Judges 9:22 — Word Study
WLCוַיָּ֧שַׂר אֲבִימֶ֛לֶךְ עַל־ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל שָׁלֹ֥שׁ שָׁנִֽים׃
BSAAfter AbimelechʼĂbîymelek [a king of the Philistines, son of Gideon] had reignedsûwr▸ [ruled as a prince, been in power] overʻal IsraelYisrâʼêl [the descendants of Jacob, God's chosen people] for threeshâlôwsh [a period of, exactly] yearsshâneh [a cycle of time, a season]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיָּ֧שַׂר | and he ruled | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| אֲבִימֶ֛לֶךְ | Abimelech | Noun proper masculine |
| עַל־ | over | Preposition |
| יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל | Israel | Noun proper |
| שָׁלֹ֥שׁ | three | Noun common, both singular absolute |
| שָׁנִֽים׃ | years | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | After Abimelech had reigned over Israel for three years, |
| KJV | ¶ When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel, |
| ASV | And Abimelech was prince over Israel three years. |
| YLT | And Abimelech is prince over Israel three years, |
| WEB | Abimelech was prince over Israel three years. |
| BBE | So Abimelech was chief over Israel for three years. |
Where they part company is in the choice of verbs — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has a main clause with two phrases that provide additional context about the reign.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectאֲבִימֶלֶךְ
verbשׂרר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Judges 9:22
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Reign of Abimelechgenerated
Judges 9:22 describes the period when Abimelech, the son of Gideon, ruled over Israel. This reign is marked by political intrigue and conflict, leading to significant consequences for both Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, as seen in the subsequent verses.
Cross References
The Key Word — שׂרר, vai.Ya.sargenerated
The verb שׂרר (sarar) means to rule or reign, indicating authority and governance. It is used in contexts where someone holds power, often implying a sense of victory or dominance.
In this verse, it highlights Abimelech's position as a ruler over Israel, emphasizing the political landscape during his reign. The parsing as a sequential imperfect third person masculine singular indicates ongoing action during his time in power.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb governing the sentence is שׂרר, he ruled, which is followed by a prepositional phrase indicating the domain of his rule and a noun phrase specifying the duration of his reign.
The structure emphasizes Abimelech's authority over Israel, with the prepositional phrase עַל־ יִשְׂרָאֵל placing the focus on the people he governed.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates שׂרר as ἦρχεν (ērxen), meaning 'he began to rule'. This choice suggests a focus on the initiation of Abimelech's reign rather than just the act of ruling itself.
This translation indicates a broader interpretation of his authority, highlighting the beginning of a significant leadership period in Israel.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Judges 9:22 tells us that Abimelech ruled over Israel for three years. This period is marked by political tension and conflict, which is explored in the following verses.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Abimelech was a king of the Philistines and the son of Gideon, known for his rule over Israel.
It indicates that Abimelech held authority and governance over the people of Israel during that time.
The three years signify a specific period of political significance and set the stage for the events that follow.
The subsequent verses detail the conflict that arose between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, leading to further turmoil.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What can we learn about leadership from Abimelech's reign?
- How do the events surrounding Abimelech's rule reflect the challenges faced by Israel during this time?
- In what ways can we see parallels between Abimelech's leadership and contemporary leadership challenges?
- What lessons can be drawn from the consequences of Abimelech's actions for future leaders?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Judges 9:22 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleWhen 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
Read John Gill on Judges 9 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryWhen Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel, When Abimelech had reigned three years.
Read Robert Jamieson on Judges 9 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleFor 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.
Read Matthew Poole on Judges 9 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJudges 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.
Read John Trapp on Judges 9 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(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.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Judges 9 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges22–25. 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.
Read Cambridge on Judges 9 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleHad 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.
Read Albert Barnes on Judges 9 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the BibleOF , 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.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Judges 9 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
After Abimelech had reigned over Israel for three years,
Abimelech was prince over Israel three years.
After Abimelech had reigned over Israel for three years,
Abimelech commanded Israel for three years.
Tyndale line
¶ When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,
And Abimelech was prince over Israel three years.
And Abimelech was prince over Israel three years.
When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,
So Abimelech reigned three yeere ouer Israel.
Strictly literal
And Abimelech ruled over Israel three years.
And Abimelech is prince over Israel three years,
And Abimelech is prince over Israel [for] three years,
And Abimelech ruled over Israel three years;
Abimelech ruled over Israel for three years.
From the Latin
So Abimelech reigned over Israel for three years.
Simplified
Abimelech ruled over Israel for three years.
So Abimelech was chief over Israel for three years.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree in content, with the Septuagint providing a direct word-for-word correspondence to the Hebrew text. Both witnesses confirm the details of Abimelech's rule over Israel for three years.
וַיָּ֧שַׂר אֲבִימֶ֛לֶךְ עַל־ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל שָׁלֹ֥שׁ שָׁנִֽים׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Judges 9:22
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word שָׂרַר (sarár) is a verb meaning to act as a prince or to rule. It encompasses the ideas of reigning, governing, and having power, with forms indicating both direct ruling and the act of making others rulers. The entries suggest its use in various contexts, including governance over Israel.
