Judges 9:51

Judges 9:51 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

But there was a strong tower inside the city, and all the men, women, and leaders of the city fled there. They locked themselves in and went up to the roof of the tower.

King James Version KJV

But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut it to them, and gat them up to the top of the tower.

American Standard Version ASV

But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut themselves in, and gat them up to the roof of the tower.

Bible in Basic English BBE

But in the middle of the town there was a strong tower, to which all the men and women of the town went in flight and, shutting themselves in, went up to the roof of the tower.

Free Bible Version FBV

But there was a strong tower inside the city. All the men and women and the town leaders ran there and barricaded themselves in, and then went up to the roof of the tower.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

But there was a strong towre within the citie, and thither fledde all the men and women, and all the chiefe of the citie, and shut it to them, and went vp to the toppe of the towre.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and a strong tower hath been in the midst of the city, and thither flee do all the men and the women, and all the masters of the city, and they shut [it] behind them, and go up on the roof of the tower.

World English Bible WEB

But there was a strong tower within the city, and all the men and women of the city fled there, and shut themselves in, and went up to the roof of the tower.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut it after them, and ascended to the top of the tower.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And there was in the midst of the city a high tower, to which both the men and the women were fled together, and all the princes of the city, and having shut and strongly barred the gate, they stood upon the battlements of the tower to defend themselves.

Translation for Translators T4T

But there was a strong tower inside the city. So all the men, women, and leaders of the city ran to the tower. When they were all inside, they locked the door. Then they climbed up to the roof of the tower.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 9:51

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 9:51 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וּ/מִגְדַּל עֹז֮ הָיָ֣ה בְ/תוֹךְ הָ/עִיר֒ וַ/יָּנֻ֨סוּ שָׁ֜מָּ/ה כָּל הָ/אֲנָשִׁ֣ים וְ/הַ/נָּשִׁ֗ים וְ/כֹל֙ בַּעֲלֵ֣י הָ/עִ֔יר וַֽ/יִּסְגְּר֖וּ בַּעֲדָ֑/ם וַֽ/יַּעֲל֖וּ עַל גַּ֥ג הַ/מִּגְדָּֽל

וּ/מִגְדַּל migdâl H4026 tower Conj | N-cs

עֹז֮ ʻôz H5797 strength N-ms

הָיָ֣ה hâyâh H1961 to be V-Qal-Perf-3ms

בְ/תוֹךְ tâvek H8432 midst Prep | N-ms

הָ/עִיר֒ ʻîyr H5892 excitement Art | N-fs

וַ/יָּנֻ֨סוּ nûwç H5127 to flee Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

שָׁ֜מָּ/ה shâm H8033 there Adv | Suff

כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms

הָ/אֲנָשִׁ֣ים ʼîysh H376 man Art | N-mp

וְ/הַ/נָּשִׁ֗ים ʼishshâh H802 woman Conj | Art | N-fp

וְ/כֹל֙ kôl H3605 all Conj | N-ms

בַּעֲלֵ֣י baʻal H1167 master N-mp

הָ/עִ֔יר ʻîyr H5892 excitement Art | N-fs

וַֽ/יִּסְגְּר֖וּ çâgar H5462 to shut Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

בַּעֲדָ֑/ם bᵉʻad H1157 about/through/for Prep | Suff

וַֽ/יַּעֲל֖וּ ʻâlâh H5927 to ascend Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep

גַּ֥ג gâg H1406 roof N-ms

הַ/מִּגְדָּֽל migdâl H4026 tower Art | N-cs

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 9:51

וּ/מִגְדַּל migdâl H4026 "tower" Conj | N-cs

Migdal means tower, referring to a tall structure or elevated stage. It can also symbolize a bed of flowers in the Bible.

Definition: 1) tower 1a) tower 1b) elevated stage, pulpit 1c) raised bed

Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: castle, flower, tower. Compare the names following. See also: Genesis 11:4; Nehemiah 3:26; Psalms 48:13.

עֹז֮ ʻôz H5797 "strength" N-ms

Describes strength or might, including physical power, social status, or boldness, like the strength of God or a strong leader.

Definition: 1) might, strength 1a) material or physical 1b) personal or social or political

Usage: Occurs in 91 OT verses. KJV: boldness, loud, might, power, strength, strong. See also: Exodus 15:2; Psalms 84:6; Psalms 8:3.

הָיָ֣ה hâyâh H1961 "to be" V-Qal-Perf-3ms

The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.

Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.

