Judges 9:40
New International Version
Abimelek chased him all the way to the entrance of the gate, and many were killed as they fled.

New Living Translation
But Abimelech chased him, and many of Shechem’s men were wounded and fell along the road as they retreated to the city gate.

English Standard Version
And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him. And many fell wounded, up to the entrance of the gate.

Berean Standard Bible
but Abimelech pursued him, and Gaal fled before him. And many Shechemites fell wounded all the way to the entrance of the gate.

King James Bible
And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the gate.

New King James Version
And Abimelech chased him, and he fled from him; and many fell wounded, to the very entrance of the gate.

New American Standard Bible
But Abimelech chased him, and he fled from him; and many fell wounded up to the entrance of the gate.

NASB 1995
Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him; and many fell wounded up to the entrance of the gate.

NASB 1977
And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him; and many fell wounded up to the entrance of the gate.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Abimelech pursued him, and he fled before him; and many fell slain up to the entrance of the gate.

Amplified Bible
Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him; and many fell wounded as far as the entrance of the gate.

Christian Standard Bible
but Abimelech pursued him, and Gaal fled before him. Numerous bodies were strewn as far as the entrance of the city gate.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
but Abimelech pursued him, and Gaal fled before him. Many wounded died as far as the entrance of the gate.

American Standard Version
And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and there fell many wounded, even unto the entrance of the gate.

Contemporary English Version
Soon the people of Shechem turned and ran back into the town. However, Abimelech and his troops were close behind and killed many of them along the way.

English Revised Version
And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and there fell many wounded, even unto the entering of the gate.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Abimelech chased Gaal so that he ran away from him. Many were killed at the entrance of the city.

Good News Translation
Abimelech started after Gaal, and Gaal ran. Many were wounded, even at the city gate.

International Standard Version
Abimelech chased him, and Gaal ran away from him. Many fell wounded right up to the entrance to the city gate.

Majority Standard Bible
but Abimelech pursued him, and Gaal fled before him. And many Shechemites fell wounded all the way to the entrance of the gate.

NET Bible
Abimelech chased him, and Gaal ran from him. Many Shechemites fell wounded at the entrance of the gate.

New Heart English Bible
Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and there fell many wounded, even to the entrance of the gate of the city.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown and wounded, even to the entrance of the gate.

World English Bible
Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many fell wounded, even to the entrance of the gate.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Abimelech pursues him, and he flees from his presence, and many fall wounded—to the opening of the gate.

Young's Literal Translation
and Abimelech pursueth him, and he fleeth from his presence, and many fall wounded -- unto the opening of the gate.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Abimelech will pursue him and he will flee from his face, and many will fall wounded at the door of the gate.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who chased and put him to flight, and drove him to the city: and many were slain of his people, even to the gate of the city:

Catholic Public Domain Version
who pursued him, fleeing, and drove him into the city. And many were cut down on his side, even to the gate of the city.

New American Bible
but when Abimelech went after him, he fled from him. Many fell slain right up to the entrance of the gate.

New Revised Standard Version
Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him. Many fell wounded, up to the entrance of the gate.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Abimeleck chased him, and he fled before him, and many people fell slain, even to the entrance of the gate.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Abimelek chased him and he fled from before him and many fell slain unto the entrance of the gate
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and there fell many wounded, even unto the entrance of the gate.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Abimelech pursued him, and he fled from before him; and many fell down slain as far as the door of the gate.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Fall of Shechem
39So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought against Abimelech, 40but Abimelech pursued him, and Gaal fled before him. And many Shechemites fell wounded all the way to the entrance of the gate. 41Abimelech stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem.…

Cross References
2 Samuel 18:17
They took Absalom, cast him into a large pit in the forest, and piled a huge mound of stones over him. Meanwhile, all the Israelites fled, each to his home.

1 Samuel 31:1-7
Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa. / The Philistines hotly pursued Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. / When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him critically. ...

2 Kings 9:27
When King Ahaziah of Judah saw this, he fled up the road toward Beth-haggan. And Jehu pursued him, shouting, “Shoot him too!” So they shot Ahaziah in his chariot on the Ascent of Gur, near Ibleam, and he fled to Megiddo and died there.

Joshua 8:24-25
When Israel had finished killing all the men of Ai who had pursued them into the field and wilderness, and when every last one of them had fallen by the sword, all the Israelites returned to Ai and put it to the sword as well. / A total of twelve thousand men and women fell that day—all the people of Ai.

2 Samuel 2:19-23
and he chased Abner, not turning to the right or to the left in his pursuit. / And Abner glanced back and said, “Is that you, Asahel?” “It is,” Asahel replied. / So Abner told him, “Turn to your right or to your left, seize one of the young men, and take his equipment for yourself.” But Asahel would not stop chasing him. ...

1 Kings 20:20-21
and each one struck down his opponent. So the Arameans fled, with the Israelites in pursuit. But Ben-hadad king of Aram escaped on horseback with the cavalry. / Then the king of Israel marched out and attacked the horses and chariots, inflicting a great slaughter on the Arameans.

