King James Version
Judges 9:34 in the King James Version says “And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four compa...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.”
Judges 9:34 · KJV
Now therefore up by night, thou and the people that is with thee, and lie in wait in the field:
And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and set upon the city: and, behold, when he and the people that is with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt find occasion. as thou shalt: Heb. as thine hand shall find
And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they laid wait against Shechem in four companies.
And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait.
And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.
KJV Study — Public Domain
“rose up”
H6965to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
“And Abimelech”
H40abimelek, the name of two philistine kings and of two israelites
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
“and all the people”
H5971a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
“that were with him by night”
H3915properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
“companies”
H7218the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
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.
Judges 9:34 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.