Judges 9:4
Judges 9:4 in Multiple Translations
So 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.
And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-berith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him.
And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-berith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light fellows, who followed him.
And they gave him seventy shekels of silver from the house of Baal-berith, with which Abimelech got the support of a number of uncontrolled and good-for-nothing persons.
They gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-berith. Abimelech used the money to hire some arrogant troublemakers as his gang.
And they gaue him seuentie pieces of siluer out of the house of Baal-berith, wherewith Abimelech hired vayne and light fellowes which followed him.
and they give to him seventy silverings out of the house of Baal-Berith, and Abimelech hireth with them men, vain and unstable, and they go after him;
They gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal Berith, with which Abimelech hired vain and reckless fellows who followed him.
And they gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-berith, with which Abimelech hired vain and light persons, who followed him.
And they gave him seventy weight of silver out of the temple of Baalberith: wherewith he hired to himself men that were needy, and vagabonds, and they followed him.
So the leaders of Shechem took from the temple of their god Baal-Berith ◄almost 2 pounds/0.8 kg.► of silver and gave it to Abimelech. With that silver he paid some worthless troublemakers to help him, and they went with Abimelech wherever he went.
Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 9:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Judges 9:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּתְּנוּ
ל/וֹ֙
שִׁבְעִ֣ים
כֶּ֔סֶף
מִ/בֵּ֖יתּ
בַ֣עַל
בְּרִ֑ית
וַ/יִּשְׂכֹּ֨ר
בָּ/הֶ֜ם
אֲבִימֶ֗לֶךְ
אֲנָשִׁ֤ים
רֵיקִים֙
וּ/פֹ֣חֲזִ֔ים
וַ/יֵּלְכ֖וּ
אַחֲרָֽי/ו
וַ/יִּתְּנוּ
nâthan
H5414
to give
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
ל/וֹ֙
Prep | Suff
שִׁבְעִ֣ים
shibʻîym
H7657
seventy
Adj
כֶּ֔סֶף
keçeph
H3701
silver
N-ms
מִ/בֵּ֖יתּ
bayith
H1004
place
Prep | N-ms
בַ֣עַל
Baʻal Bᵉrîyth
H1170
Baal-berith
N-proper
בְּרִ֑ית
Baʻal Bᵉrîyth
H1170
Baal-berith
N-proper
וַ/יִּשְׂכֹּ֨ר
sâkar
H7936
to hire
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
בָּ/הֶ֜ם
Prep | Suff
אֲבִימֶ֗לֶךְ
ʼĂbîymelek
H40
Ahimelech
N-proper
אֲנָשִׁ֤ים
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-mp
רֵיקִים֙
rêyq
H7386
worthless
Adj
וּ/פֹ֣חֲזִ֔ים
pâchaz
H6348
be reckless
Conj | V-Qal
וַ/יֵּלְכ֖וּ
yâlak
H3212
to walk
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
אַחֲרָֽי/ו
ʼachar
H310
after
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 9:4
וַ/יִּתְּנוּ
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
ל/וֹ֙
""
Prep | Suff
שִׁבְעִ֣ים
shibʻîym
H7657
"seventy"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means the number seventy, like the seventy disciples Jesus sent out in Luke 10:1. It appears in phrases like threescore and ten. The KJV Bible uses it to describe groups of seventy people.
Definition: seventy
Usage: Occurs in 90 OT verses. KJV: seventy, threescore and ten ([phrase] -teen). See also: Genesis 4:24; Judges 9:2; Psalms 90:10.
כֶּ֔סֶף
keçeph
H3701
"silver"
N-ms
Silver or money, often referring to payment or wealth, like the silver talents in Matthew 25. It can also describe silver as a valuable metal or ornament.
Definition: : money/payment/silver 1) silver, money 1a) silver 1a1) as metal 1a2) as ornament 1a3) as colour 1b) money, shekels, talents
Usage: Occurs in 343 OT verses. KJV: money, price, silver(-ling). See also: Genesis 13:2; Numbers 22:18; 2 Chronicles 1:17.
