Topical Encyclopedia Thebez is a city mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Judges. It is most notably recognized for the siege led by Abimelech, the son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal), during his tumultuous reign as a self-declared king over Israel. The account of the siege of Thebez is found in Judges 9:50-55.Historical Context Thebez was a city located in the region of Shechem, within the tribal allotment of Ephraim. During the period of the Judges, Israel was a confederation of tribes without a centralized monarchy, and leadership was often provided by judges whom God raised up to deliver the Israelites from oppression. Abimelech, however, sought to establish himself as king, contrary to the theocratic ideal that God alone was Israel's king. The Siege of Thebez After Abimelech's violent rise to power, which included the massacre of his seventy brothers, he faced resistance from the people of Shechem. Following his brutal suppression of Shechem, Abimelech turned his attention to Thebez, a city that had apparently joined the revolt against him. Judges 9:50-51 states: "Then Abimelech went to Thebez, encamped against it, and captured it. But there was a strong tower inside the city, and all the men and women of the city fled there. They locked themselves in and went up to the roof of the tower." The inhabitants of Thebez sought refuge in a fortified tower, a common defensive structure in ancient cities. Abimelech, in his aggressive pursuit, attempted to set the tower on fire, a tactic he had previously used successfully in Shechem. The Death of Abimelech The siege of Thebez culminated in the dramatic and providential death of Abimelech. Judges 9:52-53 recounts: "As Abimelech approached the entrance of the tower to set it on fire, a woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, crushing his skull." This unexpected turn of events highlights the theme of divine justice prevalent throughout the Book of Judges. Abimelech, who had sown violence and treachery, met his end through the seemingly insignificant act of a woman, fulfilling the curse pronounced by Jotham, the sole surviving brother of Abimelech (Judges 9:57). Theological Significance The siege of Thebez serves as a powerful narrative illustrating the consequences of ungodly ambition and the rejection of God's ordained leadership. Abimelech's demise underscores the biblical principle that God opposes the proud and brings justice to those who act wickedly. The account also reflects the recurring cycle of sin, judgment, and deliverance that characterizes the period of the Judges. The account of Thebez, while brief, is a testament to God's sovereignty and the ultimate futility of human schemes that defy His will. It serves as a reminder to the faithful of the importance of aligning with God's purposes and the assurance that He will uphold justice in His time. Torrey's Topical Textbook Judges 9:50Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it. Torrey's Topical Textbook Resources What is the history of Masada? | GotQuestions.orgWhen and how was Israel conquered by the Assyrians? | GotQuestions.org Who was Ben-Hadad in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Siege: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Siege by Rezin, King of Syria, and Pekah, Son of Remaliah, King of Israel Siege: An offer of Peace Must be Made to the City Before Beginning A Siege: Conducted by Erecting Embankments Parallel to the Walls of the Besieged City Siege: Distress of the Inhabitants During A Sieges: Being Against Round About Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Helped by Allies Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Taken by Ambush Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Taken by Assault Sieges: Cities Invested by Inhabitants of, Exhorted to be Courageous Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Demanded Terms of Peace Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Suffered from Famine Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Suffered from Pestilence Sieges: Cities Invested by Repaired and Newly Fortified Beforehand Sieges: Cities Invested by Sometimes Used Ambushes or Sorties Sieges: Cities Invested by Supplied With Water Beforehand Sieges: Cities Invested by The Inhabitants of, Cut off Beforehand Supplies of Water Sieges: Cities Invested by Walls of, Defended by the Inhabitants Sieges: Cities Invested by Were Strictly Shut Up Sieges: Cities of Israel in Galilee Sieges: Cities Taken by Frequently Broken Down Sieges: Cities Taken by Frequently Destroyed by Fire Sieges: Cities Taken by Given up to Pillage Sieges: Cities Taken by Inhabitants of, often Put to the Sword Sieges: Cities Taken by Sometimes Called After the Name of the Captor Sieges: Cities Taken by Sometimes Sown With Salt Sieges: Compassing About With Armies Sieges: Extreme Difficulty of Taking Cities By, Alluded To Sieges: Fenced Cities Invested By Sieges: Great Noise and Tumult of, Alluded To Sieges: Often Lasted for a Long Time Sieges: Setting in Array Against Sieges: The Jews Forbidden to Cut Down Fruit Trees for the Purpose of Sieges: The Omnipresence of God Sieges: Those Engaged in Built Forts and Mounts Sieges: Those Engaged in Called Upon the City to Surrender Sieges: Those Engaged in Cast Arrows and Other Missiles Into the City Sieges: Those Engaged in Cut off all Supplies Sieges: Those Engaged in Dug a Trench Round the City Sieges: Those Engaged in Employed Battering Rams Against the Walls Sieges: Those Engaged in Frequently Laid Ambushes Sieges: Those Engaged in Invested the City on Every Side Sieges: Those Engaged in Often Suffered Much During Sieges: Threatened As a Punishment Sieges: Zion in Her Affliction Related Terms Battering-rams (2 Occurrences) Nebuchadrezzar (31 Occurrences) |
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