Judges 8:31
New International Version
His concubine, who lived in Shechem, also bore him a son, whom he named Abimelek.

New Living Translation
He also had a concubine in Shechem, who gave birth to a son, whom he named Abimelech.

English Standard Version
And his concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he called his name Abimelech.

Berean Standard Bible
His concubine, who dwelt in Shechem, also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech.

King James Bible
And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bare him a son, whose name he called Abimelech.

New King James Version
And his concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, whose name he called Abimelech.

New American Standard Bible
And his concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech.

NASB 1995
His concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech.

NASB 1977
And his concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech.

Legacy Standard Bible
And his concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech.

Amplified Bible
And his concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, whom he named Abimelech.

Christian Standard Bible
His concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
His concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech.

American Standard Version
And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bare him a son, and he called his name Abimelech.

Contemporary English Version
He even had a wife who lived at Shechem. They had a son, and Gideon named him Abimelech.

English Revised Version
And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bare him a son, and he called his name Abimelech.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
His concubine at Shechem also gave birth to a son. That son was named Abimelech.

Good News Translation
He also had a concubine in Shechem; she bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech.

International Standard Version
His mistress in Shechem bore him a son whom he named Abimelech.

Majority Standard Bible
His concubine, who dwelt in Shechem, also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech.

NET Bible
His concubine, who lived in Shechem, also gave him a son, whom he named Abimelech.

New Heart English Bible
His secondary wife who was in Shechem, she also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech.

Webster's Bible Translation
And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bore him a son, whose name he called Abimelech.

World English Bible
His concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and his concubine, who [is] in Shechem, has borne to him—even she—a son, and he appoints his name Abimelech.

Young's Literal Translation
and his concubine, who is in Shechem, hath born to him -- even she -- a son, and he appointeth his name Abimelech.

Smith's Literal Translation
And his concubine which is in Shechem, she will bear to him a son, and she will set his name Abimelech.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And his concubine, that he had in Sichem, bore him a son, whose name was Abimelech.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But his concubine, whom he had in Shechem, bore him a son named Abimelech.

New American Bible
His concubine who lived in Shechem also bore him a son, whom he named Abimelech.

New Revised Standard Version
His concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And his concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, whose name he called Abimeleck.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And his concubine who was in Shekim gave birth to a son by him, and he named his name Abimelek
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bore him a son, and he called his name Abimelech.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And his concubine was in Sychem, and she also bore him a son, and gave him the name Abimelech.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Forty Years of Peace
30Gideon had seventy sons of his own, since he had many wives. 31His concubine, who dwelt in Shechem, also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech.

Cross References
Genesis 16:15
And Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne.

Genesis 21:9-10
But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking her son, / and she said to Abraham, “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac!”

Genesis 25:1-4
Now Abraham had taken another wife, named Keturah, / and she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. / Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were the Asshurites, the Letushites, and the Leummites. ...

2 Samuel 3:3
his second was Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; his third was Absalom, the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur;

2 Samuel 13:1
After some time, David’s son Amnon fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of David’s son Absalom.

1 Kings 11:1-3
King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love. / He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away.

1 Chronicles 1:32
The sons born to Keturah, Abraham’s concubine: Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. The sons of Jokshan: Sheba and Dedan.

1 Chronicles 2:19
When Azubah died, Caleb married Ephrath, who bore to him Hur.

1 Chronicles 3:1-9
These were the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron: The firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam of Jezreel; the second was Daniel by Abigail of Carmel; / the third was Absalom the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur; the fourth was Adonijah the son of Haggith; / the fifth was Shephatiah by Abital; and the sixth was Ithream by his wife Eglah. ...

1 Chronicles 7:14
The descendants of Manasseh: Asriel through his Aramean concubine. She also gave birth to Machir the father of Gilead.

1 Chronicles 8:29-31
Jeiel the father of Gibeon lived in Gibeon. His wife’s name was Maacah, / and Abdon was his firstborn son, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab, / Gedor, Ahio, Zecher,

2 Chronicles 11:21
Rehoboam loved Maacah daughter of Absalom more than all his wives and concubines. In all, he had eighteen wives and sixty concubines, and he was the father of twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters.

Galatians 4:22-23
For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. / His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise.

Galatians 4:28-31
Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. / At that time, however, the son born by the flesh persecuted the son born by the Spirit. It is the same now. / But what does the Scripture say? “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.” ...

Hebrews 11:32
And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets,


Treasury of Scripture

And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bore him a son, whose name he called Abimelech.

concubine

Judges 9:1-5
And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother's brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother's father, saying, …

Genesis 16:15
And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.

Genesis 22:24
And his concubine, whose name was Reumah, she bare also Tebah, and Gaham, and Thahash, and Maachah.

called.

Judges 9:18
And ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;)

Genesis 20:2
And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.

