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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Judges 9:4 So they gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-berith, with which Abimelech hired some worthless and reckless men to follow him.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/9-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/07_Jdg_09_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 9:4 - Abimelech's Conspiracy" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So they gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-berith, with which Abimelech hired some worthless and reckless men to follow him." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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and they followed him. <a href="/nasb_/judges/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And they gave him seventy pieces of silver from the house of Baal-berith, with which Abimelech hired worthless and reckless men, and they followed him. <a href="/nasb/judges/9.htm">NASB 1995</a> They gave him seventy pieces of silver from the house of Baal-berith with which Abimelech hired worthless and reckless fellows, and they followed him. <a href="/nasb77/judges/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And they gave him seventy pieces of silver from the house of Baal-berith with which Abimelech hired worthless and reckless fellows, and they followed him. <a href="/lsb/judges/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> So they gave him seventy pieces of silver from the house of Baal-berith with which Abimelech hired worthless and reckless fellows, and they followed him. <a href="/amp/judges/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a> And they gave him seventy pieces of silver from the house of Baal-berith, with which Abimelech hired worthless and undisciplined men, and they followed (supported) him. <a href="/csb/judges/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> So they gave him seventy pieces of silver from the temple of Baal-berith. Abimelech used it to hire worthless and reckless men, and they followed him. <a href="/hcsb/judges/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> So they gave him 70 pieces of silver from the temple of Baal-berith. Abimelech hired worthless and reckless men with this money, and they followed him. <a href="/asv/judges/9.htm">American Standard Version</a> And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-berith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light fellows, who followed him. <a href="/cev/judges/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Then they gave Abimelech 70 pieces of silver from the temple of their god Baal Berith. Abimelech used the silver to hire a gang of rough soldiers who would do anything for money. <a href="/erv/judges/9.htm">English Revised Version</a> And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-berith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light fellows, which followed him. <a href="/gwt/judges/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> So they gave him 70 pieces of silver from the temple of Baal Berith. With the silver, Abimelech hired worthless and reckless men to follow him. <a href="/gnt/judges/9.htm">Good News Translation</a> They gave him seventy pieces of silver from the temple of Baal-of-the-Covenant, and with this money he hired a bunch of worthless scoundrels to join him. <a href="/isv/judges/9.htm">International Standard Version</a> and they gave him 70 silver coins from the temple that they had built to Baal-berith. Abimelech hired some worthless and useless men, who followed him <a href="/msb/judges/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> So they gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-berith, with which Abimelech hired some worthless and reckless men to follow him. <a href="/net/judges/9.htm">NET Bible</a> They paid him seventy silver shekels out of the temple of Baal-Berith. Abimelech then used the silver to hire some lawless, dangerous men as his followers. <a href="/nheb/judges/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> They gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal Berith, with which Abimelech hired vain and light fellows, who followed him. <a href="/wbt/judges/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And they gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-berith, with which Abimelech hired vain and light persons, who followed him. <a href="/web/judges/9.htm">World English Bible</a> They gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal Berith, with which Abimelech hired vain and reckless fellows who followed him. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/judges/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and they give seventy [pieces] of silver out of the house of Ba‘al-Berith to him, and Abimelech hires vain and unstable men with them, and they go after him; <a href="/ylt/judges/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and they give to him seventy silverings out of the house of Baal-Berith, and Abimelech hireth with them men, vain and unstable, and they go after him; <a href="/slt/judges/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And they will give him seventy of silver from the house of Baal of the covenant, and Abimelech will hire with them men empty and vain-glorious, and they will go after him.