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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 9:5 He 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/9-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/07_Jdg_09_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 9:5 - Abimelech's Conspiracy" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He went to his father's house in Ophrah, and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal. 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But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerub-Baal, escaped by hiding. <a href="/nlt/judges/9.htm">New Living Translation</a> He went to his father’s home at Ophrah, and there, on one stone, they killed all seventy of his half brothers, the sons of Gideon. But the youngest brother, Jotham, escaped and hid. <a href="/esv/judges/9.htm">English Standard Version</a> And he went to his father’s house at Ophrah and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, for he hid himself. <a href="/bsb/judges/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> He 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. <a href="/kjv/judges/9.htm">King James Bible</a> And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself. <a href="/nkjv/judges/9.htm">New King James Version</a> Then he went to his father’s house at Ophrah and killed his brothers, the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, because he hid himself. <a href="/nasb_/judges/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then he went to his father’s house in Ophrah and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, because he hid himself. <a href="/nasb/judges/9.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then he went to his father&#8217s house at Ophrah and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, for he hid himself. <a href="/nasb77/judges/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then he went to his father’s house at Ophrah, and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, for he hid himself. <a href="/lsb/judges/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then he came to his father’s house at Ophrah and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, for he hid himself. <a href="/amp/judges/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then he went to his father’s house at Ophrah and murdered his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, [in a public execution] on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left alive, because he had hidden himself. <a href="/csb/judges/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> He went to his father’s house in Ophrah and killed his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal, on top of a large stone. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he hid. <a href="/hcsb/judges/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> He went to his father&#8217s house in Ophrah and killed his 70 brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal, on top of a large stone. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he hid himself. <a href="/asv/judges/9.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: but Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself. <a href="/cev/judges/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Abimelech and his soldiers went to his father's home in Ophrah and brought out Gideon's other sons to a large rock, where they murdered all 70 of them. Gideon's youngest son Jotham hid from the soldiers, but he was the only one who escaped. <a href="/erv/judges/9.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: but Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself. <a href="/gwt/judges/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Then he went to his father's home in Ophrah. There he executed his 70 brothers, Jerubbaal's sons. But Jotham, Jerubbaal's youngest son, survived because he hid. <a href="/gnt/judges/9.htm">Good News Translation</a> He went to his father's house at Ophrah, and there on top of a single stone he killed his seventy brothers, Gideon's sons. But Jotham, Gideon's youngest son, hid and was not killed. <a href="/isv/judges/9.htm">International Standard Version</a> to his father's house in Ophrah. There he murdered his own brothers, Jerubbaal's sons—all 70 of them—in one place. But Jerubbaal's youngest son Jotham survived by hiding himself. <a href="/msb/judges/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> He 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. <a href="/net/judges/9.htm">NET Bible</a> He went to his father's home in Ophrah and murdered his half-brothers, the seventy legitimate sons of Jerub-Baal, on one stone. Only Jotham, Jerub-Baal's youngest son, escaped, because he hid. <a href="/nheb/judges/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He went to his father's house at Ophrah, and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, being seventy persons, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself. <a href="/wbt/judges/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And he went to his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being seventy persons, upon one stone; notwithstanding, yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself. <a href="/web/judges/9.htm">World English Bible</a> He went to his father’s house at Ophrah, and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, being seventy persons, on one stone; but Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, for he hid himself. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/judges/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and he goes into the house of his father at Ophrah, and slays his brothers, sons of Jerubba‘al, seventy men, on one stone; and Jotham, youngest son of Jerubba‘al, is left, for he was hidden. <a href="/ylt/judges/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and he goeth into the house of his father at Ophrah, and slayeth his brethren, sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone; and Jotham, youngest son of Jerubbaal, is left, for he was hidden. <a href="/slt/judges/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he will come to his father's house at Ophrah, and will kill his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men upon one stone: and Jotham the young son of Jerubbaal will be left, for he was hid.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/judges/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And he came to his father's house in Ephra, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerobaal, seventy men, upon one stone: and there remained only Joatham the youngest son of Jerobaal, who was hidden. <a href="/cpdv/judges/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And he went to his father’s house in Ophrah, and he killed his brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, upon one stone. And there remained only Joatham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, and he was in hiding. <a href="/nabre/judges/9.htm">New American Bible</a> He then went to his father’s house in Ophrah, and killed his brothers, the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, on one stone. Only the youngest son of Jerubbaal, Jotham, escaped, for he was hidden. <a href="/nrsvce/judges/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> He went to his father’s house at Ophrah, and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone; but Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, for he hid himself.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/judges/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And he went to his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brothers, the sons of Nedo-baal, seventy men, upon one stone; but Jotham the youngest son of Nedo-baal was left; for he hid himself. <a href="/hpbt/judges/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And he entered the house of his father at Uphra and he killed his brothers, the sons of NaduBayl, seventy men, on one rock, and Yutham, son of NeduBayl, the youngest, was left, because he was hidden<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/judges/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone; but Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself. <a href="/sep/judges/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And he went to the house of his father to Ephratha, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerobaal, seventy men upon one stone; but Joatham the youngest son of Jerobaal was left, for he hid himself. <a href="/parallel/judges/9-5.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=2665" 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> …4So 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. 5<a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇō (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">He went</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇîw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">to his father’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: ḇêṯ- (N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">house</a> <a href="/hebrew/6084.htm" title="6084: ‘ā·p̄ə·rā·ṯāh (N-proper-fs:: 3fs) -- An Israelite, also two places in Isr. Feminine of opher; female fawn; Ophrah, the name of an Israelite and of two places in Palestine.">in Ophrah,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">and on</a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: ’e·ḥāṯ (Number-fs) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">one</a> <a href="/hebrew/68.htm" title="68: ’e·ḇen (N-fs) -- A stone. From the root of banah through the meaning to build; a stone.">stone</a> <a href="/hebrew/2026.htm" title="2026: way·ya·hă·rōḡ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To kill, slay. A primitive root; to smite with deadly intent.">murdered</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7657.htm" title="7657: šib·bə·ʿīm (Number-cp) -- Seventy (a card. number). Multiple of sheba'; seventy.">his seventy</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term."></a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’e·ḥāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">brothers,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">the sons</a> <a href="/hebrew/3378.htm" title="3378: yə·rub·ba·‘al (N-proper-ms) -- Let Baal contend, a name of Gideon. From riyb and Ba'al; Baal will contend; Jerubbaal, a symbol. Name of Gideon.">of Jerubbaal.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3147.htm" title="3147: yō·w·ṯām (N-proper-ms) -- The LORD is perfect, three Isr. From Yhovah and tam; Jehovah perfect; Jotham, the name of three Israelites.">But Jotham,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6996.htm" title="6996: haq·qā·ṭōn (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Small, young, unimportant. Or qaton; from quwt; abbreviated, i.e. Diminutive, literally or figuratively.">the youngest</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: ben- (N-msc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">son</a> <a href="/hebrew/3378.htm" title="3378: yə·rub·ba·‘al (N-proper-ms) -- Let Baal contend, a name of Gideon. From riyb and Ba'al; Baal will contend; Jerubbaal, a symbol. Name of Gideon.">of Jerubbaal,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3498.htm" title="3498: way·yiw·wā·ṯêr (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; to remain or be left; causatively, to leave, cause to abound, preserve.">survived,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/2244.htm" title="2244: neḥ·bā (V-Nifal-Perf-3ms) -- To withdraw, hide. A primitive root; to secrete.">he hid himself.