Abimelech’s Conspiracy

1  וַיֵּ֨לֶךְ (And went) אֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ (Abimelech) בֶּן־ (son) יְרֻבַּ֙עַל֙ (of Jerubbaal) שְׁכֶ֔מָה (to Shechem) אֶל־ (to) אֲחֵ֖י (the brothers) אִמּ֑וֹ (of his mother), וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר (and he spoke) אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם (to them) וְאֶל־ (and to) כָּל־ (all) מִשְׁפַּ֛חַת (the family) בֵּית־ (of the house) אֲבִ֥י (of the father) אִמּ֖וֹ (of his mother), לֵאמֹֽר׃ (saying), 2  דַּבְּרוּ־ (Speak), נָ֞א (please), בְּאָזְנֵ֨י (in the ears) כָל־ (of all) בַּעֲלֵ֣י (the men) שְׁכֶם֮ (of Shechem), מַה־ (What is) טּ֣וֹב (better) לָכֶם֒ (for you⁺), הַמְשֹׁ֨ל (that reign) בָּכֶ֜ם (over you⁺) שִׁבְעִ֣ים (seventy) אִ֗ישׁ (men), כֹּ֚ל (all) בְּנֵ֣י (sons) יְרֻבַּ֔עַל (of Jerubbaal), אִם־ (or) מְשֹׁ֥ל (that reigns) בָּכֶ֖ם (over you⁺) אִ֣ישׁ (man) אֶחָ֑ד (one)? וּזְכַרְתֶּ֕ם (And remember) כִּֽי־ (that) עַצְמֵכֶם (your⁺ bone) וּבְשַׂרְכֶ֖ם (and your⁺ flesh) אָנִֽי׃ (I am).

3  וַיְדַבְּר֨וּ (And spoke) אֲחֵֽי־ (the brothers) אִמּ֜וֹ (of his mother) עָלָ֗יו (concerning him) בְּאָזְנֵי֙ (in the ears) כָּל־ (of all) בַּעֲלֵ֣י (the men) שְׁכֶ֔ם (of Shechem) אֵ֥ת (-) כָּל־ (all) הַדְּבָרִ֖ים (the words) הָאֵ֑לֶּה (these), וַיֵּ֤ט (and was inclined) לִבָּם֙ (their heart) אַחֲרֵ֣י (to follow) אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ (Abimelech), כִּ֥י (for) אָמְר֖וּ (they said), אָחִ֥ינוּ (Our brother) הֽוּא׃ (he is). 4  וַיִּתְּנוּ־ (And they gave) לוֹ֙ (to him) שִׁבְעִ֣ים (seventy) כֶּ֔סֶף (shekels of silver) מִבֵּ֖יתּ (from the temple) בַ֣עַל (of Baal-) בְּרִ֑ית (berith), וַיִּשְׂכֹּ֨ר (and hired) בָּהֶ֜ם (with them) אֲבִימֶ֗לֶךְ (Abimelech) אֲנָשִׁ֤ים (men) רֵיקִים֙ (worthless) וּפֹ֣חֲזִ֔ים (and reckless), וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ (and they followed) אַחֲרָֽיו׃ (him). 5  וַיָּבֹ֤א (And he went into) בֵית־ (the house) אָבִיו֙ (of his father) עָפְרָ֔תָה (at Ophrah) וַֽיַּהֲרֹ֞ג (and killed) אֶת־ (-) אֶחָ֧יו (his brothers), בְּנֵֽי־ (the sons) יְרֻבַּ֛עַל (of Jerubbaal), שִׁבְּעִ֥ים (seventy) אִ֖ישׁ (men), עַל־ (on) אֶ֣בֶן (stone) אֶחָ֑ת (one). וַיִּוָּתֵ֞ר (And was left) יוֹתָ֧ם (Jotham) בֶּן־ (son) יְרֻבַּ֛עַל (of Jerubbaal) הַקָּטֹ֖ן (the youngest), כִּ֥י (because) נֶחְבָּֽא׃ס (he hid himself).

6  וַיֵּאָ֨סְפ֜וּ (And gathered together) כָּל־ (all) בַּעֲלֵ֤י (the men) שְׁכֶם֙ (of Shechem) וְכָל־ (and all) בֵּ֣ית (of Beth-) מִלּ֔וֹא (millo), וַיֵּ֣לְכ֔וּ (and they went) וַיַּמְלִ֥יכוּ (and made) אֶת־ (-) אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ (Abimelech) לְמֶ֑לֶךְ (king) עִם־ (beside) אֵל֥וֹן (the oak) מֻצָּ֖ב (at the pillar) אֲשֶׁ֥ר (that was) בִּשְׁכֶֽם׃ (in Shechem).

