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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 8:31 His concubine, who dwelt in Shechem, also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/8-31.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/07_Jdg_08_31.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 8:31 - Forty Years of Peace" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="His concubine, who dwelt in Shechem, also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad11.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/8-30.htm" title="Judges 8:30">◄</a> Judges 8:31 <a href="/judges/8-32.htm" title="Judges 8:32">►</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/8.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/8.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />His concubine, who lived in Shechem, also bore him a son, whom he named Abimelek.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/8.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />He also had a concubine in Shechem, who gave birth to a son, whom he named Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/8.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And his concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he called his name Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />His concubine, who dwelt in Shechem, also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And his concubine that <i>was</i> in Shechem, she also bare him a son, whose name he called Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And his concubine who <i>was</i> in Shechem also bore him a son, whose name he called Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And his concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />His concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And his concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And his concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And his concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, whom he named Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />His concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />His concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bare him a son, and he called his name Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />He even had a wife who lived at Shechem. They had a son, and Gideon named him Abimelech. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bare him a son, and he called his name Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />His concubine at Shechem also gave birth to a son. That son was named Abimelech. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He also had a concubine in Shechem; she bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />His mistress in Shechem bore him a son whom he named Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />His concubine, who dwelt in Shechem, also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />His concubine, who lived in Shechem, also gave him a son, whom he named Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />His secondary wife who was in Shechem, she also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bore him a son, whose name he called Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />His concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and his concubine, who [is] in Shechem, has borne to him—even she—a son, and he appoints his name Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and his concubine, who is in Shechem, hath born to him -- even she -- a son, and he appointeth his name Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And his concubine which is in Shechem, she will bear to him a son, and she will set his name Abimelech.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And his concubine, that he had in Sichem, bore him a son, whose name was Abimelech. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But his concubine, whom he had in Shechem, bore him a son named Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />His concubine who lived in Shechem also bore him a son, whom he named Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />His concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And his concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, whose name he called Abimeleck.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And his concubine who was in Shekim gave birth to a son by him, and he named his name Abimelek<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bore him a son, and he called his name Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And his concubine was in Sychem, and she also bore him a son, and gave him the name Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/8-31.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=2572" 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/8.htm">Forty Years of Peace</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">30</span>Gideon had seventy sons of his own, since he had many wives. <span class="reftext">31</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6370.htm" title="6370: ū·p̄î·laḡ·šōw (Conj-w:: N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Concubine. Or pilegesh; of uncertain derivation; a concubine; also a paramour.">His concubine,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">who dwelt</a> <a href="/hebrew/7927.htm" title="7927: biš·ḵem (Prep-b:: N-proper-fs) -- Ridge, a district in N. Pal., also a son of Hamor. The same as shkem; ridge; Shekem, a place in Palestine.">in Shechem,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: ḡam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">also</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hî (Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3205.htm" title="3205: yā·lə·ḏāh- (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- A primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage.">bore</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">him</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bên (N-ms) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">a son,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: way·yā·śem (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">and he named</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/8034.htm" title="8034: šə·mōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.">him</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> </span><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="/genesis/16-15.htm">Genesis 16:15</a></span><br />And Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/21-9.htm">Genesis 21:9-10</a></span><br />But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking her son, / and she said to Abraham, “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/25-1.htm">Genesis 25:1-4</a></span><br />Now Abraham had taken another wife, named Keturah, / and she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. / Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were the Asshurites, the Letushites, and the Leummites. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/3-3.htm">2 Samuel 3:3</a></span><br />his second was Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; his third was Absalom, the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/13-1.htm">2 Samuel 13:1</a></span><br />After some time, David’s son Amnon fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of David’s son Absalom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/11-1.htm">1 Kings 11:1-3</a></span><br />King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love. / He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/1-32.htm">1 Chronicles 1:32</a></span><br />The sons born to Keturah, Abraham’s concubine: Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. The sons of Jokshan: Sheba and Dedan.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/2-19.htm">1 Chronicles 2:19</a></span><br />When Azubah died, Caleb married Ephrath, who bore to him Hur.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/3-1.htm">1 Chronicles 3:1-9</a></span><br />These were the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron: The firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam of Jezreel; the second was Daniel by Abigail of Carmel; / the third was Absalom the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur; the fourth was Adonijah the son of Haggith; / the fifth was Shephatiah by Abital; and the sixth was Ithream by his wife Eglah. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/7-14.htm">1 Chronicles 7:14</a></span><br />The descendants of Manasseh: Asriel through his Aramean concubine. She also gave birth to Machir the father of Gilead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/8-29.htm">1 Chronicles 8:29-31</a></span><br />Jeiel the father of Gibeon lived in Gibeon. His wife’s name was Maacah, / and Abdon was his firstborn son, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab, / Gedor, Ahio, Zecher,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/11-21.htm">2 Chronicles 11:21</a></span><br />Rehoboam loved Maacah daughter of Absalom more than all his wives and concubines. In all, he had eighteen wives and sixty concubines, and he was the father of twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">Galatians 4:22-23</a></span><br />For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. / His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/4-28.htm">Galatians 4:28-31</a></span><br />Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. / At that time, however, the son born by the flesh persecuted the son born by the Spirit. It is the same now. / But what does the Scripture say? “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-32.htm">Hebrews 11:32</a></span><br />And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets,</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bore him a son, whose name he called Abimelech.</p><p class="hdg">concubine</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/9-1.htm">Judges 9:1-5</a></b></br> And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother's brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother's father, saying, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/16-15.htm">Genesis 16:15</a></b></br> And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/22-24.htm">Genesis 22:24</a></b></br> And his concubine, whose name <i>was</i> Reumah, she bare also Tebah, and Gaham, and Thahash, and Maachah.</p><p class="hdg">called.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/9-18.htm">Judges 9:18</a></b></br> And ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he <i>is</i> your brother;)</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/20-2.htm">Genesis 20:2</a></b></br> And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She <i>is</i> my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/26-26.htm">Abimelech</a> <a href="/genesis/26-26.htm">Abim'elech</a> <a href="/exodus/4-11.htm">Appointeth</a> <a href="/judges/3-18.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/judges/4-24.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/joshua/15-14.htm">Born</a> <a href="/genesis/36-12.htm">Concubine</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/7-14.htm">Servant-Wife</a> <a href="/joshua/24-32.htm">Shechem</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/9-1.htm">Abimelech</a> <a href="/judges/9-1.htm">Abim'elech</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-13.htm">Appointeth</a> <a href="/judges/11-2.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/judges/11-2.