Judges 1:7
New International Version
Then Adoni-Bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off have picked up scraps under my table. Now God has paid me back for what I did to them.” They brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.

New Living Translation
Adoni-bezek said, “I once had seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off, eating scraps from under my table. Now God has paid me back for what I did to them.” They took him to Jerusalem, and he died there.

English Standard Version
And Adoni-bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and their big toes cut off used to pick up scraps under my table. As I have done, so God has repaid me.” And they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.

Berean Standard Bible
Then Adoni-bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off have gathered the scraps under my table. As I have done to them, so God has repaid me.” And they brought him to Jerusalem, where he died.

King James Bible
And Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.

New King James Version
And Adoni-Bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off used to gather scraps under my table; as I have done, so God has repaid me.” Then they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.

New American Standard Bible
And Adoni-bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and their big toes cut off used to gather up scraps under my table; as I have done, so God has repaid me.” So they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.

NASB 1995
Adoni-bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and their big toes cut off used to gather up scraps under my table; as I have done, so God has repaid me.” So they brought him to Jerusalem and he died there.

NASB 1977
And Adoni-bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and their big toes cut off used to gather up scraps under my table; as I have done, so God has repaid me.” So they brought him to Jerusalem and he died there.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Adoni-bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and their big toes cut off used to gather up scraps under my table; as I have done, so God has repaid me.” So they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.

Amplified Bible
Adoni-bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off used to gather up scraps of food under my table; as I have done [to others], so God has repaid me.” So they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.

Christian Standard Bible
Adoni-bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off used to pick up scraps under my table. God has repaid me for what I have done.” They brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Adoni-bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off used to pick up scraps under my table. God has repaid me for what I have done.” They brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.

American Standard Version
And Adoni-bezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their food under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.

Contemporary English Version
and he said, "I've cut off the thumbs and big toes of 70 kings and made those kings crawl around under my table for scraps of food. Now God is paying me back." The army of Judah took the king of Bezek along with them to Jerusalem, where he died.

English Revised Version
And Adoni-bezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Adoni Bezek said, "Seventy kings who had their thumbs and big toes cut off used to pick up food under my table. God has paid me back for what I did to them." Judah's troops brought Adoni Bezek to Jerusalem, where he died.

Good News Translation
Adonibezek said, "Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off have picked up scraps under my table. God has now done to me what I did to them." He was taken to Jerusalem, where he died.

International Standard Version
Adoni-bezek used to brag, "Seventy kings without thumbs and big toes used to eat what was left under my table. God has repaid me for what I've done." They brought him to Jerusalem, and he later died there.

Majority Standard Bible
Then Adoni-bezek said, ?Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off have gathered the scraps under my table. As I have done to them, so God has repaid me.? And they brought him to Jerusalem, where he died.

NET Bible
Adoni-Bezek said, "Seventy kings, with thumbs and big toes cut off, used to lick up food scraps under my table. God has repaid me for what I did to them." They brought him to Jerusalem, where he died.

New Heart English Bible
Adoni-Bezek said, "Seventy kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, scavenged under my table: as I have done, so God has requited me." They brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Adoni-bezek said, seventy kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their food under my table; as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.

World English Bible
Adoni-Bezek said, “Seventy kings, having their thumbs and their big toes cut off, scavenged under my table. As I have done, so God has done to me.” They brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Adoni-Bezek says, “Seventy kings—their thumbs and their great toes cut off—have been gathering under my table; as I have done so God has repaid to me”; and they bring him to Jerusalem, and he dies there.

Young's Literal Translation
and Adoni-Bezek saith, 'Seventy kings -- their thumbs and their great toes cut off -- have been gathering under my table; as I have done so hath God repaid to me;' and they bring him in to Jerusalem, and he dieth there.

Smith's Literal Translation
And lord Bezek will say, Seventy kings with the thumbs of their hands and their feet being cut off, were gathering under my table; as I did so God requited me. And they will bring him to Jerusalem, and he will die there.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Adonibezec said: Seventy kings having their fingers and toes cut off, gathered up the leavings of the meat under my table: as I have done, so hath God requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Adonibezek said: “Seventy kings, with the ends of their hands and feet amputated, have been gathering the remnants of food under my table. Just as I have done, so has God repaid me.” And they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.

New American Bible
“Seventy kings,” said Adonibezek, “used to pick up scraps under my table with their thumbs and big toes cut off. As I have done, so has God repaid me.” He was brought to Jerusalem, and he died there.

New Revised Standard Version
Adoni-bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off used to pick up scraps under my table; as I have done, so God has paid me back.” They brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the lord of Bezek said, Seventy kings, with their thumbs and great toes cut off, used to pick up bread under my table; as I have done, so God has requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Master of Bezeq said: “Seventy Kings whose thumbs and big toes of their hands and of their feet were cut off were collecting bread from under my table according to what I have done, so God has rewarded me.” And they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Adoni-bezek said: 'Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered food under my table; as I have done, so God hath requited me.' And they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Adonibezek said, Seventy kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their food under my table: as I therefore have done, so God has recompensed me: and they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Conquest of Canaan Proceeds
6As Adoni-bezek fled, they pursued him, seized him, and cut off his thumbs and big toes. 7Then Adoni-bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off have gathered the scraps under my table. As I have done to them, so God has repaid me.” And they brought him to Jerusalem, where he died.