Jotham’s Parable

7  וַיַּגִּ֣דוּ (And they told) לְיוֹתָ֗ם (Jotham), וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ (and he went) וַֽיַּעֲמֹד֙ (and stood) בְּרֹ֣אשׁ (on the top) הַר־ (of Mount) גְּרִזִ֔ים (Gerizim), וַיִּשָּׂ֥א (and he lifted) קוֹל֖וֹ (his voice) וַיִּקְרָ֑א (and cried out) וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (and said) לָהֶ֗ם (to them),

שִׁמְע֤וּ (Listen) אֵלַי֙ (to me), בַּעֲלֵ֣י (O masters) שְׁכֶ֔ם (of Shechem),

וְיִשְׁמַ֥ע (that may listen) אֲלֵיכֶ֖ם (to you⁺) אֱלֹהִֽים׃ (God).

8  הָל֤וֹךְ (Going) הָֽלְכוּ֙ (have gone) הָעֵצִ֔ים (the trees)

לִמְשֹׁ֥חַ (to anoint) עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם (over them) מֶ֑לֶךְ (a king).

וַיֹּאמְר֥וּ (And they said) לַזַּ֖יִת (to the olive tree),

מְלוֹכָה (Reign) עָלֵֽינוּ׃ (over us).

9  וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (And said) לָהֶם֙ (to them) הַזַּ֔יִת (the olive tree)

הֶחֳדַ֙לְתִּי֙ (Should I cease giving) אֶת־ (-) דִּשְׁנִ֔י (my oil),

אֲשֶׁר־ (with which) בִּ֛י (in) יְכַבְּד֥וּ (they honor) אֱלֹהִ֖ים (God) וַאֲנָשִׁ֑ים (and men),

וְהָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י (and go) לָנ֖וּעַ (to sway) עַל־ (over) הָעֵצִֽים׃ (the trees)?

10  וַיֹּאמְר֥וּ (And said) הָעֵצִ֖ים (the trees) לַתְּאֵנָ֑ה (to the fig tree),

לְכִי־ (Come) אַ֖תְּ (you), מָלְכִ֥י (reign) עָלֵֽינוּ׃ (over us).

11  וַתֹּ֤אמֶר (And said) לָהֶם֙ (to them) הַתְּאֵנָ֔ה (the fig tree),

הֶחֳדַ֙לְתִּי֙ (Should I cease) אֶת־ (-) מָתְקִ֔י (my sweetness),

וְאֶת־ (and) תְּנוּבָתִ֖י (my fruit) הַטּוֹבָ֑ה (good),

וְהָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י (and go) לָנ֖וּעַ (to sway) עַל־ (over) הָעֵצִֽים׃ (the trees)?

12  וַיֹּאמְר֥וּ (And said) הָעֵצִ֖ים (the trees) לַגָּ֑פֶן (to the vine),

לְכִי־ (Come) אַ֖תְּ (you), מָלוֹכִי (reign) עָלֵֽינוּ׃ (over us).

13  וַתֹּ֤אמֶר (And said) לָהֶם֙ (to them) הַגֶּ֔פֶן (the vine),

הֶחֳדַ֙לְתִּי֙ (Should I cease) אֶת־ (-) תִּ֣ירוֹשִׁ֔י (my new wine),

הַֽמְשַׂמֵּ֥חַ (which cheers) אֱלֹהִ֖ים (God) וַאֲנָשִׁ֑ים (and men),

וְהָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י (and go) לָנ֖וּעַ (to sway) עַל־ (over) הָעֵצִֽים׃ (the trees)?

14  וַיֹּאמְר֥וּ (And said) כָל־ (all) הָעֵצִ֖ים (the trees) אֶל־ (to) הָאָטָ֑ד (the bramble),

לֵ֥ךְ (Come) אַתָּ֖ה (you), מְלָךְ־ (reign) עָלֵֽינוּ׃ (over us).

15  וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (And said) הָאָטָד֮ (the bramble) אֶל־ (to) הָעֵצִים֒ (the trees),

אִ֡ם (If) בֶּאֱמֶ֣ת (in truth) אַתֶּם֩ (you⁺) מֹשְׁחִ֨ים (anoint) אֹתִ֤י (me) לְמֶ֙לֶךְ֙ (as king) עֲלֵיכֶ֔ם (over you⁺)

בֹּ֖אוּ (come), חֲס֣וּ (take refuge) בְצִלִּ֑י (in my shade).

