Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Now then, during the night you and your men should come and lie in wait in the fields. New Living Translation Come by night with an army and hide out in the fields. English Standard Version Now therefore, go by night, you and the people who are with you, and set an ambush in the field. Berean Standard Bible Now then, tonight you and the people with you are to come and lie in wait in the fields. Berean Literal Bible And now get up by night, you and the people who are with you, and lie in wait in the field. King James Bible Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that is with thee, and lie in wait in the field: New King James Version Now therefore, get up by night, you and the people who are with you, and lie in wait in the field. New American Standard Bible So now, arise by night, you and the people who are with you, and lie in wait in the field. NASB 1995 “Now therefore, arise by night, you and the people who are with you, and lie in wait in the field. NASB 1977 “Now therefore, arise by night, you and the people who are with you, and lie in wait in the field. Legacy Standard Bible So now, arise by night, you and the people who are with you, and lie in wait in the field. Amplified Bible Now then, get up during the night, you and the people who are with you, and set up an ambush in the field. Berean Annotated Bible Now then, tonight you and the people with you are to come and lie in wait in the fields. Christian Standard Bible Now tonight, you and the troops with you, come and wait in ambush in the countryside. Holman Christian Standard Bible Now tonight, you and the people with you are to come wait in ambush in the countryside. American Standard Version Now therefore, up by night, thou and the people that are with thee, and lie in wait in the field: Contemporary English Version This is what I think you should do. Lead your army here during the night and hide in the fields. English Revised Version Now therefore, up by night, thou and the people that is with thee, and lie in wait in the field: GOD'S WORD® Translation You and your men must start out tonight. Set an ambush [for them] in the fields [around Shechem]. Good News Translation Now then, you and your men should move by night and hide in the fields. International Standard Version So get up at night, take your soldiers with you, and wait in ambush out in the field. NET Bible Now, come up at night with your men and set an ambush in the field outside the city. New Heart English Bible Now therefore, rise up by night, you and the people who are with you, and lie in wait in the field. Webster's Bible Translation Now therefore rise by night, thou, and the people that are with thee, and lie in wait in the field: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleNow then, tonight you and the people with you are to come and lie in wait in the fields. World English Bible Now therefore, go up by night, you and the people who are with you, and lie in wait in the field. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand now, rise by night, you and the people who [are] with you, and lay wait in the field, Berean Literal Bible And now get up by night, you and the people who are with you, and lie in wait in the field. Young's Literal Translation and, now, rise by night, thou and the people who are with thee, and lay wait in the field, Smith's Literal Translation And now, rise up by night, thou and the people which are with thee, and lie in wait in the field: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleArise therefore in the night with the people that is with thee and he hid in the field: Catholic Public Domain Version And so, rise up in the night, with the people who are with you, and lie hidden in the field. New American Bible So take action tonight, you and the troops who are with you, and set an ambush in the fields. New Revised Standard Version Now therefore, go by night, you and the troops that are with you, and lie in wait in the fields. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleNow therefore arise by night, you and the people that are with you, and lie in wait in the field; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Now arise in the night, you and the people that are with you, and lie in wait in the field OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Now therefore, up by night, thou and the people that are with thee, and lie in wait in the field. Brenton Septuagint Translation And now rise up by night, thou and the people with thee, and lay wait in the field. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Fall of Shechem…31So he covertly sent messengers to Abimelech to say, “Look, Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem and are stirring up the city against you. 32Now then, tonight you and the people with you are to come and lie in wait in the fields. 33And in the morning at sunrise, get up and advance against the city. When Gaal and his men come out against you, do to them whatever you are able.”