Iudicum 9
1 Abiit autem Abimelech filius Ierobaal in Sichem ad fratres matris suae, et locutus est ad eos, et ad omnem cognationem domus patris matris suae, dicens:
Now Abimelech son of Jerubbaal went to his mother’s brothers at Shechem and said to them and to all the clan of his mother,
2 Loquimini ad omnes viros Sichem: Quid vobis est melius, ut dominentur vestri septuaginta viri omnes filii Ierobaal, an ut dominetur unus vir? simulque considerate quod os vestrum, et caro vestra sum.
“Please ask all the leaders of Shechem, ‘Is it better for you that seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, rule over you, or just one man?’ Remember that I am your own flesh and blood.”
3 Locutique sunt fratres matris eius de eo ad omnes viros Sichem universos sermones istos, et inclinaverunt cor eorum post Abimelech, dicentes: Frater noster est.
And when his mother’s brothers spoke all these words about him in the presence of all the leaders of Shechem, their hearts were inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, “He is our brother.”
4 Dederuntque illi septuaginta pondo argenti de fano Baalberit. Qui conduxit sibi ex eo viros inopes et vagos, secutique sunt eum.
So they gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-berith, with which Abimelech hired some worthless and reckless men to follow him.
5 Et venit in domum patris sui in Ephra, et occidit fratres suos filios Ierobaal septuaginta viros, super lapidem unum: remansitque Ioatham filius Ierobaal minimus, et absconditus est.
He went to his father’s house in Ophrah, and on one stone murdered his seventy brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he hid himself.
6 Congregati sunt autem omnes viri Sichem, et universae familiae urbis Mello: abieruntque et constituerunt regem Abimelech iuxta quercum, quae stabat in Sichem.
Then all the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo gathered beside the oak at the pillar in Shechem and proceeded to make Abimelech their king.
7 Quod cum nunciatum esset Ioatham, ivit, et stetit in vertice montis Garizim: elevataque voce, clamavit, et dixit: Audite me viri Sichem, ita ut audiat vos Deus.
When this was reported to Jotham, he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim, raised his voice, and cried out: “Listen to me, O leaders of Shechem, and may God listen to you.
8 Ierunt ligna, ut ungerent super se regem: dixeruntque olivae: Impera nobis.
One day the trees set out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’
9 Quae respondit: Numquid possum deserere pinguedinem meam, qua et dii utuntur, et homines, et venire ut inter ligna promovear?
But the olive tree replied, ‘Should I stop giving my oil that honors both God and man, to hold sway over the trees?’
10 Dixeruntque ligna ad arborem ficum: Veni, et super nos regnum accipe.
Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and reign over us.’
11 Quae respondit eis: Numquid possum deserere dulcedinem meam, fructusque suavissimos, et ire ut inter cetera ligna promovear?
But the fig tree replied, ‘Should I stop giving my sweetness and my good fruit, to hold sway over the trees?’
12 Locutaque sunt ligna ad vitem: Veni, et impera nobis.
Then the trees said to the grapevine, ‘Come and reign over us.’
13 Quae respondit eis: Numquid possum deserere vinum meum, quod laetificat Deum et homines, et inter ligna cetera promoveri?
But the grapevine replied, ‘Should I stop giving my wine that cheers both God and man, to hold sway over the trees?’
14 Dixeruntque omnia ligna ad rhamnum: Veni, et impera super nos.
Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘Come and reign over us.’
15 Quae respondit eis: Si vere me regem vobis constituitis, venite, et sub umbra mea requiescite. si autem non vultis, egrediatur ignis de rhamno, et devoret cedros Libani.
But the thornbush replied, ‘If you really are anointing me as king over you, come and find refuge in my shade. But if not, may fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon.’
16 Nunc igitur, si recte, et absque peccato constituistis super vos regem Abimelech, et bene egistis cum Ierobaal, et cum domo eius, et reddidistis vicem beneficiis eius, qui pugnavit pro vobis,
Now if you have acted faithfully and honestly in making Abimelech king, if you have done well by Jerubbaal and his family, and if you have done to him as he deserves—
17 et animam suam dedit periculis, ut erueret vos de manu Madian,
for my father fought for you and risked his life to deliver you from the hand of Midian,
18 qui nunc surrexistis contra domum patris mei, et interfecistis filios eius septuaginta viros super unum lapidem, et constituistis regem Abimelech filium ancillae eius super habitatores Sichem, eo quod frater vester sit:
but you have risen up against my father’s house this day and killed his seventy sons on a single stone, and you have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the leaders of Shechem because he is your brother—
19 si ergo recte, et absque vitio egistis cum Ierobaal, et domo eius, hodie laetemini in Abimelech, et ille laetetur in vobis.
if you have acted faithfully and honestly toward Jerubbaal and his house this day, then may you rejoice in Abimelech, and he in you.
