CINXE.COM
Judges 9:50 Then Abimelech went to Thebez, encamped against it, and captured it.
<!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 9:50 Then Abimelech went to Thebez, encamped against it, and captured it.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/9-50.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/07_Jdg_09_50.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 9:50 - Abimelech's Punishment" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then Abimelech went to Thebez, encamped against it, and captured it." /><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'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/judges/9-50.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/judges/9-50.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/judges/">Judges</a> > <a href="/judges/9.htm">Chapter 9</a> > Verse 50</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad10.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/judges/9-49.htm" title="Judges 9:49">◄</a> Judges 9:50 <a href="/judges/9-51.htm" title="Judges 9:51">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/judges/9.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/judges/9.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Next Abimelek went to Thebez and besieged it and captured it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then Abimelech attacked the town of Thebez and captured it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Abimelech went to Thebez and encamped against Thebez and captured it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Abimelech went to Thebez, encamped against it, and captured it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and he encamped against Thebez and took it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and he camped against Thebez and captured it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and he camped against Thebez and captured it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and he camped against Thebez and captured it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and he camped against Thebez and captured it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and camped against Thebez and took it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Abimelech went to Thebez, camped against it, and captured it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Abimelech went to Thebez, camped against it, and captured it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />After destroying Shechem, Abimelech went to Thebez. He surrounded the town and captured it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then Abimelech went to Thebez, camped there, and captured it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then Abimelech went to Thebez, surrounded that city, and captured it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Later on, Abimelech went to Thebez, set up a siege encampment there, and captured it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Abimelech moved on to Thebez; he besieged and captured it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and camped against Thebez, and took it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Abimelech went to Thebez, encamped against it, and captured it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Then Abimelech went to Thebez and encamped against Thebez, and took it. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Abimelech goes to Thebez, and encamps against Thebez, and captures it,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Abimelech goeth unto Thebez, and encampeth against Thebez, and captureth it,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Abimelech will go to Thebez, and he will encamp against Thebez and take it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Then Abimelech departing from thence came to the town of Thebes, which he surrounded and besieged with his army. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then Abimelech, setting out from there, arrived at the town of Thebez, which he surrounded and besieged with his army.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Abimelech proceeded to Thebez, encamped, and captured it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then Abimeleck went to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez and took it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Abimelek went on to Thebets and he camped in Thebets and seized it<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Abimelech went out of Baethel-berith, and encamped against Thebes, and took it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/9-50.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=3117" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/judges/9.htm">Abimelech's Punishment</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">50</span><span class="highl"><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.">Then Abimelech</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: way·yê·leḵ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">went</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/8405.htm" title="8405: tê·ḇêṣ (N-proper-fs) -- A city near Shechem. From the same as buwts; whiteness; Tebets, a place in Palestine.">Thebez,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2583.htm" title="2583: way·yi·ḥan (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to incline; by implication, to decline; specifically, to pitch a tent; gen. To encamp.">encamped</a> <a href="/hebrew/8405.htm" title="8405: bə·ṯê·ḇêṣ (Prep-b:: N-proper-fs) -- A city near Shechem. From the same as buwts; whiteness; Tebets, a place in Palestine.">against it,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3920.htm" title="3920: way·yil·kə·ḏāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3fs) -- To capture, seize, take. A primitive root; to catch; generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose; figuratively, to cohere.">and captured it.</a> </span><span class="reftext">51</span>But there was a strong tower inside the city, and all the men, women, and leaders of the city fled there. They locked themselves in and went up to the roof of the tower.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/11-1.htm">2 Samuel 11:1</a></span><br />In the spring, at the time when kings march out to war, David sent out Joab and his servants with the whole army of Israel. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah, but David remained in Jerusalem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/3-19.htm">2 Kings 3:19</a></span><br />And you shall attack every fortified city and every city of importance. You shall cut down every good tree, stop up every spring, and ruin every good field with stones.