士師記 9
1 さてエルバアルの子アビメレクはシケムに行き、母の身内の人たちのもとに行って、彼らと母の父の家の一族とに言った、
And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother's brethren, and spoke with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother's father, saying:
2 「どうぞ、シケムのすべての人々の耳に告げてください、『エルバアルのすべての子七十人であなたがたを治めるのと、ただひとりであなたがたを治めるのと、どちらがよいか。わたしがあなたがたの骨肉であることを覚えてください』と」。
'Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem: Which is better for you, that all the sons of Jerubbaal, who are threescore and ten persons, rule over you, or that one rule over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.'
3 そこで母の身内の人たちがアビメレクに代ってこれらの言葉をことごとくシケムのすべての人々の耳に告げると、彼らは心をアビメレクに傾け、「彼はわれわれの兄弟だ」と言って、
And his mother's brethren spoke of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words; and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said: 'He is our brother.'
4 バアル・ベリテの宮から銀七十シケルを取って彼に与えた。アビメレクはそれをもって、やくざのならず者を雇って自分に従わせ、
And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-berith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light fellows, who followed him.
5 オフラにある父の家に行って、エルバアルの子で、自分の兄弟である七十人を、一つの石の上で殺した。ただしエルバアルの末の子ヨタムは身を隠したので生き残った。
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.
6 そこでシケムのすべての人々とベテミロのすべての人々は集まり、行ってシケムにある石の柱のかたわらのテレビンの木のもとで、アビメレクを立てて王とした。
And all the men of Shechem assembled themselves together, and all Beth-millo, and went and made Abimelech king, by the terebinth of the pillar that was in Shechem.
7 このことをヨタムに告げる者があったので、ヨタムは行ってゲリジム山の頂に立ち、大声に叫んで彼らに言った、「シケムの人々よ、わたしに聞きなさい。そうすれば神はあなたがたに聞かれるでしょう。
And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them: 'Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.
8 ある時、もろもろの木が自分たちの上に王を立てようと出て行ってオリブの木に言った、『わたしたちの王になってください』。
The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive-tree: Reign thou over us.
9 しかしオリブの木は彼らに言った、『わたしはどうして神と人とをあがめるために用いられるわたしの油を捨てて行って、もろもろの木を治めることができましょう』。
But the olive-tree said unto them: Should I leave my fatness, seeing that by me they honour God and man, and go to hold sway over the trees?
10 もろもろの木はまたいちじくの木に言った、『きてわたしたちの王になってください』。
And the trees said to the fig-tree: Come thou, and reign over us.
11 しかしいちじくの木は彼らに言った、『わたしはどうしてわたしの甘味と、わたしの良い果実とを捨てて行って、もろもろの木を治めることができましょう』。
But the fig-tree said unto them: Should I leave my sweetness, and my good fruitage, and go to hold sway over the trees?
12 もろもろの木はまたぶどうの木に言った、『きてわたしたちの王になってください』。
And the trees said unto the vine: Come thou, and reign over us.
13 しかし、ぶどうの木は彼らに言った、『わたしはどうして神と人とを喜ばせるわたしのぶどう酒を捨てて行って、もろもろの木を治めることができましょう』。
And the vine said unto them: Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to hold sway over the trees?
14 そこですべての木はいばらに言った、『きてわたしたちの王になってください』。
Then said all the trees unto the bramble: Come thou, and reign over us.
15 いばらはもろもろの木に言った、『あなたがたが真実にわたしを立てて王にするならば、きてわたしの陰に難を避けなさい。そうしなければ、いばらから火が出てレバノンの香柏を焼きつくすでしょう』。
And the bramble said unto the trees: If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shadow; and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.
16 あなたがたがアビメレクを立てて王にしたことは、真実と敬意とをもってしたものですか。あなたがたはエルバアルとその家をよく扱い、彼のおこないに応じてしたのですか。
Now therefore, if ye have dealt truly and uprightly, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands —
17 わたしの父はあなたがたのために戦い、自分の命を投げ出して、あなたがたをミデアンの手から救い出したのに、
for my father fought for you, and adventured his life, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian;
18 あなたがたは、きょう、わたしの父の家に反抗して起り、その子七十人を一つの石の上で殺し、その腰元の子アビメレクをあなたがたの身内の者であるゆえに立てて、シケムの人々の王にしました。
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 maid-servant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother —
19 あなたがたが、きょう、エルバアルとその家になされたことが真実と敬意をもってしたものであるならば、アビメレクのために喜びなさい。彼もまたあなたがたのために喜ぶでしょう。
if ye then have dealt truly and uprightly with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you.