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/judges/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And they gave him seventy weight of silver out of the temple of Baalberith: wherewith he hired to himself men that were needy, and vagabonds, and they followed him. <a href="/cpdv/judges/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And they gave to him the weight of seventy silver coins from the shrine of Baal-berith. With this, he hired for himself indigent and wandering men, and they followed him. <a href="/nabre/judges/9.htm">New American Bible</a> They also gave him seventy pieces of silver from the temple of Baal-berith, with which Abimelech hired worthless men and outlaws as his followers. <a href="/nrsvce/judges/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> They gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the temple of Baal-berith with which Abimelech hired worthless and reckless fellows, who followed him.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/judges/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And they gave him seventy pieces of silver from the house of Baal-kiama, with which Abimeleck hired vain and wanton persons, who followed him. <a href="/hpbt/judges/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And they gave him seventy pieces of silver from the house of Baal Qima, and Abimelek hired worthless and lewd men with them, and they went after him<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/judges/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-berith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light fellows, who followed him. <a href="/sep/judges/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And they gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baalberith; and Abimelech hired for himself vain and cowardly men, and they went after him. <a href="/parallel/judges/9-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=2655" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/judges/9.htm">Abimelech's Conspiracy</a> …3And when his mother’s brothers spoke all these words about him in the presence of all the leaders of Shechem, their hearts were inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, “He is our brother.” 4<a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: way·yit·tə·nū- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">So they gave</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">him</a> <a href="/hebrew/7657.htm" title="7657: šiḇ·‘îm (Number-cp) -- Seventy (a card. number). Multiple of sheba'; seventy.">seventy shekels</a> <a href="/hebrew/3701.htm" title="3701: ke·sep̄ (N-ms) -- Silver, money. From kacaph; silver; by implication, money.">of silver</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: mib·bēt (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">from the temple</a> <a href="/hebrew/1170.htm" title="1170: ḇa·ʿal (Prep) -- From Ba'al and briyth; Baal of covenant; Baal-Berith, a special deity of the Shechemites.">of</a> <a href="/hebrew/1170.htm" title="1170: bə·rîṯ (N-proper-ms) -- From Ba'al and briyth; Baal of covenant; Baal-Berith, a special deity of the Shechemites.">Baal-berith,</a> <a href="/hebrew/bā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">with which</a> <a href="/hebrew/40.htm" title="40: ’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ (N-proper-ms) -- From 'ab and melek; father of king; Abimelek, the name of two Philistine kings and of two Israelites.">Abimelech</a> <a href="/hebrew/7936.htm" title="7936: way·yiś·kōr (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- Or cakar; a primitive root (by prosthesis) to karah through the idea of temporary purchase; compare shakar); to hire.">hired</a> <a href="/hebrew/7386.htm" title="7386: rê·qîm (Adj-mp) -- Empty, vain. Or req; from ruwq; empty; figuratively, worthless.">some worthless</a> <a href="/hebrew/6348.htm" title="6348: ū·p̄ō·ḥă·zîm (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To be wanton or reckless. A primitive root; to bubble up or froth, i.e. to be unimportant.">and reckless</a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: ’ă·nā·šîm (N-mp) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">men</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: way·yê·lə·ḵū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">to follow</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥă·rāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after.">him.</a> 5He went to his father’s house in Ophrah, and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he hid himself.