Judges 9:54
New International Version
Hurriedly he called to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and kill me, so that they can’t say, ‘A woman killed him.’” So his servant ran him through, and he died.

New Living Translation
He quickly said to his young armor bearer, “Draw your sword and kill me! Don’t let it be said that a woman killed Abimelech!” So the young man ran him through with his sword, and he died.

English Standard Version
Then he called quickly to the young man his armor-bearer and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” And his young man thrust him through, and he died.

Berean Standard Bible
He quickly called his armor-bearer, saying, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’ ” So Abimelech’s armor-bearer ran his sword through him, and he died.

King James Bible
Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.

New King James Version
Then he called quickly to the young man, his armorbearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest men say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’ ” So his young man thrust him through, and he died.

New American Standard Bible
Then he called quickly to the young man, his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, so that it will not be said of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So the young man pierced him through, and he died.

NASB 1995
Then he called quickly to the young man, his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, so that it will not be said of me, ‘A woman slew him.’” So the young man pierced him through, and he died.

NASB 1977
Then he called quickly to the young man, his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest it be said of me, ‘A woman slew him.’” So the young man pierced him through, and he died.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then he called quickly to the young man, his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and put me to death, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So the young man pierced him through, and he died.

Amplified Bible
Then he called quickly to the young man who was his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, so that it will not be said of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So the young man pierced him through, and he died.

Christian Standard Bible
He quickly called his armor-bearer and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, or they’ll say about me, ‘A woman killed him.’ ” So his armor-bearer ran him through, and he died.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He quickly called his armor-bearer and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, or they’ll say about me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So his armor-bearer thrust him through, and he died.

American Standard Version
Then he called hastily unto the young man his armorbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and kill me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.

Contemporary English Version
The soldier who carried his weapons was nearby, and Abimelech told him, "Take out your sword and kill me. I don't want people to say that I was killed by a woman!" So the soldier ran his sword through Abimelech.

English Revised Version
Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and kill me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He quickly called his armorbearer. He told him, "Take your sword and kill me! I don't want anyone to say, 'A woman killed Abimelech.' " His armorbearer did as he said, so Abimelech died.

Good News Translation
Then he quickly called the young man who was carrying his weapons and told him, "Draw your sword and kill me. I don't want it said that a woman killed me." So the young man ran him through, and he died.

International Standard Version
So he cried out to his young armor bearer and ordered him, "Draw your sword and kill me, so no one will say about me that 'A woman killed him.'" So the young man pierced him through, and he died.

Majority Standard Bible
He quickly called his armor-bearer, saying, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So Abimelech’s armor-bearer ran his sword through him, and he died.

NET Bible
He quickly called to the young man who carried his weapons, "Draw your sword and kill me, so they will not say, 'A woman killed him.'" So the young man stabbed him and he died.

New Heart English Bible
Then he called quickly to the young man his armor bearer, and said to him, "Draw your sword, and kill me, that men not say of me, 'A woman killed him.'" So the young man thrust him through, and he died.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then he called hastily to the young man his armor-bearer, and said to him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.

World English Bible
Then he called hastily to the young man, his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, that men not say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’ His young man thrust him through, and he died.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he calls quickly to the young man carrying his weapons and says to him, “Draw your sword, and you have put me to death, lest they say of me—A woman slew him”; and his young man pierced him through, and he dies.

Young's Literal Translation
and he calleth hastily unto the young man bearing his weapons, and saith to him, 'Draw thy sword, and thou hast put me to death, lest they say of me -- A woman slew him;' and his young man pierced him through, and he dieth.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will call quickly to the youth lifting up his weapons, and he will say to him, Draw thy sword and put me to death, lest they shall say of me, A woman killed him. And his youth will thrust him through and he will die.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he called hastily to his armourbearer, and said to him: Draw thy sword, and kill me: lest it should be said that I was slain by a woman. He did as he was commanded, and slew him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he quickly called to his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and strike me, otherwise it may be said that I was slain by a woman.” And, doing as he was ordered, he killed him.

New American Bible
He immediately called his armor-bearer and said to him, “Draw your sword and put me to death so they will not say about me, ‘A woman killed him.’ ” So his attendant ran him through and he died.

New Revised Standard Version
Immediately he called to the young man who carried his armor and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, so people will not say about me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So the young man thrust him through, and he died.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then he called hastily to his young armorbearer, and said to him, Draw your sword and slay me with it, that men may not say of me, A woman slew him. So the young man thrust him through, and he died.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he called hastily the boy bearing his weapons and said to him: “Draw out your sword and kill me with it, that they will not say of me, ‘A woman killed him’” and the young man pierced him through, and he died
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then he called hastily unto the young man his armour-bearer, and said unto him: 'Draw thy sword, and kill me, that men say not of me: A woman slew him.' And his young man thrust him through, and he died.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he cried out quickly to the young man his armour-bearer, and said to him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, lest at any time they should say, A woman slew him: and his young man thrust him through and he died.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Abimelech's Punishment
53But a woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, crushing his skull. 54He quickly called his armor-bearer, saying, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So Abimelech’s armor-bearer ran his sword through him, and he died. 55And when the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 31:4
Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and run me through and torture me!” But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it.

2 Samuel 1:9-10
Then he begged me, ‘Stand over me and kill me, for agony has seized me, but my life still lingers.’ / So I stood over him and killed him, because I knew that after he had fallen he could not survive. And I took the crown that was on his head and the band that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.”

1 Chronicles 10:4
Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and torture me!” But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it.

2 Samuel 17:23
When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his affairs in order and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.

