Judges 9:44

9:43 And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them.

And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and the two other companies ran upon all the people that were in the fields, and slew them.

KJV

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Abimelech and the companies that were with him rushed forward, and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city; and the two companies rushed on all who were in the field, and struck them.

And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and the two other companies ran upon all the people that were in the fields, and slew them.

And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and the two other companies ran on all the people that were in the fields, and slew them.

9:45 And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.

What does Judges 9:44 mean?

Judges 9:44 is a verse in the book of Judges, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (ʼĂbîymelek), רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh), פָּשַׁט (pâshaṭ). It connects to 17 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

And

Abimelech,אֲבִימֶלֶךְʼĂbîymelek/ab-ee-mel'-ek/H40Abimelek, the name of two Philistine kings and of two Israelites

and

the

companyרֹאשׁrôʼsh/roshe/H7218the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

that

was

with

him,

rushed

forward,פָּשַׁטpâshaṭ/paw-shat'/H6584to spread out (i.e. deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e. unclothe, plunder, flay, etc.)

and

stoodעָמַדʻâmad/aw-mad'/H5975to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

the

enteringפֶּתַחpethach/peh'-thakh/H6607an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way

the

gateשַׁעַרshaʻar/shah'-ar/H8179an opening, i.e. door or gate

the

city:עִירʻîyr/eer/H5892a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

and

the

twoשְׁנַיִםshᵉnayim/shen-ah'-yim/H8147two; also (as ordinal) twofold

other

companiesרֹאשׁrôʼsh/roshe/H7218the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

ran

uponפָּשַׁטpâshaṭ/paw-shat'/H6584to spread out (i.e. deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip (i.e. unclothe, plunder, flay, etc.)

all

the

people

that

were

the

fields,שָׂדֶהsâdeh/saw-deh'/H7704a field (as flat)

and

slewנָכָהnâkâh/naw-kaw'/H5221to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

them.

Commentary on Judges 9:44

HENRY_FULL · Judges 9:44

4690" This chapter contains the triumphal song which was composed and sung upon occasion of that glorious victory which Israel obtained over the forces of Jabin king of Canaan and the happy consequences of that victory. Probably it was usual then to publish poems upon such occasions, as now; but this only is preserved of all the poems of that age of the judges, because dictated by Deborah a prophetess, designed for a psalm of praise then, and a pattern of praise to after-ages, and it gives a great deal of light to the history of these times. I. It begins with praise to God, ver. 2, 3 . II. The substance of this song transmits the memory of this great achievement. 1. Comparing God's appearances for them on this occasion with his appearances to them on Mount Sinai, ver. 4, 5 . 2. Magnifying their deliverance from the consideration of the calamitous condition they had been in, ver. 6-8 . 3. Calling those to join in praise that shared in the benefits of the success, ver. 9-13 . 4. Reflecting honour upon those tribes that were forward and active in that war, and disgrace on those that declined the service, ver. 14-19 , 23 . 5. Taking notice how God himself fought for them, ver. 20-22 . 6. Celebrating particularly the honour of Jael, that slew Sisera, on which head the song is very large, ver. 24-30 . It concludes with a prayer to God, ver. 31 .

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Deuteronomy 32:43

Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people. Rejoice: or, Praise his people, ye nations: or, Sing ye

Judges 9:9

But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? go: or, go up and down for other trees

2 Samuel 22:47

The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.

2 Samuel 22:48

It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me, avengeth: Heb. giveth avengement for

2 Chronicles 17:16

And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour.

Nehemiah 11:2

And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.

Psalms 18:47

It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me. avengeth: Heb. giveth avengements for subdueth: or, destroyeth

Psalms 48:11

Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments.

1 Corinthians 9:17

For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

2 Corinthians 8:12

For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Philippians 2:13

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Philemon 1:14

But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

Revelation 16:5

And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.

Revelation 16:6

For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.

Revelation 18:20

Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.

Revelation 19:2

For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

Topics

Sieges

People & places in this verse

People

Abimelech

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Judges 9:44.

Exodus 32:26

Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD'S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.

Exodus 33:10

And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door.

Exodus 33:9

And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses.

Genesis 11:4

And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

Genesis 19:1

And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;

Genesis 19:15

And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. are here: Heb. are found iniquity: or, punishment

Genesis 19:16

And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.

Genesis 21:27

And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant.

Frequently asked questions

What does Judges 9:44 say?

Judges 9:44 (King James Version) reads: "And Abimelech, and the company that was with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and the two other companies ran upon all the people that were in the fields, and slew them."

Is Judges 9:44 in the Old or New Testament?

Judges 9:44 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Judges.

Reflect

As you read Judges 9:44, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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