Judges 9:46
New International Version
On hearing this, the citizens in the tower of Shechem went into the stronghold of the temple of El-Berith.

New Living Translation
When the leading citizens who lived in the tower of Shechem heard what had happened, they ran and hid in the temple of Baal-berith.

English Standard Version
When all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered the stronghold of the house of El-berith.

Berean Standard Bible
On hearing of this, all the leaders in the tower of Shechem entered the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith.

King James Bible
And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith.

New King James Version
Now when all the men of the tower of Shechem had heard that, they entered the stronghold of the temple of the god Berith.

New American Standard Bible
When all the leaders of the tower of Shechem heard about it, they entered the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith.

NASB 1995
When all the leaders of the tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith.

NASB 1977
When all the leaders of the tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then all the lords of the tower of Shechem heard of it, and they entered the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith.

Amplified Bible
When all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem heard about it, they entered the inner chamber (stronghold) of the temple of El-berith (the god of a covenant).

Christian Standard Bible
When all the citizens of the Tower of Shechem heard, they entered the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When all the lords of the Tower of Shechem heard, they entered the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith.

American Standard Version
And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard thereof, they entered into the stronghold of the house of Elberith.

Contemporary English Version
Earlier that day, the leaders of the temple of El Berith at Shechem had heard about the attack. So they went into the temple fortress,

English Revised Version
And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard thereof, they entered into the hold of the house of El-berith.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
All the citizens of Shechem's Tower heard about it and went into the basement of the temple of El Berith.

Good News Translation
When all the leading men in the fort at Shechem heard about this, they sought safety in the stronghold of the temple of Baal-of-the-Covenant.

International Standard Version
When all the "lords" at the tower of Shechem heard what had happened, they retreated into the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith.

Majority Standard Bible
On hearing of this, all the leaders in the tower of Shechem entered the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith.

NET Bible
When all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem heard the news, they went to the stronghold of the temple of El-Berith.

New Heart English Bible
And when all the lords of the Tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered into the stronghold of the house of El Berith.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered into a hold of the house of the god Berith.

World English Bible
When all the men of the tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered into the stronghold of the house of Elberith.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And all the masters of the Tower of Shechem hear, and go into the high place of the house of the god Berith,

Young's Literal Translation
And all the masters of the tower of Shechem hear, and go in unto the high place of the house of the god Berith,

Smith's Literal Translation
And all the lords of the tower of Shechem will hear, and they will go in to the tower of the god of the covenant.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when they who dwelt in the tower of Sichem had heard this, they went into the temple of their god Berith where they had made a covenant with him, and from thence the place had taken its name, and it was exceeding strong.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when those living in the tower of Shechem had heard about this, they entered the temple of their god, Berith, where they had formed a covenant with him. And it was because of this, that the place had taken its name. And it was greatly fortified.

New American Bible
When they heard of this, all the lords of the Migdal-shechem went into the crypt of the temple of El-berith.

New Revised Standard Version
When all the lords of the Tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered the stronghold of the temple of El-berith.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when all the lords of the tower of Shechem heard of it, they came to take refuge in the house of the god of the covenant.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And all the Lords of the Tower of Shekeem heard and they came to make a covenant with Bayth Eil
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard thereof, they entered into the hold of the house of El-berith.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And all the men of the tower of Sychem heard, and came to the gathering of Baethel-berith.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Fall of Shechem
45And all that day Abimelech fought against the city until he had captured it and killed its people. Then he demolished the city and sowed it with salt. 46On hearing of this, all the leaders in the tower of Shechem entered the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith. 47And when Abimelech was told that all the leaders in the tower of Shechem were gathered there,…

Cross References
2 Samuel 22:3
My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation. My stronghold, my refuge, and my Savior, You save me from violence.

Psalm 18:2
The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Isaiah 2:19
Men will flee to caves in the rocks and holes in the ground, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth.

Isaiah 2:21
They will flee to caverns in the rocks and crevices in the cliffs, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth.

Isaiah 10:33-34
Behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts will lop off the branches with terrifying power. The tall trees will be cut down, the lofty ones will be felled. / He will clear the forest thickets with an axe, and Lebanon will fall before the Mighty One.

Isaiah 33:16
he will dwell on the heights; the mountain fortress will be his refuge; his food will be provided and his water assured.

Jeremiah 48:28
Abandon the towns and settle among the rocks, O dwellers of Moab! Be like a dove that nests at the mouth of a cave.

Ezekiel 33:27
Tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘As surely as I live, those in the ruins will fall by the sword, those in the open field I will give to be devoured by wild animals, and those in the strongholds and caves will die by plague.

Amos 9:1-3
I saw the Lord standing beside the altar, and He said: “Strike the tops of the pillars so that the thresholds shake. Topple them on the heads of all the people, and I will kill the rest with the sword. None of those who flee will get away; none of the fugitives will escape. / Though they dig down to Sheol, from there My hand will take them; and though they climb up to heaven, from there I will pull them down. / Though they hide themselves atop Carmel, there I will track them and seize them; and though they hide from Me at the bottom of the sea, there I will command the serpent to bite them.