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/2_samuel/15-12.htm">2 Samuel 15:12</a> While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from his hometown of Giloh. So the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept increasing. <a href="/1_kings/21-10.htm">1 Kings 21:10</a> But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” <a href="/1_samuel/22-2.htm">1 Samuel 22:2</a> And all who were distressed or indebted or discontented rallied around him, and he became their leader. About four hundred men were with him. <a href="/2_samuel/16-23.htm">2 Samuel 16:23</a> Now in those days the advice of Ahithophel was like the consultation of the word of God. Such was the regard that both David and Absalom had for Ahithophel’s advice. <a href="/1_kings/12-20.htm">1 Kings 12:20</a> When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they summoned him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. Only the tribe of Judah followed the house of David. <a href="/2_kings/10-6.htm">2 Kings 10:6-7</a> Then Jehu wrote them a second letter and said: “If you are on my side, and if you will obey me, then bring the heads of your master’s sons to me at Jezreel by this time tomorrow.” Now the sons of the king, seventy in all, were being brought up by the leading men of the city. / And when the letter arrived, they took the sons of the king and slaughtered all seventy of them. They put their heads in baskets and sent them to Jehu at Jezreel. <a href="/1_samuel/8-3.htm">1 Samuel 8:3</a> But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside toward dishonest gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice. <a href="/1_samuel/9-2.htm">1 Samuel 9:2</a> And he had a son named Saul, choice and handsome, without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the people. <a href="/1_samuel/10-27.htm">1 Samuel 10:27</a> But some worthless men said, “How can this man save us?” So they despised him and brought him no gifts; but Saul remained silent about it. <a href="/1_samuel/25-3.htm">1 Samuel 25:3</a> His name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings. <a href="/2_samuel/20-1.htm">2 Samuel 20:1</a> Now a worthless man named Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjamite, happened to be there, and he blew the ram’s horn and shouted: “We have no share in David, no inheritance in Jesse’s son. Every man to his tent, O Israel!” <a href="/1_kings/1-5.htm">1 Kings 1:5</a> At that time Adonijah, David’s son by Haggith, began to exalt himself, saying, “I will be king!” And he acquired chariots and horsemen and fifty men to run ahead of him. <a href="/1_kings/16-9.htm">1 Kings 16:9</a> However, while Elah was in Tirzah getting drunk in the house of Arza the steward of his household there, Elah’s servant Zimri, the commander of half his chariots, conspired against him. <a href="/2_chronicles/13-7.htm">2 Chronicles 13:7</a> Then worthless and wicked men gathered around him to resist Rehoboam son of Solomon when he was young, inexperienced, and unable to resist them. <a href="/matthew/26-15.htm">Matthew 26:15</a> and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And they gave him three score and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baalberith, with which Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him.house<a href="/judges/9-46.htm">Judges 9:46-49</a> And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith… <a href="/judges/8-33.htm">Judges 8:33</a> And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god.vain.<a href="/judges/11-3.htm">Judges 11:3</a> Then Jephthah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and went out with him.<a href="/1_samuel/22-2.htm">1 Samuel 22:2</a> And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.<a href="/2_chronicles/13-7.htm">2 Chronicles 13:7</a> And there are gathered unto him vain men, the children of Belial, and have strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and tenderhearted, and could not withstand them.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/9-3.htm">Abimelech</a> <a href="/judges/9-3.htm">Abim'elech</a> <a href="/judges/11-3.htm">Adventurers</a> <a href="/judges/8-33.htm">Baal</a> <a href="/judges/8-33.htm">Baalberith</a> <a href="/judges/8-33.htm">Baal-Berith</a> <a href="/judges/8-33.htm">Ba'al-Be'rith</a> <a href="/judges/8-33.htm">Berith</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/24-15.htm">Hire</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/24-14.htm">Hired</a> <a href="/judges/9-1.htm">House</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/27-16.htm">Light</a> <a href="/judges/9-2.htm">Persons</a> <a href="/judges/7-19.htm">Pieces</a> <a href="/numbers/22-32.htm">Reckless</a> <a href="/judges/9-2.htm">Seventy</a> <a href="/judges/8-26.htm">Shekels</a> <a href="/judges/5-19.htm">Silver</a> <a href="/numbers/30-14.htm">Support</a> <a href="/judges/5-26.htm">Temple</a> <a href="/judges/9-2.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/judges/9-2.htm">Threescore</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-20.htm">Uncontrolled</a> <a href="/judges/8-11.htm">Used</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-47.