וְאִם־ (But if) אַ֕יִן (not), תֵּ֤צֵא (let come out) אֵשׁ֙ (fire) מִן־ (of) הָ֣אָטָ֔ד (the bramble)

וְתֹאכַ֖ל (and devour) אֶת־ (-) אַרְזֵ֥י (the cedars) הַלְּבָנֽוֹן׃ (of Lebanon).

16  וְעַתָּ֗ה (And now), אִם־ (if) בֶּאֱמֶ֤ת (in truth) וּבְתָמִים֙ (and sincerity) עֲשִׂיתֶ֔ם (you⁺ have acted), וַתַּמְלִ֖יכוּ (and in making king) אֶת־ (-) אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ (Abimelech), וְאִם־ (and if) טוֹבָ֤ה (well) עֲשִׂיתֶם֙ (you⁺ have dealt) עִם־ (with) יְרֻבַּ֣עַל (Jerubbaal) וְעִם־ (and) בֵּית֔וֹ (his house), וְאִם־ (if) כִּגְמ֥וּל (according to the deed) יָדָ֖יו (of his hands) עֲשִׂ֥יתֶם (you⁺ have done) לֽוֹ׃ (to him)— 17  אֲשֶׁר־ (for) נִלְחַ֥ם (fought) אָבִ֖י (my father) עֲלֵיכֶ֑ם (for you⁺) וַיַּשְׁלֵ֤ךְ (and cast away) אֶת־ (-) נַפְשׁוֹ֙ (his life) מִנֶּ֔גֶד (from him), וַיַּצֵּ֥ל (and delivered) אֶתְכֶ֖ם (you⁺) מִיַּ֥ד (out of the hand) מִדְיָֽן׃ (of Midian); 18  וְאַתֶּ֞ם (and you⁺) קַמְתֶּ֨ם (have risen up) עַל־ (against) בֵּ֤ית (the house) אָבִי֙ (of my father) הַיּ֔וֹם (this day), וַתַּהַרְג֧וּ (and killed) אֶת־ (-) בָּנָ֛יו (his sons), שִׁבְעִ֥ים (seventy) אִ֖ישׁ (men), עַל־ (on) אֶ֣בֶן (stone) אֶחָ֑ת (one), וַתַּמְלִ֜יכוּ (and made king) אֶת־ (-) אֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ (Abimelech) בֶּן־ (son) אֲמָתוֹ֙ (of his maidservant) עַל־ (over) בַּעֲלֵ֣י (the men) שְׁכֶ֔ם (of Shechem), כִּ֥י (because) אֲחִיכֶ֖ם (your⁺ brother) הֽוּא׃ (he is). 19  וְאִם־ (And if then) בֶּאֱמֶ֨ת (in truth) וּבְתָמִ֧ים (and sincerity) עֲשִׂיתֶ֛ם (you⁺ have acted) עִם־ (with) יְרֻבַּ֥עַל (Jerubbaal) וְעִם־ (and with) בֵּית֖וֹ (his house) הַיּ֣וֹם (the day) הַזֶּ֑ה (this), שִׂמְחוּ֙ (then rejoice) בַּאֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ (in Abimelech) וְיִשְׂמַ֥ח (and let rejoice) גַּם־ (also) ה֖וּא (him) בָּכֶֽם׃ (in you⁺).

20  וְאִם־ (But if) אַ֕יִן (not), תֵּ֤צֵא (let come) אֵשׁ֙ (fire) מֵאֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ (from Abimelech) וְתֹאכַ֛ל (and devour) אֶת־ (-) בַּעֲלֵ֥י (the men) שְׁכֶ֖ם (of Shechem) וְאֶת־ (and) בֵּ֣ית (Beth-) מִלּ֑וֹא (millo), וְתֵצֵ֨א (and let come) אֵ֜שׁ (fire) מִבַּעֲלֵ֤י (from the men) שְׁכֶם֙ (of Shechem) וּמִבֵּ֣ית (and Beth-) מִלּ֔וֹא (and millo), וְתֹאכַ֖ל (and devour) אֶת־ (-) אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ׃ (Abimelech).

21  וַיָּ֣נָס (And ran away) יוֹתָ֔ם (Jotham) וַיִּבְרַ֖ח (and fled), וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ (and he went) בְּאֵ֑רָה (to Beer) וַיֵּ֣שֶׁב (and dwelt) שָׁ֔ם (there), מִפְּנֵ֖י (for fear) אֲבִימֶ֥לֶךְ (of Abimelech) אָחִֽיו׃פ (his brother).

Gaal Conspires with the Shechemites

22  וַיָּ֧שַׂר (And had reigned) אֲבִימֶ֛לֶךְ (Abimelech) עַל־ (over) יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (Israel) שָׁלֹ֥שׁ (three) שָׁנִֽים׃ (years), 23  וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח (and sent) אֱלֹהִים֙ (God) ר֣וּחַ (a spirit) רָעָ֔ה (of animosity) בֵּ֣ין (between) אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ (Abimelech) וּבֵ֖ין (and between) בַּעֲלֵ֣י (the men) שְׁכֶ֑ם (of Shechem), וַיִּבְגְּד֥וּ (and dealt treacherously) בַעֲלֵי־ (the men) שְׁכֶ֖ם (of Shechem) בַּאֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ׃ (with Abimelech), 24  לָב֕וֹא (for the coming in) חֲמַ֖ס (of the violence) שִׁבְעִ֣ים (to the seventy) בְּנֵֽי־ (the sons) יְרֻבָּ֑עַל (of Jerubbaal) וְדָמָ֗ם (and their blood) לָשׂ֞וּם (to place) עַל־ (on) אֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ (Abimelech) אֲחִיהֶם֙ (their brother) אֲשֶׁ֣ר (who) הָרַ֣ג (killed) אוֹתָ֔ם (them), וְעַל֙ (and on) בַּעֲלֵ֣י (the men) שְׁכֶ֔ם (of Shechem) אֲשֶׁר־ (who) חִזְּק֥וּ (aided) אֶת־ (-) יָדָ֖יו (him) לַהֲרֹ֥ג (in the killing of) אֶת־ (-) אֶחָֽיו׃ (his brothers).

25  וַיָּשִׂ֣ימוּ (And set) לוֹ֩ (against him) בַעֲלֵ֨י (the men) שְׁכֶ֜ם (of Shechem) מְאָרְבִ֗ים (an ambush) עַ֚ל (on) רָאשֵׁ֣י (the tops) הֶהָרִ֔ים (of the hills), וַיִּגְזְל֗וּ (and they robbed) אֵ֛ת (-) כָּל־ (all) אֲשֶׁר־ (who) יַעֲבֹ֥ר (passed) עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם (by them) בַּדָּ֑רֶךְ (along that way). וַיֻּגַּ֖ד (And it was told) לַאֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ׃פ (to Abimelech).

26  וַיָּבֹ֞א (And came) גַּ֤עַל (Gaal) בֶּן־ (son) עֶ֙בֶד֙ (of Ebed) וְאֶחָ֔יו (and his brothers), וַיַּעַבְר֖וּ (and went over) בִּשְׁכֶ֑ם (to Shechem). וַיִּבְטְחוּ־ (And put their confidence) ב֖וֹ (in him) בַּעֲלֵ֥י (the men) שְׁכֶֽם׃ (of Shechem). 27  וַיֵּצְא֨וּ (And they went out) הַשָּׂדֶ֜ה (into the fields), וַֽיִּבְצְר֤וּ (and gathered) אֶת־ (-) כַּרְמֵיהֶם֙ (from their vineyards), וַֽיִּדְרְכ֔וּ (and trod) וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֖וּ (and made) הִלּוּלִ֑ים (merry). וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ (And they went into) בֵּ֣ית (the house) אֱ‍ֽלֹֽהֵיהֶ֔ם (of their god) וַיֹּֽאכְלוּ֙ (and ate) וַיִּשְׁתּ֔וּ (and drank) וַֽיְקַלְל֖וּ (and cursed) אֶת־ (-) אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ׃ (Abimelech).