</a> 6Then all the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo gathered beside the oak at the pillar in Shechem and proceeded to make Abimelech their king.…<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="/genesis/4-8.htm">Genesis 4:8</a> Then Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. <a href="/1_samuel/16-11.htm">1 Samuel 16:11-13</a> And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” / So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.” / So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah. <a href="/2_kings/11-1.htm">2 Kings 11:1-3</a> When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to annihilate all the royal heirs. / But Jehosheba daughter of King Joram, the sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the sons of the king who were being murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah, and he was not killed. / And Joash remained hidden with his nurse in the house of the LORD for six years while Athaliah ruled the land. <a href="/1_kings/2-25.htm">1 Kings 2:25</a> So King Solomon gave orders to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he struck down Adonijah and he died. <a href="/2_samuel/4-7.htm">2 Samuel 4:7</a> They had entered the house while Ish-bosheth was lying on his bed, and having stabbed and killed him, they beheaded him, took his head, and traveled all night by way of the Arabah. <a href="/2_chronicles/21-4.htm">2 Chronicles 21:4</a> When Jehoram had established himself over his father’s kingdom, he strengthened himself by putting to the sword all his brothers along with some of the princes of Israel. <a href="/matthew/2-16.htm">Matthew 2:16</a> When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi. <a href="/1_samuel/19-11.htm">1 Samuel 19:11</a> Then Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him and kill him in the morning. But David’s wife Michal warned him, “If you do not run for your life tonight, tomorrow you will be dead!” <a href="/2_samuel/21-8.htm">2 Samuel 21:8-9</a> But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons whom Rizpah daughter of Aiah had borne to Saul, as well as the five sons whom Merab daughter of Saul had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite. / And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged them on the hill before the LORD. So all seven of them fell together; they were put to death in the first days of the harvest, at the beginning of the barley harvest. <a href="/1_kings/15-29.htm">1 Kings 15:29</a> As soon as Baasha became king, he struck down the entire household of Jeroboam. He did not leave to Jeroboam anyone who breathed, but destroyed them all according to the word that the LORD had spoken through His servant Ahijah the Shilonite, <a href="/2_kings/10-7.htm">2 Kings 10:7</a> 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="/matthew/14-10.htm">Matthew 14:10</a> and sent to have John beheaded in the prison. <a href="/mark/6-27.htm">Mark 6:27</a> So without delay, the king commanded that John’s head be brought in. He sent an executioner, who went and beheaded him in the prison. <a href="/acts/7-9.htm">Acts 7:9</a> Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him <a href="/john/11-53.htm">John 11:53</a> So from that day on they plotted to kill Him.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And he went to his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, being three score and ten persons, on one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.at Ophrah<a href="/judges/6-24.htm">Judges 6:24</a> Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.slew<a href="/2_kings/10-17.htm">2 Kings 10:17</a> And when he came to Samaria, he slew all that remained unto Ahab in Samaria, till he had destroyed him, according to the saying of the LORD, which he spake to Elijah.<a href="/2_kings/11-1.htm">2 Kings 11:1,2</a> And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal… <a href="/2_chronicles/21-4.htm">2 Chronicles 21:4</a> Now when Jehoram was risen up to the kingdom of his father, he strengthened himself, and slew all his brethren with the sword, and divers also of the princes of Israel.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/10-27.htm">Hid</a> <a href="/judges/9-4.htm">House</a> <a href="/judges/9-2.htm">Jerubbaal</a> <a href="/matthew/1-9.htm">Jotham</a> <a href="/judges/8-21.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/judges/4-9.htm">Notwithstanding</a> <a href="/judges/8-32.htm">Ophrah</a> <a href="/judges/9-4.htm">Persons</a> <a href="/judges/9-4.htm">Seventy</a> <a href="/judges/8-21.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/judges/3-26.htm">Stone</a> <a href="/judges/9-4.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/judges/9-4.htm">Threescore</a> <a href="/judges/6-15.htm">Youngest</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/3-18.htm">Hid</a> <a href="/judges/9-6.htm">House</a> <a href="/judges/9-16.htm">Jerubbaal</a> <a href="/judges/9-7.htm">Jotham</a> <a href="/judges/9-24.htm">Killed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-25.htm">Notwithstanding</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-17.htm">Ophrah</a> <a href="/judges/9-18.htm">Persons</a> <a href="/judges/9-18.htm">Seventy</a> <a href="/judges/9-24.htm">Slew</a> <a href="/judges/9-18.htm">Stone</a> <a href="/judges/9-18.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/judges/9-18.htm">Threescore</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-11.htm">Youngest</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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/9.