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/judges/7-20.htm">Wherewith</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-21.htm">Worthless</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/9-6.htm">Abimelech</a> <a href="/judges/9-6.htm">Abim'elech</a> <a href="/judges/11-3.htm">Adventurers</a> <a href="/judges/20-33.htm">Baal</a> <a href="/judges/8-33.htm">Baalberith</a> <a href="/judges/8-33.htm">Baal-Berith</a> <a href="/judges/8-33.htm">Ba'al-Be'rith</a> <a href="/judges/9-46.htm">Berith</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-5.htm">Hire</a> <a href="/judges/18-4.htm">Hired</a> <a href="/judges/9-5.htm">House</a> <a href="/judges/19-26.htm">Light</a> <a href="/judges/9-5.htm">Persons</a> <a href="/judges/16-5.htm">Pieces</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-18.htm">Reckless</a> <a href="/judges/9-5.htm">Seventy</a> <a href="/judges/17-2.htm">Shekels</a> <a href="/judges/16-5.htm">Silver</a> <a href="/judges/16-26.htm">Support</a> <a href="/judges/9-27.htm">Temple</a> <a href="/judges/9-5.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/judges/9-5.htm">Threescore</a> <a href="/judges/15-8.htm">Uncontrolled</a> <a href="/judges/9-53.htm">Used</a> <a href="/judges/11-3.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/judges/9-9.htm">Wherewith</a> <a href="/judges/11-3.htm">Worthless</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 9</div>1. <a href="/judges/9-1.htm">Abimelech by conspiracy with the Shechemites, and murder of his brothers, is made king</a> 7. <a href="/judges/9-7.htm">Jotham by a parable rebukes them, and foretells their ruin</a> 22. <a href="/judges/9-22.htm">Gaal conspires with the Shechemites against him</a> 30. <a href="/judges/9-30.htm">Zebul reveals it</a> 34. <a href="/judges/9-34.htm">Abimelech overcomes them, and sows the city with salt</a> 46. <a href="/judges/9-46.htm">He burns the hold of the god Berith</a> 50. <a href="/judges/9-50.htm">At Thebez he is slain by a piece of a millstone</a> 56. <a href="/judges/9-56.htm">Jotham's curse is fulfilled.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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In biblical times, silver was a common medium of exchange, and the amount here suggests a substantial investment in Abimelech's cause. This act of giving silver highlights the corrupting influence of wealth and foreshadows the moral decay that follows. The number seventy may also symbolize completeness or totality, as seen in other biblical contexts, such as the seventy nations in <a href="/genesis/10.htm">Genesis 10</a>.from the temple of Baal-berith Baal-berith, meaning "Lord of the Covenant," was a Canaanite deity worshiped in Shechem. The use of funds from this temple underscores the syncretism and idolatry prevalent in Israel during the time of the Judges. This act of taking money from a pagan temple for political purposes reflects the spiritual decline and the blending of Canaanite practices with Israelite worship, which was strictly forbidden in the Mosaic Law (<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3-5</a>).with which Abimelech hired some worthless and reckless men Abimelech's hiring of "worthless and reckless men" indicates his willingness to use unscrupulous means to achieve his ambitions. The term "worthless" often refers to individuals lacking moral integrity, while "reckless" suggests a propensity for violence and disorder. This choice of followers reveals Abimelech's character and foreshadows the chaos and bloodshed that will ensue. It also serves as a warning against aligning with those who lack godly principles.to follow him The phrase "to follow him" implies allegiance and support for Abimelech's claim to leadership. This following was not based on legitimate authority or divine appointment but rather on manipulation and force. It contrasts with the biblical ideal of leadership, which is characterized by service, humility, and obedience to God. Abimelech's actions can be seen as a perversion of the covenantal leadership model exemplified by figures like Moses and Joshua.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/a/abimelech.htm">Abimelech</a> The son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal) and a concubine from Shechem. He sought power and authority, ultimately becoming a self-appointed king. 2. <a href="/topical/s/shechem.htm">Shechem</a> An ancient city in the hill country of Ephraim, significant in Israel's history. It was a place of covenant renewal and later became a center of idolatry. 3. <a href="/topical/b/baal-berith.htm">Baal-berith</a> A Canaanite deity whose temple in Shechem provided the funds for Abimelech's rise to power. The name means "Lord of the Covenant," indicating a syncretism between Canaanite and Israelite practices. 4. <a href="/topical/w/worthless_and_reckless_men.htm">Worthless and Reckless Men</a> Individuals hired by Abimelech to support his claim to leadership. The Hebrew term used here, (reqim u-phochazim), implies men of low character and instability. 