Text -- Judges 9:1-3 (NET)

Abimelech Murders His Brothers

9:1 Now Abimelech son of Jerub-Baal went to Shechem to see his mother’s relatives. He said to them and to his mother’s entire extended family, 9:2 “Tell all the leaders of Shechem this: ‘Why would you want to have seventy men, all Jerub-Baal’s sons, ruling over you, when you can have just one ruler? Recall that I am your own flesh and blood.’” 9:3 His mother’s relatives spoke on his behalf to all the leaders of Shechem and reported his proposal. The leaders were drawn to Abimelech; they said, “He is our close relative.”

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Jdg 9:1

¹ tn Heb “brothers.”

² tn Heb “to all the extended family of the house of the father of his mother.”

NET Notes: Jdg 9:2

¹ tn Heb “Speak into the ears of.”

² tn Heb “What good is it to you?”

³ tn Heb “your bone and your flesh.”

NET Notes: Jdg 9:3

¹ tn Heb “brothers.”

² tn Heb “into the ears of.”

³ tn Heb “and all these words.”

⁴ tn Heb “Their heart was inclined after Abimelech.”

⁵ tn Heb “our brother.”