Chapter 9

1And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem to his mother's brothers; and he spoke to them, and to all the family of the house of his mother's father, saying:   אוַיֵּ֨לֶךְ אֲבִימֶ֚לֶךְ בֶּן־יְרֻבַּ֙עַל֙ שְׁכֶ֔מָה אֶל־אֲחֵ֖י אִמּ֑וֹ וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם וְאֶל־כָּל־מִשְׁפַּ֛חַת בֵּית־אֲבִ֥י אִמּ֖וֹ לֵאמֹֽר:
2"Speak now, in the ears of all the men of Shechem; What is better for you, that there rule over you seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, or that one man rule over you? Now remember that I am your bone and flesh."   בדַּבְּרוּ־נָ֞א בְּאָזְנֵ֨י כָל־בַּעֲלֵ֣י שְׁכֶם֘ מַה־טּ֣וֹב לָכֶם֒ הַמְשֹׁ֨ל בָּכֶ֜ם שִׁבְעִ֣ים אִ֗ישׁ כֹּ֚ל בְּנֵ֣י יְרֻבַּ֔עַל אִם־מְשֹׁ֥ל בָכֶ֖ם אִ֣ישׁ אֶחָ֑ד וּזְכַרְתֶּ֕ם כִּֽי־עַצְמְכֶ֥ם וּבְשַׂרְכֶ֖ם אָנִֽי:
3And his mother's brothers spoke of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words. And their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, "He is our brother."   גוַיְדַבְּר֨וּ אֲחֵֽי־אִמּ֜וֹ עָלָ֗יו בְּאָזְנֵי֙ כָּל־בַּעֲלֵ֣י שְׁכֶ֔ם אֵ֥ת כָּל־הַדְּבָרִ֖ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה וַיֵּ֚ט לִבָּם֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ כִּ֥י אָמְר֖וּ אָחִ֥ינוּ הֽוּא:
4And they gave him seventy pieces of silver of the house of Baal-berith. And Abimelech hired with them idle and hasty men, and they followed him.   דוַיִּתְּנוּ־לוֹ֙ שִׁבְעִ֣ים כֶּ֔סֶף מִבֵּ֖ית בַּ֣עַל בְּרִ֑ית וַיִּשְׂכֹּ֨ר בָּהֶ֜ם אֲבִימֶ֗לֶךְ אֲנָשִׁ֚ים רֵיקִים֙ וּפֹ֣חֲזִ֔ים וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ אַחֲרָֽיו:
and hasty פוֹחֲזִים. Hasty in their actions, to do without meditation.   ופחזים  בהולים במעשיהם לעשות בלא תבונה:
5And he went to his father's house, to Ophrah, and killed his brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men upon one stone; but Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, for he hid.   הוַיָּבֹ֚א בֵית־אָבִיו֙ עָפְרָ֔תָה וַֽיַּהֲרֹ֞ג אֶת־אֶחָ֧יו בְּנֵֽי־יְרֻבַּ֛עַל שִׁבְעִ֥ים אִ֖ישׁ עַל־אֶ֣בֶן אֶחָ֑ת וַיִּוָּתֵ֞ר יוֹתָ֧ם בֶּן־יְרֻבַּ֛עַל הַקָּטֹ֖ן כִּ֥י נֶחְבָּֽא:
6And all the inhabitants of Shechem and all Beth-millo assembled, and they went and made Abimelech king, by the plain of stones that was in Shechem.   ווַיֵּאָ֨סְפ֜וּ כָּל־בַּעֲלֵ֚י שְׁכֶם֙ וְכָל־בֵּ֣ית מִלּ֔וֹא וַיֵּ֣לְכ֔וּ וַיַּמְלִ֥יכוּ אֶת־אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ לְמֶ֑לֶךְ עִם־אֵל֥וֹן מֻצָּ֖ב אֲשֶׁ֥ר בִּשְׁכֶֽם:
by the plain of the stones Heb. אֵלוֹן מֻצָּב. Targum Jonathan renders מֵישַׁר קָמָתָא, i.e., a plain (אֵלוֹן) containing monuments (מַצֵּבוֹת).   עם אלון מצב  (תרגום:) מישר קמתא - מישור שהיו בו מצבות:
7And they told it to Jotham, and he went and stood on the peak of Mount Gerizim, and he raised his voice, and called; and he said to them, "Listen to me, you men of Shechem, that God may listen to you.   זוַיַּגִּ֣דוּ לְיוֹתָ֗ם וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙ וַֽיַּעֲמֹד֙ בְּרֹ֣אשׁ הַר־גְּרִזִ֔ים וַיִּשָּׂ֥א קוֹל֖וֹ וַיִּקְרָ֑א וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לָהֶ֗ם שִׁמְע֚וּ אֵלַי֙ בַּעֲלֵ֣י שְׁכֶ֔ם וְיִשְׁמַ֥ע אֲלֵיכֶ֖ם אֱלֹהִֽים:
8The trees went forth to anoint a king over them. And they said to the olive tree, 'Reign over us.'   חהָל֚וֹךְ הָֽלְכוּ֙ הָעֵצִ֔ים לִמְשֹׁ֥חַ עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם מֶ֑לֶךְ וַיֹּאמְר֥וּ לַזַּ֖יִת מָלְכָ֥ה (כתיב מָלְוכָ֥ה) עָלֵֽינוּ:
the trees went forth This is allegorical.   הלוך הלכו העצים  משל הוא:
to the olive tree Referring to Othniel the son of Kenaz from the tribe of Judah, which is called an olive tree, as it says, (Jer. 11:16) “Like a fresh olive tree, beautiful in form, etc.” (this refers to the cities of Judah mentioned in v. 13 ibid).   לזית  עתניאל בן קנז (שופטים א יג), הבא משבט יהודה שנקרא זית, שנאמר (ירמיהו יא טז): זית רענן יפה פרי תואר וגו':
9But the olive tree said to them, 'Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honor God and men, and go to wave over the trees?'   טוַיֹּ֚אמֶר לָהֶם֙ הַזַּ֔יִת הֶחֳדַ֙לְתִּי֙ אֶת־דִּשְׁנִ֔י אֲשֶׁר־בִּ֛י יְכַבְּד֥וּ אֱלֹהִ֖ים וַאֲנָשִׁ֑ים וְהָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י לָנ֖וּעַ עַל־הָעֵצִֽים:
דִּשְׁנִי This is an expression of “fatness.”   דשני  לשון שומן:
10And the trees said to the fig tree, 'Go you, and reign over us.'   יוַיֹּאמְר֥וּ הָעֵצִ֖ים לַתְּאֵנָ֑ה לְכִי־אַ֖תְּ מָלְכִ֥י עָלֵֽינוּ:
to the fig tree Deborah.   לתאנה  דבורה:
11But the fig tree said to them, 'Should I leave my sweetness, and my good fruitage, and go to wave over the trees?'   יאוַתֹּ֚אמֶר לָהֶם֙ הַתְּאֵנָ֔ה הֶחֳדַ֙לְתִּי֙ אֶת־מָתְקִ֔י וְאֶת־תְּנוּבָתִ֖י הַטּוֹבָ֑ה וְהָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י לָנ֖וּעַ עַל־הָעֵצִֽים:
my sweetness (Referring to) the bee’s honey.   את מתקי  דבש דבורים:
12And the trees said to the vine, 'Go you and reign over us.'   יבוַיֹּאמְר֥וּ הָעֵצִ֖ים לַגָּ֑פֶן לְכִי־אַ֖תְּ מָלְכִ֥י (כתיב מָלְוכִ֥י) עָלֵֽינוּ:
to the vine Referring to Gideon who descended from Joseph of whom it is said, (Gen. 49:22) “A fruitful son is Joseph; blessed as a vine standing by the water” (as per Onkelos).   לגפן  גדעון, שהוא מזרע יוסף (שופטים ו יא), שנאמר בו (בראשית מט כב) בן פורת, (ותרגם שם אונקלוס:) כגופן דנציב וכו':
13And the vine said to them, 'Should I leave my wine, which causes God and men to rejoice, and go to wave over the trees? '   יגוַתֹּ֚אמֶר לָהֶם֙ הַגֶּ֔פֶן הֶחֳדַ֙לְתִּי֙ אֶת־תִּ֣ירוֹשִׁ֔י הַֽמְשַׂמֵּ֥חַ אֱלֹהִ֖ים וַאֲנָשִׁ֑ים וְהָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י לָנ֖וּעַ עַל־הָעֵצִֽים:
which causes God… to rejoice For the Levites do not recite the sacrificial song of praise but during the libations of wine.   המשמח אלהים  שאין אומרים הלוים שיר של הקרבן אלא על הנסכים:
14Then all the trees said to the thorn, 'Come you, and reign over us.'   ידוַיֹּאמְר֥וּ כָל־הָעֵצִ֖ים אֶל־הָאָטָ֑ד לֵ֥ךְ אַתָּ֖ה מְלָךְ־עָלֵֽינוּ:
To the thorn Heb. הָאָטָד, epine in O.F.   אל האטד  ספינ"ה בלע"ז:
15And the thorn said to the trees, 'If in truth you anoint me king over you, (then) come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, let fire come out of the thorn, and consume the cedars of Lebanon.'   טווַיֹּ֣אמֶר הָאָטָד֘ אֶל־הָעֵצִים֒ אִ֡ם בֶּאֱמֶ֣ת אַתֶּם֩ משְׁחִ֨ים אֹתִ֚י לְמֶ֙לֶךְ֙ עֲלֵיכֶ֔ם בֹּ֖אוּ חֲס֣וּ בְצִלִּ֑י וְאִם־אַ֕יִן תֵּ֚צֵא אֵשׁ֙ מִן־הָ֣אָטָ֔ד וְתֹאכַ֖ל אֶת־אַרְזֵ֥י הַלְּבָנֽוֹן:
If in truth I.e., because I am fit to rule.   אם באמת  שאני הגון למלכות:
16And now, if you have dealt in truth and with sincerity, in that you have made Abimelech king, and you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and you have done to him according to the deserts of his hands.   טזוְעַתָּ֗ה אִם־בֶּאֱמֶ֚ת וּבְתָמִים֙ עֲשִׂיתֶ֔ם וַתַּמְלִ֖יכוּ אֶת־אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ וְאִם־טוֹבָ֚ה עֲשִׂיתֶם֙ עִם־יְרֻבַּ֣עַל וְעִם־בֵּית֔וֹ וְאִם־כִּגְמ֥וּל יָדָ֖יו עֲשִֹ֥יתֶם לֽוֹ:
17For my father fought for you, and cast his life aside, and saved you from the hand of Midian.   יזאֲשֶׁר־נִלְחַ֥ם אָבִ֖י עֲלֵיכֶ֑ם וַיַּשְׁלֵ֚ךְ אֶת־נַפְשׁוֹ֙ מִנֶּ֔גֶד וַיַּצֵּ֥ל אֶתְכֶ֖ם מִיַּ֥ד מִדְיָֽן:
18And you have risen up against my father's house this day, and have killed his sons, seventy men upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maid servant, king over the inhabitants of Shechem, because he is your brother.   יחוְאַתֶּ֞ם קַמְתֶּ֨ם עַל־בֵּ֚ית אָבִי֙ הַיּ֔וֹם וַתַּהַרְג֧וּ אֶת־בָּנָ֛יו שִׁבְעִ֥ים אִ֖ישׁ עַל־אֶ֣בֶן אֶחָ֑ת וַתַּמְלִ֜יכוּ אֶת־אֲבִימֶ֚לֶךְ בֶּן־אֲמָתוֹ֙ עַל־בַּעֲלֵ֣י שְׁכֶ֔ם כִּ֥י אֲחִיכֶ֖ם הֽוּא:
19Now if you have dealt in truth and with sincerity with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice with Abimelech and let him also rejoice with you.   יטוְאִם־בֶּאֱמֶ֨ת וּבְתָמִ֧ים עֲשִׂיתֶ֛ם עִם־יְרֻבַּ֥עַל וְעִם־בֵּית֖וֹ הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה שִׂמְחוּ֙ בַּאֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ וְיִשְׂמַ֥ח גַּם־ה֖וּא בָּכֶֽם:
20But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and consume the inhabitants of Shechem, and Beth-millo. And let fire come out from the inhabitants of Shechem, and from Beth-millo, and consume Abimelech."   כוְאִם־אַ֕יִן תֵּ֚צֵא אֵשׁ֙ מֵאֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ וְתֹאכַ֛ל אֶת־בַּעֲלֵ֥י שְׁכֶ֖ם וְאֶת־בֵּ֣ית מִלּ֑וֹא וְתֵצֵ֨א אֵ֜שׁ מִבַּעֲלֵ֚י שְׁכֶם֙ וּמִבֵּ֣ית מִלּ֔וֹא וְתֹאכַ֖ל אֶת־אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ:
21And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer; and he dwelt there because of Abimelech his brother.   כאוַיָּ֣נָס יוֹתָ֔ם וַיִּבְרַ֖ח וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ בְּאֵ֑רָה וַיֵּ֣שֶׁב שָׁ֔ם מִפְּנֵ֖י אֲבִימֶ֥לֶךְ אָחִֽיו:
22And Abimelech ruled over Israel three years.   כבוַיָּ֧שַׂר אֲבִימֶ֛לֶךְ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל שָׁל֥שׁ שָׁנִֽים:
And Abimelech ruled Forcefully and arrogantly he held his position.   וישר  על כרחם נהג רבנות ובגאוה:
23And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the inhabitants of Shechem. And the inhabitants of Shechem betrayed Abimelech.   כגוַיִּשְׁלַ֚ח אֱלֹהִים֙ ר֣וּחַ רָעָ֔ה בֵּ֣ין אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ וּבֵ֖ין בַּעֲלֵ֣י שְׁכֶ֑ם וַיִּבְגְּד֥וּ בַעֲלֵי־שְׁכֶ֖ם בַּאֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ:
