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Judges 9:45: Meaning Explained

And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and...

Judges 9:45
Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and killed the people who were therein: and he beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.
What it means

Abimelech fought against the city all day long. He captured it, killed everyone inside, destroyed it completely, and even spread salt on it to make sure nothing would grow there.

What’s Happening Here

This chapter tells the story of Abimelech, who kills his brothers to become king of Shechem. It shows how bad choices, jealousy, and betrayal lead to disaster for everyone involved.

Key Words

FaithBelieving in God and trusting Him
LoveCaring deeply about someone

Why It Matters

This verse helps us understand how God works and how we should treat others. It shows us that God is powerful and cares about what happens to His people.

Did You Know?

The parable of the trees that Jotham tells is one of the oldest stories in the Bible. It teaches that good people make better leaders than bad people.

Tradition Spectrum

Word Study

H40
And Abimelechוַֽאֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְ
H3898
foughtנִלְחָ֣ם
H5892
against the cityהָעִ֔יר
H3117
all that dayהַיּ֣וֹם
H3920
and he tookוַיִּלְכֹּד֙
H5971
the peopleהָעָ֥ם
H2026
and slewהָרָ֑ג
H5422
that was therein and beat downוַיִּתֹּץ֙
H2232
and sowedוַיִּזְרָעֶ֖הָ
H4417
it with saltמֶֽלַח׃

Frequently asked questions

What does Judges 9:45 mean?

Abimelech fought against the city all day long. He captured it, killed everyone inside, destroyed it completely, and even spread salt on it to make sure nothing would grow there.

What is the context of Judges 9:45?

This chapter tells the story of Abimelech, who kills his brothers to become king of Shechem. It shows how bad choices, jealousy, and betrayal lead to disaster for everyone involved.

Why does Judges 9:45 matter?

This verse helps us understand how God works and how we should treat others. It shows us that God is powerful and cares about what happens to His people.

What's a surprising detail about Judges 9:45?

The parable of the trees that Jotham tells is one of the oldest stories in the Bible. It teaches that good people make better leaders than bad people.

Continue Exploring
Read Judges 9:45 in the Bible reader, or explore the full chapter summary.

References

  1. Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
  2. Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
  3. Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
  4. Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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People in Judges 9:45

Commentary on Judges 9:45

Verses 30–49 Abimelech intended to punish the Schechemites for slighting him now, but God punished them for their serving him formerly in the murder of Gideon's sons. When God uses men as instruments in his hand to do his work, he means one thing, and they another. That, which they hoped would have been for their welfare, proved a snare and a trap, as those will certainly find, who run to idols for shelter; such will prove a refuge of lies. (Jdg 9:50-57)
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706)