wickedly.
The Verse's Meaning: Judges 9:24 is the culmination of Jotham's curse:
"that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come..." This refers to the brutal slaughter of Gideon's seventy sons. The verse states a desire (or a prophetic declaration) that justice be served for this horrific act of violence.
"...and that their blood might be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them..." This directly assigns the guilt for the bloodshed to Abimelech, who orchestrated and carried out the massacre. "Their blood might be laid on" is a legalistic phrase indicating accountability and the due penalty for taking innocent lives.
"...and on the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers." This extends the guilt and responsibility to the men of Shechem. They aided and abetted Abimelech by providing him with money and support, effectively making them complicit in the mass murder. By "strengthening his hands," they empowered him to carry out his evil plan. They are therefore equally responsible for the shed blood.
In essence, the verse means:
The verse is a declaration that justice should be served for the murder of Gideon's seventy sons.
It holds Abimelech directly responsible for the killings and demands that he be held accountable for his actions.
It also holds the men of Shechem accountable for their role in supporting and enabling Abimelech's heinous crime. They are just as guilty as he is.
Significance:
This verse underscores the importance of justice and accountability for acts of violence, especially against innocent people. It shows that those who perpetrate or enable such acts will ultimately face consequences. This verse sets the stage for the rest of the story in Judges 9 where the curse comes true and Abimelech and the men of Shechem face a violent and tragic end. It reinforces the theme of Judges that Israel suffers when it forsakes God and embraces wickedness.
Judges 9:24 - that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and that their blood might be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and on the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers.
What does "Judges 9:24" mean?
Judges 9:24 is a verse that concludes a curse invoked upon Abimelech and the men of Shechem in the parable of Jotham (Judges 9:7-21). To understand its meaning, we need to consider the context:
Background: Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal) had seventy sons. After Gideon's death, Abimelech, one of his illegitimate sons, conspired with the men of Shechem to murder his seventy half-brothers, seeking to become king. He succeeded in killing all but one, Jotham, who escaped.
Jotham's Parable: Jotham, from the top of Mount Gerizim, tells a parable of trees seeking a king. The noble trees (olive, fig, vine) refuse the honor, representing those who are worthy but unwilling to rule. Finally, the bramble (a useless, thorny plant) accepts, representing Abimelech. The parable warns of the destruction that will come if Abimelech (the bramble) and the men of Shechem (who supported him) act wickedly.
The Verse's Meaning: Judges 9:24 is the culmination of Jotham's curse:
"that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come..." This refers to the brutal slaughter of Gideon's seventy sons. The verse states a desire (or a prophetic declaration) that justice be served for this horrific act of violence.
"...and that their blood might be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them..." This directly assigns the guilt for the bloodshed to Abimelech, who orchestrated and carried out the massacre. "Their blood might be laid on" is a legalistic phrase indicating accountability and the due penalty for taking innocent lives.
"...and on the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers." This extends the guilt and responsibility to the men of Shechem. They aided and abetted Abimelech by providing him with money and support, effectively making them complicit in the mass murder. By "strengthening his hands," they empowered him to carry out his evil plan. They are therefore equally responsible for the shed blood.
In essence, the verse means:
The verse is a declaration that justice should be served for the murder of Gideon's seventy sons.
It holds Abimelech directly responsible for the killings and demands that he be held accountable for his actions.
It also holds the men of Shechem accountable for their role in supporting and enabling Abimelech's heinous crime. They are just as guilty as he is.
Significance:
This verse underscores the importance of justice and accountability for acts of violence, especially against innocent people. It shows that those who perpetrate or enable such acts will ultimately face consequences. This verse sets the stage for the rest of the story in Judges 9 where the curse comes true and Abimelech and the men of Shechem face a violent and tragic end. It reinforces the theme of Judges that Israel suffers when it forsakes God and embraces wickedness.