מִ/בֵּ֖יתּ
bayith
H1004
"place"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
בַ֣עַל
Baʻal Bᵉrîyth
H1170
"Baal-berith"
N-proper
Refers to the deity Baal-Berith, or lord of the covenant, worshipped by the Shechemites in the book of Judges.
Definition: § Baal-berith = "lord of the covenant" a god of the Philistines
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: Baal-berith. See also: Judges 8:33; Judges 9:4.
בְּרִ֑ית
Baʻal Bᵉrîyth
H1170
"Baal-berith"
N-proper
Refers to the deity Baal-Berith, or lord of the covenant, worshipped by the Shechemites in the book of Judges.
Definition: § Baal-berith = "lord of the covenant" a god of the Philistines
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: Baal-berith. See also: Judges 8:33; Judges 9:4.
וַ/יִּשְׂכֹּ֨ר
sâkar
H7936
"to hire"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To hire someone or be hired, as seen in the story of Jacob hiring himself out to Laban in Genesis 29. This word is about working for pay. It appears in various forms, such as earning wages or rewarding someone.
Definition: 1) to hire 1a) (Qal) to hire
Usage: Occurs in 18 OT verses. KJV: earn wages, hire (out self), reward, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 30:16; 2 Chronicles 24:12; Proverbs 26:10.
בָּ/הֶ֜ם
""
Prep | Suff
אֲבִימֶ֗לֶךְ
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.
אֲנָשִׁ֤ים
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-mp
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
רֵיקִים֙
rêyq
H7386
"worthless"
Adj
In the Bible, this word describes something that is empty or worthless, like an empty vessel or a person without value. It is used to emphasize the importance of being filled with purpose or meaning.
Definition: 1) empty, vain 1a) empty (of vessels) 1b) empty, idle, worthless (ethically)
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: emptied(-ty), vain (fellow, man). See also: Genesis 37:24; 2 Kings 4:3; Proverbs 12:11.
וּ/פֹ֣חֲזִ֔ים
pâchaz
H6348
"be reckless"
Conj | V-Qal
To be reckless means to act without thinking or caring about the consequences, like boiling water bubbling up out of control. This behavior is described in the book of Proverbs.
Definition: (Qal) to be wanton, be reckless, be frothy
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: light. See also: Judges 9:4; Zephaniah 3:4.
וַ/יֵּלְכ֖וּ
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
אַחֲרָֽי/ו
ʼachar
H310
"after"
Prep | Suff
Achar means backwards or after, used to describe something that happens later or in the rear. It is used in various senses in the Bible, including in 1 Kings 12:18.
Definition: 1) after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time) 1a) as an adverb 1a1) behind (of place) 1a2) afterwards (of time) 1b) as a preposition 1b1) behind, after (of place) 1b2) after (of time) 1b3) besides 1c) as a conjunction 1c) after that 1d) as a substantive 1d1) hinder part 1e) with other prepositions 1e1) from behind 1e2) from following after
Usage: Occurs in 664 OT verses. KJV: after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 18:2; Joshua 8:14.
Study Notes — Judges 9:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Judges 9:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Judges 9:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 9:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 9:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Judges 9:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 9:4
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 9:4
- Cambridge Bible on Judges 9:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Judges 9:4
- Sermons on Judges 9:4
Context — Abimelech’s Conspiracy
2“Please ask all the leaders of Shechem, ‘Is it better for you that seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, rule over you, or just one man?’ Remember that I am your own flesh and blood.”
3And when his mother’s brothers spoke all these words about him in the presence of all the leaders of Shechem, their hearts were inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, “He is our brother.”