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/judges/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>He went to his father’s house in Ophrah Ophrah is identified as the hometown of Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal. This location is significant as it was the center of Gideon's family and his legacy. The act of returning to his father's house indicates a claim to familial authority and inheritance. Ophrah is situated in the territory of Manasseh, highlighting the tribal dynamics at play during this period of the Judges.and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal. The use of "one stone" suggests a methodical and possibly ritualistic execution, emphasizing the brutality and premeditated nature of the act. The number seventy is symbolic in the Bible, often representing completeness or totality, indicating the extent of the massacre. This act of fratricide is a stark contrast to the legacy of Gideon, who was a judge and deliverer of Israel. The murder of his brothers reflects the moral and spiritual decline in Israel during the time of the Judges, where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (<a href="/judges/21-25.htm">Judges 21:25</a>).But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, Jotham's survival is significant as it introduces a remnant theme, common in biblical narratives, where God preserves a faithful remnant despite widespread apostasy or destruction. Jotham's escape sets the stage for his later actions and pronouncements, which serve as a prophetic voice against Abimelech's tyranny. The preservation of the youngest son echoes other biblical stories where the youngest is chosen or preserved for a special purpose, such as David or Joseph.because he hid himself. Jotham's act of hiding indicates wisdom and discernment, qualities that are often attributed to those whom God uses for His purposes. His survival is not attributed to chance but to his prudent action, suggesting divine providence at work. This act of hiding can be seen as a parallel to other biblical figures who were hidden for protection, such as Moses or Jesus, emphasizing God's sovereignty and protection over His chosen instruments.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/a/abimelech.htm">Abimelech</a> The son of Gideon (Jerubbaal) and a concubine from Shechem. He sought power and killed his brothers to establish himself as king. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jerubbaal.htm">Jerubbaal (Gideon)</a> Abimelech's father, a judge of Israel who led the Israelites to victory over the Midianites. His legacy is marred by his son's actions. 3. <a href="/topical/j/jotham.htm">Jotham</a> The youngest son of Gideon who escaped Abimelech's massacre. He later delivered a parable to the people of Shechem. 4. <a href="/topical/o/ophrah.htm">Ophrah</a> The hometown of Gideon and the site of the massacre of his sons by Abimelech. 5. <a href="/topical/s/seventy_brothers.htm">Seventy Brothers</a> The sons of Gideon, representing the legitimate heirs to Gideon's legacy, who were murdered by Abimelech.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_dangers_of_ambition_and_power.htm">The Dangers of Ambition and Power</a> Abimelech's account warns against unchecked ambition and the destructive pursuit of power. It serves as a reminder that leadership should be rooted in service and humility, not self-interest. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a> The massacre of Gideon's sons illustrates the far-reaching consequences of sin, affecting not only the sinner but also the innocent. It calls believers to consider the impact of their actions on others. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_justice.htm">God's Sovereignty and Justice</a> Despite Abimelech's actions, God's justice prevails. This encourages believers to trust in God's ultimate justice, even when evil seems to triumph temporarily. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_righteous_leadership.htm">The Importance of Righteous Leadership</a> The contrast between Gideon's leadership and Abimelech's tyranny highlights the need for leaders who fear God and uphold righteousness.<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/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/who_was_abimelech,_gideon's_son.htm">Who was Abimelech, son of Gideon, in the Bible?</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/does_abimelech's_rule_conflict_with_ot.htm">Does the account of Abimelech’s violent rule conflict with other Old Testament portrayals of just leadership (Judges 9:22–24)? </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>(5) And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah.--Probably, like Absalom, he seized the opportunity of some local or family feast at which all his brethren would be assembled (<a href="/2_samuel/13-23.htm" title="And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheep shearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king's sons.">2Samuel 13:23</a>); it may even have been the anniversary of Gideon's vision.Slew his brethren . . .