… Cross References Now then, Joshua 1:2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore arise, you and all these people, and cross over the Jordan into the land that I am giving to the children of Israel. Joshua 2:12 Now therefore, please swear to me by the LORD that you will indeed show kindness to my family, because I showed kindness to you. Give me a sure sign tonight Ruth 3:2 Now is not Boaz, with whose servant girls you have been working, a relative of ours? In fact, tonight he is winnowing barley on the threshing floor. 2 Samuel 17:1 Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. Exodus 12:12 On that night I will pass through the land of Egypt and strike down every firstborn male, both man and beast, and I will execute judgment against all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. you and the people with you Joshua 8:1 Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid or discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. See, I have delivered into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land. Joshua 8:11 Then all the troops who were with him marched up and approached the city. They arrived in front of Ai and camped to the north of it, with the valley between them and the city. 1 Samuel 14:6 Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” are to come and lie in wait Joshua 8:4 with these orders: “Pay attention. You are to lie in ambush behind the city, not too far from it. All of you must be ready. Joshua 8:12 Now Joshua had taken about five thousand men and set up an ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the city. Judges 20:29 So Israel set up an ambush around Gibeah. in the fields. 2 Kings 7:12 So the king got up in the night and said to his servants, “Let me tell you what the Arameans have done to us. They know we are starving, so they have left the camp to hide in the field, thinking, ‘When they come out of the city, we will take them alive and enter the city.’” 2 Samuel 11:11 Uriah answered, “The ark and Israel and Judah are dwelling in tents, and my master Joab and his soldiers are camped in the open field. How can I go to my house to eat and drink and sleep with my wife? As surely as you live, and as your soul lives, I will not do such a thing!” Ruth 2:3 So Ruth departed and went out into the field and gleaned after the harvesters. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech. 2 Samuel 15:10 Then Absalom sent spies throughout the tribes of Israel with this message: “When you hear the sound of the horn, you are to say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’” 1 Kings 1:5 At that time Adonijah, David’s son by Haggith, began to exalt himself, saying, “I will be king!” And he acquired chariots and horsemen and fifty men to run ahead of him. Treasury of Scripture Now therefore up by night, you and the people that is with you, and lie in wait in the field: by night Job 24:14-17 The murderer rising with the light killeth the poor and needy, and in the night is as a thief… Psalm 36:4 He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil. Proverbs 1:11-16 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: … Jump to Previous Arise Lie Night Rise Secretly Wait WatchJump to Next Arise Lie Night Rise Secretly Wait WatchJudges 9 1. Abimelech by conspiracy with the Shechemites, and murder of his brothers, is made king7. Jotham by a parable rebukes them, and foretells their ruin 22. Gaal conspires with the Shechemites against him 30. Zebul reveals it 34. Abimelech overcomes them, and sows the city with salt 46. He burns the hold of the god Berith 50. At Thebez he is slain by a piece of a millstone 56. Jotham's curse is fulfilled. Now then This phrase indicates a transition or a call to action. It suggests urgency and immediacy, often used in biblical narratives to prompt a decisive moment. In the context of Judges 9, it marks a shift in the plot where a plan is about to be executed. tonight you and the people with you are to come and lie in wait in the fields Persons / Places / Events 1. AbimelechThe son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal), who declared himself king over Shechem after killing his seventy brothers. 2. Gaal son of Ebed A man who opposed Abimelech and sought to lead a rebellion against him. 3. Zebul The ruler of the city of Shechem who remained loyal to Abimelech and informed him of Gaal's plans. 