2 Chronicles 13:17
Then Abijah and his people struck them with a mighty blow, and 500,000 chosen men of Israel fell slain.

Isaiah 10:18
The splendor of its forests and orchards, both soul and body, it will completely destroy, as a sickness consumes a man.

Jeremiah 46:5
Why am I seeing this? They are terrified, they are retreating; their warriors are defeated, they flee in haste without looking back; terror is on every side!” declares the LORD.

Psalm 68:1-2
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. A song. God arises. His enemies are scattered, and those who hate Him flee His presence. / As smoke is blown away, You will drive them out; as wax melts before the fire, the wicked will perish in the presence of God.

Exodus 14:25
He caused their chariot wheels to wobble, so that they had difficulty driving. “Let us flee from the Israelites,” said the Egyptians, “for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt!”

Deuteronomy 28:25
The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You will march out against them in one direction but flee from them in seven. You will be an object of horror to all the kingdoms of the earth.

Leviticus 26:17
And I will set My face against you, so that you will be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee when no one pursues you.

Matthew 26:56
But this has all happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.

Mark 14:50
Then everyone deserted Him and fled.


Treasury of Scripture

And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown and wounded, even to the entering of the gate.

he fled before

1 Kings 20:18-21,30
And he said, Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive…

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Abimelech Abim'elech Chased Entering Entrance Opening Overthrown Presence Pursueth Sword Way Wounded
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Abimelech Abim'elech Chased Entering Entrance Opening Overthrown Presence Pursueth Sword Way Wounded
Judges 9
1. Abimelech by conspiracy with the Shechemites, and murder of his brothers, is made king
7. 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.














Abimelech pursued Gaal
The name "Abimelech" means "my father is king" in Hebrew, reflecting his ambition and self-proclaimed authority. Abimelech, a son of Gideon, sought to establish his rule through force and treachery, contrasting with the God-appointed judges who led Israel. The act of pursuing Gaal signifies Abimelech's determination to eliminate threats to his power. Gaal, whose name means "loathing" or "abhorrence," had challenged Abimelech's authority, symbolizing rebellion against illegitimate rule. This pursuit is emblematic of the ongoing struggle between rightful leadership and usurped power, a theme prevalent throughout the Book of Judges.

and Gaal fled before him
Gaal's flight indicates the failure of his rebellion and the futility of opposing God's ordained order, even when that order is temporarily disrupted by human sinfulness. The Hebrew root for "fled" (נוס, nus) often conveys a sense of panic or terror, suggesting that Gaal's confidence was misplaced. This serves as a reminder of the ultimate sovereignty of God over human affairs, where those who rise against His plans are often brought to naught.

And many fell wounded
The phrase "many fell wounded" highlights the tragic consequences of Abimelech's ruthless ambition. The Hebrew word for "wounded" (חָלָל, chalal) can also mean "pierced" or "slain," indicating the severity of the conflict. This reflects the broader narrative of Judges, where Israel's disobedience leads to internal strife and suffering. It serves as a cautionary tale about the cost of turning away from God's commandments and the chaos that ensues when leaders seek power for selfish ends.

all the way to the entrance of the gate
The "entrance of the gate" was a significant location in ancient cities, often serving as a place of judgment, commerce, and public assembly. The fact that the conflict reached this point underscores the breakdown of social order and the pervasive impact of Abimelech's tyranny. In biblical times, the city gate was also a symbol of security and community life, and its mention here suggests that the violence threatened the very heart of the city's stability. This imagery calls believers to reflect on the importance of righteous leadership and the protection of communal integrity under God's guidance.

(40) Abimelech chased him . . .--He won a complete victory; but Gaal and his forces were able to secure themselves in Shechem. They succeeded in closing the gates against Abimelech, but only at the cost of many lives.

Verse 40. - Were overthrown and wounded. The simple translation of the Hebrew is, and there fell many slain even unto the entering of the gate, showing that Abimelech's men pursued them to the very gate of the city.

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

pursued him,
וַיִּרְדְּפֵ֣הוּ (way·yir·də·p̄ê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute

and Gaal fled
וַיָּ֖נָס (way·yā·nās)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away

before him.
מִפָּנָ֑יו (mip·pā·nāw)
Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

And many [Shechemites]
רַבִּ֖ים (rab·bîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

fell
וַֽיִּפְּל֛וּ (way·yip·pə·lū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

wounded
חֲלָלִ֥ים (ḥă·lā·lîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2491: Pierced, polluted

all the way
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

to the entrance
פֶּ֥תַח (pe·ṯaḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6607: An opening, door, entrance way

of the gate.
הַשָּֽׁעַר׃ (haš·šā·‘ar)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate


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OT History: Judges 9:40 Abimelech chased him and he fled before (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 9:39
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