28  וַיֹּ֣אמֶר׀ (And said) גַּ֣עַל (Gaal) בֶּן־ (son) עֶ֗בֶד (of Ebed), מִֽי־ (Who is) אֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ (Abimelech), וּמִֽי־ (and who is) שְׁכֶם֙ (Shechem), כִּ֣י (that) נַעַבְדֶ֔נּוּ (we should serve him)? הֲלֹ֥א (Is he not) בֶן־ (the son) יְרֻבַּ֖עַל (of Jerubbaal)? וּזְבֻ֣ל (And is not Zebul) פְּקִיד֑וֹ (his officer)? עִבְד֗וּ (Serve) אֶת־ (-) אַנְשֵׁ֤י (the men) חֲמוֹר֙ (of Hamor) אֲבִ֣י (the father) שְׁכֶ֔ם (of Shechem)— וּמַדּ֖וּעַ (and why) נַעַבְדֶ֥נּוּ (should serve him) אֲנָֽחְנוּ׃ (we)? 29  וּמִ֨י (And if only) יִתֵּ֜ן (were given) אֶת־ (-) הָעָ֤ם (the people) הַזֶּה֙ (this) בְּיָדִ֔י (into my hand), וְאָסִ֖ירָה (and I would remove) אֶת־ (-) אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ (Abimelech). וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (And he said) לַאֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ (to Abimelech), רַבֶּ֥ה (Increase) צְבָאֲךָ֖ (your army) וָצֵֽאָה׃ (and come out).

The Fall of Shechem

30  וַיִּשְׁמַ֗ע (And heard) זְבֻל֙ (Zebul) שַׂר־ (the ruler) הָעִ֔יר (of the city) אֶת־ (-) דִּבְרֵ֖י (the words) גַּ֣עַל (of Gaal) בֶּן־ (son) עָ֑בֶד (of Ebed), וַיִּ֖חַר (and was kindled) אַפּֽוֹ׃ (his anger). 31  וַיִּשְׁלַ֧ח (And he sent) מַלְאָכִ֛ים (messengers) אֶל־ (to) אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ (Abimelech) בְּתָרְמָ֣ה (in deceit), לֵאמֹ֑ר (saying), הִנֵּה֩ (Behold), גַ֨עַל (Gaal) בֶּן־ (son) עֶ֤בֶד (of Ebed) וְאֶחָיו֙ (and his brothers) בָּאִ֣ים (have come) שְׁכֶ֔מָה (to Shechem). וְהִנָּ֛ם (And behold), צָרִ֥ים (they are fortifying) אֶת־ (-) הָעִ֖יר (the city) עָלֶֽיךָ׃ (against you). 32  וְעַתָּה֙ (And now) ק֣וּם (get up) לַ֔יְלָה (by night), אַתָּ֖ה (you) וְהָעָ֣ם (and the people) אֲשֶׁר־ (who are) אִתָּ֑ךְ (with you), וֶאֱרֹ֖ב (and lie in wait) בַּשָּׂדֶֽה׃ (in the field). 33  וְהָיָ֤ה (And it shall come to pass) בַבֹּ֙קֶר֙ (in the morning), כִּזְרֹ֣חַ (at the rising) הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ (of the sun), תַּשְׁכִּ֖ים (that you shall rise early) וּפָשַׁטְתָּ֣ (and rush) עַל־ (upon) הָעִ֑יר (the city). וְהִנֵּה־ (And behold), ה֞וּא (he) וְהָעָ֤ם (and the people) אֲשֶׁר־ (who are) אִתּוֹ֙ (with him) יֹצְאִ֣ים (will be coming out) אֵלֶ֔יךָ (against you), וְעָשִׂ֣יתָ (and you may do) לּ֔וֹ (to them) כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר (as) תִּמְצָ֥א (as finds) יָדֶֽךָ׃ס (your hand).

34  וַיָּ֧קָם (And rose) אֲבִימֶ֛לֶךְ (Abimelech) וְכָל־ (and all) הָעָ֥ם (the people) אֲשֶׁר־ (who were) עִמּ֖וֹ (with him) לָ֑יְלָה (by night), וַיֶּאֶרְב֣וּ (and they lay in wait) עַל־ (against) שְׁכֶ֔ם (Shechem) אַרְבָּעָ֖ה (in four) רָאשִֽׁים׃ (companies).

35  וַיֵּצֵא֙ (And went out) גַּ֣עַל (Gaal) בֶּן־ (son) עֶ֔בֶד (of Ebed) וַיַּעֲמֹ֕ד (and stood) פֶּ֖תַח (in the entrance) שַׁ֣עַר (of the gate) הָעִ֑יר (of the city) וַיָּ֧קָם (and rose) אֲבִימֶ֛לֶךְ (Abimelech) וְהָעָ֥ם (and the people) אֲשֶׁר־ (who were) אִתּ֖וֹ (with him) מִן־ (from) הַמַּאְרָֽב׃ (the ambush).