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/judges/13-8.htm">Born</a> <a href="/judges/19-1.htm">Concubine</a> <a href="/judges/19-1.htm">Servant-Wife</a> <a href="/judges/9-1.htm">Shechem</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 8</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/8-1.htm">Gideon pacifies the Ephraimites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/8-4.htm">Succoth and Penuel refuse to deliver Gideon's army</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/8-10.htm">Zebah and Zalmunna are taken</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/8-13.htm">Succoth and Penuel are destroyed</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/8-17.htm">Gideon revenges his brothers's death on Zebah and Zalmunna</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/8-22.htm">He refuses government</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/8-24.htm">His ephod the cause of idolatry</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/8-28.htm">Midian subdued</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/8-29.htm">Gideon's children, and death</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/8-33.htm">The Israelites' idolatry and ingratitude</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 />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <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/8.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/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>His concubine</b><br>In ancient Israel, a concubine was a woman who lived with a man but had a lower status than his wife or wives. Concubines were often taken for various reasons, including political alliances, social status, or to bear children. The presence of concubines in biblical narratives often highlights the complexities and moral challenges of the time, reflecting the patriarchal society and the deviation from God's original design for marriage.<p><b>who dwelt in Shechem</b><br>Shechem was a significant city in the central hill country of Canaan, located in the tribal territory of Ephraim. It held historical and religious importance, being the site where God first promised the land to Abraham (<a href="/genesis/12-6.htm">Genesis 12:6-7</a>) and where Joshua renewed the covenant with Israel (<a href="/joshua/24.htm">Joshua 24:1-25</a>). The mention of Shechem here may indicate political or social motivations behind Gideon's relationship with the concubine, as Shechem was a center of power and influence.<p><b>also bore him a son</b><br>The birth of a son to Gideon's concubine signifies the continuation of his lineage, but it also introduces potential conflict and division within his family. Sons born to concubines often faced issues of legitimacy and inheritance, which could lead to strife, as seen in the subsequent narrative of Abimelech.<p><b>and he named him Abimelech</b><br>The name Abimelech means "my father is king," which is significant given Gideon's refusal to accept kingship over Israel (<a href="/judges/8-23.htm">Judges 8:23</a>). This name may reflect Gideon's aspirations or the expectations placed upon Abimelech. Abimelech's later actions, as recorded in <a href="/judges/9.htm">Judges 9</a>, reveal his ambition to rule, leading to violence and tragedy. This narrative foreshadows the dangers of human ambition and the rejection of God's authority, serving as a cautionary tale about the consequences of straying from divine guidance.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/gideon.htm">Gideon (Jerubbaal)</a></b><br>A judge of Israel who led the Israelites to victory over the Midianites. Despite his leadership, he had a complex personal life, including relationships with multiple women.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/c/concubine.htm">Concubine</a></b><br>A woman who lived with Gideon in a secondary status to a wife. Her role in Gideon's life reflects the cultural practices of the time.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/shechem.htm">Shechem</a></b><br>An ancient city in the hill country of Ephraim, significant in Israel's history. It was a center of political and religious activity.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/a/abimelech.htm">Abimelech</a></b><br>The son of Gideon and his concubine. His name means "my father is king," which foreshadows his later attempt to establish himself as a ruler.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/event.htm">Event</a></b><br>The birth of Abimelech marks a turning point, leading to future conflict and strife in Israel, as detailed in the subsequent chapters of Judges.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_compromise.htm">The Consequences of Compromise</a></b><br>Gideon's relationship with his concubine and the birth of Abimelech illustrate the long-term consequences of compromising God's standards for family and leadership.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_godly_leadership.htm">The Importance of Godly Leadership</a></b><br>Abimelech's account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of self-appointed leadership and the need for leaders to be chosen and anointed by God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/legacy_and_influence.htm">Legacy and Influence</a></b><br>The actions and decisions of one generation can significantly impact the next. Gideon's choices affected not only his immediate family but also the entire nation of Israel.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_amidst_human_failure.htm">God's Sovereignty Amidst Human Failure</a></b><br>Despite human failings, God's purposes ultimately prevail. The account of Abimelech is a reminder of God's overarching plan and His ability to work through imperfect people.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 8</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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_abimelech_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Abimelech in the Bible?</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/what_does_'by_my_spirit'_mean.htm">Where is Beersheba mentioned in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(31) <span class= "bld">His concubine that was in Shechem.</span>--In <a href="/judges/9-18.htm" title="And you are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, three score and ten persons, on one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;)">Judges 9:18</a> she is contemptuously called his "maid servant." The sequel (<a href="/context/judges/9-1.htm" title="And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem to his mother's brothers, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother's father, saying,">Judges 9:1-4</a>) seems to show that she belonged to the Canaanite population of Shechem. If so, Gideon's conduct in making her a concubine was as much against the Mosaic law as that of Solomon, though it may have had the same colour of worldly expediency. But it is probable that the requirements of the Mosaic law were much better known in the reign of Solomon, when the priests had once more become influential, than they were in this anarchical period. This concubine exercised an influence sufficiently important to cause the preservation of her name by tradition--Drumah (Jos. <span class= "ital">Antt. v.</span> 7, ? 1).<p><span class= "bld">Whose name he called Abimelech.</span>--For "called" the margin has <span class= "ital">set. </span>The phrase is not the ordinary one, and perhaps implies that Abimelech (Father-king--"a king, my father") was a surname given him by his father on observing his ambitious and boastful character. It seems more probable that the name was given by the Shechemites and his mother, and it may not have been without some influence for evil upon his ultimate career. The name has exactly the same significance as Padishah and Attalik, the title of the Khan of Bokhara (Gesenius). Being a well-understood dynastic title (Genesis 20; Psalms 34 title), it would be all the more significant. He was like a bad reproduction of Gideon, with the courage and energy of his father, but with none of his virtues.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 31.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Whose name he called</span>. This is badly translated; it should he, he <span class="accented">gave him the name of Abimelech - literally</span>, <span class="accented">he set his name Abimelech.</span> There are two phrases in Hebrew. The one, he <span class="accented">called his name</span> Seth, Noah, Ishmael, Isaac, Esau, Jacob, etc., as the case may be. And this is the phrase always, though not exclusively (see, <span class="accented">e.g.</span>, <a href="/genesis/35-10.htm">Genesis 35:10</a>; <a href="/judges/6-32.htm">Judges 6:32</a>), used of the name given to a child at its birth or circumcision. The other is, he <span class="accented">gave</span> or <span class="accented">set him the</span> name, or, <span class="accented">he gave</span> or <span class="accented">set his name</span> so-and-so, and this phrase is only used of additional names, or surnames given later in life. The examples are Judges 13:31; <a href="/2_kings/17-34.htm">2 Kings 17:34</a>; <a href="/nehemiah/9-7.htm">Nehemiah 9:7</a>; <a href="/daniel/2-7.htm">Daniel 2:7</a>; <a href="/daniel/5-12.htm">Daniel 5:12</a>. The inference is that the name of <span class="accented">Abimelech</span>, which means <span class="accented">father of a king</span>, and was the name of the royal family of Gerar, was given to Abimelech as a significant surname, and was perhaps one of the causes which induced him to seize the kingdom. A third phrase is found in <a href="/2_kings/23-34.htm">2 Kings 23:34</a>; <a href="/2_kings/24-17.htm">2 Kings 24:17</a>; <a href="/2_chronicles/36-4.htm">2 Chronicles 36:4</a>: <span class="accented">he turned his name to Jehoiakim</span>; <span class="accented">changed his name to Zedekiah.</span> The Hebrew is the same in all these passages. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/8-31.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">His concubine,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּפִֽילַגְשׁוֹ֙</span> <span class="translit">(ū·p̄î·laḡ·šōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6370.htm">Strong's 6370: </a> </span><span class="str2">A concubine, a paramour</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who [dwelt]</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in Shechem,</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּשְׁכֶ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(biš·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7927.htm">Strong's 7927: </a> </span><span class="str2">Shechem -- 'ridge', a district in Northern Palestine, also a son of Hamor</span><br /><br /><span class="word">also</span><br /><span class="heb">גַם־</span> <span class="translit">(ḡam-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and</span><br /><br /><span class="word">bore</span><br /><span class="heb">יָֽלְדָה־</span> <span class="translit">(yā·lə·ḏāh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3205.htm">Strong's 3205: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him a son,</span><br /><span class="heb">בֵּ֑ן</span> <span class="translit">(bên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and he named</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּ֥שֶׂם</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·śem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> </span><span class="str2">Put -- to put, place, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">him Abimelech.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ׃</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 /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/8-31.htm">Judges 8:31 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/8-31.htm">Judges 8:31 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/8-31.htm">Judges 8:31 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/8-31.htm">Judges 8:31 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/8-31.htm">Judges 8:31 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/8-31.htm">Judges 8:31 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/8-31.htm">Judges 8:31 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/8-31.htm">Judges 8:31 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/8-31.htm">Judges 8:31 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/8-31.htm">Judges 8:31 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/8-31.htm">OT History: Judges 8:31 His concubine who was in Shechem she (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/8-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 8:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 8:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/8-32.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 8:32"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 8:32" /></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>