Cross References
1 Samuel 15:33
But Samuel declared: “As your sword has made women childless, so your mother will be childless among women.” And Samuel hacked Agag to pieces before the LORD at Gilgal.

Exodus 21:23-25
But if a serious injury results, then you must require a life for a life— / eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, / burn for burn, wound for wound, and stripe for stripe.

Matthew 7:2
For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.

Obadiah 1:15
For the Day of the LORD is near for all the nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your recompense will return upon your own head.

Revelation 13:10
“If anyone is destined for captivity, into captivity he will go; if anyone is to die by the sword, by the sword he must be killed.” Here is a call for the perseverance and faith of the saints.

Proverbs 26:27
He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.

Matthew 26:52
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword.

Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

James 2:13
For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

2 Samuel 22:26-27
To the faithful You show Yourself faithful, to the blameless You show Yourself blameless; / to the pure You show Yourself pure, but to the crooked You show Yourself shrewd.

Psalm 18:25-26
To the faithful You show Yourself faithful, to the blameless You show Yourself blameless; / to the pure You show Yourself pure, but to the crooked You show Yourself shrewd.

Isaiah 33:1
Woe to you, O destroyer never destroyed, O traitor never betrayed! When you have finished destroying, you will be destroyed. When you have finished betraying, you will be betrayed.

Jeremiah 50:29
Summon the archers against Babylon, all who string the bow. Encamp all around her; let no one escape. Repay her according to her deeds; do to her as she has done. For she has defied the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.

Ezekiel 35:11
therefore as surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will treat you according to the anger and jealousy you showed in your hatred against them, and I will make Myself known among them when I judge you.


Treasury of Scripture

And Adonibezek said, Three score and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so God has requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.

their thumbs.

Exodus 21:23-25
And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, …

Leviticus 24:19-21
And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him; …

1 Samuel 15:33
And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.

Jump to Previous
Adonibezek Adoni-Bezek Big Cut Died Jerusalem Kings Meat Requited Seventy Table Ten Threescore Thumbs Toes
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Adonibezek Adoni-Bezek Big Cut Died Jerusalem Kings Meat Requited Seventy Table Ten Threescore Thumbs Toes
Judges 1
1. The acts of Judah and Simeon
4. Adonibezek justly requited
8. Jerusalem taken
10. Hebron taken
11. Othniel has Achsah to wife for taking of Debir
16. The Kenites dwell in Judah
17. Hormah, Gaza, Askelon, and Ekron taken
21. The acts of Benjamin
22. Of the house of Joseph, who take Bethel
30. Of Zebulun
31. Of Asher
33. Of Naphtali
34. Of Dan














Then Adoni-bezek said,
Adoni-bezek was a Canaanite king, and his name means "lord of Bezek." Bezek was a city in the territory of Judah. The mention of Adoni-bezek highlights the ongoing conflict between the Israelites and the Canaanite inhabitants of the land. This statement marks a moment of realization and confession from a pagan king, acknowledging the justice of God.

“Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off
The mutilation of the thumbs and big toes was a common practice in ancient warfare to incapacitate enemies, rendering them unable to wield weapons or run effectively. This act of humiliation and subjugation was a demonstration of power and control. The number seventy may symbolize completeness or totality, indicating the extent of Adoni-bezek's conquests and cruelty.

have gathered the scraps under my table.
This imagery of defeated kings scavenging for scraps under a table signifies utter humiliation and subservience. In ancient Near Eastern culture, eating under a table was a sign of disgrace. This phrase underscores the reversal of fortune that Adoni-bezek experiences, as he himself becomes subject to the same fate he imposed on others.

As I have done to them, so God has repaid me.”
Adoni-bezek acknowledges a divine retribution, recognizing that his own actions have brought about his downfall. This reflects the biblical principle of sowing and reaping, as seen in Galatians 6:7, where it states that a man reaps what he sows. It also echoes the concept of divine justice found throughout Scripture, where God repays individuals according to their deeds.

And they brought him to Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, at this time, was not yet the capital of Israel but was a significant city in the region. The Israelites' control over Jerusalem was not fully established until later under King David. Bringing Adoni-bezek to Jerusalem signifies the Israelites' growing influence and foreshadows the city's future importance in Israel's history.

where he died.
The death of Adoni-bezek in Jerusalem marks the end of his reign and serves as a testament to the fulfillment of divine justice. His demise in a city that would become central to God's plan for His people highlights the transition from Canaanite rule to Israelite dominance. This event prefigures the ultimate victory of God's kingdom over earthly powers, pointing to the future reign of Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Adoni-bezek
A Canaanite king who was defeated by the tribes of Judah and Simeon. Known for his cruelty, he had previously mutilated seventy kings by cutting off their thumbs and big toes.

2. Seventy Kings
These were rulers defeated by Adoni-bezek, who were humiliated by having their thumbs and big toes cut off, rendering them powerless and dependent.