36  וַיַּרְא־ (And saw) גַּעַל֮ (Gaal) אֶת־ (-) הָעָם֒ (the people), וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (and he said) אֶל־ (to) זְבֻ֔ל (Zebul), הִנֵּה־ (Behold), עָ֣ם (a people) יוֹרֵ֔ד (is coming down) מֵרָאשֵׁ֖י (from the tops) הֶהָרִ֑ים (of the mountains).

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (And said) אֵלָיו֙ (to him) זְבֻ֔ל (Zebul) אֵ֣ת (-) צֵ֧ל (the shadows) הֶהָרִ֛ים (of the mountains) אַתָּ֥ה (You) רֹאֶ֖ה (are seeing) כָּאֲנָשִֽׁים׃ס (as men).

37  וַיֹּ֨סֶף (And added) ע֣וֹד (again) גַּעַל֮ (Gaal) לְדַבֵּר֒ (to speak), וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (and he said), הִנֵּה־ (Behold), עָם֙ (a people) יֽוֹרְדִ֔ים (are coming down) מֵעִ֖ם (from) טַבּ֣וּר (the center) הָאָ֑רֶץ (of the land), וְרֹאשׁ־ (and company) אֶחָ֣ד (one) בָּ֔א (is coming) מִדֶּ֖רֶךְ (from the way) אֵל֥וֹן (of the Oak) מְעוֹנְנִֽים׃ (of the Diviners).

38  וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (And said) אֵלָ֜יו (to him) זְבֻ֗ל (Zebul), אַיֵּ֨ה (Where) אֵפ֥וֹא (now) פִ֙יךָ֙ (is your mouth), אֲשֶׁ֣ר (with which) תֹּאמַ֔ר (you said), מִ֥י (Who is) אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ (Abimelech), כִּ֣י (that) נַעַבְדֶ֑נּוּ (we should serve him)? הֲלֹ֨א (Not) זֶ֤ה (is this) הָעָם֙ (the people) אֲשֶׁ֣ר (whom) מָאַ֣סְתָּה (you have despised) בּ֔וֹ (it)? צֵא־ (Go out), נָ֥א (please) עַתָּ֖ה (now), וְהִלָּ֥חֶם (and fight) בּֽוֹ׃ס (against it).

39  וַיֵּ֣צֵא (And went out) גַ֔עַל (Gaal) לִפְנֵ֖י (before the faces of) בַּעֲלֵ֣י (the masters) שְׁכֶ֑ם (of Shechem), וַיִּלָּ֖חֶם (and he fought) בַּאֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ׃ (with Abimelech). 40  וַיִּרְדְּפֵ֣הוּ (And chased him) אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ (Abimelech) וַיָּ֖נָס (and he fled) מִפָּנָ֑יו (from him), וַֽיִּפְּל֛וּ (and fell) חֲלָלִ֥ים (wounded) רַבִּ֖ים (many) עַד־ (as far as) פֶּ֥תַח (to the entrance) הַשָּֽׁעַר׃ (of the gate). 41  וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב (And dwelt) אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ (Abimelech) בָּארוּמָ֑ה (in Arumah), וַיְגָ֧רֶשׁ (and drove out) זְבֻ֛ל (Zebul) אֶת־ (-) גַּ֥עַל (Gaal) וְאֶת־ (and) אֶחָ֖יו (his brothers), מִשֶּׁ֥בֶת (from dwelling) בִּשְׁכֶֽם׃ (from dwelling).

42  וַֽיְהִי֙ (And it came to pass) מִֽמָּחֳרָ֔ת (on the next day), וַיֵּצֵ֥א (that went out) הָעָ֖ם (the people) הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה (into the field). וַיַּגִּ֖דוּ (And they declared it) לַאֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ׃ (to Abimelech). 43  וַיִּקַּ֣ח (And he took) אֶת־ (-) הָעָ֗ם (the people) וַֽיֶּחֱצֵם֙ (and divided them) לִשְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה (into three) רָאשִׁ֔ים (companies) וַיֶּאֱרֹ֖ב (and lay in wait) בַּשָּׂדֶ֑ה (in the field), וַיַּ֗רְא (and he looked), וְהִנֵּ֤ה (and behold) הָעָם֙ (the people) יֹצֵ֣א (were coming) מִן־ (out) הָעִ֔יר (of the city), וַיָּ֥קָם (and he rose up) עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם (against them) וַיַּכֵּֽם׃ (and attacked them).

