Judges 9:53

Verse

But a woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, crushing his skull.

American Standard Version (1901)

And a certain woman cast an upper millstone upon Abimelech’s head, and brake his skull.

But a certain woman sent a great stone, such as is used for crushing grain, on to the head of Abimelech, cracking the bone.

Free Bible Version

a woman dropped millstone down on Abimelech's head and cracked his skull open.

Geneva Bible 1599

But a certaine woman cast a piece of a milstone vpon Abimelechs head, and brake his braine pan.

King James (Authorized) Version

And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech’s head, and all to brake his skull.

Translation for Translators

But when Abimelech came near the doorway, a woman who was on the roof dropped a big grinding stone on his head, and crushed his skull.

Unlocked Literal Bible

But a woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech's head and it cracked his skull.

Noah Webster Bible

And a certain woman cast a piece of of a millstone upon Abimelech's head, and broke his skull.

World English Bible

A certain woman cast an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, and broke his skull.

Young's Literal Translation

and a certain woman doth cast a piece of a rider on the head of Abimelech, and breaketh his skull,

Context

Abimelech’s Punishment

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. ⁵⁴He quickly called his armor-bearer, saying, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So Abimelech’s armor-bearer ran his sword through him, and he died.

Summary

This verse recounts the downfall of Abimelek, a wicked ruler who faced judgment for his evil deeds. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of pursuing power through deceit and violence, highlighting the principle that those who live by the sword will die by the sword. The tragic end of Abimelek underscores the importance of seeking righteousness and justice rather than selfish ambition and oppression. Ultimately, this passage illustrates the justice and judgment of God against those who defy His ways and harm His people.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Then he called hastily to the young man his armourbearer,.... Perceiving it was a mortal blow that was given him, and he should soon expire; and that the cast of the stone was by the hand of a woman, and therefore he was in haste to have the young man come to him: and said unto him, draw thy sword and slay me, that men say not of me, a woman slew him; it being reckoned very ignominious and reproachful to die by the hand of a woman, and especially any great personage, as a king or general of an army (s); to avoid this, he chose rather to be guilty of suicide, or of what cannot well be excused from it, and so died by suicide; which, added to all his other sins, he seemed to have no sense of, or repentance for; and the method he took to conceal the shame of his death served the more to spread it; for this circumstance of his death could not be given without the reason of it, and which was remembered and related punctually near two hundred years afterwards, Sa2 11:21. (s) "O turpe fatum! foemina Herculeae, necis Auctor feretur ----" Seneca Oetaeo.