בְ/תוֹךְ tâvek H8432 "midst" Prep | N-ms

This word refers to the middle or center of something, such as a group of people or a physical space. It can also mean among or between things, as seen in various Bible translations.

Definition: 1) midst, middle 1a) midst, middle 1b) into, through (after verbs of motion) 1c) among (of a number of persons) 1d) between (of things arranged by twos) 1e) from among (as to take or separate etc)

Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: among(-st), [idiom] between, half, [idiom] (there-, where-), in(-to), middle, mid(-night), midst (among), [idiom] out (of), [idiom] through, [idiom] with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:6; Numbers 35:5; 2 Chronicles 32:4.

הָ/עִיר֒ ʻîyr H5892 "excitement" Art | N-fs

In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.

Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror

Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.

וַ/יָּנֻ֨סוּ nûwç H5127 "to flee" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

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.

שָׁ֜מָּ/ה shâm H8033 "there" Adv | Suff

The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.

Definition: 1) there, thither 1a) there 1b) thither (after verbs of motion) 1c) from there, thence 1d) then (as an adverb of time) Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)

Usage: Occurs in 732 OT verses. KJV: in it, [phrase] thence, there (-in, [phrase] of, [phrase] out), [phrase] thither, [phrase] whither. See also: Genesis 2:8; Exodus 21:33; Deuteronomy 19:4.

כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms

The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.

הָ/אֲנָשִׁ֣ים ʼîysh H376 "man" Art | 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.

וְ/הַ/נָּשִׁ֗ים ʼishshâh H802 "woman" Conj | Art | N-fp

The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.

Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)

Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.

וְ/כֹל֙ kôl H3605 "all" Conj | N-ms

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

בַּעֲלֵ֣י baʻal H1167 "master" N-mp

Means master or owner, often referring to a husband or leader, as seen in the book of Genesis and Exodus.

Definition: : master/leader 1) owner, husband, lord 1a) owner 1b) a husband 1c) citizens, inhabitants 1d) rulers, lords 1e) (noun of relationship used to characterise-ie, master of dreams)

Usage: Occurs in 79 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] archer, [phrase] babbler, [phrase] bird, captain, chief man, [phrase] confederate, [phrase] have to do, [phrase] dreamer, those to whom it is due, [phrase] furious, those that are given to it, great, [phrase] hairy, he that hath it, have, [phrase] horseman, husband, lord, man, [phrase] married, master, person, [phrase] sworn, they of. See also: Genesis 14:13; 1 Samuel 23:11; Proverbs 1:17.

הָ/עִ֔יר ʻîyr H5892 "excitement" Art | N-fs

Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror

Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.

וַֽ/יִּסְגְּר֖וּ çâgar H5462 "to shut" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

To shut means to close something, like a door or a container. In the Bible, this word is used to describe surrendering or giving something up, like in the book of Ezra where the Israelites shut themselves in to pray.

Definition: 1) to shut, close 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to shut 1a2) to close, close up 1a3) closed up, closely joined, shut up 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be shut up 1b2) to be shut or closed 1c) (Piel) to shut up, deliver up 1d) (Pual) to be shut up 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to deliver up 1e2) to shut up, imprison 2) pure gold Aramaic equivalent: se.gar (סְגַר "to shut" H5463)

Usage: Occurs in 87 OT verses. KJV: close up, deliver (up), give over (up), inclose, [idiom] pure, repair, shut (in, self, out, up, up together), stop, [idiom] straitly. See also: Genesis 2:21; 1 Kings 11:27; Psalms 17:10.

בַּעֲדָ֑/ם bᵉʻad H1157 "about/through/for" Prep | Suff

This word means about, through, or for something, often used to describe location or action. It can be translated as 'about', 'at', 'by', or 'through', depending on the context in which it is used.

Definition: 1) behind, through, round about, on behalf of, away from, about 1a) through (of action) 1b) behind (with verbs of shutting) 1c) about (with verbs of fencing) 1d) on behalf of (metaph. especially with Hithpael)

Usage: Occurs in 81 OT verses. KJV: about, at by (means of), for, over, through, up (-on), within. See also: Genesis 7:16; 2 Chronicles 30:18; Psalms 3:4.

וַֽ/יַּעֲל֖וּ ʻâlâh H5927 "to ascend" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.

Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself

Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.

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.

גַּ֥ג gâg H1406 "roof" N-ms

The Hebrew word for roof, or the top of an altar, like the one in the temple in Jerusalem.

Definition: 1) roof, top, housetop 1a) roof (of house) 1b) top (of altar of incense)

Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: roof (of the house), (house) top (of the house). See also: Exodus 30:3; 2 Kings 23:12; Psalms 102:8.