44  וַאֲבִימֶ֗לֶךְ (And Abimelech) וְהָרָאשִׁים֙ (and the company) אֲשֶׁ֣ר (that was) עִמּ֔וֹ (with him) פָּשְׁט֕וּ (rushed forward) וַיַּ֣עַמְד֔וּ (and stood) פֶּ֖תַח (at the entrance) שַׁ֣עַר (of the gate) הָעִ֑יר (of the city), וּשְׁנֵ֣י (and the two) הָֽרָאשִׁ֗ים (companies) פָּֽשְׁט֛וּ (rushed) עַֽל־ (upon) כָּל־ (all) אֲשֶׁ֥ר (who were) בַּשָּׂדֶ֖ה (in the fields), וַיַּכּֽוּם׃ (and struck them). 45  וַאֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְ (And Abimelech) נִלְחָ֣ם (fought) בָּעִ֗יר (against the city) כֹּ֚ל (all) הַיּ֣וֹם (the day) הַה֔וּא (that), וַיִּלְכֹּד֙ (and he took) אֶת־ (-) הָעִ֔יר (the city), וְאֶת־ (and) הָעָ֥ם (the people) אֲשֶׁר־ (who were) בָּ֖הּ (in it) הָרָ֑ג (he killed), וַיִּתֹּץ֙ (and he tore down) אֶת־ (-) הָעִ֔יר (the city) וַיִּזְרָעֶ֖הָ (and sowed it) מֶֽלַח׃פ (with salt).

46  וַֽיִּשְׁמְע֔וּ (And had heard) כָּֽל־ (all) בַּעֲלֵ֖י (the men) מִֽגְדַּל־ (of the tower) שְׁכֶ֑ם (of Shechem), וַיָּבֹ֣אוּ (and they entered) אֶל־ (into) צְרִ֔יחַ (the stronghold) בֵּ֖ית (of the temple) אֵ֥ל (of El-) בְּרִֽית׃ (berith). 47  וַיֻּגַּ֖ד (And it was told) לַאֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ (to Abimelech) כִּ֣י (that) הִֽתְקַבְּצ֔וּ (were gathered together) כָּֽל־ (all) בַּעֲלֵ֖י (the men) מִֽגְדַּל־ (of the tower) שְׁכֶֽם׃ (of Shechem). 48  וַיַּ֨עַל (And went up) אֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְ (Abimelech) הַר־ (to Mount) צַלְמ֗וֹן (Zalmon), הוּא֮ (he) וְכָל־ (and all) הָעָ֣ם (the people) אֲשֶׁר־ (who were) אִתּוֹ֒ (with him), וַיִּקַּח֩ (and took) אֲבִימֶ֨לֶךְ (Abimelech) אֶת־ (-) הַקַּרְדֻּמּ֜וֹת (an ax) בְּיָד֗וֹ (in his hand) וַיִּכְרֹת֙ (and cut down) שׂוֹכַ֣ת (a bough from) עֵצִ֔ים (the trees), וַיִּ֨שָּׂאֶ֔הָ (and lifted it) וַיָּ֖שֶׂם (and set it) עַל־ (on) שִׁכְמ֑וֹ (his shoulder), וַיֹּ֜אמֶר (and he said) אֶל־ (to) הָעָ֣ם (the people) אֲשֶׁר־ (who were) עִמּ֗וֹ (with him), מָ֤ה (What) רְאִיתֶם֙ (you⁺ have seen) עָשִׂ֔יתִי (me do), מַהֲר֖וּ (hurry) עֲשׂ֥וּ (and do) כָמֽוֹנִי׃ (as I).

49  וַיִּכְרְת֨וּ (And cut down) גַם־ (indeed) כָּל־ (all) הָעָ֜ם (the people) אִ֣ישׁ (each man) שׂוֹכֹ֗ה (his bough) וַיֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ (and they went) אַחֲרֵ֤י (after) אֲבִימֶ֙לֶךְ֙ (Abimelech), וַיָּשִׂ֣ימוּ (and they put them) עַֽל־ (against) הַצְּרִ֔יחַ (the stronghold) וַיַּצִּ֧יתוּ (and they burned) עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם (above them) אֶֽת־ (-) הַצְּרִ֖יחַ (the stronghold) בָּאֵ֑שׁ (with the fire), וַיָּמֻ֜תוּ (and died) גַּ֣ם (also) כָּל־ (all) אַנְשֵׁ֧י (the people) מִֽגְדַּל־ (of the tower) שְׁכֶ֛ם (of Shechem)— כְּאֶ֖לֶף (about a thousand) אִ֥ישׁ (men) וְאִשָּֽׁה׃פ (and women).

Abimelech’s Punishment

50  וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ (And went) אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ (Abimelech) אֶל־ (to) תֵּבֵ֑ץ (Thebez), וַיִּ֥חַן (and he encamped) בְּתֵבֵ֖ץ (against Thebez) וַֽיִּלְכְּדָֽהּ׃ (and took it). 51  וּמִגְדַּל־ (And a tower) עֹז֮ (strong) הָיָ֣ה (there was) בְתוֹךְ־ (in the midst) הָעִיר֒ (of the city), וַיָּנֻ֨סוּ (and fled) שָׁ֜מָּה (there) כָּל־ (all) הָאֲנָשִׁ֣ים (the men) וְהַנָּשִׁ֗ים (and the women), וְכֹל֙ (and all) בַּעֲלֵ֣י (the masters) הָעִ֔יר (of the city), וַֽיִּסְגְּר֖וּ (and shut) בַּעֲדָ֑ם (themselves in). וַֽיַּעֲל֖וּ (And they went up) עַל־ (to) גַּ֥ג (the top) הַמִּגְדָּֽל׃ (of the tower).

52  וַיָּבֹ֤א (And came) אֲבִימֶ֙לֶךְ֙ (Abimelech) עַד־ (as far as) הַמִּגְדָּ֔ל (the tower) וַיִּלָּ֖חֶם (and fought) בּ֑וֹ (against it), וַיִּגַּ֛שׁ (and he drew) עַד־ (near) פֶּ֥תַח (the door) הַמִּגְדָּ֖ל (of the tower) לְשָׂרְפ֥וֹ (to burn it) בָאֵֽשׁ׃ (with the fire). 53  וַתַּשְׁלֵ֞ךְ (And dropped) אִשָּׁ֥ה (woman) אַחַ֛ת (one) פֶּ֥לַח (an upper) רֶ֖כֶב (millstone) עַל־ (on) רֹ֣אשׁ (the head) אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ (of Abimelech) וַתָּ֖רִץ (and it crushed) אֶת־ (-) גֻּלְגָּלְתּֽוֹ׃ (his skull). 54  וַיִּקְרָ֨א (And he called) מְהֵרָ֜ה (quickly) אֶל־ (to) הַנַּ֣עַר׀ (the young man) נֹשֵׂ֣א (bearing) כֵלָ֗יו (his armor) וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (and said) לוֹ֙ (to him), שְׁלֹ֤ף (Draw) חַרְבְּךָ֙ (your sword) וּמ֣וֹתְתֵ֔נִי (and kill me), פֶּן־ (lest) יֹ֥אמְרוּ (they say) לִ֖י (of me), אִשָּׁ֣ה (A woman) הֲרָגָ֑תְהוּ (killed him).

וַיִּדְקְרֵ֥הוּ (And thrust him through) נַעֲר֖וֹ (his young man), וַיָּמֹֽת׃ (and he died). 55  וַיִּרְא֥וּ (And saw) אִֽישׁ־ (the men) יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (of Israel) כִּ֣י (that) מֵ֣ת (was dead) אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ (Abimelech), וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ (and departed) אִ֥ישׁ (every man) לִמְקֹמֽוֹ׃ (to his place).

56  וַיָּ֣שֶׁב (And repaid) אֱלֹהִ֔ים (God) אֵ֖ת (-) רָעַ֣ת (the wickedness) אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ (of Abimelech), אֲשֶׁ֤ר (which) עָשָׂה֙ (he had done) לְאָבִ֔יו (to his father) לַהֲרֹ֖ג (by killing) אֶת־ (-) שִׁבְעִ֥ים (seventy) אֶחָֽיו׃ (his brothers). 57  וְאֵ֗ת (And) כָּל־ (all) רָעַת֙ (the evil) אַנְשֵׁ֣י (of the men) שְׁכֶ֔ם (of Shechem) הֵשִׁ֥יב (returned) אֱלֹהִ֖ים (God) בְּרֹאשָׁ֑ם (on their own heads), וַתָּבֹ֣א (and came) אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם (upon them) קִֽלֲלַ֖ת (the curse) יוֹתָ֥ם (of Jotham) בֶּן־ (son) יְרֻבָּֽעַל׃פ (of Jerubbaal).