King James Version

What Does Judges 9:16 Mean?

Judges 9:16 in the King James Version says “Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with ...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands;”

Judges 9:16 · KJV

Context

14

Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us. bramble: or, thistle

15

And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.

16

Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands;

17

(For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian: adventured: Heb. cast his life

18

And ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;)

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands;

This verse contributes to the narrative of Abimelech's tyrannical reign and judgment. The Book of Judges documents Israel's cyclical pattern of apostasy and deliverance, revealing both human depravity and divine mercy. Each cycle begins with Israel doing evil (usually Baal worship), followed by God's judgment through foreign oppression, Israel's cry for deliverance, God raising up a judge, temporary peace, then renewed apostasy after the judge dies.

Theologically, this pattern demonstrates several crucial truths: (1) Human inability to maintain covenant faithfulness apart from God's transforming grace; (2) God's justice in punishing covenant violation through the curses of Deuteronomy 28; (3) God's mercy in responding to repentant cries with deliverance; (4) The inadequacy of repeated deliverances to produce lasting transformation, pointing to the need for the New Covenant with God's law written on hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-34).

The judges themselves foreshadow Christ—they are divinely appointed deliverers who save Israel from enemies. Yet their imperfections and temporary victories point to the need for the perfect Judge who would provide permanent deliverance. Jesus fulfills the judges' typology, being the ultimate "sent one" who conquers spiritual enemies definitively through His death and resurrection, providing eternal salvation rather than temporary political relief.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: The Book of Judges spans approximately 350-400 years (c. 1375-1050 BCE) during the Late Bronze Age collapse and early Iron Age. This period saw the disintegration of major empires (Hittites, Mycenaeans) and weakening of Egyptian control over Canaan, creating a power vacuum filled by emerging peoples including Philistines (Sea Peoples), Aramaeans, and regional kingdoms. The decentralized tribal structure left Israel vulnerable to external oppression and internal chaos.

Cultural Context: This passage relates to Abimelech's tyrannical reign and judgment. Canaanite religion dominated the region, centered on Baal (storm/fertility god), Asherah (mother goddess), and Anat (war goddess). Archaeological discoveries at Ugarit (Ras Shamra) have provided extensive information about Canaanite mythology and religious practices. Baal worship involved ritual prostitution, child sacrifice, and fertility rites tied to agricultural seasons. Israel's persistent attraction to these gods demonstrates the strong cultural pressure to conform to surrounding nations' religious practices.

The material culture of this period shows gradual Israelite settlement in the Canaanite hill country, with simpler pottery and architecture than coastal Canaanite cities. Iron technology was beginning to spread, giving military advantage to peoples who mastered it (note the Philistines' iron monopoly, 1 Samuel 13:19-22). The absence of centralized government during the judges period stands in stark contrast to the bureaucratic city-states of Canaan and the imperial administration of Egypt and Mesopotamia. This political structure reflected Israel's theocratic ideal—God as king—yet the repeated cycles of apostasy showed this ideal required more than political structures; it demanded heart transformation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage about Abimelech's tyrannical reign and judgment reveal God's character in dealing with persistent human rebellion and incomplete obedience?
  2. What patterns of spiritual compromise or incomplete obedience in your own life mirror Israel's failures during the judges period?
  3. How does understanding the cyclical nature of sin and deliverance in Judges help you appreciate Christ's perfect and final deliverance from sin's power?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְעַתָּ֗ה1 of 20
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

אִם2 of 20
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

בֶּֽאֱמֶ֤ת3 of 20

“truly”

H571

stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness

וּבְתָמִים֙4 of 20

“and sincerely”

H8549

entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth

עֲשִׂ֥יתֶם5 of 20

“Now therefore if ye have done”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

וַתַּמְלִ֖יכוּ6 of 20

“king”

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

אֶת7 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ8 of 20

“in that ye have made Abimelech”

H40

abimelek, the name of two philistine kings and of two israelites

וְאִם9 of 20
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

טוֹבָ֤ה10 of 20

“well”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

עֲשִׂ֥יתֶם11 of 20

“Now therefore if ye have done”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

עִם12 of 20
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

יְרֻבַּ֣עַל13 of 20

“with Jerubbaal”

H3378

jerubbaal, a symbolic name of gideon

וְעִם14 of 20
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

בֵּית֔וֹ15 of 20

“and his house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

וְאִם16 of 20
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

כִּגְמ֥וּל17 of 20

“unto him according to the deserving”

H1576

treatment, i.e., an act (of good or ill); by implication, service or requital

יָדָ֖יו18 of 20

“of his hands”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

עֲשִׂ֥יתֶם19 of 20

“Now therefore if ye have done”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לֽוֹ׃20 of 20
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Judges. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Judges 9:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Judges 9:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 8:35

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