[שָׂרַר] vb. denom. be, or act as, prince, rule
Qal Abim. ruled over Isr. three years
Hithp. that thou shouldst also keep playing the prince over us.
Hiph. they made princes
base
H7786 שָׂרַר vb. denom. be, or act as, prince, rule
7786 suwr soor
a primitive root; properly, to vanquish; by implication, to
rule (causatively, crown):--make princes, have power, reign.
See 5493.
see HEBREW for 05493
שׂוּר (sur) — to reign.
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
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
אֲבִימֶ֫לֶךְ (Abiymelek) means 'father of the king' and refers to several figures in the Old Testament, including kings of Gerar and Gath, a son of Gideon, and a priest. The name is derived from the components for 'father' and 'king.' It is first mentioned in Genesis 20:2 and appears in various contexts throughout the scriptures.
אֲבִימֶ֫לֶךְ n.pr.m. (Melek (= Malik, Molech) is father)
king of Gerar
king of Gath
son of Gideon
priest, son of Abiathar
base
H40 אֲבִימֶ֫לֶךְ (Melek (= Malik, Molech) is father)
40 'Abiymelek ab-ee-mel'-ek
from 1 and 4428; father of (the) king; Abimelek, the name of
two Philistine kings and of two Israelites:--Abimelech.
see HEBREW for 01
see HEBREW for 04428
אֲבִימֶ֫לֶךְ (a.vi.me.lekh) — Abimelech.
A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.20.2
§ 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
אֲבִימֶ֫לֶךְ (a.vi.me.lekh) — Abimelech.
A man living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jdg.8.31;
son of: Gideon (H1439);
brother of: Jether (H3500) and Jotham (H3147)
§ 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
אֲבִימֶ֫לֶךְ (a.vi.me.lekh) — Abimelech.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.21.10;
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
a-bim'-e-lek ('abhimelekh, "father of a king"): A name borne by five Old Testament persons.
(1) The name of two kings of Philistia; the first was a contemporary of Abraham, the second, probably son of the former, was king in the days of Isaac. It is quite possible that Abimelech was the royal title rather than the personal name, since in the title of Ps 34 we find it applied to the king of Gath, elsewhere known by his personal name, Achish (1Sa 27:2,3). Shortly after the destruction of Sodom Abraham journeyed with his herds and flocks into the extreme Southeast country of Palestine (Ge 20). While sojourning at Gerar, the city of Abimelech, king of the Philistine country, he made believe that Sarah was his sister (Ge 20:2), and Abimelech took her, intending to make her one of his…
Abimelech
My father a king, or father of a king, a common name of the Philistine kings, as “Pharaoh” was of the Egyptian kings. (1.) The Philistine king of Gerar in the time of Abraham (Gen. 20:1-18). By an interposition of Providence, Sarah was delivered from his harem, and was restored to her husband Abraham. As a mark of respect he gave to Abraham valuable gifts, and offered him a settlement in any part of his country; while at the same time he delicately and yet severely rebuked him for having practised a deception upon him in pretending that Sarah was only his sister. Among the gifts presented by the king were a thousand pieces of silver as a “covering of the eyes” for Sarah; i.e., either as an atoning gift and a testimony of her innocence in the sight of all, or rather for the purpose of procuring a veil for Sarah to conceal her…
(father of the king), the name of several Philistine kings, was probably a common title of these kings, like that of Pharaoh among the Egyptians and that of Caesar and Augustus among the Romans. Hence in the title of (Psalms 34:1) ... the name of Abimelech is given to the king, who is called Achish in (1 Samuel 21:11) A Philistine, king of Gerar, Genesis 20,21, who, exercising the right claimed by Eastern princes of collecting all the beautiful women of their dominions into their harem, (Genesis 12:15; Esther 2:3) sent for and took Sarah. A similar account is given of Abraham’s conduct of this occasion to that of his behavior towards Pharaoh. [ABRAHAM] (B.C. 1920.) Another…
1. King of Gerar of the Philistines, who took Sarah into his harem; but being warned of God in a dream, he restored her to Abraham, and gave him 1,000 pieces of silver as a "covering of the eyes" for Sarah, that is, as an atoning present, and to be a testimony of her innocence in the eyes of all. He afterwards made a league with Abraham, Ge 20:1-18.
2. Another king of Gerar, probably son of the former, and contemporary with Isaac. He rebuked Isaac for dissimulation in regard to Rebekah, and afterwards made a new league with him at Beersheba, Ge 26:1-35.
3. A son of Gideon by a concubine, made himself king of Shechem after his father’s death, and slew his father’s seventy sons on one stone, only Jotham the youngest being left. Jotham reproached the Shechemites for their conduct, in…
The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
עַל, עָ֑ל
subst. height
As prep. upon, and hence 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
Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed
—
of clothing, etc., which any one wears
With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence 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 . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears
. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
5921 `al al
properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the
singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a
particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always
in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great
variety of applications (as follow):--above, according
to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because
of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both
and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in
(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,
through(-out), to, touching, X with.
see HEBREW for 05920
עַל (al) — upon.
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)
[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.
conj
Prep — PrepositionHR
יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisra'el) refers to both the second name of Jacob, meaning 'God prevails,' and the name of the Hebrew nation descended from him. It is derived from roots meaning 'to rule' and 'God.' The term encompasses Jacob's descendants and is used historically for the northern kingdom of Israel and the nation as a whole after the Babylonian exile.
יִשְׂרָאֵל 2507 n.pr.m. et gent. Israel (Ēl persisteth, persevereth)
n.pr.m. second name of Jacob
n.pr.gent. name of Hebrew nation
base
H3478 יִשְׂרָאֵל Israel (Ēl persisteth, persevereth) . n. pr. m. second name of Jacob
. n. pr. gent. name of Hebrew nation
3478 Yisra'el yis-raw-ale'
from 8280 and 410; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical
name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity:
--Israel.
see HEBREW for 08280
see HEBREW for 0410
יִשְׂרָאֵל (yis.ra.el) — Israel.
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
N-proper — Noun properHNpl
iz'-ra-el.
See JACOB.
Israel
The name conferred on Jacob after the great prayer-struggle at Peniel (Gen. 32:28), because “as a prince he had power with God and prevailed.” (See JACOB.) This is the common name given to Jacob’s descendants. The whole people of the twelve tribes are called “Israelites,” the “children of Israel” (Josh. 3:17; 7:25; Judg. 8:27; Jer. 3:21), and the “house of Israel” (Ex. 16:31; 40:38).
This name Israel is sometimes used emphatically for the true Israel (Ps. 73:1: Isa. 45:17; 49:3;
(the prince that prevails with God). The name given, (Genesis 32:28) to Jacob after his wrestling with the angel, (Hosea 12:4) at Peniel. Gesenius interprets Israel "soldier of God." It became the national name of the twelve tribes collectively. They are so called in (Exodus 3:16) and afterward. It is used in a narrower sense, excluding Judah, in (1 Samuel 11:8; 2 Samuel 20:1; 1 Kings 12:16) Thenceforth it was assumed and accepted as the name of the northern kingdom. After the Babylonian captivity, the returned exiles resumed the name Israel as the designation of…
Who prevails with God, a name given to Jacob, after having wrestled with the Angel-Jehovah at Penuel. Ge 32:1,2,28,30 Ho 12:3. See JACOB. By the name Israel is sometimes understood all the posterity of Israel, the seed of Jacob, 1Co 10:18; sometimes all true believers, his spiritual seed, Ro 9:6; and sometimes the kingdom of Israel, or the ten tribes, as distinct from the kingdom of Judah.
The Hebrew word שָׁלֹשׁ (*shalosh*) means 'three' or 'triad.' It can also refer to the ordinal 'third' and is used in various contexts, including multiplication as 'thrice.' The entries consistently define it as a primitive number without significant disagreement.
שָׁלֹשׁ, שָׁלוֹשׁ, שְׁלֹשָׁה 430 n.m. et f. a three, triad
base
H7969 שָׁלֹשׁ, שָׁלוֹשׁ, שְׁלֹשָׁה a three, triad
7969 shalowsh shaw-loshe'
or shalosh {shaw-loshe'}; masculine shlowshah {shel-o-shaw'};
or shloshah {shel-o-shaw'}; a primitive number; three;
occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multipl.) thrice:--+ fork,
+ often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, + thrice.
Compare 7991.
see HEBREW for 07991
שָׁלֹשׁ (sha.losh) — three.
1) three, triad
1a) 3, 300, third
Aramaic equivalent: te.lat (תְּלָת "three" H8532)
Adj — Noun common · both singular absoluteHNcbsa
(shalosh; treis).
See NUMBER.
The phrase "three days and three nights," Mt 12:40, was equivalent in Hebrew to the English "three days;" the Jews employing the expression "a day and a night" to denote our "day" of twentyfour hours. Nor did "three days," 1Sa 30:13, literally "this third day," according to their usage, necessarily include the whole of three days, but a part of three days, a continuous period including one whole day of twenty-four hours, and a portion of the day preceding it and the day following it. Compare Ge 7:12,17 1Sa 30:12-13.
שָׁנָה (shaneh) means 'year' and is derived from the root meaning to change or revolve. It encompasses various aspects of time, including divisions of time, measures of age, and even a lifetime. The Aramaic equivalent is שְׁנָה (she.nah), also meaning 'year'.
שָׁנָה 877 n.f. year (etym. v. √[v.ek.aa])
base
H8141 שָׁנָה year (etym. v. √[8138a])
8141 shaneh shaw-neh'
(in plura or (feminine) shanah {shaw-naw'}; from 8138; a year
(as a revolution of time):--+ whole age, X long, + old,
year(X -ly).
see HEBREW for 08138
שָׁנָה (sha.neh) — year.
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)
N-fp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa