Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version But today you have revolted against my father’s family. You have murdered his seventy sons on a single stone and have made Abimelek, the son of his female slave, king over the citizens of Shechem because he is related to you. New Living Translation But today you have revolted against my father and his descendants, killing his seventy sons on one stone. And you have chosen his slave woman’s son, Abimelech, to be your king just because he is your relative. English Standard Version and you have risen up against my father’s house this day and have killed his sons, seventy men on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the leaders of Shechem, because he is your relative— Berean Standard Bible but you have risen up against my father’s house this day and killed his seventy sons on a single stone, and you have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the leaders of Shechem because he is your brother— Berean Literal Bible And you⁺ have risen up against the house of my father this day and killed his sons, seventy men, on one stone, and made Abimelech son of his maidservant king over the men of Shechem, because he is your⁺ brother— King James Bible And ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;) New King James Version but you have risen up against my father’s house this day, and killed his seventy sons on one stone, and made Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother— New American Standard Bible but in fact you have risen against my father’s house today and have killed his sons, seventy men, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his female slave, king over the leaders of Shechem, because he is your relative— NASB 1995 but you have risen against my father’s house today and have killed his sons, seventy men, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your relative— NASB 1977 but you have risen against my father’s house today and have killed his sons, seventy men, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your relative— Legacy Standard Bible but you have risen against my father’s house today and have killed his sons, seventy men, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the lords of Shechem, because he is your relative— Amplified Bible but you have risen against my father’s house today and have murdered his sons, seventy men, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, son of his maidservant, king over the people of Shechem, because he is your relative— Berean Annotated Bible but you⁺ have risen up against my father’s house this day and killed his seventy sons on a single stone, and you have made Abimelech (my father is king), the son of his maidservant, king over the leaders of Shechem (shoulder) because he is your⁺ brother— Christian Standard Bible and now you have attacked my father’s family today, killed his seventy sons on top of a large stone, and made Abimelech, the son of his slave woman, king over the citizens of Shechem ‘because he is your brother’— Holman Christian Standard Bible and now you have attacked my father’s house today, killed his 70 sons on top of a large stone, and made Abimelech, the son of his slave, king over the lords of Shechem ‘because he is your brother— American Standard Version and ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maid-servant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother); English Revised Version and ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;) GOD'S WORD® Translation But today you have attacked my father's family. You have executed his 70 sons. You have made Abimelech, who is the son of my father's slave girl, king over the citizens of Shechem just because he's your brother. Good News Translation But today you turned against my father's family. You killed his sons--seventy men on a single stone--and just because Abimelech, his son by his servant woman, is your relative, you have made him king of Shechem. International Standard Version "But now as for you, you've rebelled against my father's house today. You've murdered his sons—70 men—in one place, and you've installed Abimelech, the son of his mistress, as king to rule over the "lords" of Shechem, since he's related to you. NET Bible But you have attacked my father's family today. You murdered his seventy legitimate sons on one stone and made Abimelech, the son of his female slave, king over the leaders of Shechem, just because he is your close relative. New Heart English Bible and you are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, seventy persons, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the lords of Shechem, because he is your brother). Webster's Bible Translation And ye have risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, seventy persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maid-servant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother:) Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Biblebut you have risen up against my father’s house this day and killed his seventy sons on a single stone, and you have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the leaders of Shechem because he is your brother— World English Bible and you have risen up against my father’s house today and have slain his sons, seventy persons, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his female servant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother); Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand you have risen against the house of my father today, and slay his sons, seventy men, on one stone, and cause Abimelech son of his handmaid to reign over the masters of Shechem, because he [is] your brother— Berean Literal Bible And you⁺ have risen up against the house of my father this day and killed his sons, seventy men, on one stone, and made Abimelech son of his maidservant king over the men of Shechem, because he is your⁺ brother— Young's Literal Translation and ye have risen against the house of my father to-day, and slay his sons, seventy men, on one stone, and cause Abimelech son of his handmaid to reign over the masters of Shechem, because he is your brother -- Smith's Literal Translation And ye rose up against the house of my father this day, and ye will kill his sons, seventy men, upon one stone; and ye will make Abimelech, son of his maid, king over the lords of Shechem, because he is your brother:) Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd you are now risen up against my father's house, and have killed his sons seventy men upon one stone, and have made Abimelech the son of his handmaid king over the inhabitants of Sichem, because he is your brother: Catholic Public Domain Version though you now have risen up against my father’s house, and have killed his sons, seventy men, upon one stone, and have appointed Abimelech, the son of his handmaid, as a king over the inhabitants of Shechem, since he is your brother, New American Bible but you have risen against my father’s house today and killed his seventy sons upon one stone and made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the lords of Shechem, because he is your kin— New Revised Standard Version but you have risen up against my father’s house this day, and have killed his sons, seventy men on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his slave woman, king over the lords of Shechem, because he is your kinsman— Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd you have risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, seventy men, upon one stone, and have made Abimeleck, the son of his maidservant, king over the lords of Shechem, because he is your brother;) Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And you are risen over the house of my father today and you have murdered his sons, seventy men on one rock, and you set King Abimelek, son of his Handmaid, over the Lords of Shekeem because he is your brother OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917and ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maid-servant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother-- Brenton Septuagint Translation and ye are risen up this day against the house of my father, and have slain his sons, being seventy men, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech the son of his bondwoman king over the men of Sicima, because he is your brother: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jotham's Parable…17for my father fought for you and risked his life to deliver you from the hand of Midian, 18but you have risen up against my father’s house this day and killed his seventy sons on a single stone, and you have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the leaders of Shechem because he is your brother— 19if you have acted faithfully and honestly toward Jerubbaal and his house this day, then may you rejoice in Abimelech, and he in you.… Cross References but you have risen up against my father’s house this day 2 Kings 10:1-3 Now Ahab had seventy sons in Samaria. So Jehu wrote letters and sent them to Samaria to the officials of Jezreel, to the elders, and to the guardians of the sons of Ahab, saying: / “When this letter arrives, since your master’s sons are with you and you have chariots and horses, a fortified city and weaponry, / select the best and most worthy son of your master, set him on his father’s throne, and fight for your master’s house.” 1 Kings 16:11-12 As soon as Zimri began to reign and was seated on the throne, he struck down the entire household of Baasha. He did not leave a single male, whether a kinsman or friend. / So Zimri destroyed the entire household of Baasha, according to the word that the LORD had spoken against Baasha through Jehu the prophet. 2 Samuel 12:10 Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’ and killed his seventy sons on a single stone, 2 Kings 10:6-7 Then Jehu wrote them a second letter and said: “If you are on my side, and if you will obey me, then bring the heads of your master’s sons to me at Jezreel by this time tomorrow.” Now the sons of the king, seventy in all, were being brought up by the leading men of the city. / 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. 2 Kings 11:1 When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs. 1 Samuel 22:18-19 So the king ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests!” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests himself. On that day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. / He also put to the sword Nob, the city of the priests, with its men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep. and you have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king Genesis 21:10 and she said to Abraham, “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac!” 2 Samuel 5:3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where King David made with them a covenant before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel. 2 Samuel 2:4 Then the men of Judah came to Hebron, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, “It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul.” over the leaders of Shechem 1 Kings 12:1 Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king. 2 Chronicles 10:1 Then Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king. 1 Kings 12:20 When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they summoned him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. Only the tribe of Judah followed the house of David. because he is your brother— Deuteronomy 17:15 you are to appoint over yourselves the king whom the LORD your God shall choose. Appoint a king from among your brothers; you are not to set over yourselves a foreigner who is not one of your brothers. Genesis 37:27 Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites and not lay a hand on him; for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And they agreed. Genesis 13:8 So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no contention between you and me, or between your herdsmen and my herdsmen. After all, we are kinsmen. 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. Treasury of Scripture And you are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, three score and ten persons, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;) are risen Judges 9:5,6 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… Judges 8:35 Neither shewed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had shewed unto Israel. Psalm 109:4 For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer. Abimelech Judges 9:6,14 And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem… Judges 8:31 And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bare him a son, whose name he called Abimelech. Jump to Previous Abimelech House Maidservant Maid-Servant Persons Risen Servant Seventy Shechem Slain Stone Ten ThreescoreJump to Next Abimelech House Maidservant Maid-Servant Persons Risen Servant Seventy Shechem Slain Stone Ten ThreescoreJudges 9 1. Abimelech by conspiracy with the Shechemites, and murder of his brothers, is made king7. 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. but you have risen up against my father’s house this day This phrase highlights the betrayal and rebellion against Gideon's family. Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal, was a judge of Israel who delivered the Israelites from Midianite oppression. The "house" refers to his family lineage, which was expected to be respected and honored. The act of rising up against them signifies a grave violation of familial and societal norms in ancient Israel, where family loyalty was paramount. and killed his seventy sons on a single stone and you have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the leaders of Shechem because he is your brother— Persons / Places / Events 1. AbimelechThe son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal) and his concubine from Shechem. He sought power and became king by killing his seventy brothers. 2. Gideon (Jerubbaal) A judge of Israel who delivered the Israelites from Midianite oppression. He had many sons, including Abimelech. 3. Shechem An ancient city in the land of Canaan, significant in Israel's history. It was the place where Abimelech was made king. 4. Seventy Sons of Gideon The legitimate sons of Gideon, who were murdered by Abimelech to secure his rule. 5. Jotham The youngest son of Gideon who escaped Abimelech's massacre and later cursed the people of Shechem and Abimelech. Teaching Points The Dangers of Ambition and PowerAbimelech's account warns against the destructive nature of unchecked ambition and the pursuit of power at any cost. Consequences of Betrayal The betrayal of Gideon's family by the people of Shechem serves as a reminder that betrayal often leads to ruin and divine judgment. The Importance of Godly Leadership The chaos and bloodshed resulting from Abimelech's rule underscore the need for leaders who fear God and uphold His commandments. God's Justice Prevails Despite human schemes, God's justice ultimately prevails, as seen in the eventual downfall of Abimelech and the Shechemites. Family and Legacy The tragic end of Gideon's family highlights the importance of leaving a godly legacy and the impact of family dynamics on future generations. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 9:18?2. How does Judges 9:18 illustrate consequences of betrayal and ambition? 3. What lessons can we learn from Abimelech's actions in Judges 9:18? 4. How does Judges 9:18 connect with the commandment "You shall not murder"? 5. How can we apply the warning in Judges 9:18 to our leadership roles? 6. In what ways does Judges 9:18 challenge us to uphold justice and righteousness? 7. How does Judges 9:18 reflect on the morality of leadership and power? 8. What historical evidence supports the events described in Judges 9:18? 9. How does Judges 9:18 challenge our understanding of justice in the Bible? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 9? 11. Who was Abimelech, son of Gideon, in the Bible? 12. Does the account of Abimelech's violent rule conflict with other Old Testament portrayals of just leadership (Judges 9:22-24)? 13. Why would God send an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem (Judges 9:23)? 14. What does a millstone symbolize in the Bible? What Does Judges 9:18 Mean “but you have risen up against my father’s house this day”– Gideon’s family had been God-appointed deliverers of Israel (Judges 6-8). By turning on them, the Shechemites rejected the Lord’s past mercies and legitimate leadership (Exodus 20:12; Romans 13:1-2). – The phrase “risen up” conveys deliberate rebellion, not accidental harm—echoing Korah’s uprising (Numbers 16:1-3). – Scripture consistently warns that revolt against divinely established order invites judgment (1 Samuel 15:23). “and killed his seventy sons on a single stone” – The massacre was methodical and public (Judges 9:5), underscoring hardened hearts like those of Cain (Genesis 4:8) and Joash’s executioners (2 Chronicles 24:20-22). – One stone pictures a perverse counterfeit of sacrifice; instead of offering worship on an altar, they shed innocent blood (Psalm 94:20-23). – Seventy lives erased signified a total attempt to wipe out Gideon’s legacy, paralleling Jehu’s slaying of Ahab’s seventy sons (2 Kings 10:7-11). “and you have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the leaders of Shechem” – God alone was to choose Israel’s rulers (Deuteronomy 17:14-15). The Shechemites bypassed divine direction, crowning a man driven by ambition (Judges 9:1-3). – Abimelech’s mother was a concubine (Judges 8:31); elevating him ignored covenant patterns of legitimacy and foreshadowed later disputes over improper succession (2 Samuel 3:6-10). – Making him “king” fractured tribal unity and prefigured Israel’s wider demand for monarchy against God’s counsel (1 Samuel 8:4-7). “because he is your brother—” – Their motive was blood-tie convenience, not righteousness. Scripture warns against partiality (James 2:1-4) and calls leaders to be chosen for character, not kinship (1 Timothy 3:2-7). – Trusting mere family connection shows fleshly reasoning; the Lord looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). – Flesh-based alliances often breed future conflict, as seen when Abimelech later turned on Shechem (Judges 9:22-25). summary Judges 9:18 exposes a willful revolt: the people of Shechem rejected God’s appointed household, slaughtered Gideon’s sons in a calculated atrocity, and enthroned Abimelech for selfish reasons. Each clause highlights rebellion against divine order, bloodguilt, illegitimate authority, and human favoritism. The verse stands as a sober reminder that when God’s people discard His standards for convenience or kinship, they sow the seeds of judgment and turmoil. (18) Threescore and ten persons.--See Note on. Judges 9:5.The son of his maidservant.--The term is intentionally contemptuous. It seems clear from Judges 8:31; Judges 9:1, that she was not a slave, but even of high birth among the Canaanites. Hebrew but youוְאַתֶּ֞ם (wə·’at·tem) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine plural Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you have risen up קַמְתֶּ֨ם (qam·tem) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand against עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against my father's אָבִי֙ (’ā·ḇî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 1: Father house בֵּ֤ית (bêṯ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1004: A house this day הַיּ֔וֹם (hay·yō·wm) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3117: A day and killed וַתַּהַרְג֧וּ (wat·ta·har·ḡū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent his seventy שִׁבְעִ֥ים (šiḇ·‘îm) Number - common plural Strong's 7657: Seventy (a cardinal number) sons בָּנָ֛יו (bā·nāw) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1121: A son on עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against a single אֶחָ֑ת (’e·ḥāṯ) Number - feminine singular Strong's 259: United, one, first stone, אֶ֣בֶן (’e·ḇen) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 68: A stone and you have made Abimelech, אֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ (’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 40: Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite name the son בֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1121: A son of his maidservant, אֲמָתוֹ֙ (’ă·mā·ṯōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 519: A maidservant, female slave king וַתַּמְלִ֜יכוּ (wat·tam·lî·ḵū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 4427: To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel over עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the leaders בַּעֲלֵ֣י (ba·‘ă·lê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1167: A master, a husband, owner of Shechem שְׁכֶ֔ם (šə·ḵem) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 7927: Shechem -- 'ridge', a district in Northern Palestine, also a son of Hamor because כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction he הֽוּא׃ (hū) Pronoun - third person masculine singular Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are is your brother— אֲחִיכֶ֖ם (’ă·ḥî·ḵem) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 251: A brother, ) Links Judges 9:18 NIVJudges 9:18 NLT Judges 9:18 ESV Judges 9:18 NASB Judges 9:18 KJV Judges 9:18 BibleApps.com Judges 9:18 Biblia Paralela Judges 9:18 Chinese Bible Judges 9:18 French Bible Judges 9:18 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 9:18 And you are risen up against my (Jd Judg. 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