Matthew 7:24-27
Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock. / But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ...

Matthew 21:44
He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.”

Luke 6:47-49
I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them: / He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid his foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the torrent crashed against that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. / But the one who hears My words and does not act on them is like a man who built his house on ground without a foundation. The torrent crashed against that house, and immediately it fell—and great was its destruction!”

Luke 20:18
Everyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed.”

Acts 4:11
This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’

Romans 9:33
as it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”


Treasury of Scripture

And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith.

an hold

Judges 9:4,27
And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baalberith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him…

Judges 8:33
And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god.

1 Kings 8:26
And now, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father.

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Berith Chamber Citizens Entered Hear Heard Hearing High Hold House Inner Leaders Masters Room Shechem Stronghold Temple Thereof Tower Townsmen
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Berith Chamber Citizens Entered Hear Heard Hearing High Hold House Inner Leaders Masters Room Shechem Stronghold Temple Thereof Tower Townsmen
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.














On hearing of this
This phrase indicates a reaction to a preceding event, specifically the violent actions of Abimelech against the city of Shechem. The leaders' response is immediate, suggesting the gravity of the situation. In the Hebrew context, the word for "hearing" (שָׁמַע, shama) often implies not just auditory reception but an understanding and acknowledgment of the implications. This reflects the leaders' awareness of the threat posed by Abimelech.

all the leaders
The term "leaders" (שַׂר, sar) refers to those in positions of authority and governance within Shechem. Historically, these would be the elders or nobles who held sway over civic and religious matters. Their collective action underscores a unified response to the crisis, highlighting the communal nature of leadership in ancient Israelite society.

in the tower of Shechem
The "tower" (מִגְדָּל, migdal) was likely a fortified structure used for defense and refuge. Archaeological findings suggest that such towers were common in ancient cities, serving as both lookout points and places of last resort during sieges. The mention of Shechem, a significant city in Israel's history, adds weight to the narrative, as it was a center of political and religious activity.

entered the inner chamber
The "inner chamber" (צָרִיחַ, tsarich) implies a place of safety and seclusion within the tower. This action signifies a retreat to a perceived place of security, reflecting the leaders' desperation and fear. The inner chamber would have been the most secure part of the structure, indicating the severity of the threat they faced.

of the temple of El-berith
"El-berith" (אֵל בְּרִית) translates to "God of the Covenant," suggesting a local deity worshiped in Shechem. This temple was not just a religious site but also a political and cultural center. The leaders' retreat to this temple highlights the intertwining of religion and governance in ancient Israel. It also underscores the irony of seeking refuge in a place dedicated to covenantal faithfulness, given the treachery and violence that characterized Abimelech's rise to power.

(46) The men of the tower of Shechem.--Evidently the garrison of the house of Millo (Judges 9:6).

Entered into an hold.--The word for "hold" occurs in 1Samuel 13:6 ("high place"). The LXX. render it "a fortress" (ochuroma); Luther, "Festung." In the 'thiopic Version of Mark 16:15 a similar word is used for "upper room." The Vulg. has, "They entered the fane of their god Berith, where they had made their league with him, and from this the place had received its name, and it was strongly fortified."

Of the house of the god Berith.--Similarly. Arcesilas burnt the Cyrenaens in a tower (Herod. iv. 164), and in 1 Maccabees 5:43 the defeated enemy fly for refuge to the temple of Ashtaroth in Karnaim, which Judas takes and burns.

Verse 46. - The men of the tower of Sechem. The tower of Shechem is no doubt the same fortified building as was spoken of in vers. 6 and 20 by the name of the house of Millo (see note to ver. 6). An, or rather the, hold. The word so rendered occurs elsewhere only in 1 Samuel 13:6, where it is rendered high places, and is coupled with caves, thickets, rocks, and pits, as one of the hiding-places of the Israelites from the Philistines. It was probably some kind of keep built on an eminence, and the place where the treasure of the temple was kept (ver. 4). It appears from the narrative that the tower of Shechem, or house of Millo, was not actually part of Shechem, nor immediately contiguous, since the report of the capture of Shechem had to be carried thither. The god Berith. It should rather be El-berith, the same as Baal-berith in ver. 4 - El, i.e. god, being substituted for Baal.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
On hearing of this,
וַֽיִּשְׁמְע֔וּ (way·yiš·mə·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

all
כָּֽל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the leaders
בַּעֲלֵ֖י (ba·‘ă·lê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1167: A master, a husband, owner

in the tower
מִֽגְדַּל־ (miḡ·dal-)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4026: A tower, a rostrum, a, bed of flowers

of Shechem
שְׁכֶ֑ם (šə·ḵem)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7927: Shechem -- 'ridge', a district in Northern Palestine, also a son of Hamor

entered
וַיָּבֹ֣אוּ (way·yā·ḇō·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

the inner chamber
צְרִ֔יחַ (ṣə·rî·aḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6877: Perhaps excavation, underground chamber

of the temple
בֵּ֖ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of El-berith.
בְּרִֽית׃ (bə·rîṯ)
Noun - proper
Strong's 1286: A Shechemite deity


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OT History: Judges 9:46 When all the men of the tower (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 9:45
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