הַ/מִּגְדָּֽל migdâl H4026 "tower" Art | N-cs

Migdal means tower, referring to a tall structure or elevated stage. It can also symbolize a bed of flowers in the Bible.

Definition: 1) tower 1a) tower 1b) elevated stage, pulpit 1c) raised bed

Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: castle, flower, tower. Compare the names following. See also: Genesis 11:4; Nehemiah 3:26; Psalms 48:13.

Study Notes — Judges 9:51

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Judges 9:51 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Judges 9:51
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 9:51
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 9:51
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 9:51
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 9:51
Cambridge Bible on Judges 9:51
Whedon's Commentary on Judges 9:51

Context — Abimelech’s Punishment

49So 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. 50Then Abimelech went to Thebez, encamped against it, and captured it.

51But there was a strong tower inside the city, and all the men, women, and leaders of the city fled there. They locked themselves in and went up to the roof of the tower.

52When Abimelech came to attack the tower, he approached its entrance to set it on fire. 53But a woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, crushing his skull.

Judges 9:51 Summary

[The people of Thebez ran to a strong tower in their city when they were being attacked, because it was a safe place to hide, much like how God is our strong tower and refuge in times of trouble, as seen in Psalm 61:3. This tower was like a fortress that could protect them from harm. However, as we see in the rest of the story, even the strongest towers can fall if God is not our rock, as described in Psalm 18:2. We must remember that true safety and security come from trusting in God, as described in Proverbs 29:25.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the strong tower in Judges 9:51, and why did the people of Thebez flee there?

The strong tower in Judges 9:51 was a secure fortress within the city where the people of Thebez, including men, women, and leaders, fled for safety, similar to how the Psalmist describes God as a strong tower in Psalm 61:3.

Why did the people lock themselves in and go up to the roof of the tower?

The people locked themselves in and went up to the roof of the tower to escape the attack of Abimelech and to possibly get a better view of their surroundings, as seen in other biblical accounts of sieges, such as in 2 Samuel 18:24.

Is this strong tower a symbol of anything else in the Bible?

The strong tower in Judges 9:51 can be seen as a symbol of refuge and safety, much like the refuge and safety God provides for His people, as described in Proverbs 18:10, where the name of the Lord is a strong tower for the righteous to run to.

How does this event relate to the rest of the story of Abimelech in Judges 9?

The event in Judges 9:51 is part of Abimelech's campaign against the cities that did not submit to him, and it ultimately leads to his demise, as foretold in Judges 9:20 and fulfilled in Judges 9:53-54, serving as a reminder of God's judgment on those who rebel against Him, as seen in Isaiah 10:12.

Reflection Questions

What are some 'strong towers' in my life that I run to for safety and security, and are they truly secure?
How do I respond when my 'strong tower' is under attack, and what does this reveal about my trust in God?
In what ways can I, like the people of Thebez, prepare for the battles of life by seeking refuge in God, as described in Psalm 91:2?
What can I learn from the people's decision to lock themselves in and go up to the roof of the tower, and how can I apply this to my own life when facing challenges?

Gill's Exposition on Judges 9:51

But there was a strong tower within the city,.... The tower of Shechem was without the city, but this within, as towers generally are: and hither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city;

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 9:51

But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut it to them, and gat them up to the top of the tower.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 9:51

All the men and women; all that were not slain in the taking of the town; or they all forsook the town, and retired to their strong hold. The top of the tower was flat and plain, after their manner of building.

Trapp's Commentary on Judges 9:51

Judges 9:51 But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut [it] to them, and gat them up to the top of the tower.Ver. 51. Thither fled all the men and women.] As all creatures in times of danger run to their refuges.

Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 9:51

(51) There was a strong tower within the city.—This constant mention of towers and strongholds (Judges 8:9, &c.) shows the disturbed state of the country, which probably resembled the state of England in the days of King Stephen. To the top of the tower.—“Standing about the battlements upon the roof of the tower” (Vulg.).

Cambridge Bible on Judges 9:51

51. and all they of the city] (even) all the citizens of the city, the same word as that translated men in Judges 9:2 (see note), Judges 9:23; Judges 9:26 etc.; and should be omitted, unless citizens means ‘the chief men,’ which is not the case elsewhere in this chapter.

Whedon's Commentary on Judges 9:51

51. A strong tower within the city — Unwalled cities and villages were often provided with such a strong tower or castle, to which the inhabitants resorted in time of danger.

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