20 しかし、そうでなければ、アビメレクから火が出て、シケムの人々とベテミロとを焼きつくし、またシケムの人々とベテミロからも火が出てアビメレクを焼きつくすでしょう」。
But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and Beth-millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from Beth-millo, and devour Abimelech.'
21 こうしてヨタムは走って逃げ去り、ベエルに行き、兄弟アビメレクの顔をさけてそこに住んだ。
And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.
22 アビメレクは三年の間イスラエルを治めたが、
And Abimelech was prince over Israel three years.
23 神はアビメレクとシケムの人々の間に悪霊をおくられたので、シケムの人々はアビメレクを欺くようになった。
And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech;
24 これはエルバアルの七十人の子が受けた暴虐と彼らの血が、彼らを殺した兄弟アビメレクの上と、彼の手を強めてその兄弟を殺させたシケムの人々の上とに報いとなってきたのである。
that the violence done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and that their blood might be laid upon Abimelech their brother, who slew them, and upon the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to slay his brethren.
25 シケムの人々は彼に敵して待ち伏せする者を山々の頂におき、すべてその道を通り過ぎる者を略奪させた。このことがアビメレクに告げ知らされた。
And the men of Shechem set liers-in-wait for him on the tops of the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them; and it was told Abimelech.
26 さてエベデの子ガアルはその身内の人々と一緒にシケムに移住したが、シケムの人々は彼を信用した。
And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went on to Shechem; and the men of Shechem put their trust in him.
27 人々は畑に出てぶどうを取り入れ、それを踏み絞って祭をし、神の宮に行って飲み食いしてアビメレクをのろった。
And they went out into the field, and gathered their vineyards, and trod the grapes, and held festival, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.
28 そしてエベデの子ガアルは言った、「アビメレクは何ものか。シケムのわれわれは何ものなれば彼に仕えなければならないのか。エルバアルの子とその役人ゼブルはシケムの先祖ハモルの一族に仕えたではないか。われわれはどうして彼に仕えなければならないのか。
And Gaal the son of Ebed said: 'Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve ye the men of Hamor the father of Shechem; but why should we serve him?
29 ああ、この民がわたしの手の下にあったらよいのだが。そうすればわたしはアビメレクをやめさせ、アビメレクに向かって『おまえの軍勢を増して出てこい』と言うであろう」。
And would that this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech.' And he said to Abimelech: 'Increase thine army, and come out.'
30 町のつかさゼブルはエベデの子ガアルの言葉を聞いて怒りを発し、
And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.
31 使者をアルマにおるアビメレクにつかわして言わせた、「エベデの子ガアルとその身内の人々がシケムにきて、町を騒がせ、あなたにそむかせようとしています。
And he sent messengers unto Abimelech in Tormah, saying: 'Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren are come to Shechem; and, behold, they will incite the city against thee.
32 それであなたと、あなたと共におる人々が夜のうちに行って、野に身を伏せ、
Now therefore, up by night, thou and the people that are with thee, and lie in wait in the field.
33 朝になって、日ののぼるとき、早く起き出て町を襲うならば、ガアルと、彼と共におる民は出てきて、あなたに抵抗するでしょう。その時あなたは機を得て、彼らを撃つことができるでしょう」。
And it shall be, that in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, thou shalt rise early, and set upon the city; and, behold, when he and the people that are with him come out against thee, then mayest thou do to them as thou shalt be able.'
34 アビメレクと、彼と共にいたすべての民は夜のうちに起き出て、四組に分れ、身を伏せてシケムをうかがった。
And Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him, by night, and they lay in wait against Shechem in four companies.
35 エベデの子ガアルが出て、町の門の入口に立ったとき、アビメレクと、彼と共にいた民が身を伏せていたところから立ちあがったので、
And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city; and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from the ambushment.
36 ガアルは民を見てゼブルに言った、「ごらんなさい。民が山々の頂からおりてきます」。ゼブルは彼に言った、「あなたは山々の影を人のように見るのです」。
And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul: 'Behold, there come people down from the tops of the mountains.' And Zebul said unto him: 'Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.'
37 ガアルは再び言った、「ごらんなさい。民が国の中央部からおりてきます。一組は占い師のテレビンの木の方からきます」。
And Gaal spoke again and said: 'See, there come people down by the middle of the land, and one company cometh by the way of Elon-meonenim.'
38 ゼブルは彼に言った、「あなたがかつて『アビメレクは何ものか。われわれは何ものなれば彼に仕えなければならないのか』と言ったあなたの口は今どこにありますか。これはあなたが侮った民ではありませんか。今、出て彼らと戦いなさい」。
Then said Zebul unto him: 'Where is now thy mouth, that thou saidst: Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that thou hast despised? go out now, I pray, and fight with them.'
39 そこでガアルはシケムの人々を率い、出てアビメレクと戦ったが、
And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.
40 アビメレクは彼を追ったので、ガアルは彼の前から逃げた。そして傷つき倒れる者が多く、門の入口にまで及んだ。
And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and there fell many wounded, even unto the entrance of the gate.
41 こうしてアビメレクは引き続いてアルマにいたが、ゼブルはガアルとその身内の人々を追い出してシケムにおらせなかった。
And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah; and Zebul drove out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.
42 翌日、民が畑に出ると、そのことがアビメレクに聞えた。
And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people went out into the field; and it was told Abimelech.
43 アビメレクは自分の民を率い、それを三組に分け、野に身を伏せて、うかがっていると、民が町から出てきたので、たちあがってこれを撃った。
And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the field; and he looked, and, behold, the people were coming forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them.
44 アビメレクと、彼と共にいた組の者は襲って行って、町の門の入口に立ち、他の二組は野にいたすべてのものを襲って、それを殺した。
And Abimelech, and the companies that were with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city; and the two companies rushed upon all that were in the field, and smote them.
45 アビメレクはその日、終日、町を攻め、ついに町を取って、そのうちの民を殺し、町を破壊して、塩をまいた。
And Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and slew the people that were therein; and he beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.
46 シケムのやぐらの人々は皆これを聞いて、エルベリテの宮の塔にはいった。
And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard thereof, they entered into the hold of the house of El-berith.
47 シケムのやぐらの人々が皆集まったことがアビメレクに聞えたので、
And it was told Abimelech that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.
48 アビメレクは自分と一緒にいた民をことごとく率いてザルモン山にのぼり、アビメレクは手におのを取って、木の枝を切り落し、それを取りあげて自分の肩にのせ、一緒にいた民にむかって言った、「あなたがたはわたしがしたことを見たとおりに急いでしなさい」。
And Abimelech got him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it up, and laid it on his shoulder; and he said unto the people that were with him: 'What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done.'
49 そこで民もまた皆おのおのその枝を切り落し、アビメレクに従って行って、枝を塔によせかけ、塔に火をつけて彼らを攻めた。こうしてシケムのやぐらの人々もまたことごとく死んだ。男女おおよそ一千人であった。
And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them; so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.
50 ついでアビメレクはテベツに行き、テベツに向かって陣を張り、これを攻め取ったが、
Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.
51 町の中に一つの堅固なやぐらがあって、すべての男女すなわち町の人々が皆そこに逃げ込み、あとを閉ざして、やぐらの屋根に上ったので、
But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, even all they of the city, and shut themselves in, and got them up to the roof of the tower.
52 アビメレクはやぐらのもとに押し寄せてこれを攻め、やぐらの入口に近づいて、火をつけて焼こうとしたとき、
And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and went close unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire.
53 ひとりの女がアビメレクの頭に、うすの上石を投げて、その頭骸骨を砕いた。
And a certain woman cast an upper millstone upon Abimelech's head, and broke his skull.
54 アビメレクは自分の武器を持つ若者を急ぎ呼んで言った、「つるぎを抜いてわたしを殺せ。さもないと人々はわたしを、女に殺されたのだと言うであろう」。その若者が彼を刺し通したので彼は死んだ。
Then he called hastily unto the young man his armour-bearer, and said unto him: 'Draw thy sword, and kill me, that men say not of me: A woman slew him.' And his young man thrust him through, and he died.
55 イスラエルの人々はアビメレクの死んだのを見て、おのおの去って家に帰った。
And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place.
56 このように神はアビメレクがその兄弟七十人を殺して、自分の父に対して犯した悪に報いられた。
Thus God requited the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren;
57 また神はシケムの人々のすべての悪を彼らのこうべに報いられた。こうしてエルバアルの子ヨタムののろいが、彼らに臨んだのである。
and all the wickedness of the men of Shechem did God requite upon their heads; and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.
