Judges 9:40
Judges 9:40 in Multiple Translations
but Abimelech pursued him, and Gaal fled before him. And many Shechemites fell wounded all the way to the entrance of the gate.
And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the gate.
And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and there fell many wounded, even unto the entrance of the gate.
And Abimelech went after him and he went in flight before him; and a great number were falling by the sword all the way up to the town.
Abimelech attacked, and chased him and his men as they ran away, killing many of them as they tried to get back to the town gate.
But Abimelech pursued him, and he fledde before him, and many were ouerthrowen and wounded, euen vnto the entring of the gate.
and Abimelech pursueth him, and he fleeth from his presence, and many fall wounded — unto the opening of the gate.
Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many fell wounded, even to the entrance of the gate.
And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown and wounded, even to the entrance of the gate.
Who chased and put him to flight, and drove him to the city: and many were slain of his people, even to the gate of the city:
Abimelech and his men pursued them, and they killed many of Gaal’s men before they could return safely inside the city gate.
Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 9:40
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 9:40 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּרְדְּפֵ֣/הוּ
אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ
וַ/יָּ֖נָס
מִ/פָּנָ֑י/ו
וַֽ/יִּפְּל֛וּ
חֲלָלִ֥ים
רַבִּ֖ים
עַד
פֶּ֥תַח
הַ/שָּֽׁעַר
וַ/יִּרְדְּפֵ֣/הוּ
râdaph
H7291
to pursue
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ
ʼĂbîymelek
H40
Ahimelech
N-proper
וַ/יָּ֖נָס
nûwç
H5127
to flee
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
מִ/פָּנָ֑י/ו
pânîym
H6440
face
Prep | N-cp | Suff
וַֽ/יִּפְּל֛וּ
nâphal
H5307
to fall
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
חֲלָלִ֥ים
châlâl
H2491
slain
Adj
רַבִּ֖ים
rab
H7227
many
Adj
עַד
ʻad
H5704
till
Prep
פֶּ֥תַח
pethach
H6607
entrance
N-ms
הַ/שָּֽׁעַר
shaʻar
H8179
gate
Art | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 9:40
וַ/יִּרְדְּפֵ֣/הוּ
râdaph
H7291
"to pursue"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
To pursue or chase after someone means to follow them with hostile intent. This can be a physical pursuit or a pursuit of someone's life or well-being, as seen in many biblical stories.
Definition: 1) to be behind, follow after, pursue, persecute, run after 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pursue, put to flight, chase, dog, attend closely upon 1a2) to persecute, harass (fig) 1a3) to follow after, aim to secure (fig) 1a4) to run after (a bribe) (fig) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be pursued 1b2) one pursued (participle) 1c) (Piel) to pursue ardently, aim eagerly to secure, pursue 1d) (Pual) to be pursued, be chased away 1e) (Hiphil) to pursue, chase
Usage: Occurs in 135 OT verses. KJV: chase, put to flight, follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute(-ion, -or), pursue(-r). See also: Genesis 14:14; 2 Samuel 20:13; Psalms 7:2.
אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ
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.
וַ/יָּ֖נָס
nûwç
H5127
"to flee"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To flee means to quickly leave a place, like escaping from danger, as seen in the Bible when David fled from King Saul. It can also mean to disappear or vanish. In the book of Psalms, it describes God delivering his people from harm.
Definition: 1) to flee, escape 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to flee 1a2) to escape 1a3) to take flight, m depart, disappear 1a4) to fly (to the attack) on horseback 1b) (Polel) to drive at 1c) (Hithpolel) to take flight 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to put to flight 1d2) to drive hastily 1d3) to cause to disappear, hide Aramaic equivalent: nud (נוּד "to flee" H5111)
Usage: Occurs in 143 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abate, away, be displayed, (make to) flee (away, -ing), put to flight, [idiom] hide, lift up a standard. See also: Genesis 14:10; 2 Samuel 17:2; Psalms 60:6.
מִ/פָּנָ֑י/ו
pânîym
H6440
"face"
Prep | N-cp | Suff
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
וַֽ/יִּפְּל֛וּ
nâphal
H5307
"to fall"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to fall, and it's used in many ways, like falling down, failing, or being defeated. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah. God's people often fell away from Him, but He always offered a way back.