4. Shechem An ancient city in the land of Canaan, significant in Israel's history, where Abimelech was made king. 5. Fields of Shechem The location where Abimelech and his men were instructed to lie in wait to ambush Gaal and his followers. Teaching Points The Dangers of AmbitionAbimelech's account warns against unchecked ambition and the pursuit of power at any cost. His actions led to violence and destruction, reminding us to seek God's will rather than our own. Loyalty and Betrayal Zebul's loyalty to Abimelech contrasts with Gaal's betrayal, illustrating the complexities of human relationships and the importance of discernment in choosing whom to trust. God's Sovereignty Despite human schemes, God's purposes prevail. Abimelech's temporary success was part of a larger account that ultimately fulfilled God's justice. The Consequences of Sin Abimelech's violent rise to power and subsequent downfall serve as a reminder that sin has consequences, both for individuals and communities. The Importance of Vigilance The instruction to "lie in wait" symbolizes the need for spiritual vigilance. Believers must be alert to the enemy's schemes and ready to stand firm in faith. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 9:32?2. How does Judges 9:32 demonstrate the consequences of Abimelech's ambition and deceit? 3. What lessons can we learn about leadership from Abimelech's actions in Judges 9:32? 4. How does Judges 9:32 connect with God's justice throughout the Book of Judges? 5. In what ways can we guard against ambition leading to destructive actions today? 6. How can we apply the warnings of Judges 9:32 to our personal lives? 7. How does Judges 9:32 reflect God's justice in the context of Abimelech's actions? 8. What historical evidence supports the events described in Judges 9:32? 9. How does Judges 9:32 fit into the overall narrative of the Book of Judges? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 9? 11. Who or what is the Daughter of Zion? 12. Why did God's vineyard produce only wild grapes? 13. Psalm 98:9 promises judgment with equity, but other biblical passages show God permitting destruction and violence--how are these reconciled? 14. What are Vessels of Wrath? What Does Judges 9:32 Mean Now then– A decisive hinge in Abimelech’s strategy. – Similar urgency appears when Joshua commands action without delay (Joshua 1:11; 8:1). – God’s Word often records such turning points to show how human plans unfold under His sovereign oversight (Proverbs 19:21). tonight – The timing stresses immediacy; Abimelech will not wait for daylight. – Night operations echo Gideon’s surprise attack on Midian (Judges 7:9-15) and Saul’s night march against the Amalekites (1 Samuel 14:36). – Darkness often functions as a backdrop where either faith shines or treachery deepens (John 3:19-21). you and the people with you – Abimelech addresses his trusted men, revealing organized leadership. – Collective responsibility recalls Moses’ instructions to Joshua and the fighting men (Exodus 17:9-10). – Scripture shows that when leaders act, followers share both risk and outcome (2 Samuel 23:15-17). are to come – Movement toward Shechem is required; obedience to command precedes victory or defeat. – Comparable calls to advance are found in Judges 4:14 (“Up! For this is the day…”) and Matthew 28:19 (“Go therefore…”). – God’s people repeatedly learn that decisive steps—right or wrong—shape history (Hebrews 10:38-39). and lie in wait in the fields – The tactic is ambush, paralleling Israel’s strategy at Ai (Joshua 8:3-9) and the Benjamite ambush plan (Judges 20:29). – Open fields provide cover yet demand patience and discipline. – Scripture illustrates how concealed positioning can serve either deliverance (David hiding from Saul, 1 Samuel 19:2) or treachery (Joab against Abner, 2 Samuel 3:27). summary Judges 9:32 captures Abimelech’s urgent, nighttime directive to his men—an ambush in the fields of Shechem. Each phrase underscores decisive leadership, immediate action, collective responsibility, and strategic concealment. Throughout the Bible, such moments remind us that while humans plot in darkness or light, the Lord ultimately governs outcomes for His righteous purposes. (32) Lie in wait in the field.--To surprise the Shechemites when they went out to finish their vintage operations, which they would do securely under the protection of Gaal's forces.Hebrew Now then,וְעַתָּה֙ (wə·‘at·tāh) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 6258: At this time tonight לַ֔יְלָה (lay·lāh) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity you אַתָּ֖ה (’at·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you and the people וְהָעָ֣ם (wə·hā·‘ām) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock with you אִתָּ֑ךְ (’it·tāḵ) Preposition | second person masculine singular Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among are to come ק֣וּם (qūm) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand and lie in wait וֶאֱרֹ֖ב (we·’ĕ·rōḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 693: To lie in wait in the fields. בַּשָּׂדֶֽה׃ (baś·śā·ḏeh) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7704: Field, land Links Judges 9:32 NIVJudges 9:32 NLT Judges 9:32 ESV Judges 9:32 NASB Judges 9:32 KJV Judges 9:32 BibleApps.com Judges 9:32 Biblia Paralela Judges 9:32 Chinese Bible Judges 9:32 French Bible Judges 9:32 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 9:32 Now therefore up by night you (Jd Judg. 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