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Abimelech Abim'elech Appointeth Bare Bore Born Concubine Servant-Wife Shechem
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Abimelech Abim'elech Appointeth Bare Bore Born Concubine Servant-Wife Shechem
Judges 8
1. Gideon pacifies the Ephraimites
4. Succoth and Penuel refuse to deliver Gideon's army
10. Zebah and Zalmunna are taken
13. Succoth and Penuel are destroyed
17. Gideon revenges his brothers's death on Zebah and Zalmunna
22. He refuses government
24. His ephod the cause of idolatry
28. Midian subdued
29. Gideon's children, and death
33. The Israelites' idolatry and ingratitude














His concubine
The term "concubine" in the Hebrew context refers to a woman who lived with a man but had a lower status than his wife or wives. Concubines were often taken for the purpose of bearing children, and their presence in a household was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern cultures. This reflects the patriarchal society of the time, where lineage and inheritance were of utmost importance. The presence of a concubine in Gideon's life indicates the complexities and imperfections of biblical figures, reminding us that God works through flawed individuals to fulfill His purposes.

who dwelt in Shechem
Shechem was a significant city in ancient Israel, located in the hill country of Ephraim. It held historical and religious importance, being a place where God appeared to Abraham and where Jacob's well was located. The mention of Shechem here highlights the geographical and cultural setting of the narrative. It was a city with a mixed population of Israelites and Canaanites, which may have influenced the events that followed in Abimelech's life. This setting serves as a backdrop for the unfolding drama of Abimelech's rise to power, illustrating the tensions and interactions between different groups within Israel.

also bore him a son
The act of bearing a son was of great significance in ancient Israelite culture, as sons were seen as carriers of the family name and inheritance. This phrase underscores the continuation of Gideon's lineage through his concubine, which would have implications for the future of his family and the nation. The birth of this son, Abimelech, sets the stage for the subsequent narrative in the Book of Judges, where issues of leadership, legitimacy, and power come to the forefront. It reminds us of the importance of family and legacy in God's unfolding plan.

and he named him Abimelech
The name "Abimelech" means "my father is king" in Hebrew. This name is significant because it reflects Gideon's influence and perhaps his aspirations or the aspirations of those around him. Although Gideon refused kingship when offered by the Israelites (Judges 8:23), the naming of his son suggests a lingering association with royal authority. This foreshadows Abimelech's later attempt to establish himself as king, which leads to turmoil and conflict. The choice of name serves as a reminder of the human tendency to seek power and control, contrasting with God's desire for humble and faithful leadership.

(31) His concubine that was in Shechem.--In Judges 9:18 she is contemptuously called his "maid servant." The sequel (Judges 9:1-4) seems to show that she belonged to the Canaanite population of Shechem. If so, Gideon's conduct in making her a concubine was as much against the Mosaic law as that of Solomon, though it may have had the same colour of worldly expediency. But it is probable that the requirements of the Mosaic law were much better known in the reign of Solomon, when the priests had once more become influential, than they were in this anarchical period. This concubine exercised an influence sufficiently important to cause the preservation of her name by tradition--Drumah (Jos. Antt. v. 7, ? 1).

Whose name he called Abimelech.--For "called" the margin has set. The phrase is not the ordinary one, and perhaps implies that Abimelech (Father-king--"a king, my father") was a surname given him by his father on observing his ambitious and boastful character. It seems more probable that the name was given by the Shechemites and his mother, and it may not have been without some influence for evil upon his ultimate career. The name has exactly the same significance as Padishah and Attalik, the title of the Khan of Bokhara (Gesenius). Being a well-understood dynastic title (Genesis 20; Psalms 34 title), it would be all the more significant. He was like a bad reproduction of Gideon, with the courage and energy of his father, but with none of his virtues.

Verse 31. - Whose name he called. This is badly translated; it should he, he gave him the name of Abimelech - literally, he set his name Abimelech. There are two phrases in Hebrew. The one, he called his name Seth, Noah, Ishmael, Isaac, Esau, Jacob, etc., as the case may be. And this is the phrase always, though not exclusively (see, e.g., Genesis 35:10; Judges 6:32), used of the name given to a child at its birth or circumcision. The other is, he gave or set him the name, or, he gave or set his name so-and-so, and this phrase is only used of additional names, or surnames given later in life. The examples are Judges 13:31; 2 Kings 17:34; Nehemiah 9:7; Daniel 2:7; Daniel 5:12. The inference is that the name of Abimelech, which means father of a king, and was the name of the royal family of Gerar, was given to Abimelech as a significant surname, and was perhaps one of the causes which induced him to seize the kingdom. A third phrase is found in 2 Kings 23:34; 2 Kings 24:17; 2 Chronicles 36:4: he turned his name to Jehoiakim; changed his name to Zedekiah. The Hebrew is the same in all these passages.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
His concubine,
וּפִֽילַגְשׁוֹ֙ (ū·p̄î·laḡ·šōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6370: A concubine, a paramour

who [dwelt]
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

in Shechem,
בִּשְׁכֶ֔ם (biš·ḵem)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7927: Shechem -- 'ridge', a district in Northern Palestine, also a son of Hamor

also
גַם־ (ḡam-)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

bore
יָֽלְדָה־ (yā·lə·ḏāh-)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3205: To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage

him a son,
בֵּ֑ן (bên)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

and he named
וַיָּ֥שֶׂם (way·yā·śem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

him Abimelech.
אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ׃ (’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 40: Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite name


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OT History: Judges 8:31 His concubine who was in Shechem she (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 8:30
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