Definition: : fall/drop/fail 1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fall 1a2) to fall (of violent death) 1a3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before 1a4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to, go away to, fall into the hand of 1a5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result 1a6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to 1a7) to lie, lie prostrate 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to fall, fell, throw down, knock out, lay prostrate 1b2) to overthrow 1b3) to make the lot fall, assign by lot, apportion by lot 1b4) to let drop, cause to fail (fig.) 1b5) to cause to fall 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to throw or prostrate oneself, throw oneself upon 1c2) to lie prostrate, prostrate oneself 1d) (Pilel) to fall
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for H6419 (פָּלַל)), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be ([idiom] hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, [idiom] surely, throw down. See also: Genesis 2:21; 1 Samuel 17:52; Esther 9:3.
חֲלָלִ֥ים
châlâl
H2491
"slain"
Adj
This word describes something or someone that has been profaned or hurt, like in Numbers 35:33. It can also mean to be pierced or wounded, as in physically harmed.
Definition: : killed 1) slain, fatally wounded, pierced 1a) pierced, fatally wounded 1b) slain Also means: cha.lal (חָלָל ": wounded" H2491H)
Usage: Occurs in 85 OT verses. KJV: kill, profane, slain (man), [idiom] slew, (deadly) wounded. See also: Genesis 34:27; Isaiah 66:16; Psalms 69:27.
רַבִּ֖ים
rab
H7227
"many"
Adj
This Hebrew word means a chief or captain, someone in charge. It is used in 2 Samuel 23:19 to describe a great and powerful man. The idea is one of leadership and authority.
Definition: adj 1) much, many, great 1a) much 1b) many 1c) abounding in 1d) more numerous than 1e) abundant, enough 1f) great 1g) strong 1h) greater than adv 1i) much, exceedingly
Usage: Occurs in 443 OT verses. KJV: (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). See also: Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 11:1; Psalms 3:2.
עַד
ʻad
H5704
"till"
Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
פֶּ֥תַח
pethach
H6607
"entrance"
N-ms
A pethach is an entrance or doorway, like the gates of Jerusalem or the door to the temple, often symbolizing transition or access to a new place.
Definition: opening, doorway, entrance
Usage: Occurs in 154 OT verses. KJV: door, entering (in), entrance (-ry), gate, opening, place. See also: Genesis 4:7; Judges 9:40; Psalms 24:7.
הַ/שָּֽׁעַר
shaʻar
H8179
"gate"
Art | N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a gate or door, often referring to city entrances or temple doors, like in Genesis and Exodus. It can also symbolize a meeting place or marketplace. The word is used to describe important locations in the Bible.
Definition: : gate 1) gate 1a) gate (of entrance) 1b) gate (of space inside gate, i.e. marketplace, public meeting place) 1b1) city, town 1c) gate (of palace, royal castle, temple, court of tabernacle) 1d) heaven
Usage: Occurs in 302 OT verses. KJV: city, door, gate, port ([idiom] -er). See also: Genesis 19:1; 1 Chronicles 9:18; Psalms 9:14.
Study Notes — Judges 9:40
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Judges 9:40 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Judges 9:40
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 9:40
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 9:40
- Trapp's Commentary on Judges 9:40
- Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 9:40
- Cambridge Bible on Judges 9:40
Context — The Fall of Shechem
38“Where is your gloating now?” Zebul replied. “You said, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Are these not the people you ridiculed? Go out now and fight them!”
39So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought against Abimelech,
40but Abimelech pursued him, and Gaal fled before him. And many Shechemites fell wounded all the way to the entrance of the gate.