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
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Judges 8:33 | And as soon as Gideon was dead, the Israelites turned and prostituted themselves with the Baals, and they set up Baal-berith as their god. |
| 2 | Acts 17:5 | The Jews, however, became jealous. So they brought in some troublemakers from the marketplace, formed a mob, and sent the city into an uproar. They raided Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas, hoping to bring them out to the people. |
| 3 | 2 Chronicles 13:7 | Then worthless and wicked men gathered around him to resist Rehoboam son of Solomon when he was young, inexperienced, and unable to resist them. |
| 4 | Judges 11:3 | So Jephthah fled from his brothers and settled in the land of Tob, where worthless men gathered around him and traveled with him. |
| 5 | Proverbs 12:11 | The one who works his land will have plenty of food, but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment. |
| 6 | Job 30:8 | A senseless and nameless brood, they were driven off the land. |
| 7 | Judges 9:46–49 | On hearing of this, all the leaders in the tower of Shechem entered the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith. And when Abimelech was told that all the leaders in the tower of Shechem were gathered there, he and all his men went up to Mount Zalmon. Abimelech took his axe in his hand and cut a branch from the trees, which he lifted to his shoulder, saying to his men, “Hurry and do what you have seen me do.” So each man also cut his own branch and followed Abimelech. Then they piled the branches against the inner chamber and set it on fire above them, killing everyone in the tower of Shechem, about a thousand men and women. |
| 8 | 1 Samuel 22:2 | And all who were distressed or indebted or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him. |
Judges 9:4 Summary
This verse shows how Abimelech, who wanted to be the leader of Shechem, got money from the temple of a false god to hire some bad people to help him. He was willing to do whatever it took to get power, even if it meant doing wrong things. This is similar to what happened in other parts of the Bible, like in 1 Samuel 8:1-3, where the Israelites wanted a king to rule over them, even though God was their true King. We can learn from Abimelech's mistakes by being careful not to let our desire for power or success lead us to compromise our values or morals, as warned in Proverbs 28:20.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the leaders of Shechem give Abimelech seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-berith?
The leaders of Shechem gave Abimelech the silver to support his claim to power, as they had been convinced by his words and were inclined to follow him, as seen in Judges 9:3. This act also shows their idolatrous tendencies, as they took money from the temple of a false god, Baal-berith.
What kind of men did Abimelech hire with the seventy shekels of silver?
Abimelech hired worthless and reckless men to follow him, indicating that he was gathering a group of people who were likely without moral character or strong convictions, similar to those described in Proverbs 28:4, who do not uphold the law.
What does this verse reveal about Abimelech's character?
This verse shows that Abimelech was willing to do whatever it took to gain power, including hiring a group of unprincipled men, which suggests that he was power-hungry and possibly ruthless, as later seen in his actions in Judges 9:5.
How does this event relate to the rest of the story in Judges 9?
This event sets the stage for Abimelech's violent rise to power, as he uses the money and the men to eliminate his brothers and become the ruler of Shechem, as described in Judges 9:5-6, and ultimately leads to his downfall, as prophesied in Judges 9:20 and fulfilled in Judges 9:50-57.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I might be tempted to compromise my values or morals in order to achieve power or success, and how can I resist those temptations?
- How can I discern whether someone is a good leader, and what qualities should I look for in a leader, according to biblical principles such as those found in 1 Timothy 3:1-13?
- In what ways can I be a positive influence on those around me, and how can I use my resources and abilities to promote good and not evil, as encouraged in Matthew 5:13-16?
- What are some warning signs that someone might be a 'worthless and reckless' person, and how can I avoid being influenced by such individuals, as warned in Proverbs 22:24-25?
Gill's Exposition on Judges 9:4
And they gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baalbirith,.... The temple of their idol; of this name [See comments on Jude 8:33], out of the money which had been dedicated to his
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 9:4
And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baalberith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 9:4
Threescore and ten, agreeably to the number of his enemies, Gideon’ s seventy sons. Pieces of silver; not shekels, as some fancy, which were too small a sum for this purpose; but far larger pieces, the exact worth whereof it is neither possible nor needful for us now to know. Out of the house of Baal-berith; out of his sacred treasury; for even they; who were very parsimonious and base in their expenses about God’ s service, were liberal in their contributions to idols; having since Gideon’ s death built this temple, (which he would never have suffered whilst he lived,) and endowed it with considerable revenues. Vain and light persons; unsettled, idle, and necessitous persons, the most proper instruments for tyranny and cruelty.