20 Sin autem perverse: egrediatur ignis ex eo, et consumat habitatores Sichem, et oppidum Mello: egrediaturque ignis de viris Sichem, et de oppido Mello, et devoret Abimelech.
But if not, may fire come from Abimelech and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo, and may fire come from the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo and consume Abimelech.”
21 Quae cum dixisset, fugit, et abiit in Bera: habitavitque ibi ob metum Abimelech fratris sui.
Then Jotham ran away, escaping to Beer, and he lived there for fear of his brother Abimelech.
22 Regnavit itaque Abimelech super Israel tribus annis.
After Abimelech had reigned over Israel for three years,
23 Misitque Dominus spiritum pessimum inter Abimelech et habitatores Sichem: qui coeperunt eum detestari,
God sent a spirit of animosity between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem and caused them to treat Abimelech deceitfully,
24 et scelus interfectionis septuaginta filiorum Ierobaal, et effusionem sanguinis eorum conferre in Abimelech fratrem suum, et in ceteros Sichimorum principes, qui eum adiuverant.
in order that the crime against the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come to justice and their blood be avenged on their brother Abimelech and on the leaders of Shechem, who had helped him murder his brothers.
25 Posueruntque insidias adversus eum in summitate montium: et dum illius praestolabantur adventum, exercebant latrocinia, agentes praedas de praetereuntibus. nunciatumque est Abimelech.
The leaders of Shechem set up an ambush against Abimelech on the hilltops, and they robbed all who passed by them on the road. So this was reported to Abimelech.
26 Venit autem Gaal filius Obed cum fratribus suis, et transivit in Sichimam. Ad cuius adventum erecti habitatores Sichem,
Meanwhile, Gaal son of Ebed came with his brothers and crossed into Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem put their confidence in him.
27 egressi sunt in agros, vastantes vineas, uvasque calcantes: et factis cantantium choris, ingressi sunt fanum dei sui, et inter epulas et pocula maledicebant Abimelech,
And after they had gone out into the fields, gathered grapes from their vineyards, and trodden them, they held a festival and went into the house of their god; and as they ate and drank, they cursed Abimelech.
28 clamante Gaal filio Obed: Quis est Abimelech, et quae est Sichem, ut serviamus ei? numquid non est filius Ierobaal, et constituit principem Zebul servum suum super viros Emor patris Sichem? Cur ergo serviemus ei?
Then Gaal son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, and is not Zebul his officer? You are to serve the men of Hamor, the father of Shechem. Why should we serve Abimelech?
29 utinam daret aliquis populum istum sub manu mea, ut auferrem de medio Abimelech. Dictumque est Abimelech: Congrega exercitus multitudinem, et veni.
If only this people were under my authority, I would remove Abimelech; I would say to him, ‘Muster your army and come out!’”
30 Zebul enim princeps civitatis auditis sermonibus Gaal filii Obed, iratus est valde,
When Zebul the governor of the city heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed, he burned with anger.
31 et misit clam ad Abimelech nuncios, dicens: Ecce, Gaal filius Obed venit in Sichimam cum fratribus suis, et oppugnat adversum te civitatem.
So he covertly sent messengers to Abimelech to say, “Look, Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem and are stirring up the city against you.
32 Surge itaque nocte cum populo, qui tecum est, et latita in agro:
Now then, tonight you and the people with you are to come and lie in wait in the fields.
33 et primo mane oriente sole, irrue super civitatem. illo autem egrediente adversum te cum populo suo, fac ei quod potueris.
And in the morning at sunrise, get up and advance against the city. When Gaal and his men come out against you, do to them whatever you are able.”
34 Surrexit itaque Abimelech cum omni exercitu suo nocte, et tetendit insidias iuxta Sichimam in quattuor locis.
So Abimelech and all his troops set out by night and lay in wait against Shechem in four companies.
35 Egressusque est Gaal filius Obed, et stetit in introitu portae civitatis. Surrexit autem Abimelech, et omnis exercitus cum eo de insidiarum loco.
Now Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood at the entrance of the city gate just as Abimelech and his men came out from their hiding places.
36 Cumque vidisset populum Gaal, dixit ad Zebul: Ecce de montibus multitudo descendit. Cui ille respondit: Umbras montium vides quasi capita hominum, et hoc errore deciperis.
When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Look, people are coming down from the mountains!” But Zebul replied, “The shadows of the mountains look like men to you.”
37 Rursumque Gaal ait: Ecce populus de umbilico terrae descendit, et unus cuneus venit per viam quae respicit quercum.
Then Gaal spoke up again, “Look, people are coming down from the center of the land, and one company is coming by way of the Diviners’ Oak.”
38 Cui dixit Zebul: Ubi est nunc os tuum, quo loquebaris? Quis est Abimelech ut serviamus ei? Nonne hic populus est, quem despiciebas? Egredere, et pugna contra eum.
“Where is your gloating now?” Zebul replied. “You said, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Are these not the people you ridiculed? Go out now and fight them!”
39 Abiit ergo Gaal, spectante Sichimorum populo, et pugnavit contra Abimelech,
So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought against Abimelech,
40 qui persecutus est eum fugientem, et in urbem compulit: cecideruntque ex parte eius plurimi, usque ad portam civitatis:
but Abimelech pursued him, and Gaal fled before him. And many Shechemites fell wounded all the way to the entrance of the gate.
41 et Abimelech sedit in Ruma: Zebul autem, Gaal, et socios eius expulit de urbe, nec in ea passus est commorari.
Abimelech stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem.
42 Sequenti ergo die egressus est populus in campum. Quod cum nunciatum esset Abimelech,
The next day the people of Shechem went out into the fields, and this was reported to Abimelech.
43 tulit exercitum suum, et divisit in tres turmas, tendens insidias in agris. Vidensque quod egrederetur populus de civitate, surrexit, et irruit in eos
So he took his men, divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he rose up against them and attacked them.
44 cum cuneo suo, oppugnans, et obsidens civitatem: duae autem turmae palantes per campum adversarios persequebantur.
Then Abimelech and the companies with him rushed forward and took their stand at the entrance of the city gate. The other two companies rushed against all who were in the fields and struck them down.
45 Porro Abimelech omni die illo oppugnabat urbem: quam cepit, interfectis habitatoribus eius, ipsaque destructa, ita ut sal in ea dispergeret.
And all that day Abimelech fought against the city until he had captured it and killed its people. Then he demolished the city and sowed it with salt.
46 Quod cum audissent qui habitabant in turre Sichimorum, ingressi sunt fanum dei sui Berith, ubi foedus cum eo pepigerant, et ex eo locus nomen acceperat, qui erat munitus valde.
On hearing of this, all the leaders in the tower of Shechem entered the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith.
47 Abimelech quoque audiens viros turris Sichimorum pariter conglobatos,
And when Abimelech was told that all the leaders in the tower of Shechem were gathered there,
48 ascendit in montem Selmon cum omni populo suo: et arrepta securi, praecidit arboris ramum, impositumque ferens humero, dixit ad socios: Quod me videtis facere, cito facite.
he and all his men went up to Mount Zalmon. Abimelech took his axe in his hand and cut a branch from the trees, which he lifted to his shoulder, saying to his men, “Hurry and do what you have seen me do.”
49 Igitur certatim ramos de arboribus praecidentes, sequebantur ducem. Qui circumdantes praesidium, succenderunt: atque ita factum est, ut fumo et igne mille homines necarentur, viri pariter et mulieres, habitatorum turris Sichem.
So each man also cut his own branch and followed Abimelech. Then they piled the branches against the inner chamber and set it on fire above them, killing everyone in the tower of Shechem, about a thousand men and women.
50 Abimelech autem inde proficiscens venit ad oppidum Thebes, quod circumdans obsidebat exercitu.
Then Abimelech went to Thebez, encamped against it, and captured it.
51 Erat autem turris excelsa in media civitate, ad quam confugerant simul viri ac mulieres, et omnes principes civitatis, clausa firmissime ianua, et super turris tectum stantes per propugnacula.
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.
52 Accedensque Abimelech iuxta turrim, pugnabat fortiter: et appropinquans ostio, ignem supponere nitebatur:
When Abimelech came to attack the tower, he approached its entrance to set it on fire.
53 et ecce una mulier fragmen molae desuper iaciens, illisit capiti Abimelech, et confregit cerebrum eius.
But a woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, crushing his skull.
54 Qui vocavit cito armigerum suum, et ait ad eum: Evagina gladium tuum, et percute me: ne forte dicatur quod a femina interfectus sim. Qui iussa perficiens, interfecit eum.
He quickly called his armor-bearer, saying, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So Abimelech’s armor-bearer ran his sword through him, and he died.
55 Illoque mortuo, omnes qui cum eo erant de Israel, reversi sunt in sedes suas:
And when the Israelites saw that Abimelech was dead, they all went home.
56 et reddidit Deus malum, quod fecerat Abimelech contra patrem suum, interfectis septuaginta fratribus suis.
In this way God repaid the wickedness that Abimelech had done to his father in murdering his seventy brothers.
57 Sichimitis quoque quod operati erant, retributum est, et venit super eos maledictio Ioatham filii Ierobaal.
And God also brought all the wickedness of the men of Shechem back upon their own heads. So the curse of Jotham son of Jerubbaal came upon them.