41Abimelech stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem. 42The next day the people of Shechem went out into the fields, and this was reported to Abimelech.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Kings 20:18–21 | “If they have marched out in peace,” he said, “take them alive. Even if they have marched out for war, take them alive.” Meanwhile, these young officers of the district governors marched out of the city, with the army behind them, and each one struck down his opponent. So the Arameans fled, with the Israelites in pursuit. But Ben-hadad king of Aram escaped on horseback with the cavalry. Then the king of Israel marched out and attacked the horses and chariots, inflicting a great slaughter on the Arameans. |
| 2 | 1 Kings 20:30 | The rest of them fled into the city of Aphek, where the wall fell on twenty-seven thousand of the remaining men. Ben-hadad also fled to the city and hid in an inner room. |
Judges 9:40 Summary
This verse tells us that Abimelech, who was trying to be the leader of the people of Shechem, chased after Gaal, who was leading a rebellion against him. Many people were hurt in the fight, and Gaal had to run away, as seen in Judges 9:40. This shows that when we try to go against the authority that God has put in place, it can lead to trouble and harm, as warned in Romans 13:2. We should remember to trust in God and obey those in authority over us, as taught in Hebrews 13:17, and seek to live at peace with everyone, as exhorted in Romans 12:18.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Abimelech pursue Gaal in Judges 9:40?
Abimelech pursued Gaal because Gaal had led the people of Shechem in a rebellion against him, as seen in Judges 9:39, and Abimelech sought to assert his authority and quell the uprising, as is the nature of leaders in the book of Judges, such as in Judges 3:10 and Judges 8:22-23.
What is the significance of the many Shechemites falling wounded all the way to the entrance of the gate?
The many Shechemites falling wounded indicates the severity of the battle and the consequences of opposing Abimelech, highlighting the importance of obedience to authority, as taught in Romans 13:1-2 and 1 Peter 2:13-14.
How does this verse relate to the overall story of Abimelech in Judges 9?
This verse is a pivotal moment in the story of Abimelech, as it marks a turning point in his campaign to assert his authority over Shechem, and sets the stage for the events that will unfold in the subsequent verses, including the punishment of the people of Shechem in Judges 9:45 and the ultimate downfall of Abimelech in Judges 9:53-57.
What can we learn from Gaal's decision to flee before Abimelech?
Gaal's decision to flee suggests a lack of faith and trust in his own abilities, and serves as a reminder of the importance of trusting in God, as exhorted in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 37:3-7, rather than relying on human strength and cunning.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I may be opposing God's appointed authority, and how can I surrender to His will?
- How can I apply the lesson of trusting in God's sovereignty, as seen in the story of Abimelech, to my own life and circumstances?
- What are some ways that I can demonstrate obedience to God's authority in my daily life, and what are the benefits of doing so?
- How can I balance the need to stand up for what is right with the importance of submitting to authority, as seen in the example of Abimelech and the people of Shechem?
Gill's Exposition on Judges 9:40
And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him,.... Abimelech got the better of him in the battle, and obliged him to give way, and he pursued him closely as he was fleeing: and many were
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 9:40
And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 9:40
He fled before him; being surprised by the unexpected coming of Abimelech, and possibly not fully prepared for the encounter. Many were overthrown and wounded, being pursued and overtaken by Abimelech.
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 9:40
Judges 9:40 And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown [and] wounded, [even] unto the entering of the gate.Ver. 40. And he fled before him.] Notwithstanding his great brags and insolent challenge. Those who vaunt most have oft the least courage: as those creatures which have the greatest hearts of flesh are the most timorous, as the stag, panther, hare, &c. Diod.
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 9:40
(40) Abimelech chased him . . .—He won a complete victory; but Gaal and his forces were able to secure themselves in Shechem. They succeeded in closing the gates against Abimelech, but only at the cost of many lives.
Cambridge Bible on Judges 9:40
40. wounded] i.e. mortally, so slain, 1 Samuel 31:1, 1 Chronicles 5:22, 2 Chronicles 13:17; cf. Judges 16:24. the entering of the gate] Cf. Judges 9:44. The city gateway (sha‘ar) was a large building and covered a considerable space, cf. Joshua 20:4, 1 Kings 22:10; it included a high entrance (péthaḥ ?) and a door (déleth), or doors, with posts and bars, Judges 16:3. Abimelech did not enter the city, probably because he thought that the Shechemites had been punished enough. Zebul was now in a position to deal with Gaal and his following, Judges 9:41.