Judges 9:5
New International Version
He went to his father’s home in Ophrah and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerub-Baal. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerub-Baal, escaped by hiding.

New Living Translation
He went to his father’s home at Ophrah, and there, on one stone, they killed all seventy of his half brothers, the sons of Gideon. But the youngest brother, Jotham, escaped and hid.

English Standard Version
And he went to his father’s house at Ophrah and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, for he hid himself.

Berean Standard Bible
He went to his father’s house in Ophrah, and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he hid himself.

King James Bible
And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.

New King James Version
Then he went to his father’s house at Ophrah and killed his brothers, the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, because he hid himself.

New American Standard Bible
Then he went to his father’s house in Ophrah and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, because he hid himself.

NASB 1995
Then he went to his father’s house at Ophrah and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, for he hid himself.

NASB 1977
Then he went to his father’s house at Ophrah, and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, for he hid himself.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then he came to his father’s house at Ophrah and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, for he hid himself.

Amplified Bible
Then he went to his father’s house at Ophrah and murdered his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, [in a public execution] on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left alive, because he had hidden himself.

Christian Standard Bible
He went to his father’s house in Ophrah and killed his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal, on top of a large stone. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he hid.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He went to his father’s house in Ophrah and killed his 70 brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal, on top of a large stone. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he hid himself.

American Standard Version
And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: but Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.

Contemporary English Version
Abimelech and his soldiers went to his father's home in Ophrah and brought out Gideon's other sons to a large rock, where they murdered all 70 of them. Gideon's youngest son Jotham hid from the soldiers, but he was the only one who escaped.

English Revised Version
And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: but Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then he went to his father's home in Ophrah. There he executed his 70 brothers, Jerubbaal's sons. But Jotham, Jerubbaal's youngest son, survived because he hid.

Good News Translation
He went to his father's house at Ophrah, and there on top of a single stone he killed his seventy brothers, Gideon's sons. But Jotham, Gideon's youngest son, hid and was not killed.

International Standard Version
to his father's house in Ophrah. There he murdered his own brothers, Jerubbaal's sons—all 70 of them—in one place. But Jerubbaal's youngest son Jotham survived by hiding himself.

Majority Standard Bible
He went to his father’s house in Ophrah, and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he hid himself.

NET Bible
He went to his father's home in Ophrah and murdered his half-brothers, the seventy legitimate sons of Jerub-Baal, on one stone. Only Jotham, Jerub-Baal's youngest son, escaped, because he hid.

New Heart English Bible
He went to his father's house at Ophrah, and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, being seventy persons, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he went to his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being seventy persons, upon one stone; notwithstanding, yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.

World English Bible
He went to his father’s house at Ophrah, and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, being seventy persons, on one stone; but Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, for he hid himself.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he goes into the house of his father at Ophrah, and slays his brothers, sons of Jerubba‘al, seventy men, on one stone; and Jotham, youngest son of Jerubba‘al, is left, for he was hidden.

Young's Literal Translation
and he goeth into the house of his father at Ophrah, and slayeth his brethren, sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone; and Jotham, youngest son of Jerubbaal, is left, for he was hidden.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will come to his father's house at Ophrah, and will kill his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men upon one stone: and Jotham the young son of Jerubbaal will be left, for he was hid.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he came to his father's house in Ephra, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerobaal, seventy men, upon one stone: and there remained only Joatham the youngest son of Jerobaal, who was hidden.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he went to his father’s house in Ophrah, and he killed his brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, upon one stone. And there remained only Joatham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, and he was in hiding.

New American Bible
He then went to his father’s house in Ophrah, and killed his brothers, the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, on one stone. Only the youngest son of Jerubbaal, Jotham, escaped, for he was hidden.

New Revised Standard Version
He went to his father’s house at Ophrah, and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone; but Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, for he hid himself.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he went to his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brothers, the sons of Nedo-baal, seventy men, upon one stone; but Jotham the youngest son of Nedo-baal was left; for he hid himself.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he entered the house of his father at Uphra and he killed his brothers, the sons of NaduBayl, seventy men, on one rock, and Yutham, son of NeduBayl, the youngest, was left, because he was hidden
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone; but Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he went to the house of his father to Ephratha, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerobaal, seventy men upon one stone; but Joatham the youngest son of Jerobaal was left, for he hid himself.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Abimelech's Conspiracy
4So they gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-berith, with which Abimelech hired some worthless and reckless men to follow him. 5He went to his father’s house in Ophrah, and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he hid himself. 6Then all the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo gathered beside the oak at the pillar in Shechem and proceeded to make Abimelech their king.…

Cross References
Genesis 4:8
Then Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.

