King James Version

What Does Judges 9:24 Mean?

Judges 9:24 in the King James Version says “That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech the...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them; and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren. aided: Heb. strengthened his hands to kill”

Judges 9:24 · KJV

Context

22

When Abimelech had reigned three years over Israel,

23

Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:

24

That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them; and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren. aided: Heb. strengthened his hands to kill

25

And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech.

26

And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him.

Read Judges 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
That the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them; and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren.

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 · 23 words
לָב֕וֹא1 of 23

“might come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

חֲמַ֖ס2 of 23

“That the cruelty”

H2555

violence; by implication, wrong; by metonymy unjust gain

שִׁבְעִ֣ים3 of 23

“done to the threescore and ten”

H7657

seventy

בְּנֵֽי4 of 23

“sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יְרֻבָּ֑עַל5 of 23

“of Jerubbaal”

H3378

jerubbaal, a symbolic name of gideon

וְדָמָ֗ם6 of 23

“and their blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

לָשׂ֞וּם7 of 23

“be laid”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

עַל8 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אֲבִימֶ֤לֶךְ9 of 23

“upon Abimelech”

H40

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

אֶחָֽיו׃10 of 23

“of his brethren”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

אֲשֶׁ֣ר11 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לַֽהֲרֹ֥ג12 of 23

“him in the killing”

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

אוֹתָ֔ם13 of 23
H853

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

וְעַל֙14 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בַּֽעֲלֵ֣י15 of 23

“them and upon the men”

H1167

a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)

שְׁכֶ֔ם16 of 23

“of Shechem”

H7927

shekem, a place in palestine

אֲשֶׁר17 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

חִזְּק֥וּ18 of 23

“which aided”

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

אֶת19 of 23
H853

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

יָדָ֖יו20 of 23
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

לַֽהֲרֹ֥ג21 of 23

“him in the killing”

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

אֶת22 of 23
H853

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

אֶחָֽיו׃23 of 23

“of his brethren”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

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 9:24 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 9:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 2:32Psalms 7:16Esther 9:25Deuteronomy 27:25Matthew 23:34-36Judges 9:56-57

Places in This Verse

ShechemSettlement · Modern: Tell Balatah · 32.21°N, 35.28°E45 verses across 10 books
View all places in Judges 9 →

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