--This is the first mention in Scripture of the hideous custom, which is so common among all Oriental despots, of anticipating conspiracies by destroying all their brothers and near kinsmen. (Comp. Pope, Epistle to Arbuthnot: "Bear, like the Turk, no brother near the throne.") There is little affection and much jealousy in polygamous households. Abimelech by this vile wickedness set a fatal precedent, which was followed again and again in the kingdom of Israel by Baasha (<a href="/1_kings/15-29.htm" title="And it came to pass, when he reigned, that he smote all the house of Jeroboam; he left not to Jeroboam any that breathed, until he had destroyed him, according to the saying of the LORD, which he spoke by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite:">1Kings 15:29</a>), Zimri (<a href="/1_kings/16-11.htm" title="And it came to pass, when he began to reign, as soon as he sat on his throne, that he slew all the house of Baasha: he left him not one that urinates against a wall, neither of his kinfolks, nor of his friends.">1Kings 16:11</a>), Jehu (<a href="/2_kings/10-7.htm" title="And it came to pass, when the letter came to them, that they took the king's sons, and slew seventy persons, and put their heads in baskets, and sent him them to Jezreel.">2Kings 10:7</a>), and probably by other kings (2 Kings 15); and by Athaliah (<a href="/2_kings/11-1.htm" title="And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal.">2Kings 11:1</a>) in the kingdom of Judah. Herod also put to death most of his kinsmen, and some of his sons (see Life of Christ, i. 43). Seneca says, "Nec regna socium ferre, nec taedae sciunt"--nor realms nor weddings admit a sharer (Agam. 259). . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 5. - Upon one stone. Used as a block, on which the victims were executed one after another. Compare the similar wholesale murders of the seventy sons of Ahab by order of Jehu (<a href="/2_kings/10-7.htm">2 Kings 10:7</a>), of the seed royal of Judah by Athaliah (<a href="/2_kings/11-1.htm">2 Kings 11:1</a>), of the whole house of Jeroboam by Baasha (<a href="/1_kings/15-29.htm">1 Kings 15:29</a>), of the whole house of Baasha by Zimri (<a href="/1_kings/16-11.htm">1 Kings 16:11, 12</a>). Timour, on his conquest of Persia, is said to have destroyed the whole male family of the king. At the conquest of Bagdad he is said to have made a pyramid of 90,000 human heads. In Persia and Turkey in modern times it has been a common practice for the sovereign to slay or put out the eyes of all his brothers and cousins. So destructive of natural affection is polygamy, and so cruel is power. <a href="/commentaries/judges/9-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>He went וַיָּבֹ֤א (way·yā·ḇō) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go to his father’s אָבִיו֙ (’ā·ḇîw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> Father house בֵית־ (ḇêṯ-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house in Ophrah, עָפְרָ֔תָה (‘ā·p̄ə·rā·ṯāh) Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6084.htm">Strong's 6084: </a> Ophrah -- an Israelite, also two places in Israel and on עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against one אֶחָ֑ת (’e·ḥāṯ) Number - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> United, one, first stone אֶ֣בֶן (’e·ḇen) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_68.htm">Strong's 68: </a> A stone murdered וַֽיַּהֲרֹ֞ג (way·ya·hă·rōḡ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2026.htm">Strong's 2026: </a> To smite with deadly intent his seventy שִׁבְּעִ֥ים‪‬ (šiḇ·‘îm) Number - common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7657.htm">Strong's 7657: </a> Seventy (a cardinal number) brothers, אֶחָ֧יו (’e·ḥāw) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> A brother, ) the sons בְּנֵֽי־ (bə·nê-) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son of Jerubbaal. יְרֻבַּ֛עַל (yə·rub·ba·‘al) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3378.htm">Strong's 3378: </a> Jerubbaal -- 'let Baal contend', a name of Gideon But Jotham, יוֹתָ֧ם (yō·w·ṯām) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3147.htm">Strong's 3147: </a> Jotham -- 'the LORD is perfect', three Israelites the youngest הַקָּטֹ֖ן (haq·qā·ṭōn) Article | Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6996.htm">Strong's 6996: </a> Small, young, unimportant son בֶּן־ (ben-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son of Jerubbaal, יְרֻבַּ֛עַל (yə·rub·ba·‘al) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3378.htm">Strong's 3378: </a> Jerubbaal -- 'let Baal contend', a name of Gideon survived, וַיִּוָּתֵ֞ר (way·yiw·wā·ṯêr) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3498.htm">Strong's 3498: </a> To jut over, exceed, to excel, to remain, be left, to leave, cause to abound, preserve because כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction he hid himself. נֶחְבָּֽא׃ (neḥ·bā) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2244.htm">Strong's 2244: </a> To withdraw, hide <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/9-5.htm">Judges 9:5 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/judges/9-5.htm">Judges 9:5 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/judges/9-5.htm">Judges 9:5 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/judges/9-5.htm">Judges 9:5 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/judges/9-5.htm">Judges 9:5 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/9-5.htm">Judges 9:5 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/9-5.htm">Judges 9:5 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/9-5.htm">Judges 9:5 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/judges/9-5.htm">Judges 9:5 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/judges/9-5.htm">Judges 9:5 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/judges/9-5.htm">OT History: Judges 9:5 He went to his father's house at (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/9-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 9:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 9:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/9-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 9:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 9:6" /></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>