5. <a href="/topical/s/seventy_shekels_of_silver.htm">Seventy Shekels of Silver</a> The amount of money given to Abimelech, symbolizing the corrupt use of resources dedicated to idolatry for personal gain.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_dangers_of_idolatry.htm">The Dangers of Idolatry</a> The funds from the temple of Baal-berith illustrate how idolatry can corrupt and lead to destructive leadership. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_ambition.htm">The Consequences of Ambition</a> Abimelech's ambition led him to murder and tyranny, showing the dangers of seeking power without God's guidance. <a href="/topical/c/choosing_companions_wisely.htm">Choosing Companions Wisely</a> The "worthless and reckless men" highlight the importance of surrounding oneself with godly influences rather than those who lead us astray. <a href="/topical/t/the_cost_of_compromise.htm">The Cost of Compromise</a> Abimelech's actions demonstrate how compromising with sin and idolatry can have far-reaching negative effects. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_leadership.htm">God's Sovereignty in Leadership</a> Despite human attempts to control leadership, God remains sovereign and will ultimately judge unrighteous rulers.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 9</a> <a href="/q/who_was_abimelech,_gideon's_son.htm">Who was Abimelech, son of Gideon, in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/why_no_opposition_to_abimelech's_act.htm">How could Abimelech have murdered seventy of Gideon’s sons without immediate opposition (Judges 9:5)? </a> <a href="/q/why_send_an_evil_spirit_in_judges_9_23.htm">Why would God send an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem (Judges 9:23)? </a> <a href="/q/is_judges_4_9_a_later_editorial_addition.htm">Judges 4:9 features a prophecy about Sisera's defeat by a woman--could this be a later editorial addition that conflicts with the main story?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) Pieces.--Rather, shekels, which is the word normally understood in similar phrases (<a href="/judges/8-26.htm" title="And the weight of the golden earrings that he requested was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold; beside ornaments, and collars, and purple raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that were about their camels' necks.">Judges 8:26</a>). "Neither the citizens of Shechem nor the ignobly-ambitious bastard understood what true monarchy was, and still less what it ought to be in the commonwealth of Jehovah" (Ewald, ii. 389).Out of the house of Baal-berith.--Like most temples in ancient days (e.g., that of Venus on Mount Eryx, the Parthenon, and that of Jupiter Latiaris), this served at once as a sanctuary, a fortress, and a bank. Similarly the treasures amassed at Delphi enabled the three Phocian brothers, Phayllus, Phalaekus, and Onomarchus, to support the whole burden of the sacred war (Diodor. xvi. 30; comp. Thuc. i. 121, 2:13). (Comp. also <a href="/1_kings/15-18.htm" title="Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants: and king Asa sent them to Benhadad, the son of Tabrimon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, that dwelled at Damascus, saying,">1Kings 15:18</a>.)Vain and light persons.--These are exactly analogous to the doruphoroi--a body-guard of spear-bearers, which an ambitious Greek always hired as the first step to setting up a tyranny (Diog. Laert. 1:49). We find Jephthah (<a href="/judges/11-3.htm" title="Then Jephthah fled from his brothers, and dwelled in the land of Tob: and there were gathered vain men to Jephthah, and went out with him.">Judges 11:3</a>), and David (<a href="/1_samuel/22-2.htm" title="And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves to him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.">1Samuel 22:2</a>), and Absalom (<a href="/2_samuel/15-1.htm" title="And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.">2Samuel 15:1</a>), and Rezon (<a href="/1_kings/11-24.htm" title="And he gathered men to him, and became captain over a band, when David slew them of Zobah: and they went to Damascus, and dwelled therein, and reigned in Damascus.">1Kings 11:24</a>), and Adonijah (<a href="/1_kings/1-5.htm" title="Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.">1Kings 1:5</a>), and Jeroboam (<a href="/2_chronicles/13-7.htm" title="And there are gathered to him vain men, the children of Belial, and have strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and tenderhearted, and could not withstand them.">2Chronicles 13:7</a>) doing exactly the same thing. Who these "vain" persons were is best defined in <a href="/1_samuel/22-2.htm" title="And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves to him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.">1Samuel 22:2</a>. They were like the condottieri, or free-lances. The word vain (rikim) is from the same root as Raca; it means vauriens. The word for "light persons" (pochazim) occurs in <a href="/genesis/49-4.htm" title="Unstable as water, you shall not excel; because you went up to your father's bed; then defiled you it: he went up to my couch.">Genesis 49:4</a> (applied to Reuben) and <a href="/zephaniah/3-4.htm" title="Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.">Zephaniah 3:4</a>. It is from a root which means to boil over. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - Threescore and ten of silver, i.e. shekels, which is always understood. Equal in value to about seven pounds; quite enough with which to hire a band of "vain and light persons," who would afterwards maintain themselves by plunder. Out of the house of Baal-berith. The custom of collecting treasures at the temple, both that of the true God and of idols, whether they were offerings and gifts for the service of the temple, or treasures deposited there for safety, was very general (see <a href="/joshua/6-19.htm">Joshua 6:19</a>; <a href="/1_kings/15-18.htm">1 Kings 15:18</a>; <a href="/1_chronicles/29-8.htm">1 Chronicles 29:8</a>; <a href="/daniel/1-2.htm">Daniel 1:2</a>, etc.). The treasures belonging to the temple of Apollo at Delphi were very great, and excited the cupidity of Xerxes, who sent an army to plunder the temple, but was foiled in the attempt. The Phocians are related to have seized 10,000 talents from the treasury of Delphi, nearly two and a half millions sterling. The temple of Diana at Ephesus had considerable treasures in money, as well as other valuable articles. Many other notices of the riches of temple treasures occur in classical writers. Vain and light persons. Of. <a href="/judges/11-3.htm">Judges 11:3</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/22-2.htm">1 Samuel 22:2</a>; <a href="/2_samuel/15-1.htm">2 Samuel 15:1</a>; <a href="/2_chronicles/13-7.htm">2 Chronicles 13:7</a>. Vain, literally, empty; light, literally, boiling over. Applied to the false prophets (<a href="/zephaniah/3-4.htm">Zephaniah 3:4</a>). In German, sprudel-kopf is a hot-headed, hasty man. <a href="/commentaries/judges/9-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>So they gave וַיִּתְּנוּ־ (way·yit·tə·nū-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> To give, put, set him לוֹ֙ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> seventy [shekels] שִׁבְעִ֣ים (šiḇ·‘îm) Number - common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7657.htm">Strong's 7657: </a> Seventy (a cardinal number) of silver כֶּ֔סֶף (ke·sep̄) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3701.htm">Strong's 3701: </a> Silver, money from the temple מִבֵּ֖יתּ‪‬ (mib·bêṯ) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house of בַ֣עַל‪‬ (ba·‘al) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> Baal-berith, בְּרִ֑ית (bə·rîṯ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1170.htm">Strong's 1170: </a> Baal of (the) covenant', a Shechemite god with which בָּהֶ֜ם (bā·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> Abimelech אֲבִימֶ֗לֶךְ (’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_40.htm">Strong's 40: </a> Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite name hired וַיִּשְׂכֹּ֨ר (way·yiś·kōr) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7936.htm">Strong's 7936: </a> To hire some worthless רֵיקִים֙ (rê·qîm) Adjective - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7386.htm">Strong's 7386: </a> Empty, worthless and reckless וּפֹ֣חֲזִ֔ים (ū·p̄ō·ḥă·zîm) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6348.htm">Strong's 6348: </a> To bubble up, froth, to be unimportant men אֲנָשִׁ֤ים (’ă·nā·šîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_582.htm">Strong's 582: </a> Man, mankind to follow וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ (way·yê·lə·ḵū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk him. אַחֲרָֽיו׃ (’a·ḥă·rāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_310.htm">Strong's 310: </a> The hind or following part <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/9-4.htm">Judges 9:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/judges/9-4.htm">Judges 9:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/judges/9-4.htm">Judges 9:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/judges/9-4.htm">Judges 9:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/judges/9-4.htm">Judges 9:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/9-4.htm">Judges 9:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/9-4.htm">Judges 9:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/9-4.htm">Judges 9:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/judges/9-4.htm">Judges 9:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/judges/9-4.htm">Judges 9:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/judges/9-4.htm">OT History: Judges 9:4 They gave him seventy pieces of silver (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/9-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 9:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 9:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/9-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 9:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 9:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>