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/18-13.htm">2 Kings 18:13</a></span><br />In the fourteenth year of Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked and captured all the fortified cities of Judah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-32.htm">2 Kings 19:32</a></span><br />So this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: ‘He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow into it. He will not come before it with a shield or build up a siege ramp against it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/37-33.htm">Isaiah 37:33</a></span><br />So this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: ‘He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow into it. He will not come before it with a shield or build up a siege ramp against it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/20-15.htm">2 Samuel 20:15</a></span><br />And Joab’s troops came and besieged Sheba in Abel-beth-maacah and built a siege ramp against the outer rampart of the city. As all the troops with Joab were battering the wall to topple it,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/25-1.htm">2 Kings 25:1</a></span><br />So in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army. They encamped outside the city and built a siege wall all around it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/6-6.htm">Jeremiah 6:6</a></span><br />For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Cut down the trees and raise a siege ramp against Jerusalem. This city must be punished; there is nothing but oppression in her midst.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/4-2.htm">Ezekiel 4:2</a></span><br />Then lay siege against it: Construct a siege wall, build a ramp to it, set up camps against it, and place battering rams around it on all sides.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/21-22.htm">Ezekiel 21:22</a></span><br />In his right hand appears the portent for Jerusalem, where he is to set up battering rams, to call for the slaughter, to lift a battle cry, to direct the battering rams against the gates, to build a ramp, and to erect a siege wall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/21-33.htm">Matthew 21:33-41</a></span><br />Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey. / When the harvest time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit. / But the tenants seized his servants. They beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/14-31.htm">Luke 14:31</a></span><br />Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/19-43.htm">Luke 19:43</a></span><br />For the days will come upon you when your enemies will barricade you and surround you and hem you in on every side.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/12-21.htm">Acts 12:21-23</a></span><br />On the appointed day, Herod donned his royal robes, sat on his throne, and addressed the people. / And they began to shout, “This is the voice of a god, not a man!” / Immediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/23-12.htm">Acts 23:12-15</a></span><br />When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot. / They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.</p><p class="hdg">Thebez.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/9-49.htm">Abimelech</a> <a href="/judges/9-47.htm">Abim'elech</a> <a href="/judges/9-29.htm">Army</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-19.htm">Besieged</a> <a href="/judges/7-1.htm">Camped</a> <a href="/judges/9-45.htm">Captured</a> <a href="/judges/9-45.htm">Captureth</a> <a href="/judges/7-1.htm">Encamped</a> <a href="/joshua/10-31.htm">Encampeth</a> <a href="/judges/9-44.htm">Position</a> <a href="/2_samuel/11-22.htm">Thebez</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/9-52.htm">Abimelech</a> <a href="/judges/9-52.htm">Abim'elech</a> <a href="/judges/10-17.htm">Army</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-1.htm">Besieged</a> <a href="/judges/10-17.htm">Camped</a> <a href="/judges/12-5.htm">Captured</a> <a href="/2_samuel/5-7.htm">Captureth</a> <a href="/judges/10-17.htm">Encamped</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-1.htm">Encampeth</a> <a href="/judges/10-17.htm">Position</a> <a href="/2_samuel/11-21.htm">Thebez</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-1.htm">Abimelech by conspiracy with the Shechemites, and murder of his brothers, is made king</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-7.htm">Jotham by a parable rebukes them, and foretells their ruin</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-22.htm">Gaal conspires with the Shechemites against him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">30. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-30.htm">Zebul reveals it</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-34.htm">Abimelech overcomes them, and sows the city with salt</a></span><br><span class="reftext">46. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-46.htm">He burns the hold of the god Berith</a></span><br><span class="reftext">50. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-50.htm">At Thebez he is slain by a piece of a millstone</a></span><br><span class="reftext">56. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-56.htm">Jotham's curse is fulfilled.</a></span><br></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><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>Then Abimelech went to Thebez</b><br>Abimelech, the son of Gideon, is a central figure in this narrative. His journey to Thebez follows his violent campaign to establish himself as king, which began with the massacre of his seventy brothers. Thebez is a city in the region of Shechem, indicating Abimelech's continued efforts to consolidate power in the central hill country of Israel. Thebez is not frequently mentioned in the Bible, but its inclusion here highlights its strategic importance. The city's name means "brightness" or "whiteness," possibly referring to its geographical features or its significance in the region.<p><b>encamped against it</b><br>Abimelech's encampment signifies a military siege, a common tactic in ancient warfare. This action reflects his aggressive and ruthless nature, as he seeks to subdue Thebez just as he did with Shechem. The encampment would involve surrounding the city, cutting off supplies, and preparing for an assault. This tactic is reminiscent of other biblical sieges, such as the siege of Jericho (Joshua 6) and the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians (2 Kings 25).<p><b>and captured it</b><br>The capture of Thebez demonstrates Abimelech's initial success in his campaign. However, this victory is short-lived, as the subsequent verses reveal his downfall. The capture of cities was a common occurrence in the turbulent period of the Judges, characterized by cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. Abimelech's actions contrast with the deliverance typically provided by judges, as he seeks personal power rather than the liberation of Israel. This event foreshadows his demise, as his unchecked ambition ultimately leads to his death, fulfilling the biblical theme of divine justice and the consequences of sin.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/abimelech.htm">Abimelech</a></b><br>The son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal) and a concubine from Shechem. He declared himself king after killing his seventy brothers, except for Jotham, who escaped. Abimelech's rule is marked by violence and treachery.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/thebez.htm">Thebez</a></b><br>A city in ancient Israel. Thebez is significant in this account as the place where Abimelech meets his downfall. It represents a stronghold that Abimelech attempts to conquer after his previous successes.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/encampment_and_capture.htm">Encampment and Capture</a></b><br>Abimelech's military strategy involves laying siege to Thebez, demonstrating his aggressive and relentless pursuit of power. This event sets the stage for his eventual demise.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_dangers_of_ambition_without_god.htm">The Dangers of Ambition Without God</a></b><br>Abimelech's account warns against unchecked ambition and the pursuit of power without seeking God's guidance. His actions lead to destruction, illustrating the futility of self-centered ambition.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>Abimelech's violent rise to power and subsequent actions serve as a reminder that sin has consequences. His account is a cautionary tale about the destructive nature of sin and its impact on individuals and communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_justice.htm">God's Sovereignty and Justice</a></b><br>Despite Abimelech's temporary success, his eventual downfall at Thebez demonstrates God's sovereignty and justice. God ultimately holds individuals accountable for their actions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_strong_foundations.htm">The Importance of Strong Foundations</a></b><br>Abimelech's failure highlights the importance of building one's life on a strong, godly foundation. Without it, even the mightiest endeavors can crumble.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 9</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_shechem's_destruction.htm">Is there any archaeological evidence supporting the destruction of Shechem as described (Judges 9)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_abimelech,_gideon's_son.htm">Who was Abimelech, son of Gideon, in the Bible?</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>(50) <span class= "bld">Thebez.</span>--One of the cities in the league of "Baal of the Covenant," perhaps, <span class= "ital">Tubas, </span>ten miles north-east of Shechem, on a mound among the hills.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 50.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Thebez</span>. A place so called still existed in the time of Eusebius between Neapolis (<span class="accented">i.e.</span> Shechem) and Scythopolis (<span class="accented">i.e.</span> Beth-shean), about thirteen miles from Shechem. It still survives in the large and beautiful village of <span class="accented">Tubas</span>, which, Robinson tells us, is on the Roman road between Nabulus and Beishan. Thebez had evidently joined the rebellion against Abimelech. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/9-50.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then Abimelech</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_40.htm">Strong's 40: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite name</span><br /><br /><span class="word">went</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Thebez,</span><br /><span class="heb">תֵּבֵ֑ץ</span> <span class="translit">(tê·ḇêṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8405.htm">Strong's 8405: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thebez -- a city near Shechem</span><br /><br /><span class="word">encamped</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּ֥חַן</span> <span class="translit">(way·yi·ḥan)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2583.htm">Strong's 2583: </a> </span><span class="str2">To incline, to decline, to pitch a, tent, gen, to encamp</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against it,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּתֵבֵ֖ץ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ṯê·ḇêṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8405.htm">Strong's 8405: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thebez -- a city near Shechem</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and captured it.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיִּלְכְּדָֽהּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(way·yil·kə·ḏāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3920.htm">Strong's 3920: </a> </span><span class="str2">To catch, to capture, occupy, to choose, to cohere</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/9-50.htm">Judges 9:50 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/9-50.htm">Judges 9:50 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/9-50.htm">Judges 9:50 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/9-50.htm">Judges 9:50 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/9-50.htm">Judges 9:50 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/9-50.htm">Judges 9:50 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/9-50.htm">Judges 9:50 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/9-50.htm">Judges 9:50 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/9-50.htm">Judges 9:50 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/9-50.htm">Judges 9:50 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/9-50.htm">OT History: Judges 9:50 Then went Abimelech to Thebez and encamped (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/9-49.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 9:49"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 9:49" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/9-51.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 9:51"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 9:51" /></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>