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Tuesday, August 26th, 2025
the Week of Proper 16 / Ordinary 21
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New Life Version

Judges 9:23

Then God sent a bad spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem. The men of Shechem were not faithful to Abimelech.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Conspiracy;   Demons;   Judge;   Treachery;   Treason;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Jotham;   Shechem;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Abimelech;   Shechem;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Demon;   Disease;   Evil;   Persecution;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Baal (2);   Micaiah;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Abimelech;   Devil;   Judges, Book of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Evil;   Evil Spirits;   Government;   Israel;   Judges (1);   Levi;   Ophrah;   Palestine;   Shalman;   Shechem;   Sin;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Demon, Demoniacal Possession, Demoniacs;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Shechem ;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Government of the Hebrews;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Reign of the Judges;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Zebul;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Ancestor Worship;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the citizens of Shechem. They treated Abimelech deceitfully,
Hebrew Names Version
God sent an evil spirit between Avimelekh and the men of Shekhem; and the men of Shekhem dealt treacherously with Avimelekh:
King James Version
Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
Lexham English Bible
And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the lords of Shechem, and the lords of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech,
English Standard Version
And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech,
New Century Version
Then God sent an evil spirit to make trouble between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem so that the leaders of Shechem turned against him.
New English Translation
God sent a spirit to stir up hostility between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem. He made the leaders of Shechem disloyal to Abimelech.
Amplified Bible
Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem; and the leaders of Shechem acted treacherously against Abimelech,
New American Standard Bible
Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem; and the leaders of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech,
Geneva Bible (1587)
But God sent an euil spirit betweene Abimelech, and the men of Shechem: and the men of Shechem brake their promise to Abimelech,
Legacy Standard Bible
and for others, save, snatching them out of the fire; and on others have mercy with fear, hating even the tunic polluted by the flesh.
Contemporary English Version
when God decided to punish him and the leaders of Shechem for killing Gideon's seventy sons. So God turned the leaders of Shechem against Abimelech.
Complete Jewish Bible
But God sent a spirit of discord between Avimelekh and the men of Sh'khem, so that the men of Sh'khem dealt treacherously with Avimelekh.
Darby Translation
And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the citizens of Shechem; and the citizens of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech,
Easy-to-Read Version
Abimelech had killed Gideon's 70 sons—and they were his own brothers. The leaders of Shechem had supported him in doing this evil thing. So God caused trouble between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem. And they began planning ways to hurt Abimelech.
George Lamsa Translation
Then God sent an evil spirit upon Abimeleck and upon the lords of Shechem; and the lords of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimeleck,
Good News Translation
Then God made Abimelech and the men of Shechem hostile to each other, and they rebelled against Abimelech.
Literal Translation
And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem. And the leaders of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
God sent an euell mynde betwene Abimelech and the men of Sichen (for the men of Sichem despysed Abimelech,
American Standard Version
And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
Bible in Basic English
And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the townsmen of Shechem; and the townsmen of Shechem were false to Abimelech;
Bishop's Bible (1568)
God sent an euyll spirite betweene Abimelech, & the men of Sichem: and the citezins of Sichem brake their promise to Abimelech,
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech;
King James Version (1611)
Then God sent an euill spirit betweene Abimelech & the men of Shechem: and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Sicima; and the men of Sicima dealt treacherously with the house of Abimelech:
English Revised Version
And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
Berean Standard Bible
God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem and caused them to treat Abimelech deceitfully,
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And the Lord sente the worste spirit bitwixe Abymelech and the dwelleris of Sichem, whiche bigynnen to holde hym abomynable,
Young's Literal Translation
and God sendeth an evil spirit between Abimelech and the masters of Shechem, and the masters of Shechem deal treacherously with Abimelech,
Update Bible Version
And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
Webster's Bible Translation
Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
World English Bible
God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
New King James Version
God sent a spirit of ill will between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech,
New Living Translation
God sent a spirit that stirred up trouble between Abimelech and the leading citizens of Shechem, and they revolted.
New Revised Standard
But God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the lords of Shechem; and the lords of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then God let go a spirit of mischief between Abimelech and the owners of Shechem, - and the owners of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Lord sent a very evil spirit between Abimelech and the inhabitants of Sichem; who began to detest him,
Revised Standard Version
And God sent an evil spirit between Abim'elech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abim'elech;
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech,

Contextual Overview

22 Abimelech ruled over Israel for three years. 23 Then God sent a bad spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem. The men of Shechem were not faithful to Abimelech. 24 God did this to punish Abimelech and the men of Shechem, because the seventy sons of Jerubbaal were killed by their brother Abimelech. And the men of Shechem gave him the strength to do it. 25 The men of Shechem went against Abimelech by hiding men on the mountain tops. They robbed all who passed by them on the road. Abimelech was told about it. 26 Now Gaal the son of Ebed moved with his family into Shechem. And the men of Shechem put their trust in him. 27 They went out into the field and gathered the grapes of their vines and crushed them. Then they had a special supper in the house of their god. They ate and drank and wished bad to come to Abimelech. 28 Gaal the son of Ebed said, "Who is Abimelech? And who are we of Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal? Is not Zebul his leader? Serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem, but why should we serve Abimelech? 29 If only these people were under my rule! Then I would send Abimelech away. I would say to Abimelech, ‘Make your army strong, and come out.'" 30 When Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, he was very angry. 31 He sent men to bring news to Abimelech in secret. They said, "See, Gaal the son of Ebed has come to Shechem with his family. They are turning the city against you.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

am 2771, bc 1233

God: That is, God permitted the evil spirit of jealousy, treachery, and discord, to break out between Abimelech and the Shechemites. Judges 9:15, Judges 9:20, 1 Samuel 16:14-16, 1 Samuel 18:9, 1 Samuel 18:10, 1 Kings 12:15, 1 Kings 22:22, 1 Kings 22:23, 2 Chronicles 10:15, 2 Chronicles 18:19-22, Isaiah 19:2, Isaiah 19:14, 2 Thessalonians 2:11, 2 Thessalonians 2:12

An: Ex, Is, 258

dealt: Judges 9:16, Isaiah 33:1, Matthew 7:2

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 19:43 - the words 2 Chronicles 18:21 - Thou shalt Mark 3:24 - General

Cross-References

Exodus 20:12
"Honor your father and your mother, so your life may be long in the land the Lord your God gives you.
Leviticus 19:32
‘Show respect to the person with white hair. Honor an older person and you will honor your God. I am the Lord.
Romans 13:7
Pay taxes to whom taxes are to be paid. Be afraid of those you should fear. Respect those you should respect.
Galatians 6:1
Christian brothers, if a person is found doing some sin, you who are stronger Christians should lead that one back into the right way. Do not be proud as you do it. Watch yourself, because you may be tempted also.
1 Timothy 5:1
Do not speak sharp words to an older man. Talk with him as if he were a father. Talk to younger men as brothers.
1 Timothy 5:17
Leaders who do their work well should be given twice as much pay, and for sure, those who work hard preaching and teaching.
1 Timothy 5:19
Do not listen to what someone says against a church leader unless two or three persons say the same thing.
1 Peter 2:17
Show respect to all men. Love the Christians. Honor God with love and fear. Respect the head leader of the country.
1 Peter 4:8
Most of all, have a true love for each other. Love covers many sins.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem,.... Permitted, yea, gave a commission to Satan, the evil spirit, to go among them, who stirred up suspicions, jealousies, hatred, and ill will to one another, and sowed the seeds of discord and contention among them; or God gave them up to their own hearts' lusts, to think ill of one another, grow jealous, and meditate revenge:

and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech; did not openly declare their minds, but secretly conspired against him, and privately consulted ways to find means to get rid of him, and shake off his government.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Judges 9:23. God sent an evil spirit — He permitted jealousies to take place which produced factions; and these factions produced insurrections, civil contentions, and slaughter.


 
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