1 Samuel 16:11-13
And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” / So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.” / So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

2 Kings 11:1-3
When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs. / But Jehosheba daughter of King Joram, the sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the sons of the king who were being murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah, and he was not killed. / And Joash remained hidden with his nurse in the house of the LORD for six years while Athaliah ruled the land.

1 Kings 2:25
So King Solomon gave orders to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he struck down Adonijah and he died.

2 Samuel 4:7
They had entered the house while Ish-bosheth was lying on his bed, and having stabbed and killed him, they beheaded him, took his head, and traveled all night by way of the Arabah.

2 Chronicles 21:4
When Jehoram had established himself over his father’s kingdom, he strengthened himself by putting to the sword all his brothers along with some of the princes of Israel.

Matthew 2:16
When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi.

1 Samuel 19:11
Then Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him and kill him in the morning. But David’s wife Michal warned him, “If you do not run for your life tonight, tomorrow you will be dead!”

2 Samuel 21:8-9
But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons whom Rizpah daughter of Aiah had borne to Saul, as well as the five sons whom Merab daughter of Saul had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite. / And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them on the hill before the LORD. So all seven of them fell together; they were put to death in the first days of the harvest, at the beginning of the barley harvest.

1 Kings 15:29
As soon as Baasha became king, he struck down the entire household of Jeroboam. He did not leave to Jeroboam anyone who breathed, but destroyed them all according to the word that the LORD had spoken through His servant Ahijah the Shilonite,

2 Kings 10:7
And when the letter arrived, they took the sons of the king and slaughtered all seventy of them. They put their heads in baskets and sent them to Jehu at Jezreel.

Matthew 14:10
and sent to have John beheaded in the prison.

Mark 6:27
So without delay, the king commanded that John’s head be brought in. He sent an executioner, who went and beheaded him in the prison.

Acts 7:9
Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him

John 11:53
So from that day on they plotted to kill Him.


Treasury of Scripture

And he went to his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, being three score and ten persons, on one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.

at Ophrah

Judges 6:24
Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

slew

2 Kings 10:17
And when he came to Samaria, he slew all that remained unto Ahab in Samaria, till he had destroyed him, according to the saying of the LORD, which he spake to Elijah.

2 Kings 11:1,2
And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal…

2 Chronicles 21:4
Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers also of the princes of Israel.

Jump to Previous
Hid House Jerubbaal Jotham Killed Notwithstanding Ophrah Persons Seventy Slew Stone Ten Threescore Youngest
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Hid House Jerubbaal Jotham Killed Notwithstanding Ophrah Persons Seventy Slew Stone Ten Threescore Youngest
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.














He went to his father’s house in Ophrah
The phrase "He went to his father’s house in Ophrah" sets the stage for a tragic and violent event. Ophrah, a town in the territory of Manasseh, is significant as the home of Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal. This location is not just a geographical marker but a place of familial and spiritual heritage. Gideon, a judge of Israel, had previously torn down the altar of Baal here, signifying a stand against idolatry (Judges 6:25-32). The return to this place by Abimelech, Gideon's son, is laden with irony and foreboding, as it becomes the site of fratricide rather than faithfulness.

and killed his brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal
The act of killing his brothers is a stark depiction of ambition and betrayal. The Hebrew verb used here for "killed" (הָרַג, harag) conveys a sense of deliberate and violent action. Abimelech's actions are a direct violation of the familial bonds and the covenantal community that Israel was meant to embody. This fratricide echoes the account of Cain and Abel, highlighting the destructive nature of sin and the breakdown of relationships when power and self-interest take precedence over God's commandments.

seventy men
The number "seventy" is often symbolic in the Bible, representing completeness or totality. In this context, it underscores the extent of Abimelech's ruthlessness and the totality of his ambition. The slaughter of seventy brothers is not just a personal vendetta but a calculated move to eliminate any potential rivals to his claim to leadership. This act of mass murder is a grim reminder of the consequences of unchecked ambition and the lengths to which individuals will go to secure power.

on one stone
The phrase "on one stone" suggests a methodical and possibly ritualistic execution. The use of a single stone as the site of execution may imply a public display meant to instill fear and assert dominance. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, stones were often used as altars or places of judgment, adding a layer of sacrilege to Abimelech's actions. This detail highlights the cold-blooded nature of the massacre and the perversion of justice and sacred spaces for personal gain.