1 Kings 16:18
When Zimri saw that the city was captured, he entered the citadel of the royal palace and burned it down upon himself. So he died

Matthew 27:5
So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

Acts 1:18
(Now with the reward for his wickedness Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong and burst open in the middle, and all his intestines spilled out.

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.

2 Kings 1:13-14
So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. And the third captain went up, fell on his knees before Elijah, and begged him, “Man of God, may my life and the lives of these fifty servants of yours please be precious in your sight. / Behold, fire has come down from heaven and consumed the first two captains of fifty, with all their men. But now may my life be precious in your sight.”

2 Samuel 1:14-16
So David asked him, “Why were you not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?” / Then David summoned one of the young men and said, “Go, execute him!” So the young man struck him down, and he died. / For David had said to the Amalekite, “Your blood be on your own head because your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I killed the LORD’s anointed.’”

1 Samuel 14:13
So Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer behind him. And the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and finished them off.

1 Samuel 31:5
When his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his own sword and died with him.

2 Samuel 23:17
saying, “Far be it from me, O LORD, to do this! Is this not the blood of the men who risked their lives?” So he refused to drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty men.

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

1 Kings 2:34
So Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up, struck down Joab, and killed him. He was buried at his own home in the wilderness.


Treasury of Scripture

Then he called hastily to the young man his armor bearer, and said to him, Draw your sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A women slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.

draw thy

1 Samuel 31:4,5
Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it…

and his young man.

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Armor Armorbearer Armor-Bearer Armourbearer Bearer Crying Died Draw Hastily Hurriedly Kill Killed Pierced Quickly Servant Slay Slew Sword Thrust Women Young
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Armor Armorbearer Armor-Bearer Armourbearer Bearer Crying Died Draw Hastily Hurriedly Kill Killed Pierced Quickly Servant Slay Slew Sword Thrust Women Young
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 quickly called his armor-bearer
The phrase "He quickly called" indicates urgency and desperation. In the Hebrew text, the word used for "quickly" suggests a sense of haste and immediacy, reflecting Abimelech's fear of disgrace. The role of an "armor-bearer" in ancient Israel was significant, often a trusted companion in battle, responsible for the warrior's weapons and sometimes acting as a confidant. This relationship underscores the gravity of Abimelech's request, as he turns to someone he trusts in his final moments.

saying, 'Draw your sword and kill me
The command "Draw your sword and kill me" reveals Abimelech's concern for his legacy and reputation. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, dying at the hands of a woman was considered a great dishonor for a warrior. The Hebrew word for "kill" here is "harag," which is often used in the context of battle or execution, emphasizing the violent and abrupt nature of his request. This reflects the cultural values of honor and shame that were prevalent in the time of the Judges.

lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’
The phrase "lest they say of me" highlights Abimelech's preoccupation with how he will be remembered. The fear of being killed by a woman, in this case, the woman who dropped the millstone on him, was seen as a disgrace. This concern for reputation over life itself is a recurring theme in the narratives of the Old Testament, where honor and legacy were of utmost importance. The historical context shows that in patriarchal societies, being defeated by a woman was seen as a significant blow to a man's honor.

So his armor-bearer ran him through, and he died
The phrase "ran him through" is a direct and brutal description of Abimelech's death. The Hebrew verb used here conveys a sense of piercing or thrusting, indicating the finality and decisiveness of the act. The armor-bearer's compliance with Abimelech's request demonstrates loyalty and the fulfillment of a warrior's duty, even in the face of a morally complex situation. The phrase "and he died" marks the end of Abimelech's tumultuous reign, serving as a narrative closure to his violent and ambitious life. This moment is a sobering reminder of the consequences of pride and the pursuit of power without regard for God's will, a theme that resonates throughout the book of Judges.

(54) A woman slew him.--He did not, however, escape the taunt (2Samuel 11:21). We see also from the narrative of the death of Saul in 2Samuel 1:9, 1Samuel 31:4, how sensitive the ancients were about the manner of their death. The same feeling finds ample illustration in Homer and classic writers (Soph. Trach., 1,064). It was a similar feeling which made Deborah exult in the death of Sisera by the hand of a woman, and the Jews in the murder of Holofernes by Judith. It is remarkable that both of the first two Israelite kings die by suicide to avoid a death of greater shame.

Verse 54. - His armour-bearer - an office of trust, entailing much intimacy. Saul loved David greatly, and he became his armor-bearer (1 Samuel 16:21). Compare the similar incident of Saul and his armour-bearer in 1 Samuel 31:4-6.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He quickly
מְהֵרָ֜ה (mə·hê·rāh)
Adverb
Strong's 4120: A hurry, promptly

called
וַיִּקְרָ֨א (way·yiq·rā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

his armor-bearer,
נֹשֵׂ֣א (nō·śê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

saying,
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Draw
שְׁלֹ֤ף (šə·lōp̄)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 8025: To pull out, up, off

your sword
חַרְבְּךָ֙ (ḥar·bə·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

and kill me,
וּמ֣וֹתְתֵ֔נִי (ū·mō·wṯ·ṯê·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

lest
פֶּן־ (pen-)
Conjunction
Strong's 6435: Removal, lest

they say
יֹ֥אמְרוּ (yō·mə·rū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

of me,
לִ֖י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

‘A woman
אִשָּׁ֣ה (’iš·šāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

killed him.’”
הֲרָגָ֑תְהוּ (hă·rā·ḡā·ṯə·hū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent

So Abimelech’s armor-bearer ran [his sword] through him,
וַיִּדְקְרֵ֥הוּ (way·yiḏ·qə·rê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1856: To stab, to starve, to revile

and he died.
וַיָּמֹֽת׃ (way·yā·mōṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill


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OT History: Judges 9:54 Then he called hastily to the young (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 9:53
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