Judges 9:22
Judges 9:22 in Multiple Translations
After Abimelech had reigned over Israel for three years,
¶ When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,
And Abimelech was prince over Israel three years.
So Abimelech was chief over Israel for three years.
Abimelech ruled over Israel for three years.
So Abimelech reigned three yeere ouer Israel.
And Abimelech is prince over Israel three years,
Abimelech was prince over Israel three years.
When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,
So Abimelech reigned over Israel for three years.
Abimelech became the leader of all the people of Israel. He ruled them for three years.
Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 9:22
BAB
Word Study
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Judges 9:22 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יָּ֧שַׂר
אֲבִימֶ֛לֶךְ
עַל
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
שָׁלֹ֥שׁ
שָׁנִֽים
וַ/יָּ֧שַׂר
sûwr
H7786
to reign
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֲבִימֶ֛לֶךְ
ʼĂbîymelek
H40
Ahimelech
N-proper
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
שָׁלֹ֥שׁ
shâlôwsh
H7969
three
Adj
שָׁנִֽים
shâneh
H8141
year
N-fp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 9:22
וַ/יָּ֧שַׂר
sûwr
H7786
"to reign"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to reign or rule, often implying a sense of power or victory. It is translated as 'make princes', 'have power', or 'reign' in various Bible versions.
Definition: 1) to be or act as prince, rule, contend, have power, prevail over 1a) (Qal) to rule over, govern 1b) (Hiphil) to make rulers, play the prince
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: make princes, have power, reign. See H5493 (סוּר). See also: Judges 9:22; Hosea 12:5.
אֲבִימֶ֛לֶךְ
ʼĂbîymelek
H40
"Ahimelech"
N-proper
Abimelech was the name of two Philistine kings and two Israelites in the Bible, including a king who met Abraham and a priest who helped David. The name means 'my father is king'.
Definition: A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.8.17; son of: Abiathar (H0054); brother of: Jonathan (H3083I) Another spelling of a.chi.me.lekh (אֲחִימֶ֫לֶךְ "Ahimelech" H0288I) § Abimelech = "Melek is father" or "my father is king" 1) king of Gerar in Abraham's time 2) king of Gath in David's time; maybe title of Philistine kings 3) son of Gideon by a concubine 4) priest, son of Abiathar
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: Abimelech. See also: Genesis 20:2; Judges 9:20; Psalms 34:1.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
שָׁלֹ֥שׁ
shâlôwsh
H7969
"three"
Adj
This Hebrew word means three or thrice, and is used to describe quantities or repetitions in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including three, third, and thirteen.
Definition: 1) three, triad 1a) 3, 300, third Aramaic equivalent: te.lat (תְּלָת "three" H8532)
Usage: Occurs in 381 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] fork, [phrase] often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, [phrase] thrice. Compare H7991 (שָׁלִישׁ). See also: Genesis 5:22; Joshua 1:11; 2 Kings 9:32.
שָׁנִֽים
shâneh
H8141
"year"
N-fp
This word also means a year, like when Abraham was 100 years old in Genesis 21. It is used to describe a period of time, age, or a lifetime.
Definition: 1) year 1a) as division of time 1b) as measure of time 1c) as indication of age 1d) a lifetime (of years of life) Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "year" H8140)
Usage: Occurs in 647 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly). See also: Genesis 1:14; Genesis 47:28; Numbers 7:35.
Study Notes — Judges 9:22
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Judges 9:22 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Judges 9:22
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 9:22
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 9:22
- Trapp's Commentary on Judges 9:22
- Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 9:22
- Cambridge Bible on Judges 9:22
- Barnes' Notes on Judges 9:22
- Whedon's Commentary on Judges 9:22
Context — Gaal Conspires with the Shechemites
20But if not, may fire come from Abimelech and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo, and may fire come from the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo and consume Abimelech.”
21Then Jotham ran away, escaping to Beer, and he lived there for fear of his brother Abimelech.
22After Abimelech had reigned over Israel for three years,
23God sent a spirit of animosity between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem and caused them to treat Abimelech deceitfully, 24in order that the crime against the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come to justice and their blood be avenged on their brother Abimelech and on the leaders of Shechem, who had helped him murder his brothers.Judges 9:22 Summary
Judges 9:22 tells us that Abimelech was in charge of Israel for three years. This means that he had power and control over the people for a short time. However, as we see in the rest of the story, his time in power was marked by trouble and conflict, which ultimately led to his downfall (as seen in Judges 9:23-24). This reminds us that true power and leadership come from God, and that we should seek to follow His ways and trust in His sovereignty, as seen in Proverbs 21:1 and Romans 13:1-7.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can we learn from Abimelech's three-year reign in Judges 9:22?
Abimelech's short reign teaches us that God is sovereign over all human leaders and that their time in power is limited, as seen in Daniel 2:21 and Psalm 75:7.
Is Abimelech a good example of a leader in the Bible?
No, Abimelech is not a good example of a leader, as his rise to power was marked by violence and deceit, which is condemned in Proverbs 28:15-16 and Jeremiah 22:13.
What is the significance of the three-year time period in Judges 9:22?
The three-year time period may symbolize a period of testing or a season of God's patience, as seen in Hosea 6:2 and Luke 13:6-9, before judgment or consequences come.
How does Abimelech's story relate to the rest of the Bible?
Abimelech's story is part of the larger narrative of God's relationship with Israel, highlighting the consequences of sin and the importance of faithfulness, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:1-68 and Romans 11:1-36.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I, like Abimelech, may be seeking power or control in my own life, and how can I surrender those desires to God?
- How can I learn to trust in God's sovereignty, even when human leaders or circumstances seem unstable or uncertain?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be trying to manipulate or deceive others to get what I want, and how can I instead choose honesty and integrity?
- In what ways can I, like the Israelites, be more mindful of God's presence and guidance in my life, and seek to follow His ways?
Gill's Exposition on Judges 9:22
When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel. The people in general consenting to what the men of Shechem had done, at least not opposing it, all being desirous of a king, and therefore put up
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 9:22
When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel, When Abimelech had reigned three years.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 9:22
For though the men of Shechem were the first authors of Abimelech’ s advancement, it is more than probable that the rest of the people easily consented to that form of government which they so much desired; or, at least, made no resistance against it.
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 9:22
Judges 9:22 When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,Ver. 22. When Abimelech had reigned three years.] And now haply began to think, as afterward Dionysius the tyrant of Sicily did, that his kingdom was tied to him with chains of adamant.
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 9:22
(22) Had reigned.—The verb is here sûr, not malak, as in Judges 9:6; but whether the change of word is meant to be significant we cannot say. Over Israel—i.e., over all the Israelites who would accept his authority—mainly the central tribes.
Cambridge Bible on Judges 9:22
22–25. The Shechemites turn against Abimelech 22. was prince over Israel] Strictly, as the whole ch. implies, only over Shechem and its neighbourhood (Ophrah, Thebez). The words are an editorial generalization. The title of king is purposely avoided.
Barnes' Notes on Judges 9:22
Had reigned - Rather, “had ruled.” It is not the phrase used in Judges 9:6. It looks as if the Shechemites alone had made him king, and the rest of Israel had submitted to his dominion, without allowing his title of king.
Whedon's Commentary on Judges 9:22
OF , Judges 9:22-57. 22. Three years — So long a time it seems all Israel, not merely the men of Shechem, were content that the miserable Abimelech should rule over them.