But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived
The survival of Jotham introduces a glimmer of hope and divine providence amidst the darkness. The name Jotham means "Yahweh is perfect" or "Yahweh is complete," suggesting that God's purposes will ultimately prevail despite human wickedness. Jotham's escape is not merely a fortunate accident but a testament to God's sovereignty and the preservation of a remnant through whom justice and truth will eventually be proclaimed.

because he hid himself
Jotham's act of hiding is both a practical and symbolic gesture. It reflects the wisdom and discernment needed to navigate perilous times. In a broader theological sense, it can be seen as an act of divine protection, where God provides refuge for those who seek Him. This phrase invites reflection on the theme of God's sheltering presence and the call for believers to find safety and strength in Him during times of trial and persecution.

(5) And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah.--Probably, like Absalom, he seized the opportunity of some local or family feast at which all his brethren would be assembled (2Samuel 13:23); it may even have been the anniversary of Gideon's vision.

Slew his brethren . . .--This is the first mention in Scripture of the hideous custom, which is so common among all Oriental despots, of anticipating conspiracies by destroying all their brothers and near kinsmen. (Comp. Pope, Epistle to Arbuthnot: "Bear, like the Turk, no brother near the throne.") There is little affection and much jealousy in polygamous households. Abimelech by this vile wickedness set a fatal precedent, which was followed again and again in the kingdom of Israel by Baasha (1Kings 15:29), Zimri (1Kings 16:11), Jehu (2Kings 10:7), and probably by other kings (2 Kings 15); and by Athaliah (2Kings 11:1) in the kingdom of Judah. Herod also put to death most of his kinsmen, and some of his sons (see Life of Christ, i. 43). Seneca says, "Nec regna socium ferre, nec taedae sciunt"--nor realms nor weddings admit a sharer (Agam. 259). . . .

Verse 5. - Upon one stone. Used as a block, on which the victims were executed one after another. Compare the similar wholesale murders of the seventy sons of Ahab by order of Jehu (2 Kings 10:7), of the seed royal of Judah by Athaliah (2 Kings 11:1), of the whole house of Jeroboam by Baasha (1 Kings 15:29), of the whole house of Baasha by Zimri (1 Kings 16:11, 12). Timour, on his conquest of Persia, is said to have destroyed the whole male family of the king. At the conquest of Bagdad he is said to have made a pyramid of 90,000 human heads. In Persia and Turkey in modern times it has been a common practice for the sovereign to slay or put out the eyes of all his brothers and cousins. So destructive of natural affection is polygamy, and so cruel is power.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He went
וַיָּבֹ֤א (way·yā·ḇō)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to his father’s
אָבִיו֙ (’ā·ḇîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

house
בֵית־ (ḇêṯ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

in Ophrah,
עָפְרָ֔תָה (‘ā·p̄ə·rā·ṯāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6084: Ophrah -- an Israelite, also two places in Israel

and on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

one
אֶחָ֑ת (’e·ḥāṯ)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

stone
אֶ֣בֶן (’e·ḇen)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 68: A stone

murdered
וַֽיַּהֲרֹ֞ג (way·ya·hă·rōḡ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent

his seventy
שִׁבְּעִ֥ים‪‬ (šiḇ·‘îm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 7657: Seventy (a cardinal number)

brothers,
אֶחָ֧יו (’e·ḥāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

the sons
בְּנֵֽי־ (bə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Jerubbaal.
יְרֻבַּ֛עַל (yə·rub·ba·‘al)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3378: Jerubbaal -- 'let Baal contend', a name of Gideon

But Jotham,
יוֹתָ֧ם (yō·w·ṯām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3147: Jotham -- 'the LORD is perfect', three Israelites

the youngest
הַקָּטֹ֖ן (haq·qā·ṭōn)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6996: Small, young, unimportant

son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Jerubbaal,
יְרֻבַּ֛עַל (yə·rub·ba·‘al)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3378: Jerubbaal -- 'let Baal contend', a name of Gideon

survived,
וַיִּוָּתֵ֞ר (way·yiw·wā·ṯêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3498: To jut over, exceed, to excel, to remain, be left, to leave, cause to abound, preserve

because
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he hid himself.
נֶחְבָּֽא׃ (neḥ·bā)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2244: To withdraw, hide


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OT History: Judges 9:5 He went to his father's house at (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 9:4
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