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 9:4
Judges 9:4 And they gave him threescore and ten [pieces] of silver out of the house of Baalberith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him.Ver. 4. And they gave him threescore and ten pieces.] Pounds, saith the Vulgate: but more likely, shekels: which though it were a small sum, yet we must know that a little money would go a great way in those days; as also that such soldiers might be hired for small wages, &c. Hired vain and light persons.] Beggarly rascals, fit for his purpose, debauched desperadoes.
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 9:4
(4) Pieces.—Rather, shekels, which is the word normally understood in similar phrases (Judges 8:26). “Neither the citizens of Shechem nor the ignobly-ambitious bastard understood what true monarchy was, and still less what it ought to be in the commonwealth of Jehovah” (Ewald, ii. 389). Out of the house of Baal-berith.—Like most temples in ancient days (e.g., that of Venus on Mount Eryx, the Parthenon, and that of Jupiter Latiaris), this served at once as a sanctuary, a fortress, and a bank. Similarly the treasures amassed at Delphi enabled the three Phocian brothers, Phayllus, Phalaekus, and Onomarchus, to support the whole burden of the sacred war (Diodor. xvi. 30; comp. Thuc. i. 121, 2:13). (Comp. also 1 Kings 15:18.) Vain and light persons.—These are exactly analogous to the doruphoroi—a body-guard of spear-bearers, which an ambitious Greek always hired as the first step to setting up a tyranny (Diog. Laert. 1:49). We find Jephthah (Judges 11:3), and David (1 Samuel 22:2), and Absalom (2 Samuel 15:1), and Rezon (1 Kings 11:24), and Adonijah (1 Kings 1:5), and Jeroboam (2 Chronicles 13:7) doing exactly the same thing. Who these “vain” persons were is best defined in 1 Samuel 22:2. They were like the condottieri, or free-lances. The word vain (rikîm) is from the same root as Raca; it means vauriens.
The word for “light persons” (pochazîm) occurs in Genesis 49:4 (applied to Reuben) and Zephaniah 3:4. It is from a root which means to boil over.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 9:4
Verse 4. Threescore and ten pieces of silver] Probably shekels; and this was the whole of his exchequer. As he was now usurping the government of God, he begins with a contribution from the idol temple. A work begun under the name and influence of the devil is not likely to end to the glory of God, or to the welfare of man. Hired vain and light persons] אנשים ריקים ופחזים anashim reykim uphochazim, worthless and dissolute men; persons who were living on the public, and had nothing to lose. Such was the foundation of his Babel government. By a cunning management of such rascals most revolutions have been brought about.
Cambridge Bible on Judges 9:4
4. the house of Baal-berith] In Judges 9:46 El-bĕ ?rîth = God of the covenant; see Judges 8:33 n. Temples in antiquity had their own treasuries into which offerings and fines were paid; they also served the purpose of banks for public and private money, cf. 2Ma 3:10-12. vain and light fellows] i.e. disreputable and reckless, cf. Judges 11:3, 2 Chronicles 13:7.
Whedon's Commentary on Judges 9:4
4. They gave him — As a tribute to royalty, and to enable him to hire a body-guard and provide himself with the emblems of royalty.
Sermons on Judges 9:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Lost Sheep Restored by J.C. Philpot | Greek Word Studies delves into the meaning of 'kenos,' which signifies emptiness, futility, and lack of effectiveness, whether in material, intellectual, moral, or spiritual aspect |
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Does Christ Want Fanatics by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of obedience and presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice to Jesus Christ. He relates the increase of knowledge in the worl |
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1 Thessalonians 1:1-3 by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches to the Church of the Thessalonians, commending their work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. He emphasizes the importa |
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Fight the Good Fight of Faith by A.B. Simpson | The sermon delves into the significance of the term 'RACA' in biblical times, portraying it as a word of utter contempt and dehumanizing contempt used by the Jews during the time o |
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(Elijah Legacy) 1. Days of Elijah by David Davis | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of government-endorsed idolatry in various countries, including Israel, America, and the Philippines. He highlights the abortion epi |