Judges 9:1-3

Abimelech Murders His Brothers

9:1 Now Abimelech son of Jerub-Baal went to Shechem to see his mother’s relatives. ¹  He said to them and to his mother’s entire extended family, ²  9:2 “Tell ³  all the leaders of Shechem this: ‘Why would you want ⁴  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.’” ⁵  9:3 His mother’s relatives ⁶  spoke on his behalf to ⁷  all the leaders of Shechem and reported his proposal. ⁸  The leaders were drawn to Abimelech; ⁹  they said, “He is our close relative.” ¹⁰ 

[9:1]  ¹ tn Heb “brothers.”

[9:1]  ² tn Heb “to all the extended family of the house of the father of his mother.”

[9:2]  ³ tn Heb “Speak into the ears of.”

[9:2]  ⁴ tn Heb “What good is it to you?”

[9:2]  ⁵ tn Heb “your bone and your flesh.”

[9:3]  ⁶ tn Heb “brothers.”

[9:3]  ⁷ tn Heb “into the ears of.”

[9:3]  ⁸ tn Heb “and all these words.”

[9:3]  ⁹ tn Heb “Their heart was inclined after Abimelech.”

[9:3]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “our brother.”