3. Judah and Simeon
Tribes of Israel that worked together to defeat Adoni-bezek, demonstrating the unity and strength of the Israelites in their conquest of Canaan.

4. Jerusalem
The city where Adoni-bezek was brought after his defeat and where he eventually died. This location later becomes significant as the capital of Israel.

5. Retribution
The event of Adoni-bezek's defeat and mutilation serves as a divine retribution for his own actions, illustrating the biblical principle of "measure for measure."
Teaching Points
Divine Justice
The account of Adoni-bezek reminds us that God's justice is perfect and that He repays according to one's deeds. We should live righteously, knowing that our actions have consequences.

Humility Over Pride
Adoni-bezek's downfall serves as a warning against pride and cruelty. As Christians, we are called to treat others with kindness and humility, reflecting Christ's love.

Unity in Purpose
The collaboration between the tribes of Judah and Simeon highlights the importance of unity among believers. Working together in faith can lead to victory over challenges.

Repentance and Forgiveness
While Adoni-bezek recognized his wrongdoing, his account encourages us to seek repentance and God's forgiveness before facing the consequences of our actions.

The Sovereignty of God
This passage illustrates God's control over history and events. Trusting in His sovereignty can bring peace and assurance in our lives.(7) Threescore and ten kings.--The number might seem incredible, were it not that the title "king" was freely given to every petty Emir, and even to village Sheykhs. The "seventy" kings may have been the rulers of the towns which Adoni-bezek had taken in extending the territory of Bezek. Josephus says seventy-two kings (Antt. v. 2, ? 2), and this common variation is found in some MSS. of the LXX. The Persians treated their Greek captives in this way (Curtius, v. 5,6). Mutilation in the East was so common that it was hardly accounted cruel (Xen. Anab. i. 9-13). Cutting off the hand or foot was the prescribed Mohammedan punishment for theft in British India (Mill, iii. 447), and many mutilated persons are still to be seen in Northern Scinde (see Grote's Greece, xii. 235).

Gathered their meat under my table.--The words "their meat" are wanting in the original. Adoni-bezek, with cruel insolence, treated these subject Sheykhs like dogs "which eat of the fragments that fall from the table of their lords" (Matthew 15:27). Posidonius says that the king of Parthia used to fling food to his courtiers, who seized it like dogs (Athen. 4:152). The existence of these feuds among the Canaanites would render the task of the Israelites more easy.

As I have done, so God hath requited me.--Comp. Judges 8:19; 1Samuel 15:33, "As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women;" Judges 15:11, "As they (the Philistines) did unto me, so have 1 (Samson) done unto them;" Jeremiah 51:56, "The Lord God of recompences shall surely requite thee;" Exodus 18:11, "For the thing wherein they sinned came upon them." (See Matthew 7:2; Galatians 6:7; James 2:13.) The word used for God is Elohim. In Greek theology this punishment of like by like is called "the retribution of Neoptolemus," who murdered Priam at an altar, and was himself murdered at an altar (Pausan. v. 17, 3). The fate of Phalaris, burnt in his own brazen bull (Ovid, De Art. Am. i. 653), and of Dionysius ('lian, Var. Hist. ix. 8), were also prominent illustrations of the law. We must not suppose that this Canaanite prince worshipped Jehovah, but only that he recognised generally that a Divine retribution had overtaken him. It is one of the commonest facts of history that . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Adoni-bezek
בֶ֗זֶק (ḇe·zeq)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 137: Adoni-bezek -- 'lord of Bezek', a ruler in Canaan

said,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Seventy
שִׁבְעִ֣ים ׀ (šiḇ·‘îm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 7657: Seventy (a cardinal number)

kings
מְלָכִ֡ים (mə·lā·ḵîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4428: A king

with their thumbs
בְּֽהֹנוֹת֩ (bə·hō·nō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 931: The thumb of the hand, great toe of the foot

and big toes
וְרַגְלֵיהֶ֜ם (wə·raḡ·lê·hem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - fdc | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda

cut off
מְקֻצָּצִ֗ים (mə·quṣ·ṣā·ṣîm)
Verb - Pual - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7112: To chop off

have gathered [the scraps]
מְלַקְּטִים֙ (mə·laq·qə·ṭîm)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3950: To pick up, to gather, to glean

under
תַּ֣חַת (ta·ḥaṯ)
Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

my table.
שֻׁלְחָנִ֔י (šul·ḥā·nî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 7979: A table, a meal

As
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

I have done,
עָשִׂ֔יתִי (‘ā·śî·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

so
כֵּ֥ן (kên)
Adverb
Strong's 3651: So -- thus

God
אֱלֹהִ֑ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

has repaid
שִׁלַּם־ (šil·lam-)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7999: To be safe, to be, completed, to be friendly, to reciprocate

me.”
לִ֖י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

And they brought him
וַיְבִיאֻ֥הוּ (way·ḇî·’u·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural | third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to Jerusalem,
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם (yə·rū·šā·lim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

where he died.
וַיָּ֥מָת (way·yā·māṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill


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OT History: Judges 1:7 Adoni-Bezek said Seventy kings having their thumbs (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 1:6
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