an evil spirit A spirit of hatred, (טלנט), talent in O.F.   רוח רעה  שנאה, שלנ"ש מלטלינ"ט בלע"ז:
24That (there) might come the injustice done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, and their blood (which he shed, now) to be placed upon Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and upon the inhabitants of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers.   כדלָב֕וֹא חֲמַ֖ס שִׁבְעִ֣ים בְּנֵֽי־יְרֻבָּ֑עַל וְדָמָ֗ם לָשֹ֞וּם עַל־אֲבִימֶ֚לֶךְ אֲחִיהֶם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הָרַ֣ג אוֹתָ֔ם וְעַל֙ בַּעֲלֵ֣י שְׁכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁר־חִזְּק֥וּ אֶת־יָדָ֖יו לַהֲרֹ֥ג אֶת־אֶחָֽיו:
25And the inhabitants of Shechem set for him liers-in-wait on the tops of the mountains, and they robbed all that passed by them on the way; and it was told to Abimelech.   כהוַיָּשִֹ֣ימוּ לוֹ֩ בַעֲלֵ֨י שְׁכֶ֜ם מְאָרְבִ֗ים עַ֚ל רָאשֵׁ֣י הֶהָרִ֔ים וַיִּגְזְל֗וּ אֵ֛ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁר־יַעֲבֹ֥ר עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם בַּדָּ֑רֶךְ וַיֻּגַּ֖ד לַאֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ:
26And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brothers, and they entered Shechem, and the inhabitants of Shechem put their trust in him.   כווַיָּבֹ֞א גַּ֚עַל בֶּן־עֶ֙בֶד֙ וְאֶחָ֔יו וַיַּעַבְר֖וּ בִּשְׁכֶ֑ם וַיִּבְטְחוּ־ב֖וֹ בַּעֲלֵ֥י שְׁכֶֽם:
Gaal the son of Ebed He was from another nation.   געל בן עבד  מאומה אחרת היה:
27And they went out into the field, and gathered (the grapes of) their vineyards and trod (them), and made dances. And they came into the house of their god, and ate and drank, and cursed Abimelech.   כזוַיֵּצְא֨וּ הַשָּׂדֶ֜ה וַֽיִּבְצְר֚וּ אֶת־כַּרְמֵיהֶם֙ וַֽיִּדְרְכ֔וּ וַֽיַּעֲשֹ֖וּ הִלּוּלִ֑ים וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ בֵּ֣ית אֱֽלֹֽהֵיהֶ֔ם וַיֹּֽאכְלוּ֙ וַיִּשְׁתּ֔וּ וַֽיְקַלְל֖וּ אֶת־אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ:
וַיַּעֲשוּ הִלּולִים And they made dances [quoting Targum Jonathan].   ויעשו הלולים  (תרגום:) ועבדו חנגין:
28And Gaal the son of Ebed said, "Who is Abimelech and who is Shechem that we should serve him? Is (he) not the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul (is he not) his officer? Serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem, but why should we serve him?   כחוַיֹּ֣אמֶר | גַּ֣עַל בֶּן־עֶ֗בֶד מִֽי־אֲבִימֶ֚לֶךְ וּמִֽי־שְׁכֶם֙ כִּ֣י נַעַבְדֶ֔נּוּ הֲלֹ֥א בֶן־יְרֻבַּ֖עַל וּזְבֻ֣ל פְּקִיד֑וֹ עִבְד֗וּ אֶת־אַנְשֵׁ֚י חֲמוֹר֙ אֲבִ֣י שְׁכֶ֔ם וּמַדּ֖וּעַ נַעַבְדֶ֥נּוּ אֲנָֽחְנוּ:
Who is Abimelech and who is Shechem Who is Abimelech that he should rule over Shechem, and who is Shechem to be servants to Abimelech? Was not Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal (הֲלֹא בֶן יַרֻבַּעַל) from Ophrah of the Abiezrites?   מי אבימלך ומי שכם  מי אבימלך להיות שר על שכם ומי שכם להיות עבדים לאבימלך, הלא בן ירובעל היה אבימלך מן עפרת אבי העזרי (לעיל ו יא):
and Zebul (is he not) his officer As for the officer of the city whose name is Zebul, he is (but) an officer of Abimelech; since his master has no right to rule here, neither do his appointees.   וזבל פקידו  וזה פקיד העיר ששמו 'זבול', פקידו של אבימלך הוא, ואדוניו אין לו משפט מלוכה בעיר ואף פקידו אינו כלום:
Serve the men of Hamor If you are coming to acquire for yourselves leaders, come and serve the men of Hamor, who was a previous lord over the land.   עבדו את אנשי חמור  אם באתם לקנות לכם אדונים, באו ועבדו את אנשי חמור, שהיה נשיא הארץ מקדם (בראשית לד ב):
but why should we serve him I.e., Abimelech.   ומדוע נעבדנו  לאבימלך:
29And would that these people were under my hand, then I would remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, "Increase your army, and come out."   כטוּמִ֨י יִתֵּ֜ן אֶת־הָעָ֚ם הַזֶּה֙ בְּיָדִ֔י וְאָסִ֖ירָה אֶת־אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לַאֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ רַבֶּ֥ה צְבָאֲךָ֖ וָצֵֽאָה:
And he said to Abimelech (Indirectly;) and Gaal spoke before Zebul to inform Abimelech (as subsequently evident).   ויאמר לאבימלך  ויאמר געל בפני זבול, הודיע לאבימלך:
Increase your army, and come out From the place where you are, and let us see your greatness.   רבה צבאך וצאה  מן המקום שאתה שם, ונראה את גדולתך:
30And Zebul, the ruler of the city, heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, and his anger was kindled.   לוַיִּשְׁמַ֗ע זְבֻל֙ שַׂר־הָעִ֔יר אֶת־דִּבְרֵ֖י גַּ֣עַל בֶּן־עָ֑בֶד וַיִּ֖חַר אַפּֽוֹ:
31And he sent messengers to Abimelech in secret, saying, "Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brothers are coming to Shechem; and behold, they besiege the city on account of you.   לאוַיִּשְׁלַ֧ח מַלְאָכִ֛ים אֶל־אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ בְּתָרְמָ֣ה לֵאמֹ֑ר הִנֵּה֩ גַ֨עַל בֶּן־עֶ֚בֶד וְאֶחָיו֙ בָּאִ֣ים שְׁכֶ֔מָה וְהִנָּ֛ם צָרִ֥ים אֶת־הָעִ֖יר עָלֶֽיךָ:
in secret Heb. בְּתָרְמָה. As in (Gen. 27:35) “בְּמִרְמָה,” and (Jer. 8: 5) “בּתַרְמִית,” i.e., quietly and secretly.   בתרמה  כמו במרמה, בתרמית, כלומר: בלט ובסתר:
32And now, get up at night, you and the people that are with you, and lie in wait in the field.   לבוְעַתָּה֙ ק֣וּם לַ֔יְלָה אַתָּ֖ה וְהָעָ֣ם אֲשֶׁר־אִתָּ֑ךְ וֶאֱרֹ֖ב בַּשָּׂדֶֽה:
33And it shall be, in the morning, as soon as the sun is shining, you shall rise early, and spread out upon the city; and behold, (when) he and the people that are with him come out against you, then you shall do to him whatever you can."   לגוְהָיָ֚ה בַבֹּ֙קֶר֙ כִּזְרֹ֣חַ הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ תַּשְׁכִּ֖ים וּפָשַׁטְתָּ֣ עַל־הָעִ֑יר וְהִנֵּה־ה֞וּא וְהָעָ֚ם אֲשֶׁר־אִתּוֹ֙ יֹצְאִ֣ים אֵלֶ֔יךָ וְעָשִֹ֣יתָ לּ֔וֹ כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר תִּמְצָ֥א יָדֶֽךָ:
34And Abimelech, and all the people that were with him got up at night, and lay in wait against Shechem in four companies.   לדוַיָּ֧קָם אֲבִימֶ֛לֶךְ וְכָל־הָעָ֥ם אֲשֶׁר־עִמּ֖וֹ לָ֑יְלָה וַיֶּאֶרְב֣וּ עַל־שְׁכֶ֔ם אַרְבָּעָ֖ה רָאשִֽׁים:
in four companies Lit. in four heads.   ארבע ראשים  ארבעה כתות:
35And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city; and Abimelech and the people that were with him got up from the ambush.   להוַיֵּצֵא֙ גַּ֣עַל בֶּן־עֶ֔בֶד וַיַּעֲמֹ֕ד פֶּ֖תַח שַׁ֣עַר הָעִ֑יר וַיָּ֧קָם אֲבִימֶ֛לֶךְ וְהָעָ֥ם אֲשֶׁר־אִתּ֖וֹ מִן־הַמַּאְרָֽב:
36And Gaal saw the people, and said to Zebul, "Behold, people are coming down from the tops of the mountains." And Zebul said to him, "You see the shadow of the mountains as if they were men."   לווַיַּרְא־גַּעַל֘ אֶת־הָעָם֒ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֶל־זְבֻ֔ל הִנֵּה־עָ֣ם יוֹרֵ֔ד מֵרָאשֵׁ֖י הֶהָרִ֑ים וַיֹּ֚אמֶר אֵלָיו֙ זְבֻ֔ל אֵ֣ת צֵ֧ל הֶהָרִ֛ים אַתָּ֥ה רֹאֶ֖ה כָּאֲנָשִֽׁים:
37And Gaal continued to speak, and said, "Behold, people are coming down from the navel of the earth; and one company is coming, by way of the plain Meonenim."   לזוַיֹּ֨סֶף ע֣וֹד גַּעַל֘ לְדַבֵּר֒ וַיֹּ֕אמֶר הִנֵּה־עָם֙ יֽוֹרְדִ֔ים מֵעִ֖ם טַבּ֣וּר הָאָ֑רֶץ וְרֹאשׁ־אֶחָ֣ד בָּ֔א מִדֶּ֖רֶךְ אֵל֥וֹן מְעוֹנְנִֽים:
from the navel of the earth (Targum Jonathan renders) מִן תּוּקְפָא דְאַרְעָא (i. e., from the strength of the land) from its highest mountain. Combine 2 Heb. words   מעם טבור הארץ  (תרגום:) מן תוקפא דארעא, מהר הגבוה שבכולם:
plain Meonenim the plain of Meonenim.   אלון מעוננים  (תרגום:) מישר מעוננים:
38And Zebul said to him, "Where then is your mouth, that you used to say, 'Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?' Is not this the people that you have despised? Go out now, and fight with them."   לחוַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֵלָ֜יו זְבֻ֗ל אַיֵּ֨ה אֵפ֥וֹא פִ֙יךָ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תֹּאמַ֔ר מִ֥י אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ כִּ֣י נַעַבְדֶ֑נּוּ הֲלֹ֨א זֶ֚ה הָעָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר מָאַ֣סְתָּה בּ֔וֹ צֵא־נָ֥א עַתָּ֖ה וְהִלָּ֥חֶם בּֽוֹ:
39And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.   לטוַיֵ֣צֵא גַ֔עַל לִפְנֵ֖י בַּעֲלֵ֣י שְׁכֶ֑ם וַיִּלָּ֖חֶם בַּאֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ:
40And Abimelech pursued him, and he fled before him. And many casualties fell, (even) until the entrance of the gate.   מוַיִּרְדְּפֵ֣הוּ אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ וַיָּ֖נָס מִפָּנָ֑יו וַֽיִּפְּל֛וּ חֲלָלִ֥ים רַבִּ֖ים עַד־פֶּ֥תַח הַשָּֽׁעַר:
41And Abimelech dwelt in Arumah; and Zebul drove out Gaal and his brothers from dwelling in Shechem.   מאוַיֵּ֥שֶׁב אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ בָּארוּמָ֑ה וַיְגָ֧רֶשׁ זְבֻ֛ל אֶת־גַּ֥עַל וְאֶת־אֶחָ֖יו מִשֶּׁ֥בֶת בִּשְׁכֶֽם:
42And it was on the morrow, that the people went out to the field; and they told Abimelech.   מבוַֽיְהִי֙ מִֽמָּחֳרָ֔ת וַיֵּצֵ֥א הָעָ֖ם הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה וַיַּגִּ֖דוּ לַאֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ:
that the people went out to the field The people of Shechem.   ויצא העם השדה  אנשי שכם:
and they told The informers told Abimelech that the citizens went out to the field to attend their needs.   ויגידו  המגידים לאבימלך, שיצאו בני העיר אל השדה לעשות חפציהם:
43And he took the people and divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the field. And he saw, and behold, the people were coming out of the city; and he rose up against them, and struck them.   מגוַיִּקַּ֣ח אֶת־הָעָ֗ם וַֽיֶּחֱצֵם֙ לִשְׁלשָׁ֣ה רָאשִׁ֔ים וַיֶּאֱרֹ֖ב בַּשָּׂדֶ֑ה וַיַּ֗רְא וְהִנֵּ֚ה הָעָם֙ יֹצֵ֣א מִן־הָעִ֔יר וַיָּ֥קָם עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם וַיַּכֵּֽם:
44And Abimelech and the companies that were with him, spread out, and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city. And the two companies spread out upon all that were in the field, and killed them.   מדוַאֲבִימֶ֗לֶךְ וְהָרָאשִׁים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עִמּ֔וֹ פָּשְׁט֕וּ וַיַּ֣עַמְד֔וּ פֶּ֖תַח שַׁ֣עַר הָעִ֑יר וּשְׁנֵ֣י הָֽרָאשִׁ֗ים פָּֽשְׁט֛וּ עַֽל־כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר בַּשָּׂדֶ֖ה וַיַּכּֽוּם:
in the entrance of the gate of the city So that no one could enter.   פתח שער העיר  שלא יוכלו ליכנס:
45And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he captured the city, and killed the people that were therein. And he broke down the city, and sowed it with salt.   מהוַאֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְ נִלְחָ֣ם בָּעִ֗יר כֹּ֚ל הַיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא וַיִּלְכֹּד֙ אֶת־הָעִ֔יר וְאֶת־הָעָ֥ם אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֖הּ הָרָ֑ג וַיִּתֹּץ֙ אֶת־הָעִ֔יר וַיִּזְרָעֶ֖הָ מֶֽלַח:
46And all the inhabitants of the tower of Shechem heard, and they came to the forest of Beth El Brith.   מווַֽיִּשְׁמְע֔וּ כָּֽל־בַּעֲלֵ֖י מִֽגְדַּל־שְׁכֶ֑ם וַיָּבֹ֣אוּ אֶל־צְרִ֔יחַ בֵּ֖ית אֵ֥ל בְּרִֽית:
forest צְרִיחַ in Heb. A forest in which the trees and branches are bent over all around the forest; plissé in O. F.   צריח  יער שכפו אילנות ופסגים סביב סביב, וקורין אותו פלייש"ר בלע"ז:
Beth-El-Brith That forest belonged to Baal Brith (above v. 4), the name of their idol. Zalmon (v. 48) also had a forest. Some interpret צְרִיחַ as voutes in O.F., which is made in the ground.   בית אל ברית  אותו צריח היה של בעל ברית, שם של עבודה זרה שלהם, וצלמון (פסוק מח), יער היה שם ויש פותרין: צריח, וודוו"י בלע"ז שעושין בקרקע:
47And it was told to Abimelech that all the inhabitants of the tower of Shechem had gathered.   מזוַיֻּגַּ֖ד לַאֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ כִּ֣י הִֽתְקַבְּצ֔וּ כָּֽל־בַּעֲלֵ֖י מִֽגְדַּל־שְׁכֶֽם:
48And Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him: and Abimelech took the axes in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, lifted it, and laid it on his shoulder. And he said to the people that were with him, "What you have seen me do, hurry and do like me."   מחוַיַּ֨עַל אֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְ הַר־צַלְמ֗וֹן הוּא֘ וְכָל־הָעָ֣ם אֲשֶׁר־אִתּוֹ֒ וַיִּקַּח֩ אֲבִימֶ֨לֶךְ אֶת־הַקַּרְדֻּמּ֜וֹת בְּיָד֗וֹ וַיִּכְרֹת֙ שׂוֹכַ֣ת עֵצִ֔ים וַיִּ֨שָּׂאֶ֔הָ וַיָּ֖שֶׂם עַל־שִׁכְמ֑וֹ וַיֹּ֜אמֶר אֶל־הָעָ֣ם אֲשֶׁר־עִמּ֗וֹ מָ֚ה רְאִיתֶם֙ עָשִֹ֔יתִי מַהֲר֖וּ עֲשֹ֥וּ כָמֽוֹנִי:
שוֹכַת עֵצִים A bough from a tree.   שוכת עצים  ענף עצים:
49And all the people also cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put them nearby the forest, and set the forest on fire upon them; so that also all the men of the tower of Shechem died, about a thousand men and women.   מטוַיִּכְרְת֨וּ גַם־כָּל־הָעָ֜ם אִ֣ישׁ שׂוֹכֹ֗ה וַיֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ אַחֲרֵ֚י אֲבִימֶ֙לֶךְ֙ וַיָּשִֹ֣ימוּ עַֽל־הַצְּרִ֔יחַ וַיַּצִּ֧יתוּ עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם אֶֽת־הַצְּרִ֖יחַ בָּאֵ֑שׁ וַיָּמֻ֜תוּ גַּ֣ם כָּל־אַנְשֵׁ֧י מִֽגְדַּל־שְׁכֶ֛ם כְּאֶ֖לֶף אִ֥ישׁ וְאִשָּֽׁה:
50And Abimelech went to Thebez, and encamped in Thebez and captured it.   נוַיֵּ֥לֶךְ אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ אֶל־תֵּבֵ֑ץ וַיִּ֥חַן בְּתֵבֵ֖ץ וַֽיִּלְכְּדָֽהּ:
51Now there was a strong tower within the city, and all the men and the women, and all the inhabitants of the city fled there, and shut themselves in. And they went up to the roof of the tower.   נאוּמִגְדַּל־עֹז֘ הָיָ֣ה בְתוֹךְ־הָעִיר֒ וַיָּנֻ֨סוּ שָׁ֜מָּה כָּל־הָאֲנָשִׁ֣ים וְהַנָּשִׁ֗ים וְכֹל֙ בַּעֲלֵ֣י הָעִ֔יר וַֽיִּסְגְּר֖וּ בַּעֲדָ֑ם וַֽיַּעֲל֖וּ עַל־גַּ֥ג הַמִּגְדָּֽל:
52And Abimelech came up to the tower, and fought against it. And he went close to the door of the tower to burn it with fire.   נבוַיָּבֹ֚א אֲבִימֶ֙לֶךְ֙ עַד־הַמִּגְדָּ֔ל וַיִּלָּ֖חֶם בּ֑וֹ וַיִּגַּ֛שׁ עַד־פֶּ֥תַח הַמִּגְדָּ֖ל לְשָׂרְפ֥וֹ בָאֵֽשׁ:
53And a certain woman cast a piece of an upper millstone upon Abimelech's head, and crushed his skull.   נגוַתַּשְׁלֵ֞ךְ אִשָּׁ֥ה אַחַ֛ת פֶּ֥לַח רֶ֖כֶב עַל־רֹ֣אשׁ אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ וַתָּ֖רִץ אֶת־גֻּלְגָּלְתּֽוֹ:
פֶּלַח רֶכֶב A piece of the upper millstone which is called a רֶכֶב.   פלח רכב  חתיכת אבן של ריחים העליונה הקרויה רכב:
and crushed וְתָרִץ same as וּתְרוֹצֵץ (a more familiar form).   ותרץ  ותרוצץ:
54And he called hastily to the young man, his weapon bearer, and said to him, "Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, 'A woman killed him.' " And his young man pierced him, and he died.   נדוַיִּקְרָ֨א מְהֵרָ֜ה אֶל־הַנַּ֣עַר | נֹשֵֹ֣א כֵלָ֗יו וַיֹּ֚אמֶר לוֹ֙ שְׁלֹ֚ף חַרְבְּךָ֙ וּמ֣וֹתְתֵ֔נִי פֶּן־יֹ֥אמְרוּ לִ֖י אִשָּׁ֣ה הֲרָגָ֑תְהוּ וַיִּדְקְרֵ֥הוּ נַעֲר֖וֹ וַיָּמֹֽת:
lest they say of me Lit. lest they say to me.   פן יאמרו לי  פן יאמרו עלי:
55Now the men of Israel saw that Abimelech had died; and they departed, every man to his place.   נהוַיִּרְא֥וּ אִֽישׁ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל כִּ֣י מֵ֣ת אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ אִ֥ישׁ לִמְקֹמֽוֹ:
56Thus God requited the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did to his father, in killing his seventy brothers.   נווַיָּ֣שֶׁב אֱלֹהִ֔ים אֵ֖ת רָעַ֣ת אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֚ר עָשָׂה֙ לְאָבִ֔יו לַהֲרֹ֖ג אֶת־שִׁבְעִ֥ים אֶחָֽיו:
57And all the wickedness of the men of Shechem, God requited upon their heads; and there came upon them the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.   נזוְאֵ֗ת כָּל־רָעַת֙ אַנְשֵׁ֣י שְׁכֶ֔ם הֵשִׁ֥יב אֱלֹהִ֖ים בְּרֹאשָׁ֑ם וַתָּבֹ֣א אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם קִֽלֲלַ֖ת יוֹתָ֥ם בֶּן־יְרֻבָּֽעַל: