Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Judges, Chapter 9ΚΡΙΤΑΙ Θ′

Each verse opens with the running Greek, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case (color), parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Abimelech seizes kingship through bloodshed, and Jotham's curse returns on him and Shechem.

Translation & textual notes

The Greek text of Judges 9 follows the standard critical text of the Septuagint as established in the Rahlfs–Hanhart edition (Septuaginta, rev. ed. 2006), an ancient and public-domain text; the critical apparatus is not reproduced. Judges survives in two divergent Greek text-forms (the A-text, best represented by Codex Alexandrinus, and the B-text of Codex Vaticanus); Rahlfs prints both in parallel for much of the book, and the reference annotated here is the verbatim form supplied in the source. Judges 9 is the longest chapter in the book (57 verses) and recounts the bloody reign of Abimelech son of Jerubbaal (Gideon): his conspiracy at Shechem and the slaughter of his seventy brothers on a single stone (vv. 1–6), Jotham's fable of the trees seeking a king — the olive, the fig, the vine, and finally the bramble (ἡ ῥάμνος, vv. 7–15) — and his curse (vv. 16–21); the divine sending of an evil spirit (πνεῦμα πονηρόν) between Abimelech and the lords of Shechem (vv. 22–25); the revolt of Gaal son of Ebed and Zebul's counter-ambush (vv. 26–41); the razing of Shechem and its sowing with salt (ἔσπειρεν εἰς ἅλας, v. 45) and the burning of the tower-temple of Baal-berith (vv. 46–49); and finally Abimelech's death at Thebez when a woman drops a millstone (κλάσμα ἐπιμυλίου) on his head and he has his armor-bearer dispatch him lest it be said that a woman killed him (vv. 50–54). The narrator closes with an explicit theology of retribution: God returns Abimelech's wickedness on his own head and fulfils Jotham's curse (vv. 56–57). Several Hebraisms mark the LXX rendering: the dual asseverative καί γε ('and indeed', vv. 19, 49), the idiom ἐν τοῖς ὠσίν ('in the ears', vv. 2–3), the transliterated cultic term ελλουλιμ (v. 27, Hebrew הִלּוּלִים, 'festal praises'), and the proverbial 'bone of you and flesh of you' (ὀστοῦν ὑμῶν καὶ σὰρξ ὑμῶν, v. 2) for kinship.

1

καὶ ἐπορεύθη Αβιμελεχ υἱὸς Ιεροβααλ εἰς Συχεμ πρὸς ἀδελφοὺς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐλάλησεν πρὸς αὐτοὺς καὶ πρὸς πᾶσαν συγγένειαν οἴκου πατρὸς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ λέγων

And Abimelech son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem to his mother's brothers and spoke to them and to all the kindred of his mother's father's house, saying:

New narrative episode (the Abimelech cycle begins)καὶ ἐπορεύθη Αβιμελεχ
The chapter opens with the standard Hebraizing καί-parataxis (וַיֵּלֶךְ); Abimelech is introduced by patronymic (υἱὸς Ιεροβααλ) to bind this episode to the Gideon narrative of chs. 6–8. The move εἰς Συχεμ πρὸς ἀδελφοὺς μητρός establishes that his power base is his maternal Shechemite kin — the seed of the coming conspiracy.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐπορεύθηwentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (narrative movement)→ constative aorist (single completed journey)πορεύομαι: 'go / travel / proceed'; the deponent aorist passive ἐπορεύθη is the standard LXX rendering of הָלַךְ; it opens the episode by setting Abimelech in motion toward his mother's clan, the geographical and political pivot of the whole chapter.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechsubject (indeclinable proper noun)Αβιμελεχ: transliteration of Hebrew אֲבִימֶלֶךְ ('my father is king'), an ominously apt name for one who seizes kingship; indeclinable in the LXX; he is the son of Gideon/Jerubbaal by a Shechemite concubine (8:31).
υἱὸςsonNominativeappositive to Αβιμελεχ (patronymic)υἱός: 'son'; renders בֵּן; the patronymic phrase υἱὸς Ιεροβααλ links Abimelech to the Gideon cycle and frames the coming fratricide as a crime against his own father's house.
ΙεροβααλJerubbaalgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Jerubbaal')Ιεροβααλ: transliteration of Hebrew יְרֻבַּעַל ('let Baal contend'), the alternate name given Gideon at 6:32 after he tore down Baal's altar; indeclinable; its recurrence throughout the chapter (vv. 1, 2, 5, 16, 19, 24, 28, 57) keeps the wronged father's house in view.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΣυχεμShechemaccusative object of εἰς (indeclinable place-name)Συχεμ: transliteration of Hebrew שְׁכֶם; indeclinable; the ancient covenant city in the hill-country of Ephraim, Abimelech's maternal home and the stage for the whole episode; the alternate spelling Σικιμα/Σικιμων also occurs in this chapter (vv. 6–7 etc.).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction toward persons)πρὸς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ἀδελφοὺςbrothersAccusativeaccusative object of πρόςἀδελφός: 'brother / kinsman'; renders אָח; here the maternal uncles ('mother's brothers'), Abimelech's Shechemite blood-relations whom he will recruit; the word ἀδελφός is darkly ironic in a chapter dominated by the murder of his actual brothers.
μητρὸςmother'sGenitivegenitive of relationship (modifying ἀδελφούς)μήτηρ: 'mother'; renders אֵם; Abimelech's mother was a Shechemite concubine, which gives him a claim on Shechem's loyalty that his half-brothers (sons of Gideon's wives) lack.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (introducing the conspiracy speech)→ constative aorist (single speech-act)λαλέω: 'speak'; renders דִּבֶּר; introduces Abimelech's persuasion of his kin; the aorist sets up the direct address that follows in v. 2.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusativeπρὸς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeaccusative object of πρόςαὐτοὺς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusativeπρὸς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
πᾶσανallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying συγγένειαν)πᾶς: 'all / whole'; the feminine accusative πᾶσαν agrees with συγγένειαν, extending Abimelech's appeal to the entire maternal clan, not merely the uncles.
συγγένειανkindredAccusativeaccusative object of πρόςσυγγένεια: 'kinship / family / clan'; renders מִשְׁפַּחַת; the extended kin-group of Abimelech's mother, the social unit he mobilises for his bid for power.
οἴκουhouseGenitivegenitive of relationship (with συγγένειαν)οἶκος: 'house / household'; renders בֵּית; the layered genitive chain οἴκου πατρὸς μητρός ('of the house of the father of his mother') is a Hebraic way of designating Abimelech's maternal grandfather's clan.
πατρὸςfather'sGenitivegenitive of relationship (with οἴκου)πατήρ: 'father'; renders אָב; here the maternal grandfather; the genitive chain pinpoints the precise lineage-group whose backing Abimelech seeks.
μητρὸςmother'sGenitivegenitive of relationship (with πατρός)μητρὸς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Sg · λέγωcircumstantial participle (Hebraizing speech-marker)→ imperfective participle (Hebraizing speech-marker)λέγω (pres. ptc.): the participle λέγων renders the Hebrew לֵאמֹר, a near-formulaic marker introducing direct speech in the LXX; it sets up Abimelech's words in v. 2.
2

λαλήσατε δὴ ἐν τοῖς ὠσὶν πάντων τῶν ἀνδρῶν Συχεμ τί τὸ ἀγαθὸν ὑμῖν κυριεῦσαι ὑμῶν ἑβδομήκοντα ἄνδρας πάντας υἱοὺς Ιεροβααλ ἢ κυριεύειν ὑμῶν ἄνδρα ἕνα καὶ μνήσθητε ὅτι ὀστοῦν ὑμῶν καὶ σὰρξ ὑμῶν εἰμι

Speak, please, in the ears of all the men of Shechem: 'Which is better for you, that seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, rule over you, or that one man rule over you?' And remember that I am your bone and your flesh.

Direct speech: the conspiracy proposalλαλήσατε δὴ
Abimelech's rhetoric is a calculated false dilemma: he frames collective rule by the seventy (which was never proposed) against monarchy by one, then clinches it with the kinship-claim ὀστοῦν ὑμῶν καὶ σὰρξ ὑμῶν ('your bone and flesh', cf. Gen 29:14). The particle δή ('please / now') and the imperative λαλήσατε turn his uncles into his canvassers.
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
λαλήσατεspeakAor Act Impv 2 Pl · λαλέωmain verb (imperative to his kin)→ ingressive aorist imperative (commission to canvass)λαλέω: 'speak'; the aorist imperative commissions his maternal kin to lobby the Shechemite assembly on his behalf; Abimelech works through proxies rather than appearing as the self-interested petitioner.
δὴplease / nowhortatory particle (softening/urging the imperative)δή: an enclitic particle of entreaty or urgency rendering Hebrew נָא; it lends the command a tone of persuasive appeal — 'do speak, won't you.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (Hebraic idiom 'in the ears')ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τοῖςtheDativearticleτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὠσὶνearsDativedative object of ἐν (idiomatic: 'in the ears of')οὖς (pl. ὦτα, dat. ὠσίν): 'ear'; the idiom λαλέω ἐν τοῖς ὠσίν renders the Hebrew דִּבֶּר בְּאָזְנֵי ('speak in the ears of'), a Hebraism for addressing someone directly and persuasively (cf. Exod 11:2).
πάντωνallGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying ἀνδρῶν)πᾶς: 'all'; emphasises that the whole citizen body of Shechem is to be canvassed.
τῶνtheGenitivearticleτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνδρῶνmenGenitivegenitive of relationship (with ὠσίν: 'the ears of the men')ἀνήρ: 'man'; renders בַּעַל ('lord / citizen') here; οἱ ἄνδρες Συχεμ are 'the lords / leading citizens of Shechem' (Hebrew בַּעֲלֵי שְׁכֶם), the propertied freemen who hold the city's political power — note this is ἄνδρες, not κύριος.
ΣυχεμShechemgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Shechem')Συχεμ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
τίwhat / whichNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject of the implied predicate)τίς: interrogative 'what / which'; introduces the false-dilemma question Abimelech wants posed; renders the Hebrew interrogative מַה.
τὸtheNominativearticle (substantivizing ἀγαθόν)τὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀγαθὸνgood / betterNominativepredicate adjective (substantivized: 'the good [thing]')ἀγαθός: 'good'; the substantivized τὸ ἀγαθόν ('the good thing / what is better') frames the choice in terms of the Shechemites' own advantage — a self-interested calculus, not justice.
ὑμῖνfor youDativedative of advantage ('good for you')ὑμῖν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
κυριεῦσαιto ruleAor Act Inf · κυριεύωepexegetic infinitive (explaining τὸ ἀγαθόν: the first option)→ temporal aorist infinitive ('when they exercised dominion')κυριεύω: 'rule over / be lord of'; renders מָשַׁל; the infinitive presents the first horn of the dilemma — collective lordship by the seventy; the verb is cognate with κύριος but here denotes ordinary human dominion.
ὑμῶνover youGenitivegenitive object of κυριεῦσαι (the ruled)ὑμῶν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
ἑβδομήκονταseventynumeral (modifying ἄνδρας; indeclinable cardinal)ἑβδομήκοντα: 'seventy'; indeclinable cardinal; the seventy sons of Jerubbaal (a round number for a large household, cf. 8:30); Abimelech's rhetorical exaggeration that 'seventy men' would jointly rule is a fiction designed to make monarchy seem the rational alternative.
ἄνδραςmenAccusativeaccusative subject of κυριεῦσαι (subject of the infinitive)ἀνήρ: 'man'; the accusative subject of the infinitive κυριεῦσαι, identifying the seventy sons as the would-be collective rulers.
πάνταςallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἄνδρας/υἱούς)πᾶς: 'all'; stresses the full count of the seventy, heightening the contrast with the single ruler of the second option.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativeaccusative in apposition to ἄνδραςυἱός: 'son'; in apposition to ἄνδρας, identifying the seventy as the sons of Jerubbaal — the legitimate heirs whom Abimelech intends to eliminate.
Ιεροβααλof Jerubbaalgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Ιεροβααλ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ordisjunctive conjunction (presenting the alternative)ἤ: 'or'; the disjunctive sets up the second horn of the false dilemma — rule by one man, i.e. Abimelech himself.
κυριεύεινto rulePres Act Inf · κυριεύωepexegetic infinitive (the second option)κυριεύω (pres. inf.): the present infinitive (durative) for the second option may subtly favour it — settled, ongoing single rule against the cumbersome collective; the aspectual contrast with the aorist κυριεῦσαι is rhetorically suggestive.
ὑμῶνover youGenitivegenitive object of κυριεύεινὑμῶν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
ἄνδραmanAccusativeaccusative subject of κυριεύεινἀνήρ: 'man'; the single ruler — Abimelech, though unnamed, is the obvious referent.
ἕναoneAccusativeattributive numeral (modifying ἄνδρα)εἷς, μία, ἕν: 'one'; the masculine accusative ἕνα stresses singularity — the rhetorical heart of the proposal: 'one man' versus 'seventy.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (linking to the clinching appeal)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
μνήσθητεrememberAor Pass Impv 2 Pl · μιμνῄσκομαιmain verb (imperative: the kinship appeal)→ ingressive aorist imperative (call to mind)μιμνῄσκομαι: 'remember / call to mind'; renders זָכַר; the imperative drives home the decisive argument — kinship; Abimelech bids the Shechemites weigh blood-loyalty over legitimacy.
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing object clause of μνήσθητε)ὅτι: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ὀστοῦνboneNominativepredicate nominative (with εἰμι: 'I am bone')ὀστοῦν: 'bone'; the phrase ὀστοῦν ὑμῶν καὶ σὰρξ ὑμῶν renders the Hebrew kinship idiom עַצְמְכֶם וּבְשַׂרְכֶם ('your bone and your flesh', cf. Gen 29:14; 2 Sam 5:1); it asserts the closest blood-solidarity to claim the Shechemites' allegiance.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (with ὀστοῦν)ὑμῶν: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
σὰρξfleshNominativepredicate nominative (with εἰμι)σάρξ: 'flesh'; renders בָּשָׂר; the second member of the kinship merism; together 'bone and flesh' denote complete consanguinity — the rhetorical clincher of Abimelech's appeal.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (with σάρξ)ὑμῶν: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
εἰμιI amPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopula (linking subject 'I' to the kinship predicates)→ stative present (existing relationship)εἰμί: 'be'; the copula asserts Abimelech's standing relationship of kinship; the present tense frames it as an abiding fact on which loyalty is owed.
3

καὶ ἐλάλησαν περὶ αὐτοῦ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ τῆς μητρὸς αὐτοῦ ἐν τοῖς ὠσὶν πάντων τῶν ἀνδρῶν Συχεμ πάντας τοὺς λόγους τούτους καὶ ἔκλινεν ἡ καρδία αὐτῶν ὀπίσω Αβιμελεχ ὅτι εἶπαν ἀδελφὸς ἡμῶν ἐστιν

And his mother's brothers spoke about him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words, and their heart inclined after Abimelech, for they said, 'He is our brother.'

Narrative result: the canvass succeedsκαὶ ἐλάλησαν
The uncles execute the commission verbatim (πάντας τοὺς λόγους τούτους), and the persuasion works: the Shechemites' collective 'heart inclines after' Abimelech. The idiom ἔκλινεν ἡ καρδία ('the heart inclined') and the kinship-clinching ὅτι ἀδελφὸς ἡμῶν ἐστιν show the appeal of blood over legitimacy carrying the day.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐλάλησανspokeAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λαλέωmain verb (the uncles carry out the commission)→ constative aorist (completed act of advocacy)λαλέω: 'speak'; the uncles relay Abimelech's words to the assembly, fulfilling the imperative λαλήσατε of v. 2.
περὶabout / on behalf ofpreposition + genitive (concerning / for)περί + gen.: 'concerning / about'; here with a nuance of advocacy ('on his behalf'), since the speech is partisan canvassing for Abimelech.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of περίαὐτοῦ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἀδελφοί)οἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοὶbrothersNominativesubject (the maternal uncles)ἀδελφός: 'brother'; here the mother's brothers (uncles), the canvassers; the recurrence of ἀδελφός continues the chapter's grim play on kinship.
τῆςtheGenitivearticleτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μητρὸςmother'sGenitivegenitive of relationship (with ἀδελφοί)μητρὸς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (idiom 'in the ears')ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τοῖςtheDativearticleτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὠσὶνearsDativedative object of ἐν (idiomatic)οὖς (dat. pl. ὠσίν): 'ear'; the repeated idiom ἐν τοῖς ὠσίν from v. 2, marking the public, ear-to-ear delivery of the persuasion.
πάντωνallGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying ἀνδρῶν)πάντων: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
τῶνtheGenitivearticleτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνδρῶνmenGenitivegenitive of relationship (with ὠσίν)ἀνήρ: the lords/citizens of Shechem (Hebrew בַּעֲלֵי שְׁכֶם); again ἄνδρες, not κύριος, for the human leadership.
ΣυχεμShechemgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Συχεμ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
πάνταςallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying λόγους)πᾶς: 'all'; stresses that the uncles relay Abimelech's argument in full, omitting nothing of the persuasion.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticleτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λόγουςwordsAccusativedirect object of ἐλάλησανλόγος: 'word / speech'; renders דְּבָרִים; the accusative of content — the very arguments of v. 2 relayed to the assembly.
τούτουςtheseAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying λόγους)οὗτος: 'this'; the demonstrative points back to Abimelech's exact words, underscoring faithful relay.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing result)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔκλινενinclinedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κλίνωmain verb (the result of persuasion)→ constative aorist (decisive shift of allegiance)κλίνω: 'bend / incline / turn'; renders נָטָה; the idiom ἔκλινεν ἡ καρδία … ὀπίσω ('the heart inclined after') describes a decisive turning of loyalty toward Abimelech.
theNominativearticle (with καρδία)ἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίαheartNominativesubject of ἔκλινενκαρδία: 'heart'; renders לֵב; in Hebraic idiom the seat of will and allegiance; the singular collective ('their heart') depicts the Shechemites moving as one toward Abimelech.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτῶν: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
ὀπίσωafterpreposition/adverb + genitive (allegiance idiom)ὀπίσω: 'behind / after'; with the heart-verb it renders the Hebrew אַחֲרֵי ('after'), an idiom of following/allegiance; 'their heart went after Abimelech' = they sided with him.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechgenitive object of ὀπίσω (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ὅτιforcausal conjunctionὅτι: 'because / for'; introduces the reason for their allegiance — the kinship motive Abimelech had planted.
εἶπανthey saidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωverb of causal clause (introducing their reasoning)→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπαν): the Koine sigmatic form εἶπαν (for classical εἶπον); introduces the Shechemites' own self-justification.
ἀδελφὸςbrotherNominativepredicate nominative ('he is our brother')ἀδελφός: 'brother'; the decisive word — the Shechemites accept Abimelech precisely as kin; the irony is sharp, since to make this 'brother' king he will murder his actual brothers.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of relationship (with ἀδελφός)ἡμῶν: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula ('he is our brother')→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the copula affirms the kinship-bond as the operative reason for their decision.
4

καὶ ἔδωκαν αὐτῷ ἑβδομήκοντα ἀργυρίου ἐξ οἴκου Βααλβεριθ καὶ ἐμισθώσατο ἑαυτῷ Αβιμελεχ ἄνδρας κενοὺς καὶ δειλούς καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ

And they gave him seventy pieces of silver from the house of Baal-berith, and Abimelech hired for himself empty and reckless men, and they followed after him.

Narrative escalation: funding and recruitmentκαὶ ἔδωκαν αὐτῷ
The conspiracy is financed from the temple treasury of Baal-berith ('lord of the covenant'), tainting the enterprise with apostasy. The numeral ἑβδομήκοντα ('seventy') chillingly matches the number of brothers he will kill. The hirelings are ἄνδρες κενοὶ καὶ δειλοί ('empty and reckless men'), the standard biblical descriptor for lawless mercenaries.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔδωκανthey gaveAor Act Indic 3 Pl · δίδωμιmain verb (the Shechemites fund Abimelech)→ constative aorist (completed gift)δίδωμι: 'give'; renders נָתַן; the Shechemites bankroll the coup from their temple treasury — material complicity in the bloodshed to come.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect objectαὐτῷ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
ἑβδομήκονταseventynumeral (object: 'seventy [pieces]')ἑβδομήκοντα: 'seventy'; indeclinable cardinal; the seventy pieces of silver pointedly equal the number of the brothers (v. 5) — blood-money by the head.
ἀργυρίουof silverGenitivegenitive of material/partitive (with the numeral)ἀργύριον: 'silver / a piece of silver / money'; renders כֶּסֶף; the partitive genitive specifies the currency of the bribe; 'seventy of silver' = seventy silver pieces.
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (source)ἐξ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
οἴκουhouseGenitivegenitive object of ἐξ (source: temple treasury)οἶκος: 'house'; here the temple (οἶκος + divine name = 'house/temple of'); the funds come from the sanctuary of Baal-berith, marking the conspiracy as financed by Canaanite cult.
ΒααλβεριθBaal-berithgenitive of relationship (indeclinable divine name)Βααλβεριθ: transliteration of Hebrew בַּעַל בְּרִית ('Baal of the covenant / lord of the covenant'), the deity of the Shechemite temple (cf. 8:33; 9:46); indeclinable; the covenant-god's treasury funds covenant-breaking fratricide.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐμισθώσατοhiredAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · μισθόωmain verb (Abimelech recruits mercenaries)→ constative aorist (completed hiring)μισθόω (mid.): 'hire / engage for wages'; renders שָׂכַר; the middle voice ('hired for himself') stresses personal benefit; Abimelech turns the temple silver into a private army.
ἑαυτῷfor himselfDativedative reflexive (advantage)ἑαυτοῦ: reflexive 'himself'; the dative of advantage reinforces the middle voice — the mercenaries serve Abimelech's personal ambition.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechsubject (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἄνδραςmenAccusativedirect object of ἐμισθώσατοἀνήρ: 'man'; the hired mercenaries; the qualifying adjectives that follow brand them as worthless ruffians.
κενοὺςempty / worthlessAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἄνδρας)κενός: 'empty / vain / worthless'; renders רֵיקִים; the standard biblical idiom for idle, lawless men available for hire (cf. Judg 11:3 of Jephthah's band; 2 Chr 13:7).
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
δειλούςreckless / cowardlyAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἄνδρας)δειλός: lit. 'cowardly / timid'; here pairing with κενός to render Hebrew פֹּחֲזִים ('reckless / wanton'); the LXX choice suggests men of no worth or honor — desperate hirelings fit for atrocity.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐπορεύθησανthey followedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb (the mercenaries attach to Abimelech)→ constative aoristπορεύομαι: 'go'; with ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ ('after him') it forms the allegiance-idiom — the hired band attaches itself to Abimelech as his armed following.
ὀπίσωafterpreposition + genitive (following idiom)ὀπίσω: 'after / behind'; the allegiance idiom (Hebrew אַחֲרֵי) — the mercenaries become Abimelech's retinue.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of ὀπίσωαὐτοῦ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
5

καὶ εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸν οἶκον τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ εἰς Εφραθα καὶ ἀπέκτεινεν τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ υἱοὺς Ιεροβααλ ἑβδομήκοντα ἄνδρας ἐπὶ λίθον ἕνα καὶ κατελείφθη Ιωαθαν υἱὸς Ιεροβααλ ὁ νεώτερος ὅτι ἐκρύβη

And he went into his father's house at Ephratha and killed his brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone; but Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, for he hid himself.

Narrative climax of episode A: the fratricideκαὶ εἰσῆλθεν
The atrocity is reported with stark economy: ἀπέκτεινεν … ἑβδομήκοντα ἄνδρας ἐπὶ λίθον ἕνα ('killed seventy men on one stone') depicts a ritualized mass execution. The single survivor, Ιωαθαν ὁ νεώτερος ('Jotham the youngest'), is preserved by hiding (ἐκρύβη) — the narrative seed of the coming curse (vv. 7–20).
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἰσῆλθενwent inAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (entry to commit the murders)→ constative aoristεἰσέρχομαι: 'enter / go into'; renders בּוֹא; the entry into the paternal house frames the killings as a violation of his own father's household.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τὸνtheAccusativearticleτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκονhouseAccusativeaccusative object of εἰςοἶκος: 'house / household'; renders בַּיִת; the father's house — both the physical dwelling at Ophrah and, by extension, the family Abimelech is about to destroy.
τοῦtheGenitivearticleτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρὸςfather'sGenitivegenitive of relationship (with οἶκον)πατήρ: 'father'; the house of Jerubbaal/Gideon; the genitive heightens the horror — this is patricidal-fraternal violence within the father's own home.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
εἰςat / topreposition + accusative (location specification)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΕφραθαEphrathaaccusative object of εἰς (indeclinable place-name)Εφραθα: transliteration here standing for Gideon's home Ophrah (Hebrew עָפְרָתָה); indeclinable; the LXX form blurs toward Ephratha but designates the family seat where the seventy were killed.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀπέκτεινενkilledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκτείνωmain verb (the fratricide)→ constative aorist (the completed massacre)ἀποκτείνω: 'kill / slay'; renders הָרַג; the blunt verb reports the central crime of the chapter, the slaughter of the seventy brothers, for which God will exact retribution (vv. 24, 56).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticleτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοὺςbrothersAccusativedirect object of ἀπέκτεινενἀδελφός: 'brother'; the actual half-brothers, in pointed contrast to the 'brother' rhetoric of vv. 2–3; the kinship that won Shechem now turns to fratricide.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativeaccusative in apposition to ἀδελφούςυἱός: 'son'; in apposition, identifying the brothers as the sons of Jerubbaal, the legitimate heirs.
Ιεροβααλof Jerubbaalgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Ιεροβααλ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἑβδομήκονταseventynumeral (in apposition: 'seventy men')ἑβδομήκοντα: 'seventy'; the full count matching both the household number (8:30) and the seventy silver pieces of v. 4 — blood-money paid by the head.
ἄνδραςmenAccusativeaccusative in apposition (the slain)ἀνήρ: 'man'; the slain heirs counted as 'seventy men.'
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (location of execution)ἐπὶ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
λίθονstoneAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπίλίθος: 'stone'; renders אֶבֶן; 'on one stone' depicts a ritualized, almost sacrificial mode of mass execution — the victims slaughtered serially on a single block (echoed in Jotham's accusation, v. 18).
ἕναoneAccusativeattributive numeral (modifying λίθον)εἷς: 'one'; the singularity of the stone intensifies the cold, methodical horror of the act.
καὶbutadversative-narrative conjunction (the exception)καί: here adversative in force ('but'), marking the one exception to the slaughter.
κατελείφθηwas leftAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · καταλείπωmain verb (the survival of Jotham)→ constative aorist (resultant survival)καταλείπω (pass.): 'be left / remain / survive'; renders יָתַר (Niphal); the passive marks Jotham as the providential remnant whose survival makes the curse of vv. 7–20 possible.
ΙωαθανJothamsubject (indeclinable proper noun)Ιωαθαν: transliteration of Hebrew יוֹתָם ('YHWH is perfect/upright'); indeclinable; the youngest son of Jerubbaal, sole survivor and pronouncer of the fable-curse; his name's meaning contrasts pointedly with Abimelech's 'my father is king.'
υἱὸςsonNominativeappositive to Ιωαθαν (patronymic)υἱός: 'son'; binds Jotham to Jerubbaal's house as its surviving legitimate heir.
Ιεροβααλof Jerubbaalgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Ιεροβααλ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
theNominativearticle (with νεώτερος)ὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νεώτεροςyoungestNominativeattributive adjective (substantivized: 'the youngest')νέος (comp. νεώτερος): 'younger / youngest'; renders הַקָּטֹן ('the small/young one'); the comparative used as superlative in Koine; the youngest's survival is a recurring biblical motif of the unlikely deliverer.
ὅτιforcausal conjunctionὅτι: 'because'; gives the reason for Jotham's survival.
ἐκρύβηhe hid himselfAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · κρύπτωverb of causal clause→ constative aorist (reflexive-passive sense)κρύπτω (aor. pass. ἐκρύβη): 'hide / conceal'; renders חָבָא (Niphal); the passive here functions reflexively ('hid himself'); Jotham's self-concealment preserves the line and the voice that will pronounce judgment.
6

καὶ συνήχθησαν πάντες ἄνδρες Σικιμων καὶ πᾶς οἶκος Βηθμααλων καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν καὶ ἐβασίλευσαν τὸν Αβιμελεχ πρὸς τῇ βαλάνῳ τῇ εὑρετῇ τῆς στάσεως τῆς ἐν Σικιμοις

And all the men of Shechem and all the house of Beth-millo gathered together and went and made Abimelech king by the oak of the standing-stone that is in Shechem.

Episode A conclusion: the coronationκαὶ συνήχθησαν
The killing accomplished, the Shechemites formalize Abimelech's kingship ἐβασίλευσαν τὸν Αβιμελεχ ('they made Abimelech king'). The site πρὸς τῇ βαλάνῳ … τῆς στάσεως ('by the oak of the standing-stone') is the venerable covenant tree of Shechem (cf. Gen 35:4; Josh 24:26), lending the illegitimate coronation a veneer of ancestral sanction.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
συνήχθησανwere gatheredAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · συνάγωmain verb (the assembly convenes)→ constative aorist (completed assembly)συνάγω (pass.): 'gather together / assemble'; renders אָסַף / קָבַץ; the passive depicts the civic body convening for the coronation.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ἄνδρες)πᾶς: 'all'; stresses the full participation of Shechem's citizenry in the coronation.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject (the lords of Shechem)ἀνήρ: the lords/citizens of Shechem (Hebrew בַּעֲלֵי שְׁכֶם); again ἄνδρες, the human leadership, not κύριος.
Σικιμωνof Shechemgenitive of relationship (indeclinable, alternate form)Σικιμα/Σικιμων: an alternate LXX transliteration of שְׁכֶם (Shechem), used interchangeably with Συχεμ in this chapter; indeclinable; here genitive plural in sense ('of the Shechemites').
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
πᾶςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying οἶκος)πᾶς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
οἶκοςhouseNominativesubject (second member, coordinate with ἄνδρες)οἶκος: 'house / clan'; here a place/community name — the household of Beth-millo, the fortified quarter or garrison of Shechem (Hebrew בֵּית מִלּוֹא).
ΒηθμααλωνBeth-millogenitive of relationship (indeclinable place-name)Βηθμααλων: transliteration of Hebrew בֵּית מִלּוֹא (Beth-millo, 'house of the rampart/fill'), a fortified part of Shechem or a neighboring settlement; indeclinable; spelled Βηθμααλλων at vv. 20.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐπορεύθησανwentAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb (procession to the coronation site)→ constative aoristπορεύομαι: 'go'; the assembly proceeds to the sacred tree for the coronation ceremony.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐβασίλευσανmade kingAor Act Indic 3 Pl · βασιλεύωmain verb (the coronation; causative/factitive use)→ constative aorist (the kingmaking act)βασιλεύω: normally intransitive 'reign,' but here transitive/factitive with accusative object τὸν Αβιμελεχ ('made Abimelech king'), a Hebraism rendering הִמְלִיךְ (Hiphil of מלך, 'cause to reign'); the factitive construction recurs in the fable (vv. 8–15) and application (vv. 16, 18).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Αβιμελεχ as accusative object)the article marks the otherwise indeclinable Αβιμελεχ as the accusative object of the factitive ἐβασίλευσαν.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechaccusative object of ἐβασίλευσαν (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
πρὸςby / besidepreposition + dative (location)πρός + dat.: 'near / beside / at'; locates the coronation at the sacred tree.
τῇtheDativearticle (with βαλάνῳ)τῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βαλάνῳoakDativedative object of πρός (location)βάλανος: properly 'acorn,' here by metonymy 'oak / terebinth'; renders אֵלוֹן ('great tree / oak'); the famous covenant tree at Shechem (cf. Gen 35:4; Josh 24:26); the sacred site lends false legitimacy to the coronation.
τῇtheDativearticle (attributive, with εὑρετῇ)τῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εὑρετῇset up / appointedDativeattributive adjective (modifying βαλάνῳ)εὑρετός: a rare verbal adjective (from εὑρίσκω) here rendering the Hebrew מֻצָּב ('set up / erected'); the LXX struggles with the Hebrew phrase 'the oak of the pillar (מַצֵּבָה) that was set up,' yielding 'the oak of the standing/erected [stone].'
τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with στάσεως)τῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στάσεωςstanding-stoneGenitivegenitive of relationship (with βαλάνῳ: 'oak of the standing[-stone]')στάσις: 'a standing / station / pillar'; here rendering Hebrew מַצָּב / מַצֵּבָה ('standing-stone, pillar'); the oak stands by the ancient covenant pillar of Shechem (Josh 24:26–27), the very monument that witnessed Israel's covenant — now backdrop to a usurper's crowning.
τῆςthatGenitivearticle (attributive, introducing locative phrase)τῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΣικιμοιςShechemdative object of ἐν (indeclinable place-name)Σικιμα (dat. Σικιμοις): alternate transliteration of Shechem; the dative-plural-looking form is treated as indeclinable; locates the sacred tree within the city.
7

καὶ ἀνηγγέλη τῷ Ιωαθαν καὶ ἐπορεύθη καὶ ἔστη ἐπὶ κορυφὴν ὄρους Γαριζιν καὶ ἐπῆρεν τὴν φωνὴν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔκλαυσεν καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ἀκούσατέ μου ἄνδρες Σικιμων καὶ ἀκούσεται ὑμῶν ὁ θεός

And it was reported to Jotham, and he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim and lifted up his voice and wept and said to them: 'Listen to me, men of Shechem, and God will listen to you.'

Episode B opening: Jotham takes the stageκαὶ ἀνηγγέλη τῷ Ιωαθαν
Hearing of the coronation, Jotham ascends Mount Gerizim — the mountain of blessing (Deut 11:29; 27:12) — and addresses the Shechemites with a prophetic appeal. The chiastic exchange ἀκούσατέ μου … ἀκούσεται ὑμῶν ὁ θεός ('listen to me … God will listen to you') makes hearing Jotham the condition of being heard by God, framing the fable as a divine summons.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀνηγγέληit was reportedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀναγγέλλωmain verb (impersonal passive: news reaches Jotham)→ constative aoristἀναγγέλλω (pass.): 'announce / report'; renders נָגַד (Hophal); the impersonal passive ('it was reported') is a standard narrative device for conveying news to a character.
τῷtoDativearticle (with Ιωαθαν as dative)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙωαθανJothamdative indirect object (indeclinable, marked by article)Ιωαθαν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐπορεύθηhe wentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (movement to Gerizim)→ constative aoristπορεύομαι: 'go'; Jotham emerges from hiding to confront Shechem from a position of safety on the mountain.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔστηstoodAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἵστημιmain verb (taking his stand)→ constative aorist (intransitive: took a stand)ἵστημι (aor. ἔστη): 'stand / take one's stand'; the intransitive second aorist; Jotham takes a commanding position on the heights to deliver the fable.
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (position)ἐπὶ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
κορυφὴνtopAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπίκορυφή: 'top / summit / crown'; renders רֹאשׁ ('head/top'); the mountain summit gives Jotham both audibility and safety from reprisal.
ὄρουςof mountainGenitivegenitive of relationship (with κορυφήν)ὄρος: 'mountain'; renders הַר; here Mount Gerizim, overlooking Shechem from the south.
ΓαριζινGerizimgenitive of apposition (indeclinable place-name)Γαριζιν: transliteration of Hebrew גְּרִזִּים (Gerizim); indeclinable; the mountain of blessing in the covenant ceremony of Deut 27 / Josh 8:33 — its choice as Jotham's pulpit is loaded with covenantal irony, since he pronounces not blessing but conditional curse.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐπῆρενlifted upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπαίρωmain verb (idiom: 'raised his voice')→ constative aoristἐπαίρω: 'lift up / raise'; the idiom ἐπῆρεν τὴν φωνήν ('lifted up his voice') renders Hebrew נָשָׂא קוֹל, a formula for loud, emphatic public utterance.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with φωνήν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φωνὴνvoiceAccusativedirect object of ἐπῆρενφωνή: 'voice / sound'; renders קוֹל; object of the lifting-idiom; Jotham must shout to carry from Gerizim down to the city.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔκλαυσενweptAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κλαίωmain verb (emotional accompaniment to the cry)→ ingressive aorist (burst into weeping)κλαίω: 'weep / cry aloud'; renders קָרָא in some witnesses but here 'wept'; Jotham's tears frame the fable as lament over his slain house and over Shechem's folly, not mere clever rhetoric.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introducing the fable-address)→ constative aoristλέγω: 'say'; introduces Jotham's address that runs through v. 20.
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object (the Shechemites)αὐτοῖς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
ἀκούσατέlistenAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (opening imperative of the address)→ ingressive aorist imperative (give heed)ἀκούω: 'hear / listen / obey'; renders שָׁמַע; the summons to attend is the precondition (note the wordplay with ἀκούσεται below) of God's hearing them — to heed Jotham is to be in a position to be heard by God.
μουmeGenitivegenitive object of ἀκούσατε (person heard)μου: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
ἄνδρεςmenVocativevocative of direct addressἀνήρ: vocative ἄνδρες ('O men'); direct address to the lords of Shechem — again ἄνδρες, not κύριος, for the human leadership.
Σικιμωνof Shechemgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Σικιμων: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (with consequential force)καί: here with quasi-consequential force ('so that / and then') linking the act of hearing Jotham to God's hearing them.
ἀκούσεταιwill listenFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (consequence: God's hearing)→ predictive futureἀκούω (fut. mid. ἀκούσεται): the future deponent; the wordplay ἀκούσατε … ἀκούσεται makes the reciprocity explicit — hear Jotham, and God will hear you; the implied condition undergirds the whole fable-curse.
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive object of ἀκούσεται (persons heard)ὑμῶν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
theNominativearticle (with θεός)ὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativesubject of ἀκούσεταιθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; here Israel's God, invoked as the ultimate judge who will adjudicate between Jotham/Jerubbaal's house and Shechem; the fable is thus framed as a covenant lawsuit before the divine court.
8

πορευόμενα ἐπορεύθη τὰ ξύλα τοῦ χρῖσαι ἐφ᾿ ἑαυτὰ βασιλέα καὶ εἶπον τῇ ἐλαίᾳ βασίλευσον ἐφ᾿ ἡμῶν

Going, the trees went to anoint a king over themselves, and they said to the olive tree: 'Reign over us.'

The fable proper begins (parable-discourse)πορευόμενα ἐπορεύθη τὰ ξύλα
The fable opens with the emphatic figura etymologica πορευόμενα ἐπορεύθη ('going they went'), the LXX's calque of the Hebrew infinitive-absolute construction הָלוֹךְ הָלְכוּ, marking solemn, fairy-tale cadence. The trees (τὰ ξύλα) seek to 'anoint a king over themselves' — a monarchic project the fable will expose as the resort of the worthless. This is the oldest fable in Scripture.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
πορευόμεναgoingPres Mid Ptc Nom Neut Pl · πορεύομαιcircumstantial participle (figura etymologica with ἐπορεύθη)→ intensifying participle (Hebraic infinitive-absolute calque)πορεύομαι (pres. ptc. neut. pl., agreeing with τὰ ξύλα): the participle + cognate finite verb πορευόμενα ἐπορεύθη calques the Hebrew infinitive absolute הָלוֹךְ הָלְכוּ ('they surely went / went indeed'), giving the fable a formal, incantatory opening.
ἐπορεύθηwentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (with neuter plural subject takes singular verb)→ constative aoristπορεύομαι: 'go'; the singular verb with neuter plural subject (τὰ ξύλα) follows the classical rule (τὰ ζῷα τρέχει); paired with πορευόμενα it forms the emphatic Hebraism.
τὰtheNominativearticle (with ξύλα)τὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ξύλαtreesNominativesubject (the fable's collective protagonist)ξύλον: 'wood / tree'; the plural τὰ ξύλα ('the trees') renders Hebrew הָעֵצִים; the trees personify the people of Shechem/Israel seeking a king; their fruitless quest for a ruler frames the political satire.
τοῦtoGenitivearticle + infinitive (genitive of purpose)τοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χρῖσαιto anointAor Act Inf · χρίωarticular infinitive of purpose (τοῦ + inf.)→ purpose infinitiveχρίω: 'anoint'; renders מָשַׁח; the articular infinitive of purpose (τοῦ χρῖσαι, 'in order to anoint'); anointing is the rite of kingmaking — the fable's central act, ironically performed not on the worthy trees but on the bramble (v. 15).
ἐφ᾿overpreposition + accusative (elided; royal authority)ἐπί + acc.: 'over'; the rule-over idiom for kingship; elided ἐφ᾿ before the rough-breathing ἑαυτά.
ἑαυτὰthemselvesAccusativereflexive pronoun (object of ἐπί)ἑαυτοῦ: reflexive 'themselves' (neut. pl.); the trees seek a king 'over themselves' — self-imposed monarchy, the very thing Gideon had refused (8:23, 'I will not rule over you ... the LORD will rule').
βασιλέαkingAccusativedirect object of χρῖσαιβασιλεύς: 'king'; renders מֶלֶךְ; the object of the anointing; the fable's whole burden is the folly of the trees' (people's) desire for a king.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἶπονthey saidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (the trees address the olive)→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπον): 'say'; introduces the trees' invitation to the olive, first of the three noble candidates.
τῇto theDativearticle (with ἐλαίᾳ)τῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐλαίᾳolive treeDativeindirect object (the first candidate)ἐλαία: 'olive tree'; renders זַיִת; the most prized of trees (its oil used for anointing kings and priests, for light and food) — yet it declines, signalling that the truly valuable have better things to do than rule.
βασίλευσονreignAor Act Impv 2 Sg · βασιλεύωmain verb (the trees' request, direct speech)→ ingressive aorist imperative (begin to reign)βασιλεύω: 'reign / be king'; here intransitive with ἐφ᾿ ἡμῶν ('over us'); the ingressive aorist invites the olive to take up the kingship; the refrain βασίλευσον ἐφ᾿ ἡμῶν recurs to each candidate (vv. 10, 12, 14).
ἐφ᾿overpreposition + genitive (elided; rule-over idiom)ἐπί + gen.: 'over'; the standard idiom for ruling 'over' subjects.
ἡμῶνusGenitivegenitive object of ἐφ᾿ (the ruled)ἡμῶν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
9

καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ἡ ἐλαία μὴ ἀπολείψασα τὴν πιότητά μου ἐν ᾗ δοξάσουσι τὸν θεὸν ἄνδρες πορεύσομαι κινεῖσθαι ἐπὶ τῶν ξύλων

But the olive tree said to them: 'Shall I leave my fatness, by which men glorify God, and go to wave over the trees?'

First refusal (fable: olive)καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ἡ ἐλαία
The olive's reply is cast as an incredulous rhetorical question introduced by μή ('surely not?'): to reign it would have to 'leave my fatness, by which men glorify God.' The fable's logic is that the genuinely fruitful — those whose produce honors God and serves humanity — have no incentive to abandon their calling for the empty 'waving' (κινεῖσθαι) of rule.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶbutnarrative conjunction (adversative in force)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (the olive's reply)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces the olive's refusal.
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object (the petitioning trees)αὐτοῖς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
theNominativearticle (with ἐλαία)ἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐλαίαolive treeNominativesubjectἐλαία: 'olive tree'; the first noble candidate, declining the crown.
μὴshall I not? / surely notinterrogative negative (introducing a rhetorical question expecting 'no')μή: the negative particle here heads a rhetorical question anticipating a negative answer ('Am I to leave ...? Surely not!'); the LXX renders the Hebrew interrogative-incredulous הֶחֳדַלְתִּי construction.
ἀπολείψασαleaving / having leftAor Act Ptc Nom Fem Sg · ἀπολείπωcircumstantial participle (with implied πορεύσομαι: 'having left ... shall I go?')ἀπολείπω (aor. ptc. fem.): 'leave behind / abandon / forsake'; renders חָדַל; the participle agrees with ἡ ἐλαία; the olive would have to 'abandon' its God-honoring fruit to rule — the participle frames the cost of kingship.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πιότητα)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πιότητάfatness / richnessAccusativedirect object of ἀπολείψασαπιότης: 'fatness / richness'; renders דֶּשֶׁן / Hebrew of olive's oil; the olive's 'fatness' is its rich oil, used for anointing, lamplight, and offerings — the very substance by which God is honored; to rule it would forfeit this.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possessionμου: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
ἐνby / inpreposition + dative (instrumental within relative clause)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
whichDativerelative pronoun (instrumental dative, antecedent πιότητα)ὅς (rel. pron., fem. dat. ᾗ): 'by which'; the instrumental relative — the oil is the means by which God is glorified; this clause states the theological value of the olive's fruit.
δοξάσουσιthey glorify / will glorifyFut Act Indic 3 Pl · δοξάζωverb of relative clause→ gnomic/customary future (general truth)δοξάζω: 'glorify / honor'; renders כַּבֵּד; the future here has gnomic force (a customary truth: 'by which men honor God'); olive oil's sacral and honorific uses make the olive's fruit God-glorifying.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with θεόν)τὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸνGodAccusativedirect object of δοξάσουσιθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; the olive's oil glorifies God (in lampstand, anointing, offerings) — its sacred function exceeds any political office.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject of δοξάσουσιἀνήρ: 'man'; the human worshippers who honor God by means of the olive's oil; here a general 'people / men.'
πορεύσομαιshall I goFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb of the rhetorical question→ deliberative future (incredulous)πορεύομαι: 'go'; the deliberative future within the μή-question ('shall I go ...?') expects the answer 'no'; the olive will not abandon its fruit to take up rule.
κινεῖσθαιto wave / to be movedPres Mid Inf · κινέωcomplementary infinitive (purpose of πορεύσομαι)κινέω (pres. mid. inf.): 'move / set in motion'; the middle κινεῖσθαι ('to wave / sway') renders Hebrew נוּעַ ('to wave/totter over'); the LXX images kingship over the trees as merely 'swaying' above them — empty, restless motion contrasted with fruitful stability; a deflation of the dignity of rule.
ἐπὶoverpreposition + genitive (rule-over idiom)ἐπὶ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ξύλων)τῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ξύλωνtreesGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (the ruled)ξύλον: 'tree'; the other trees over whom the candidate would 'wave'; the refrain ἐπὶ τῶν ξύλων closes each refusal (vv. 9, 11, 13).
10

καὶ εἶπον τὰ ξύλα τῇ συκῇ δεῦρο βασίλευσον ἐφ᾿ ἡμῶν

And the trees said to the fig tree: 'Come, reign over us.'

Second invitation (fable: fig)καὶ εἶπον τὰ ξύλα τῇ συκῇ
The pattern repeats with the second candidate. The added δεῦρο ('come!') gives the invitation a note of urgency as the trees move down their list of the worthy. The triadic structure (olive, fig, vine) builds the rhetorical pressure that will collapse into the bramble's acceptance.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἶπονsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (trees address the fig)→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπον): introduces the second invitation.
τὰtheNominativearticle (with ξύλα)τὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ξύλαtreesNominativesubjectξύλον: 'tree'; the collective petitioners continuing their search.
τῇto theDativearticle (with συκῇ)τῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
συκῇfig treeDativeindirect object (second candidate)συκῆ: 'fig tree'; renders תְּאֵנָה; the second prized tree, emblem of peace and prosperity ('every man under his vine and fig tree'); like the olive it will decline.
δεῦροcomeadverbial imperative (summons)δεῦρο: 'come here / come now'; an adverb used as an imperative of summons rendering Hebrew לְכִי ('come!'); adds urgency to the invitation, absent in v. 8.
βασίλευσονreignAor Act Impv 2 Sg · βασιλεύωmain verb (the request)→ ingressive aorist imperativeβασιλεύω: 'reign'; the recurring refrain βασίλευσον ἐφ᾿ ἡμῶν addressed now to the fig.
ἐφ᾿overpreposition + genitive (rule-over idiom)ἐφ᾿: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ἡμῶνusGenitivegenitive object of ἐφ᾿ἡμῶν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
11

καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ἡ συκῆ μὴ ἀπολείψασα ἐγὼ τὴν γλυκύτητά μου καὶ τὰ γενήματά μου τὰ ἀγαθὰ πορεύσομαι κινεῖσθαι ἐπὶ τῶν ξύλων

But the fig tree said to them: 'Shall I leave my sweetness and my good fruits, and go to wave over the trees?'

Second refusal (fable: fig)καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ἡ συκῆ
The fig's refusal mirrors the olive's, with the emphatic pronoun ἐγώ ('I') heightening the personal stake. Its 'sweetness and good fruits' (γλυκύτητα … γενήματα ἀγαθά) are its reason to decline: the productive will not trade real fruit for the empty 'waving' of rule.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶbutnarrative conjunction (adversative in force)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (the fig's reply)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces the fig's refusal.
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect objectαὐτοῖς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
theNominativearticle (with συκῆ)ἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
συκῆfig treeNominativesubjectσυκῆ: 'fig tree'; the second declining candidate.
μὴshall I not? / surely notinterrogative negative (rhetorical question expecting 'no')μή: heads the incredulous rhetorical question, parallel to v. 9.
ἀπολείψασαleaving / having leftAor Act Ptc Nom Fem Sg · ἀπολείπωcircumstantial participleἀπολείπω (aor. ptc. fem.): 'leave behind / forsake'; the fig, like the olive, would have to abandon its fruit to rule.
ἐγὼINominativeemphatic subject pronounἐγώ: the emphatic first-person pronoun (added here, absent in the olive's reply) intensifies the fig's personal stake: 'shall I, of all trees, abandon my sweetness?'
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with γλυκύτητα)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γλυκύτητάsweetnessAccusativedirect object of ἀπολείψασαγλυκύτης: 'sweetness'; renders מָתְקִי ('my sweetness'); the fig's prized sweet fruit, its reason to decline the crown.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possessionμου: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with γενήματα)τὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γενήματάfruits / produceAccusativesecond direct object of ἀπολείψασαγένημα: 'produce / fruit / yield'; renders תְּנוּבָה; the fig's harvest of good fruit; the doubling 'sweetness and good fruits' amplifies what the fig would forfeit by ruling.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possessionμου: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (attributive, with ἀγαθά)τὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀγαθὰgoodAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying γενήματα)ἀγαθός: 'good'; renders טוֹבָה; qualifies the fig's produce as 'good fruits,' underscoring their worth against the emptiness of kingship.
πορεύσομαιshall I goFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb of the rhetorical question→ deliberative future (incredulous)πορεύομαι: the deliberative future of the μή-question, expecting 'no.'
κινεῖσθαιto wavePres Mid Inf · κινέωcomplementary infinitiveκινέω (mid.): 'to wave/sway'; the recurring deflationary image of kingship as mere swaying over the trees.
ἐπὶoverpreposition + genitiveἐπὶ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ξύλων)τῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ξύλωνtreesGenitivegenitive object of ἐπίξύλον: the refrain ἐπὶ τῶν ξύλων closing the second refusal.
12

καὶ εἶπαν τὰ ξύλα πρὸς τὴν ἄμπελον δεῦρο σὺ βασίλευσον ἐφ᾿ ἡμῶν

And the trees said to the vine: 'Come, you reign over us.'

Third invitation (fable: vine)καὶ εἶπαν τὰ ξύλα πρὸς τὴν ἄμπελον
The third invitation adds the emphatic pronoun σύ ('you'), intensifying the appeal as the trees reach the last of the worthy candidates. The shift to πρός + accusative (rather than the simple dative) and the emphatic 'you' mark a rising desperation that prepares for the turn to the bramble.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἶπανsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπαν, Koine form): introduces the third invitation.
τὰtheNominativearticle (with ξύλα)τὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ξύλαtreesNominativesubjectξύλον: the petitioning trees.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of address)πρὸς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ἄμπελον)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄμπελονvineAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (third candidate)ἄμπελος: 'vine / grapevine'; renders גֶּפֶן; the third prized plant, source of wine that 'cheers God and men' (v. 13); like olive and fig, it declines the crown.
δεῦροcomeadverbial imperative (summons)δεῦρο: 'come!'; the summons repeated from v. 10.
σὺyouNominativeemphatic subject pronoun (with βασίλευσον)σύ: the emphatic second-person pronoun (added here) personalizes and intensifies the plea: 'you, you reign over us!' — a mark of mounting urgency as the worthy candidates dwindle.
βασίλευσονreignAor Act Impv 2 Sg · βασιλεύωmain verb (the request)→ ingressive aorist imperativeβασιλεύω: the recurring refrain, now addressed to the vine.
ἐφ᾿overpreposition + genitiveἐφ᾿: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ἡμῶνusGenitivegenitive object of ἐφ᾿ἡμῶν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
13

καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ἡ ἄμπελος μὴ ἀπολείψασα τὸν οἶνόν μου τὸν εὐφραίνοντα θεὸν καὶ ἀνθρώπους πορεύσομαι κινεῖσθαι ἐπὶ τῶν ξύλων

But the vine said to them: 'Shall I leave my wine, which cheers God and men, and go to wave over the trees?'

Third refusal (fable: vine) — climax of the noble treesκαὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς ἡ ἄμπελος
The vine completes the triad of refusals. Its wine 'cheers God and men' (τὸν εὐφραίνοντα θεὸν καὶ ἀνθρώπους) — pairing the divine (wine in the drink-offerings) and human (festal joy) registers. The three noble trees together establish the fable's thesis: the worthy decline to rule, leaving only the worthless to grasp at it.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶbutnarrative conjunction (adversative in force)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (the vine's reply)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces the vine's refusal.
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect objectαὐτοῖς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
theNominativearticle (with ἄμπελος)ἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄμπελοςvineNominativesubjectἄμπελος: 'vine'; the third declining candidate.
μὴshall I not? / surely notinterrogative negative (rhetorical question expecting 'no')μή: heads the third incredulous rhetorical question.
ἀπολείψασαleaving / having leftAor Act Ptc Nom Fem Sg · ἀπολείπωcircumstantial participleἀπολείπω (aor. ptc. fem.): 'leave / forsake'; the vine would abandon its wine to rule.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with οἶνον)τὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶνόνwineAccusativedirect object of ἀπολείψασαοἶνος: 'wine'; renders תִּירוֹשׁ ('new wine'); the vine's product, used in drink-offerings (cheering God) and in festal joy (cheering men); to rule would forfeit this dual blessing.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possessionμου: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
τὸνwhichAccusativearticle (attributive, introducing participial phrase 'the one cheering')τὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εὐφραίνονταcheering / gladdeningPres Act Ptc Acc Masc Sg · εὐφραίνωattributive participle (modifying οἶνον)→ gnomic/customary aspect (general truth)εὐφραίνω: 'gladden / cheer'; renders שָׂמַח (Piel); the articular participle τὸν εὐφραίνοντα ('which cheers') describes wine's joy-giving power; cf. Ps 104:15, 'wine that gladdens the heart of man.'
θεὸνGodAccusativedirect object of εὐφραίνονταθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; wine 'cheers God' through the drink-offerings of the cult (Num 15:7, 10); the pairing of God and men shows wine's value spanning sacred and secular.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀνθρώπουςmenAccusativesecond object of εὐφραίνονταἄνθρωπος: 'human being / man'; renders אֲנָשִׁים; wine cheers people in feasting and celebration; the merism 'God and men' covers the totality of wine's blessing.
πορεύσομαιshall I goFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb of the rhetorical question→ deliberative future (incredulous)πορεύομαι: the deliberative future, expecting 'no.'
κινεῖσθαιto wavePres Mid Inf · κινέωcomplementary infinitiveκινέω (mid.): 'to wave/sway'; the recurring deflationary image of rule.
ἐπὶoverpreposition + genitiveἐπὶ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ξύλων)τῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ξύλωνtreesGenitivegenitive object of ἐπίξύλον: the refrain ἐπὶ τῶν ξύλων closing the third and final refusal.
14

καὶ εἶπαν πάντα τὰ ξύλα τῇ ῥάμνῳ δεῦρο σὺ βασίλευσον ἐφ᾿ ἡμῶν

And all the trees said to the bramble: 'Come, you reign over us.'

The turn to the bramble (fable: climax)καὶ εἶπαν πάντα τὰ ξύλα τῇ ῥάμνῳ
The decisive turn: having been refused by all the worthy, πάντα τὰ ξύλα ('all the trees' — now emphatically total) approach the ῥάμνος, the thornbush — useless for fruit, fit only for kindling. The bramble represents Abimelech: the worthless candidate who alone will grasp at the power the noble decline. The emphatic πάντα marks the collective folly.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἶπανsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπαν): introduces the fourth and final invitation.
πάνταallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ξύλα)πᾶς: 'all'; the addition of πάντα ('all the trees') at the bramble-invitation emphasizes the total, collective resort to the worthless candidate — all of them, having no better option, turn to the thorn.
τὰtheNominativearticle (with ξύλα)τὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ξύλαtreesNominativesubjectξύλον: the trees, now in their entirety, turning to the bramble.
τῇto theDativearticle (with ῥάμνῳ)τῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥάμνῳbramble / thornbushDativeindirect object (the fourth, worthless candidate)ῥάμνος: 'bramble / thornbush / buckthorn'; renders אָטָד; a low, prickly shrub yielding no fruit, useful only as fuel or for snagging; it represents Abimelech — the worthless ruler who offers thorns, not fruit, and whose 'shade' is illusory and whose nature is to burn.
δεῦροcomeadverbial imperative (summons)δεῦρο: 'come!'; the summons repeated from vv. 10, 12.
σὺyouNominativeemphatic subject pronounσύ: the emphatic pronoun, as in v. 12; the trees press the bramble with the same urgency they had pressed the vine — but to a worthless end.
βασίλευσονreignAor Act Impv 2 Sg · βασιλεύωmain verb (the request)→ ingressive aorist imperativeβασιλεύω: the recurring refrain, now finally addressed to the bramble who will accept.
ἐφ᾿overpreposition + genitiveἐφ᾿: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ἡμῶνusGenitivegenitive object of ἐφ᾿ἡμῶν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
15

καὶ εἶπεν ἡ ῥάμνος πρὸς τὰ ξύλα εἰ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ χρίετέ με ὑμεῖς τοῦ βασιλεύειν ἐφ᾿ ὑμᾶς δεῦτε ὑπόστητε ἐν τῇ σκιᾷ μου καὶ εἰ μή ἐξέλθῃ πῦρ ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ καὶ καταφάγῃ τὰς κέδρους τοῦ Λιβάνου

And the bramble said to the trees: 'If in truth you are anointing me as king over you, come, take refuge in my shade; but if not, let fire come out from the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon.'

The bramble's acceptance and threat (fable climax)καὶ εἶπεν ἡ ῥάμνος πρὸς τὰ ξύλα
The bramble alone accepts — but conditionally and menacingly. Its offer of 'shade' (σκιά) is absurd (a thornbush casts no shade), exposing the emptiness of the protection a worthless king provides. The threat — fire from the bramble devouring even the mighty cedars of Lebanon — anticipates the literal fire of vv. 20, 49, 57: the worthless ruler's true gift is destruction.
Word-by-word analysis· 36 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (the bramble's reply)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces the bramble's acceptance-with-menace.
theNominativearticle (with ῥάμνος)ἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥάμνοςbrambleNominativesubjectῥάμνος: 'bramble / thornbush'; the worthless candidate who alone accepts kingship — the fable's portrait of Abimelech.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of address)πρὸς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ξύλα)τὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ξύλαtreesAccusativeaccusative object of πρόςξύλον: the trees, addressed by the bramble.
εἰifconditional conjunction (protasis of real condition)εἰ: 'if'; introduces the first conditional ('if in truth you anoint me'); the bramble's suspicion of the trees' sincerity hints at the bad faith underlying Shechem's coronation of Abimelech.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner: 'in truth')ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ἀληθείᾳtruthDativedative of manner (with ἐν: 'in truth / sincerely')ἀλήθεια: 'truth / faithfulness'; renders אֱמֶת; the phrase ἐν ἀληθείᾳ ('in truth / good faith') is the hinge of the fable's application — Jotham will ask in vv. 16, 19 whether Shechem acted ἐν ἀληθείᾳ καὶ τελειότητι in making Abimelech king.
χρίετέyou anointPres Act Indic 2 Pl · χρίωverb of the protasis (real condition)→ progressive present (the anointing in process)χρίω: 'anoint'; the present indicative in the protasis presents the anointing as an act now under way ('if you really are anointing me'); echoes the τοῦ χρῖσαι of v. 8.
μεmeAccusativedirect object of χρίετεμε: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativeemphatic subject pronoun (with χρίετε)σύ (pl. ὑμεῖς): the emphatic plural pronoun stresses the trees' own responsibility for the choice — 'if you yourselves are anointing me.'
τοῦtoGenitivearticle + infinitive (genitive of purpose)τοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεύεινto reignPres Act Inf · βασιλεύωarticular infinitive of purpose (τοῦ + inf.)→ temporal infinitive (the moment of accession)βασιλεύω (pres. inf.): 'to reign'; the articular infinitive of purpose ('in order to be king'); the durative present suits a settled reign.
ἐφ᾿overpreposition + accusative (rule-over idiom)ἐπί + acc.: 'over'; here with accusative ὑμᾶς ('over you').
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative object of ἐφ᾿ (the ruled)ὑμᾶς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
δεῦτεcomeadverbial imperative plural (summons)δεῦτε: 'come!' (plural of δεῦρo); summons the trees to the bramble's 'shade' — an absurd invitation, since a thornbush offers no real shade, exposing the hollowness of the bramble-king's protection.
ὑπόστητεtake refugeAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ὑφίστημιmain verb (imperative: shelter under the bramble)→ ingressive aorist imperativeὑφίστημι (aor. impv. ὑπόστητε): 'place oneself under / take shelter'; renders חָסָה ('take refuge'); the command to shelter under a thornbush is patently ironic — the bramble's shade is no protection at all.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τῇtheDativearticle (with σκιᾷ)τῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκιᾷshadeDativedative object of ἐν (locative)σκιά: 'shade / shadow'; renders צֵל; the 'shade' of a king is a standard ancient image for royal protection (cf. Lam 4:20), but a thornbush's shade is negligible — the satire of the worthless ruler's empty promises.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possessionμου: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
καὶbutcoordinate conjunction (introducing the alternative)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἰifconditional conjunction (negative protasis)εἰ μή: 'but if not'; introduces the menacing alternative — the curse-threat that the bramble will incinerate even the cedars.
μήnotnegative particle (with εἰ: 'if not')μή: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐξέλθῃlet come outAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιhortatory/jussive subjunctive (the apodosis-threat)→ imprecatory subjunctive (curse-wish)ἐξέρχομαι (aor. subj.): 'come out / go forth'; the subjunctive here functions as an imprecation ('let fire come out'); the fire-from-bramble image is fulfilled literally in the mutual destruction of Abimelech and Shechem (vv. 20, 49, 57).
πῦρfireNominativesubject of ἐξέλθῃπῦρ: 'fire'; renders אֵשׁ; the bramble's characteristic danger — dry thorns ignite easily and spread fire; the image becomes the chapter's controlling metaphor of self-consuming destruction.
ἀπ᾿frompreposition + genitive (source)ἀπ᾿: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive object of ἀπ᾿ (the bramble as source of fire)ἐγώ (gen. ἐμοῦ): the bramble names itself as the source of the destroying fire — the worthless king's gift to those who trust him.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
καταφάγῃdevourAor Act Subj 3 Sg · κατεσθίωcoordinate jussive subjunctive (with ἐξέλθῃ)→ imprecatory subjunctiveκατεσθίω (aor. subj. καταφάγῃ): 'devour / consume utterly'; the κατα- intensifies; renders אָכַל; the standard idiom for fire 'eating up' its fuel — here even the mighty cedars, the most exalted trees, fall to the bramble's fire.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with κέδρους)τὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κέδρουςcedarsAccusativedirect object of καταφάγῃκέδρος: 'cedar'; renders אֶרֶז; the cedars of Lebanon are the proverbially mightiest and noblest trees — that the lowly bramble's fire should devour them dramatizes the disproportionate destructive power of a worthless ruler.
τοῦofGenitivearticle (with Λιβάνου)τοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΛιβάνουLebanonGenitivegenitive of relationship (with κέδρους: 'cedars of Lebanon')Λίβανος: 'Lebanon'; renders הַלְּבָנוֹן; the mountain range famed for its cedars; 'the cedars of Lebanon' is a fixed phrase for the grandest of trees, here the climactic image of the bramble's ruinous reach.
16

καὶ νῦν εἰ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ καὶ τελειότητι ἐποιήσατε καὶ ἐβασιλεύσατε τὸν Αβιμελεχ καὶ εἰ ἀγαθωσύνην ἐποιήσατε μετὰ Ιεροβααλ καὶ μετὰ τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ καὶ εἰ ὡς ἀνταπόδοσις χειρὸς αὐτοῦ ἐποιήσατε αὐτῷ

And now, if you have acted in truth and integrity in making Abimelech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubbaal and with his house, and if you have done to him according to the deserving of his hand —

Application of the fable (protasis of Jotham's lawsuit)καὶ νῦν εἰ
Jotham now decodes the fable. The transitional καὶ νῦν ('and now') turns from parable to direct accusation. The triple εἰ ('if ... if ... if') builds an extended protasis testing whether Shechem acted ἐν ἀληθείᾳ καὶ τελειότητι ('in truth and integrity') toward Gideon's house — the very phrase from the bramble's condition (v. 15), now applied to the real situation. The apodosis comes in v. 19.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandtransitional conjunction (with νῦν)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
νῦνnowtemporal/logical transition adverbνῦν: 'now'; the formula καὶ νῦν renders Hebrew וְעַתָּה, a standard rhetorical hinge marking the move from premise (fable) to application (the demand it grounds).
εἰifconditional conjunction (first protasis)εἰ: 'if'; the first of three conditional clauses; Jotham frames the test of Shechem's conduct as a series of conditions whose fulfillment or failure determines the verdict of vv. 19–20.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ἀληθείᾳtruthDativedative of manner (with ἐν)ἀλήθεια: 'truth / good faith'; renders אֱמֶת; picks up the bramble's ἐν ἀληθείᾳ (v. 15), now testing Shechem's sincerity toward Gideon's house.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τελειότητιintegrityDativedative of manner (coordinate with ἀληθείᾳ)τελειότης: 'completeness / perfection / integrity'; renders תָּמִים ('blamelessness, wholeness'); the pair ἐν ἀληθείᾳ καὶ τελειότητι ('in truth and integrity') is the moral standard against which Shechem's deed is measured (cf. v. 19).
ἐποιήσατεyou have actedAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ποιέωverb of the first protasis→ constative aorist (the completed deed under examination)ποιέω: 'do / make / act'; renders עָשָׂה; the aorist examines Shechem's accomplished conduct; ἐποιήσατε recurs four times in vv. 16–19, hammering the theme of deeds and their requital.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐβασιλεύσατεmade kingAor Act Indic 2 Pl · βασιλεύωverb (factitive: 'you made king')→ constative aoristβασιλεύω: here factitive/transitive with τὸν Αβιμελεχ ('made Abimelech king'), as in v. 6; renders the Hiphil הִמְלַכְתֶּם; binds the coronation directly to the moral test.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (marking Αβιμελεχ as object)τὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechaccusative object of ἐβασιλεύσατε (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἰifconditional conjunction (second protasis)εἰ: the second 'if,' testing Shechem's treatment of Gideon's house specifically.
ἀγαθωσύνηνgood / kindnessAccusativedirect object of ἐποιήσατε (cognate-like: 'done good')ἀγαθωσύνη: 'goodness / kindness'; renders טוֹבָה; the idiom ποιέω ἀγαθωσύνην μετά ('do good with/toward') renders עָשָׂה טוֹבָה עִם — to deal kindly with; the question is whether Shechem requited Gideon's benefactions with kindness.
ἐποιήσατεyou have doneAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ποιέωverb of the second protasis→ constative aoristποιέω: 'do'; the second occurrence, governing ἀγαθωσύνην.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (association: 'toward')μετά + gen.: 'with'; in the idiom ποιέω … μετά it bears the sense 'deal with / toward,' a Hebraism (עִם).
ΙεροβααλJerubbaalgenitive object of μετά (indeclinable)Ιεροβααλ: Gideon, the deliverer to whom Shechem owed gratitude; naming him keeps the wronged benefactor in view.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (association)μετὰ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with οἴκου)τοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἴκουhouseGenitivegenitive object of μετάοἶκος: 'house / household'; Gideon's family — the seventy slain brothers and Jotham; the kindness owed extended to the whole house.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἰifconditional conjunction (third protasis)εἰ: the third 'if,' framing the standard of just requital.
ὡςaccording tocomparative particle (introducing standard of measure)ὡς: 'as / according to'; introduces the measure of just recompense — treatment commensurate with what Gideon's 'hand' had earned.
ἀνταπόδοσιςrecompense / deservingNominativepredicate nominative (standard of comparison)ἀνταπόδοσις: 'recompense / repayment / requital'; renders גְּמוּל; the phrase ὡς ἀνταπόδοσις χειρὸς αὐτοῦ ('according to the requital of his hand') asks whether Shechem repaid Gideon's deeds as they deserved — i.e. with gratitude, not murder.
χειρὸςof handGenitivegenitive of relationship (with ἀνταπόδοσις)χείρ: 'hand'; renders יָד; metonymy for Gideon's deeds/labor — what his hand accomplished (delivering Israel from Midian); his 'hand' earned a recompense Shechem failed to render.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
ἐποιήσατεyou have doneAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ποιέωverb of the third protasis→ constative aoristποιέω: 'do'; the third occurrence; the cumulative repetition presses the question of deeds and their just return.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object (Gideon/Jerubbaal)αὐτῷ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
17

ὡς παρετάξατο ὁ πατήρ μου ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν καὶ ἐξέρριψεν τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἐξ ἐναντίας καὶ ἐρρύσατο ὑμᾶς ἐκ χειρὸς Μαδιαμ

— as my father fought for you and flung away his life in the face of danger, and delivered you from the hand of Midian;

Supporting ground: Gideon's self-sacrifice (parenthetical within the protasis)ὡς παρετάξατο ὁ πατήρ μου
Jotham recalls his father's costly deliverance to expose Shechem's ingratitude. The vivid ἐξέρριψεν τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἐξ ἐναντίας ('flung his life away in the face of danger') depicts Gideon risking everything, contrasting sharply with the murder of his sons. The deliverance ἐκ χειρὸς Μαδιαμ ('from the hand of Midian') was the great benefaction Shechem has now betrayed.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
ὡςascomparative conjunction (introducing the ground)ὡς: 'as / inasmuch as'; here introduces the historical ground recalling Gideon's deeds — the benefaction against which Shechem's conduct is measured.
παρετάξατοfought / drew up in battleAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · παρατάσσωmain verb (Gideon's military deliverance)→ constative aoristπαρατάσσω (mid.): 'draw up in battle array / give battle'; renders נִלְחַם; the middle voice ('arrayed himself for battle') depicts Gideon's personal engagement in war on Shechem's behalf.
theNominativearticle (with πατήρ)ὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατήρfatherNominativesubjectπατήρ: 'father'; Gideon/Jerubbaal; Jotham speaks as the aggrieved son, invoking his father's heroism to indict Shechem's treachery.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationshipμου: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
ὑπὲρfor / on behalf ofpreposition + genitive (benefaction)ὑπέρ + gen.: 'on behalf of / for the sake of'; underscores that Gideon's fighting was for Shechem's benefit — heightening the ingratitude of their treachery.
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive object of ὑπέρὑμῶν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐξέρριψενflung awayAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκρίπτωmain verb (Gideon's self-risk)→ constative aoristἐκρίπτω (aor. ἐξέρριψεν): 'throw out / cast away / fling'; the idiom ἐξέρριψεν τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ('cast away his life') renders the Hebrew וַיַּשְׁלֵךְ אֶת־נַפְשׁוֹ ('he flung down his life'), an image of reckless self-exposure to mortal danger for others' sake.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ψυχήν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχὴνlife / soulAccusativedirect object of ἐξέρριψενψυχή: 'life / soul / self'; renders נֶפֶשׁ; here 'life' as that which Gideon risked; 'to fling away one's ψυχή' = to hazard one's life recklessly in battle.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
ἐξfrom / out ofpreposition + genitive (idiomatic: 'in the face of')ἐξ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ἐναντίαςthe opposite / danger aheadGenitivegenitive object of ἐξ (substantivized: 'from in front')ἐναντίος (fem. substantive ἐναντία): 'opposite / facing'; the idiom ἐξ ἐναντίας ('from the front / in the face of [the enemy]') renders מִנֶּגֶד; Gideon exposed himself frontally to the foe — i.e. risked death in open battle rather than hanging back.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐρρύσατοdeliveredAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ῥύομαιmain verb (the deliverance accomplished)→ constative aoristῥύομαι: 'rescue / deliver / save'; renders נָצַל (Hiphil); Gideon's deliverance of Shechem 'from the hand of Midian' (chs. 7–8) is the benefaction now betrayed — the rescued have murdered their rescuer's sons.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object of ἐρρύσατοὑμᾶς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source of deliverance)ἐκ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
χειρὸςhandGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (idiom: 'from the hand/power of')χείρ: 'hand'; the idiom ἐκ χειρός ('from the hand of') renders מִיַּד, a Hebraism for 'from the power/grip of'; here deliverance from Midianite domination.
ΜαδιαμMidiangenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Μαδιαμ: transliteration of Hebrew מִדְיָן (Midian); indeclinable; the oppressor nation Gideon defeated (chs. 6–8); the memory of that deliverance makes Shechem's betrayal the more monstrous.
18

καὶ ὑμεῖς ἐπανέστητε ἐπὶ τὸν οἶκον τοῦ πατρός μου σήμερον καὶ ἀπεκτείνατε τοὺς υἱοὺς αὐτοῦ ἑβδομήκοντα ἄνδρας ἐπὶ λίθον ἕνα καὶ ἐβασιλεύσατε τὸν Αβιμελεχ υἱὸν παιδίσκης αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τοὺς ἄνδρας Σικιμων ὅτι ἀδελφὸς ὑμῶν ἐστιν

— but you have risen up this day against my father's house and killed his sons, seventy men on one stone, and made Abimelech, the son of his slave-woman, king over the men of Shechem because he is your brother —

The indictment: Shechem's actual deed (contrast to v. 17)καὶ ὑμεῖς ἐπανέστητε
The emphatic καὶ ὑμεῖς ('but you') sharply opposes Shechem's treachery to Gideon's sacrifice. Jotham itemizes the crime: insurrection against the father's house, murder of the seventy ἐπὶ λίθον ἕνα (echoing v. 5 verbatim), and the crowning of Abimelech, contemptuously labelled υἱὸν παιδίσκης ('son of a slave-woman'), purely on the kinship pretext (ὅτι ἀδελφὸς ὑμῶν ἐστιν, echoing v. 3).
Word-by-word analysis· 35 words
καὶbutadversative-narrative conjunctionκαί: here adversative ('but'), opposing Shechem's deed to Gideon's benefaction.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativeemphatic subject pronounσύ (pl. ὑμεῖς): the emphatic 'you' throws the accusation into relief — set against the father who risked his life, 'you' repaid him by slaughtering his sons.
ἐπανέστητεrose up againstAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ἐπανίστημιmain verb (the insurrection)→ constative aoristἐπανίστημι: 'rise up against / rebel'; renders קוּם עַל; the intransitive aorist ἐπανέστητε ('you rose up') with ἐπί + acc. denotes hostile insurrection against Gideon's house.
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)ἐπὶ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with οἶκον)τὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκονhouseAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπίοἶκος: 'house / household'; Gideon's family, the target of the insurrection.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with πατρός)τοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρόςfather'sGenitivegenitive of relationship (with οἶκον)πατήρ: 'father'; Gideon; 'my father's house' personalizes the crime as committed against Jotham's own kin.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationshipμου: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
σήμερονtodaytemporal adverbσήμερον: 'today / this day'; renders הַיּוֹם; marks the crime as recent and present in its consequences — the coronation just enacted (v. 6).
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀπεκτείνατεyou killedAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀποκτείνωmain verb (the fratricide attributed to Shechem)→ constative aoristἀποκτείνω: 'kill'; Jotham charges Shechem with the murders as accomplices (they funded and crowned the murderer); echoes ἀπέκτεινεν of v. 5.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with υἱούς)τοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativedirect object of ἀπεκτείνατευἱός: 'son'; the seventy sons of Gideon, the murdered heirs.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
ἑβδομήκονταseventynumeral (in apposition: 'seventy men')ἑβδομήκοντα: 'seventy'; the count repeated from v. 5, fixing the scale of the atrocity.
ἄνδραςmenAccusativeaccusative in appositionἀνήρ: 'man'; the seventy counted as men.
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (location)ἐπὶ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
λίθονstoneAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπίλίθος: 'stone'; 'on one stone' repeated verbatim from v. 5, branding the ritualized horror of the mass execution.
ἕναoneAccusativeattributive numeral (with λίθον)εἷς: 'one'; the single stone, the chilling detail Jotham flings back at the perpetrators.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐβασιλεύσατεmade kingAor Act Indic 2 Pl · βασιλεύωmain verb (factitive: 'made king')→ constative aoristβασιλεύω: factitive 'made king,' as in vv. 6, 16; binds the coronation to the murder as a single guilty act.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (marking Αβιμελεχ as object)τὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechaccusative object of ἐβασιλεύσατε (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
υἱὸνsonAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Αβιμελεχ (contemptuous)υἱός: 'son'; the appositive 'son of his slave-woman' is contemptuous, contrasting Abimelech's servile maternal origin with the legitimate sons he killed.
παιδίσκηςslave-woman'sGenitivegenitive of relationship (with υἱόν)παιδίσκη: 'female slave / maidservant'; renders אָמָה / the concubine of 8:31; the term underscores Abimelech's low birth (a concubine's son), making his elevation over legitimate heirs the more outrageous.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Gideon's slave-woman)αὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
ἐπὶoverpreposition + accusative (rule-over idiom)ἐπὶ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ἄνδρας)τοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδραςmenAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (the ruled)ἀνήρ: the lords of Shechem; again ἄνδρες, not κύριος.
Σικιμωνof Shechemgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Σικιμων: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunctionὅτι: 'because'; gives Shechem's stated motive, throwing their own words (v. 3) back at them.
ἀδελφὸςbrotherNominativepredicate nominativeἀδελφός: 'brother'; the kinship-pretext quoted verbatim from v. 3 — Jotham exposes the moral bankruptcy of preferring a murderous 'brother' to justice.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationshipὑμῶν: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula ('he is your brother')→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the copula completes the quoted kinship-claim.
19

καὶ εἰ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ καὶ τελειότητι ἐποιήσατε μετὰ Ιεροβααλ καὶ μετὰ τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ εὐφρανθείητε ἐν Αβιμελεχ καὶ εὐφρανθείη καί γε αὐτὸς ἐφ᾿ ὑμῖν

if, then, in truth and integrity you have acted with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, rejoice in Abimelech, and let him too rejoice over you;

Apodosis of the first horn: the blessing-wish (mock benediction)καὶ εἰ ἐν ἀληθείᾳ
The protasis of v. 16 finds its first apodosis: IF Shechem acted in good faith, then 'rejoice in Abimelech' (εὐφρανθείητε, optative of wish) and let him rejoice in them. The optative of blessing is heavily ironic — the reader knows the condition is false. The dual asseverative καί γε ('and indeed') intensifies the mock-reciprocity before the real curse of v. 20.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
καὶandtransitional conjunction (resuming the protasis)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἰifconditional conjunction (resumed protasis)εἰ: 'if'; resumes the condition of v. 16, now to be answered by the blessing-apodosis.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ἀληθείᾳtruthDativedative of mannerἀλήθεια: 'truth / good faith'; the standard repeated from vv. 15–16.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τελειότητιintegrityDativedative of mannerτελειότης: 'integrity / blamelessness'; the paired standard, repeated from v. 16.
ἐποιήσατεyou have actedAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ποιέωverb of the protasis→ constative aoristποιέω: 'do / act'; the fourth occurrence in the application, completing the deed-test.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (association)μετὰ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΙεροβααλJerubbaalgenitive object of μετά (indeclinable)Ιεροβααλ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (association)μετὰ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with οἴκου)τοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἴκουhouseGenitivegenitive object of μετάοἶκος: 'house'; Gideon's household, repeated from v. 16.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (temporal)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τῇtheDativearticle (with ἡμέρᾳ)τῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (with ἐν: 'on this day')ἡμέρα: 'day'; the phrase ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ ('on this day') marks the present moment of decision and reckoning.
ταύτῃthisDativedemonstrative adjective (with ἡμέρᾳ)οὗτος: 'this'; the demonstrative fixes the reckoning to the very day of the coronation.
εὐφρανθείητεrejoice / may you rejoiceAor Pass Opt 2 Pl · εὐφραίνωoptative of wish (apodosis: ironic blessing)→ volitive optative (blessing-wish, heavily ironic)εὐφραίνω (aor. pass. opt.): 'rejoice / be glad'; the optative of wish forms the apodosis ('then may you rejoice in Abimelech'); since the condition is patently false, the blessing is bitterly ironic — picking up the εὐφραίνοντα of the vine (v. 13).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (object of rejoicing)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechdative object of ἐν (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εὐφρανθείηlet him rejoiceAor Pass Opt 3 Sg · εὐφραίνωoptative of wish (reciprocal blessing)→ volitive optative (ironic)εὐφραίνω (3 sg. opt.): the reciprocal wish — 'and let him too rejoice over you'; the mutual joy underscores, by irony, the mutual destruction that the false condition actually entails (v. 20).
καίandparticle (component of καί γε asseverative)καί: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γεindeedemphatic particle (with καί: dual asseverative)γε: emphatic enclitic; the combination καί γε ('and indeed / even') is a fixed LXX rendering of the Hebrew asseverative וְגַם ('and also/indeed'), characteristic of the B-text of Judges (cf. vv. 49, 55).
αὐτὸςhe himselfNominativeintensive pronoun (subject of εὐφρανθείη)αὐτός: 'he himself'; the intensive pronoun (Abimelech) stresses the reciprocity of the (ironic) blessing.
ἐφ᾿overpreposition + dative (object of rejoicing)ἐφ᾿: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ὑμῖνyouDativedative object of ἐφ᾿ὑμῖν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
20

εἰ δὲ οὐ ἐξέλθοι πῦρ ἀπὸ Αβιμελεχ καὶ φάγοι τοὺς ἄνδρας Σικιμων καὶ τὸν οἶκον Βηθμααλλων καὶ ἐξέλθοι πῦρ ἀπὸ ἀνδρῶν Σικιμων καὶ ἐκ τοῦ οἴκου Βηθμααλλων καὶ καταφάγοι τὸν Αβιμελεχ

but if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and devour the men of Shechem and the house of Beth-millo, and let fire come out from the men of Shechem and from the house of Beth-millo and devour Abimelech.

Apodosis of the second horn: the curse (climax of episode B–C)εἰ δὲ οὐ
The real curse, drawn directly from the bramble's threat (v. 15). The negative protasis εἰ δὲ οὐ ('but if not') triggers a double imprecation: fire from Abimelech devouring Shechem, and fire from Shechem devouring Abimelech — perfect mutual destruction. The optatives (ἐξέλθοι, φάγοι, καταφάγοι) are imprecatory; the curse is fulfilled literally in vv. 49 (Shechem burned) and 53–54 (Abimelech killed).
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
εἰifconditional conjunction (negative protasis)εἰ δὲ οὐ: 'but if not'; introduces the second, true horn of the dilemma — the curse against both parties.
δὲbutadversative particle (post-positive)δέ: the adversative turning from the ironic blessing (v. 19) to the genuine curse.
οὐnotnegative particle (with the protasis)οὐ: 'not'; negates the condition ('if it is not so' — i.e. if they did not act in good faith).
ἐξέλθοιlet come outAor Act Opt 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιoptative of imprecation (apodosis)→ imprecatory optative (curse)ἐξέρχομαι (aor. opt.): 'come out'; the optative voices the curse ('let fire come out'), echoing the subjunctive ἐξέλθῃ of the bramble (v. 15); the fire-from-X idiom structures the whole malediction.
πῦρfireNominativesubject of ἐξέλθοιπῦρ: 'fire'; the bramble's fire (v. 15) now invoked as literal judgment; fulfilled at vv. 49, 57.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)ἀπὸ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechgenitive object of ἀπό (source of the first fire)Αβιμελεχ: the bramble-king; fire 'from Abimelech' devouring Shechem is fulfilled when he burns the tower of Shechem (v. 49).
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
φάγοιdevourAor Act Opt 3 Sg · ἐσθίωoptative of imprecation (coordinate)→ imprecatory optativeἐσθίω (aor. opt. φάγοι): 'eat / devour'; the fire-eats-fuel idiom; the curse that Abimelech's fire 'consume' the Shechemites.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ἄνδρας)τοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδραςmenAccusativedirect object of φάγοιἀνήρ: the lords of Shechem, object of the curse; again ἄνδρες, not κύριος.
Σικιμωνof Shechemgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Σικιμων: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with οἶκον)τὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκονhouseAccusativesecond direct object of φάγοιοἶκος: 'house'; the household/community of Beth-millo, joined to Shechem under the curse.
ΒηθμααλλωνBeth-millogenitive of relationship (indeclinable place-name)Βηθμααλλων: variant spelling of Βηθμααλων (v. 6), Beth-millo; indeclinable; the fortified quarter that crowned Abimelech and now shares his doom.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the reciprocal curse)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐξέλθοιlet come outAor Act Opt 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιoptative of imprecation (the reciprocal fire)→ imprecatory optativeἐξέρχομαι (aor. opt.): the second imprecation — fire now from Shechem against Abimelech; the symmetry is exact, sealing the mutual destruction motif.
πῦρfireNominativesubject of the second ἐξέλθοιπῦρ: 'fire'; the reciprocal flame; Abimelech's death (vv. 53–54) follows from Shechem's resistance, fulfilling this half.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)ἀπὸ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ἀνδρῶνmenGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (source of reciprocal fire)ἀνήρ: the lords of Shechem now as source of the answering fire.
Σικιμωνof Shechemgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Σικιμων: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)ἐκ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with οἴκου)τοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἴκουhouseGenitivegenitive object of ἐκοἶκος: 'house'; Beth-millo again as co-source of the answering fire.
ΒηθμααλλωνBeth-millogenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Βηθμααλλων: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
καταφάγοιdevourAor Act Opt 3 Sg · κατεσθίωoptative of imprecation (the reciprocal consuming)→ imprecatory optativeκατεσθίω (aor. opt. καταφάγοι): 'devour utterly'; the intensive κατα- matches the bramble's καταφάγῃ (v. 15); the curse that Shechem's fire consume Abimelech — fulfilled in his death at Thebez.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (marking Αβιμελεχ as object)τὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechaccusative object of καταφάγοι (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
21

καὶ ἔφυγεν Ιωαθαν καὶ ἀπέδρα καὶ ἐπορεύθη ἕως Βαιηρ καὶ ᾤκησεν ἐκεῖ ἀπὸ προσώπου Αβιμελεχ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ

And Jotham fled and ran away and went to Beer and dwelt there, away from the face of Abimelech his brother.

Episode B–C closure: Jotham's flightκαὶ ἔφυγεν Ιωαθαν
Having pronounced the curse, Jotham escapes. The doubled ἔφυγεν … ἀπέδρα ('fled ... ran away') stresses urgency. He settles at Beer ἀπὸ προσώπου Αβιμελεχ ('from the face of Abimelech'), the Hebraic idiom for fleeing someone's presence; the appositive ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ ('his brother') wrings one last note of irony from the kinship theme — he flees the very 'brother' Shechem prized.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔφυγενfledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · φεύγωmain verb (Jotham's flight)→ constative aoristφεύγω: 'flee'; renders נוּס / בָּרַח; the first of the doubled flight-verbs emphasizing Jotham's haste to escape reprisal.
ΙωαθανJothamsubject (indeclinable)Ιωαθαν: the curse-pronouncer now removes himself from danger; his disappearance from the narrative leaves the curse to work itself out.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀπέδραran awayAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποδιδράσκωmain verb (intensifying the flight)→ constative aoristἀποδιδράσκω (aor. ἀπέδρα): 'run away / escape by stealth'; renders בָּרַח; the second flight-verb, connoting furtive escape; the pairing with ἔφυγεν underscores the completeness of Jotham's withdrawal.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐπορεύθηwentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (the journey to Beer)→ constative aoristπορεύομαι: 'go'; Jotham travels to a place of refuge beyond Abimelech's reach.
ἕωςto / as far aspreposition + genitive (extent of journey)ἕως: 'as far as / up to'; marks the destination of the flight.
ΒαιηρBeergenitive object of ἕως (indeclinable place-name)Βαιηρ: transliteration of Hebrew בְּאֵר (Beer, 'well'); indeclinable; an otherwise unknown locality where Jotham takes refuge, safely distant from Shechem.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ᾤκησενdweltAor Act Indic 3 Sg · οἰκέωmain verb (settled residence)→ constative aorist (took up residence)οἰκέω: 'dwell / settle'; renders יָשַׁב; Jotham settles permanently at Beer; this is the last we hear of him until the curse's fulfilment is recalled (v. 57).
ἐκεῖthereadverb of placeἐκεῖ: 'there'; locates Jotham's settled residence at Beer.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (idiom: 'from the face of')ἀπὸ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
προσώπουface / presenceGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (idiomatic)πρόσωπον: 'face / presence'; the idiom ἀπὸ προσώπου ('from the face/presence of') renders Hebrew מִפְּנֵי, a standard expression for fleeing or hiding from someone's presence.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἀδελφοῦbrotherGenitivegenitive in apposition to Αβιμελεχἀδελφός: 'brother'; the appositive 'his brother' delivers a final ironic stroke — Jotham flees from the very kinsman whose 'brotherhood' Shechem invoked to justify the murder of Jotham's actual brothers.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationshipαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
22

καὶ ἦρξεν Αβιμελεχ ἐπὶ Ισραηλ τρία ἔτη

And Abimelech ruled over Israel three years.

Episode D opening: regnal summaryκαὶ ἦρξεν Αβιμελεχ
A terse regnal notice marks the transition to the second half of the chapter. Notably the verb is ἦρξεν ('ruled / was chief,' from ἄρχω), not ἐβασίλευσεν — the narrator subtly withholds full royal legitimacy from Abimelech's three-year tyranny over (part of) Israel.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἦρξενruledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἄρχωmain verb (regnal notice)→ constative aorist (the whole reign summarized)ἄρχω: 'rule / be first / govern'; renders שָׂרַר ('exercise rule') rather than מָלַךְ ('be king'); the choice of ἄρχω over βασιλεύω may quietly deny Abimelech full kingship — he 'held sway' over Israel without true royal legitimacy.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechsubject (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐπὶoverpreposition + accusative (rule-over idiom)ἐπὶ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΙσραηλIsraelaccusative object of ἐπί (indeclinable)Ισραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable; here the realm of Abimelech's rule, though in practice limited to the region around Shechem.
τρίαthreeAccusativeattributive numeral (with ἔτη: duration)τρεῖς, τρία: 'three'; the neuter accusative τρία agrees with ἔτη; the brevity of the three-year reign signals its instability and divine disfavor.
ἔτηyearsAccusativeaccusative of duration of timeἔτος: 'year'; the accusative of extent of time ('for three years'); the short tenure contrasts with the longer judgeships and underscores the regime's doom.
23

καὶ ἐξαπέστειλεν ὁ θεὸς πνεῦμα πονηρὸν ἀνὰ μέσον Αβιμελεχ καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον τῶν ἀνδρῶν Σικιμων καὶ ἠθέτησαν ἄνδρες Σικιμων ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ Αβιμελεχ

And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem, and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with the house of Abimelech,

Divine intervention: the agency of retributionκαὶ ἐξαπέστειλεν ὁ θεὸς
The narrator names God as the prime mover of the unravelling: ὁ θεὸς ... πνεῦμα πονηρόν ('God ... an evil spirit'), sent ἀνὰ μέσον … ἀνὰ μέσον ('between ... and between'). The 'evil spirit' is the instrument of divine judgment (cf. 1 Sam 16:14), turning the conspirators against one another to fulfil both justice (v. 24) and Jotham's curse (v. 20). The verb ἠθέτησαν ('dealt treacherously') marks the breach of their covenant with Abimelech.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐξαπέστειλενsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξαποστέλλωmain verb (divine sending)→ constative aorist (decisive divine act)ἐξαποστέλλω: 'send out / dispatch'; renders שָׁלַח; the compound ἐξαπο- stresses the deliberate dispatch; God actively sends the spirit, marking the ensuing strife as judicial, not accidental.
theNominativearticle (with θεός)ὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubjectθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; the narrator identifies God as the sovereign cause of the conspirators' falling-out — divine justice operating through human enmity.
πνεῦμαspiritAccusativedirect object of ἐξαπέστειλενπνεῦμα: 'spirit / breath / wind'; renders רוּחַ; the 'evil spirit' is a God-sent agent of discord (cf. the spirit sent against Saul, 1 Sam 16:14); here it sows the mutual distrust that destroys both Abimelech and Shechem.
πονηρὸνevilAccusativeattributive adjective (with πνεῦμα)πονηρός: 'evil / harmful / malignant'; renders רָעָה; the spirit is 'evil' in effect — it works harm, breeding the treachery that brings the murderers to ruin; the same root recurs in πονηρίαν (vv. 56–57).
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον: 'between')ἀνά: in the idiom ἀνὰ μέσον ('in the midst of / between'), a Hebraism rendering בֵּין; the doubled ἀνὰ μέσον … ἀνὰ μέσον renders the Hebrew בֵּין … וּבֵין ('between ... and between').
μέσονmidstAccusativeaccusative (component of ἀνὰ μέσον idiom)μέσος: 'middle / midst'; with ἀνά forms the 'between' idiom; the spirit is set 'between' the two parties to divide them.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechgenitive sense (object of ἀνὰ μέσον; indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (second member of the idiom)ἀνὰ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
μέσονmidstAccusativeaccusative (component of ἀνὰ μέσον)μέσον: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ἀνδρῶν)τῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνδρῶνmenGenitivegenitive object of ἀνὰ μέσονἀνήρ: the lords of Shechem; again ἄνδρες, not κύριος.
Σικιμωνof Shechemgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Σικιμων: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the result)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἠθέτησανdealt treacherouslyAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀθετέωmain verb (the breach of faith)→ constative aoristἀθετέω: 'set aside / break faith / deal treacherously'; renders בָּגַד; denotes the violation of a covenant or pledged loyalty; the Shechemites repudiate their allegiance to Abimelech, the discord being the spirit's work.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject of ἠθέτησανἀνήρ: the lords of Shechem, now turning against the king they made; again ἄνδρες, not κύριος.
Σικιμωνof Shechemgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Σικιμων: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐνwith / againstpreposition + dative (object of treachery)ἐν: here with ἀθετέω in the sense 'deal treacherously with/against,' a Hebraizing construction (בָּגַד בְּ).
τῷtheDativearticle (with οἴκῳ)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἴκῳhouseDativedative object of ἐν (object of the treachery)οἶκος: 'house'; the 'house of Abimelech' — his rule/dynasty; the Shechemites break faith with the regime they had installed.
Αβιμελεχof Abimelechgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
24

τοῦ ἐπαγαγεῖν τὴν ἀδικίαν τῶν ἑβδομήκοντα υἱῶν Ιεροβααλ καὶ τὰ αἵματα αὐτῶν τοῦ θεῖναι ἐπὶ Αβιμελεχ τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτῶν ὃς ἀπέκτεινεν αὐτούς καὶ ἐπὶ ἄνδρας Σικιμων ὅτι ἐνίσχυσαν τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ ἀποκτεῖναι τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ

so as to bring the wrong done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, and their blood, and to lay it upon Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and upon the men of Shechem, because they strengthened his hands to kill his brothers.

Purpose clause: the theology of retributionτοῦ ἐπαγαγεῖν
The articular infinitive of purpose τοῦ ἐπαγαγεῖν ('in order to bring') states God's design behind the evil spirit: to requite the blood of the seventy. The verse distributes guilt — upon Abimelech who killed (ὃς ἀπέκτεινεν) and upon the Shechemites who 'strengthened his hands' (ἐνίσχυσαν τὰς χεῖρας) to do it. This is the chapter's explicit lex talionis, fulfilled in vv. 45–49, 53–57.
Word-by-word analysis· 35 words
τοῦso as / in orderGenitivearticle + infinitive (genitive of purpose)τοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐπαγαγεῖνto bringAor Act Inf · ἐπάγωarticular infinitive of purpose (τοῦ + inf.)ἐπάγω: 'bring upon / lead against'; renders בּוֹא (Hiphil); the compound ἐπ- marks the bringing of consequence 'upon' the guilty; the infinitive of purpose states why God sent the spirit — to bring the blood-guilt home.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ἀδικίαν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδικίανwrong / injusticeAccusativedirect object of ἐπαγαγεῖνἀδικία: 'wrongdoing / injustice / violence'; renders חָמָס ('violence') here; the 'wrong done to the seventy' is the crime whose consequence God now brings back on its perpetrators.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with υἱῶν)τῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑβδομήκονταseventynumeral (with υἱῶν)ἑβδομήκοντα: 'seventy'; the slain sons once more, keeping the body-count before the reader as the measure of the debt now called in.
υἱῶνsonsGenitivegenitive (objective: the wrong done 'to the sons')υἱός: 'son'; the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, the victims; the genitive is objective — the injustice committed against them.
Ιεροβααλof Jerubbaalgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Ιεροβααλ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with αἵματα)τὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἵματαbloodAccusativesecond direct object of ἐπαγαγεῖναἷμα (pl. αἵματα): 'blood / bloodshed / blood-guilt'; the plural renders Hebrew דָּמִים ('bloods'), the idiom for blood-guilt incurred by murder; the shed blood 'cries out' for requital (cf. Gen 4:10).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (the victims' blood)αὐτῶν: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
τοῦtoGenitivearticle + infinitive (genitive of purpose)τοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεῖναιto lay / to placeAor Act Inf · τίθημιarticular infinitive of purpose (parallel to ἐπαγαγεῖν)→ aorist infinitive (the reserving)τίθημι (aor. inf. θεῖναι): 'put / place / lay'; the idiom 'to lay [blood] upon' (θεῖναι ἐπί) renders the Hebrew נָתַן / שׂוּם דָּם עַל — to charge blood-guilt to someone's account; the requital is laid on both Abimelech and his accomplices.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (the one charged)ἐπὶ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechaccusative object of ἐπί (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with ἀδελφόν)τὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφὸνbrotherAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Αβιμελεχἀδελφός: 'brother'; the appositive 'their brother' makes the crime fratricide — the blood is laid on the brother who slew his brothers, the kinship theme turned to condemnation.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of relationshipαὐτῶν: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἀπέκτεινεν)ὅς: 'who'; the relative clause specifies Abimelech's guilt — he is the one 'who killed them.'
ἀπέκτεινενkilledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκτείνωverb of relative clause→ constative aoristἀποκτείνω: 'kill'; pins the act of murder on Abimelech personally, distinguishing his primary guilt from the Shechemites' complicity.
αὐτούςthemAccusativedirect object of ἀπέκτεινεναὐτούς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (extending blame)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (the accomplices charged)ἐπὶ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ἄνδραςmenAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (the accomplices)ἀνήρ: the lords of Shechem, charged as accomplices; again ἄνδρες, not κύριος.
Σικιμωνof Shechemgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Σικιμων: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunctionὅτι: 'because'; states the ground of Shechem's guilt — their material aid to the murderer.
ἐνίσχυσανthey strengthenedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐνισχύωverb of causal clause→ constative aoristἐνισχύω: 'strengthen / give strength to'; renders חִזֵּק; the idiom 'strengthened his hands' (ἐνίσχυσαν τὰς χεῖρας) renders Hebrew חִזֵּק יָדָיו ('made strong his hands'), meaning they emboldened and enabled the murderer — guilt by complicity (cf. the funding of v. 4).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with χεῖρας)τὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖραςhandsAccusativedirect object of ἐνίσχυσανχείρ: 'hand'; the 'hands' Shechem strengthened are Abimelech's instruments of murder; the idiom denotes active encouragement and material support.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Abimelech's hands)αὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
ἀποκτεῖναιto killAor Act Inf · ἀποκτείνωcomplementary/epexegetic infinitive (purpose of strengthening)→ constative aorist infinitiveἀποκτείνω (aor. inf.): 'to kill'; the infinitive states the purpose for which Shechem strengthened Abimelech's hands — the murder of his brothers; their aim makes them co-guilty.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ἀδελφούς)τοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοὺςbrothersAccusativedirect object of ἀποκτεῖναιἀδελφός: 'brother'; the murdered brothers, the crime's victims; the word's final recurrence in the indictment fixes the fratricidal horror at the heart of the chapter's theology.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationshipαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
25

καὶ ἔθηκαν αὐτῷ οἱ ἄνδρες Σικιμων ἐνεδρεύοντας ἐπὶ τὰς κεφαλὰς τῶν ὀρέων καὶ διήρπαζον πάντα ὃς παρεπορεύετο ἐπ᾿ αὐτοὺς ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ καὶ ἀπηγγέλη τῷ βασιλεῖ Αβιμελεχ

And the men of Shechem set ambushers against him on the tops of the mountains, and they robbed everyone who passed by them on the road; and it was reported to King Abimelech.

Episode D conclusion: the breach becomes brigandageκαὶ ἔθηκαν αὐτῷ οἱ ἄνδρες Σικιμων
The treachery becomes open hostility: Shechem posts ambushers (ἐνεδρεύοντας) on the heights, turning the roads to banditry — both an act of rebellion against Abimelech and a self-inflicted economic wound. The closing report τῷ βασιλεῖ Αβιμελεχ (now titled βασιλεύς) sets up the confrontation of vv. 26ff. The robbery motif inverts the earlier robbery of Gideon's house.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔθηκανset / postedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · τίθημιmain verb (posting the ambush)→ constative aoristτίθημι (aor. ἔθηκαν): 'put / set / station'; renders שׂוּם; here 'set ambushers' — the Shechemites station men to waylay travellers, an act of war against Abimelech's authority.
αὐτῷagainst himDativedative of disadvantage (against Abimelech)the dative αὐτῷ here is one of disadvantage ('against him') — the ambush is aimed at undermining Abimelech's rule.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἄνδρες)οἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubjectἀνήρ: the lords of Shechem; again ἄνδρες, not κύριος.
Σικιμωνof Shechemgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Σικιμων: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐνεδρεύονταςambushers / men lying in waitPres Act Ptc Acc Masc Pl · ἐνεδρεύωsubstantival participle (object of ἔθηκαν: 'set men ambushing')ἐνεδρεύω (pres. ptc.): 'lie in wait / ambush'; renders אָרַב; the substantival participle ('ambushers') denotes men stationed to waylay; the ambush motif recurs through the Gaal episode (vv. 32–35, 43).
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (position)ἐπὶ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with κεφαλάς)τὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλὰςtops / headsAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπίκεφαλή: 'head'; here 'the heads/tops of the mountains' renders רָאשֵׁי הֶהָרִים, an idiom for mountain summits — the high ground for ambush; the word κεφαλή recurs grimly at vv. 53, 57 (Abimelech's skull; the curse on Shechem's heads).
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with ὀρέων)τῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀρέωνmountainsGenitivegenitive of relationship (with κεφαλάς)ὄρος: 'mountain'; the heights commanding the roads, ideal for ambush.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
διήρπαζονthey robbed / plunderedImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · διαρπάζωmain verb (iterative imperfect: repeated robbery)→ iterative imperfect (habitual plundering)διαρπάζω: 'plunder / rob thoroughly'; renders גָּזַל; the imperfect διήρπαζον denotes repeated, habitual robbery of passersby — the breakdown of order under the failing regime.
πάνταeveryone / everythingAccusativedirect object of διήρπαζον (with the relative clause)πᾶς: 'all / everyone'; the object of the plundering — all who travelled the road; the syntax is loose (Hebraizing), with πάντα anticipating the relative ὅς.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of παρεπορεύετο)ὅς: 'who / whoever'; the relative resumes πάντα — 'everyone who passed by'; the masculine singular for the collective is a Hebraizing looseness.
παρεπορεύετοpassed byImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · παραπορεύομαιverb of relative clause (iterative imperfect)→ iterative imperfect (whoever passed)παραπορεύομαι: 'pass by / travel past'; the imperfect matches διήρπαζον — each traveller who came along the road was robbed.
ἐπ᾿by / pastpreposition + accusative (along/past)ἐπί + acc.: here 'past / by them along the way.'
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπ᾿ (the ambushers)αὐτοὺς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (locative)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τῇtheDativearticle (with ὁδῷ)τῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδῷroadDativedative of place (with ἐν)ὁδός: 'road / way'; renders דֶּרֶךְ; the highway made unsafe by the ambush — a sign of the collapse of Abimelech's order.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀπηγγέληit was reportedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb (impersonal passive: news to the king)→ constative aoristἀπαγγέλλω (pass.): 'report / announce'; renders נָגַד (Hophal); the impersonal passive conveys the news to Abimelech, setting up his response in the Gaal episode.
τῷto theDativearticle (with βασιλεῖ)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεῖkingDativedative indirect object (apposition to Αβιμελεχ)βασιλεύς: 'king'; here Abimelech is titled 'king Abimelech' — the narrator allows the title even while the regime crumbles, perhaps with irony toward the bramble-king's tenuous crown.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechdative in apposition to βασιλεῖ (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
26

καὶ ἦλθεν Γααλ υἱὸς Ιωβηλ καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ παρῆλθον ἐν Σικιμοις καὶ ἦλπισαν ἐν αὐτῷ οἱ ἄνδρες Σικιμων

And Gaal son of Ebed came, he and his brothers, and they passed through Shechem, and the men of Shechem put their trust in him.

Episode E opening: Gaal entersκαὶ ἦλθεν Γααλ υἱὸς Ιωβηλ
A new agent of Abimelech's downfall arrives. Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers move into Shechem, and the disaffected lords 'put their trust in him' (ἦλπισαν ἐν αὐτῷ). Gaal becomes the focal point of the revolt that the evil spirit's discord has prepared.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἦλθενcameAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (Gaal's arrival)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come'; renders בּוֹא; introduces the new character whose challenge precipitates the open conflict.
ΓααλGaalsubject (indeclinable proper noun)Γααλ: transliteration of Hebrew גַּעַל (Gaal); indeclinable; an outsider adventurer who becomes the rallying point for Shechem's disaffection with Abimelech.
υἱὸςsonNominativeappositive to Γααλ (patronymic)υἱός: 'son'; the patronymic identifies Gaal.
ΙωβηλEbed / Jobelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Ιωβηλ: the LXX transliteration of the patronymic; the Hebrew has עֶבֶד ('Ebed'), but this Greek form (Iobel) reflects a variant; indeclinable; Gaal's father's name.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἀδελφοί)οἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοὶbrothersNominativesubject (coordinate with Γααλ)ἀδελφός: 'brother / kinsman'; Gaal's own clan, his power base — an ironic echo of the kinship theme, here in a rival to Abimelech.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationshipαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
παρῆλθονpassed throughAor Act Indic 3 Pl · παρέρχομαιmain verb (entry into Shechem)→ constative aoristπαρέρχομαι: 'pass by / pass through / come over'; renders עָבַר; Gaal and his clan move into Shechem and establish themselves there.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΣικιμοιςShechemdative object of ἐν (indeclinable)Σικιμα (dat. Σικιμοις): Shechem; the city Gaal infiltrates.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἦλπισανtrustedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐλπίζωmain verb (Shechem's confidence in Gaal)→ ingressive aorist (came to trust)ἐλπίζω: 'hope / put confidence in / trust'; renders בָּטַח; the idiom ἐλπίζω ἐν ('put trust in') marks the lords' transfer of allegiance from Abimelech to the newcomer Gaal — the open beginning of the revolt.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (object of trust)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
αὐτῷhimDativedative object of ἐν (the trusted)αὐτῷ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἄνδρες)οἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject of ἦλπισανἀνήρ: the lords of Shechem, now shifting their trust to Gaal; again ἄνδρες, not κύριος.
Σικιμωνof Shechemgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Σικιμων: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
27

καὶ ἐξῆλθον εἰς ἀγρὸν καὶ ἐτρύγησαν τοὺς ἀμπελῶνας αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπάτησαν καὶ ἐποίησαν ελλουλιμ καὶ εἰσήνεγκαν εἰς οἶκον θεοῦ αὐτῶν καὶ ἔφαγον καὶ ἔπιον καὶ κατηράσαντο τὸν Αβιμελεχ

And they went out into the field and gathered the grapes of their vineyards and trod them and held a festival, and they went into the house of their god and ate and drank and cursed Abimelech.

The vintage feast and the cursing of Abimelechκαὶ ἐξῆλθον εἰς ἀγρὸν
The vintage festival sets the scene for open sedition. The transliterated ελλουλιμ (Hebrew הִלּוּלִים, 'festal praises / rejoicings') marks a Canaanite-flavored harvest celebration in the temple of their god (cf. Baal-berith). Emboldened by wine in the cult-house, they 'cursed Abimelech' (κατηράσαντο) — the verbal revolt that Gaal will voice in v. 28; the verb anticipates the κατάρα of v. 57.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐξῆλθονthey went outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (to the vineyards)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go out'; the Shechemites go out to the harvest — the festal setting for their sedition.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ἀγρὸνfieldAccusativeaccusative object of εἰςἀγρός: 'field / countryside'; renders שָׂדֶה; the vineyards outside the city; the field also becomes the battleground of vv. 42–44.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐτρύγησανgathered the grapesAor Act Indic 3 Pl · τρυγάωmain verb (the vintage)→ constative aoristτρυγάω: 'gather (ripe fruit) / harvest grapes'; renders בָּצַר; the grape-harvest, occasion of the festival; the vine motif links back ironically to the fable (vv. 12–13).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ἀμπελῶνας)τοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀμπελῶναςvineyardsAccusativedirect object of ἐτρύγησανἀμπελών: 'vineyard'; renders כֶּרֶם; the vineyards whose harvest furnishes the festal wine.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτῶν: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐπάτησανtrodAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πατέωmain verb (treading the grapes)→ constative aoristπατέω: 'tread / trample'; renders דָּרַךְ; the treading of grapes in the winepress, part of the vintage; produces the new wine for the feast.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐποίησανmade / heldAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (held the festival)→ constative aoristποιέω: 'make / do / hold (a festival)'; here 'held' the festal rejoicing named by the following transliteration.
ελλουλιμpraise-festivaldirect object of ἐποίησαν (untranslated transliteration)ελλουλιμ: an untranslated transliteration of Hebrew הִלּוּלִים ('festal praises / rejoicings,' from הָלַל 'to praise'); the LXX leaves the technical cultic term in Hebrew dress, denoting a thanksgiving harvest-festival; its un-Greeked form marks it as an alien Canaanite-style rite in the temple of their god.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἰσήνεγκανwent in / brought inAor Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰσφέρωmain verb (entry into the temple)→ constative aoristεἰσφέρω (aor. εἰσήνεγκαν): 'bring in / carry in'; here of entering the temple with the festal produce/offerings; renders the movement into the god's house for the celebration.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
οἶκονhouseAccusativeaccusative object of εἰςοἶκος: 'house / temple'; the temple of Baal-berith (cf. v. 4, 46); the seditious feast and curse take place in the cult-house, binding apostasy and rebellion.
θεοῦgodGenitivegenitive of relationship (with οἶκον)θεός: 'god'; here a pagan deity ('their god' = Baal-berith), not Israel's God; the qualifier αὐτῶν ('their') distances the narrator from this cult.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτῶν: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔφαγονateAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb (the feasting)→ constative aoristἐσθίω (aor. ἔφαγον): 'eat'; the festal eating; the pair 'ate and drank' depicts the celebratory abandon that emboldens the curse.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔπιονdrankAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πίνωmain verb (the drinking)→ constative aoristπίνω (aor. ἔπιον): 'drink'; the festal wine — the same wine the fable's vine refused to abandon — now fuels the sedition against the bramble-king.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
κατηράσαντοcursedAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · καταράομαιmain verb (the curse against Abimelech)→ constative aoristκαταράομαι: 'curse / call down evil on'; renders קָלַל / אָרַר; the Shechemites curse the king they made — verbal revolt; the cognate noun κατάρα appears at v. 57 (Jotham's curse fulfilled), framing the chapter's reversal.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (marking Αβιμελεχ as object)τὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechaccusative object of κατηράσαντο (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
28

καὶ εἶπεν Γααλ υἱὸς Ιωβηλ τίς ἐστιν Αβιμελεχ καὶ τίς ἐστιν υἱὸς Συχεμ ὅτι δουλεύσομεν αὐτῷ οὐχ υἱὸς Ιεροβααλ καὶ Ζεβουλ ἐπίσκοπος αὐτοῦ δοῦλος αὐτοῦ σὺν τοῖς ἀνδράσιν Εμμωρ πατρὸς Συχεμ καὶ τί ὅτι δουλεύσομεν αὐτῷ ἡμεῖς

And Gaal son of Ebed said: 'Who is Abimelech, and who is the son of Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, and is not Zebul his overseer his servant, along with the men of Hamor the father of Shechem? Why then should we serve him?'

Gaal's seditious speech (direct provocation)καὶ εἶπεν Γααλ
Gaal's rhetoric mirrors Abimelech's own technique (cf. v. 2) — a contemptuous 'Who is X?' demagoguery. He scorns Abimelech as a mere 'son of Jerubbaal' and his deputy Zebul as a lackey, appealing to native Shechemite pride ('the men of Hamor, father of Shechem'). The repeated δουλεύσομεν αὐτῷ ('shall we serve him?') frames rebellion as the refusal of servitude.
Word-by-word analysis· 37 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introducing Gaal's speech)→ constative aoristλέγω: 'say'; introduces Gaal's open challenge to Abimelech's authority.
ΓααλGaalsubject (indeclinable)Γααλ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
υἱὸςsonNominativeappositive to Γααλ (patronymic)υἱός: 'son'; patronymic of Gaal.
ΙωβηλEbedgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Ιωβηλ: Gaal's father (Hebrew Ebed); see v. 26.
τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (predicate)τίς: interrogative 'who?'; the contemptuous 'Who is Abimelech?' is demagogic belittling — the same rhetorical move Abimelech used (v. 2), now turned against him.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the copula of the rhetorical question.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechsubject of ἐστιν (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (predicate)τίς: the second contemptuous 'who?'; 'who is the son of Shechem?' likely belittles Abimelech as a mere local upstart (or scorns Shechem's submission).
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative presentεἰμί: the copula of the second question.
υἱὸςsonNominativepredicate nominativeυἱός: 'son'; 'son of Shechem' — Gaal disparages Abimelech's claim to rule the native city as that of an outsider's son.
Συχεμof Shechemgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Συχεμ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ὅτιthatconjunction (result/consecutive: 'that we should')ὅτι: here consecutive ('that / so that'), introducing the consequence Gaal rejects — 'who is he, that we should serve him?'
δουλεύσομενwe should serveFut Act Indic 1 Pl · δουλεύωverb of the consecutive clause→ deliberative-future (rhetorical: 'are we to serve?')δουλεύω: 'serve / be enslaved to'; renders עָבַד; the future has deliberative force in the rhetorical question — Gaal frames submission to Abimelech as demeaning slavery to be thrown off.
αὐτῷhimDativedative object of δουλεύσομεναὐτῷ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
οὐχis he not?interrogative negative (expecting 'yes')οὐ (οὐχ before rough breathing): the negative here heads a question expecting the answer 'yes' — 'is he not (merely) the son of Jerubbaal?'; reduces Abimelech to his lineage.
υἱὸςsonNominativepredicate nominativeυἱός: 'son'; 'son of Jerubbaal' — Gaal reminds the Shechemites that Abimelech is an outsider's heir, not native Shechemite stock.
Ιεροβααλof Jerubbaalgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Ιεροβααλ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ΖεβουλZebulsubject (indeclinable proper noun)Ζεβουλ: transliteration of Hebrew זְבֻל (Zebul); indeclinable; Abimelech's appointed governor of Shechem, scorned by Gaal as a mere lackey but loyal to Abimelech (vv. 30ff.).
ἐπίσκοποςoverseerNominativeappositive to Ζεβουλἐπίσκοπος: 'overseer / officer / guardian'; renders פָּקִיד; Zebul is Abimelech's deputy governing Shechem in his absence; Gaal sneers at this 'overseer' as just a servant.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship (Abimelech's overseer)αὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
δοῦλοςservantNominativepredicate nominative (with implied copula: 'is his servant')δοῦλος: 'slave / servant'; Gaal contemptuously reduces Zebul to Abimelech's 'slave' — implying that to follow Zebul is to be a slave's slave; the word plays against δουλεύσομεν ('shall we serve?').
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationshipαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (association)σύν: 'with / together with'; Gaal appeals to Shechemite ancestral pride by invoking the original founders' line.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with ἀνδράσιν)τοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνδράσινmenDativedative object of σύνἀνήρ (dat. pl. ἀνδράσιν): 'man'; 'the men of Hamor' — the original Shechemite nobility descended from the city's founder; Gaal urges loyalty to native stock over the foreign-bred Abimelech.
ΕμμωρHamorgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Εμμωρ: transliteration of Hebrew חֲמוֹר (Hamor, 'donkey'); indeclinable; the founding father of Shechem (Gen 34:2); appeal to his lineage invokes the city's autochthonous aristocracy against Abimelech.
πατρὸςfatherGenitivegenitive in apposition to Εμμωρπατήρ: 'father'; 'Hamor the father of Shechem' identifies the city's eponymous founder, the ancestral standard Gaal invokes.
Συχεμof Shechemgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Συχεμ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τίwhyinterrogative (adverbial: 'why?')τίς (neut. τί): here adverbial 'why?' — 'and why should we, of all people, serve him?'; the closing rhetorical thrust of Gaal's incitement.
ὅτιthatconjunction (consecutive: 'that we should')ὅτι: 'that'; resumes the consecutive sense — 'why is it that we should serve him?'
δουλεύσομενwe should serveFut Act Indic 1 Pl · δουλεύωverb of the consecutive clause (repeated)→ deliberative-future (rhetorical)δουλεύω: the repeated 'shall we serve?' with the emphatic ἡμεῖς drives the appeal home — proud Shechemites need not be slaves to Abimelech.
αὐτῷhimDativedative object of δουλεύσομεναὐτῷ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
ἡμεῖςweNominativeemphatic subject pronounἐγώ (pl. ἡμεῖς): the emphatic 'we' (placed last for stress) appeals to Shechemite self-regard — 'are WE to be his servants?'
29

καὶ τίς δῴη τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον ἐν χειρί μου καὶ μεταστήσω τὸν Αβιμελεχ καὶ ἐρῶ πρὸς αὐτόν πλήθυνον τὴν δύναμίν σου καὶ ἔξελθε

'Would that this people were in my hand! Then I would remove Abimelech, and I would say to him: Reinforce your army and come out!'

Gaal's boast (wish + bravado)καὶ τίς δῴη
Gaal's bravado: the idiom τίς δῴη ('who would give ...?' = 'would that ...!') expresses a wish for command of the people, whereupon he would 'remove Abimelech' (μεταστήσω). The taunting challenge πλήθυνον τὴν δύναμίν σου καὶ ἔξελθε ('reinforce your army and come out!') is the swaggering dare of a man overconfident in wine and popularity — soon to be exposed (vv. 38–40).
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τίςwho / would thatNominativeinterrogative pronoun (in optative-wish idiom)τίς: interrogative 'who?'; the idiom τίς δῴη ('who would grant ...?') renders the Hebrew מִי יִתֵּן, a fixed expression of fervent wish ('O that ...!').
δῴηwould giveAor Act Opt 3 Sg · δίδωμιoptative of wish (in the 'would that' idiom)→ volitive optative (wish)δίδωμι (aor. opt. δῴη): 'give'; in τίς δῴη the optative expresses the unattainable-sounding wish — Gaal longs for command of Shechem's forces to topple Abimelech.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with λαόν)τὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeopleAccusativedirect object of δῴηλαός: 'people'; here the populace/militia of Shechem, which Gaal wishes to command against Abimelech.
τοῦτονthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective (with λαόν)οὗτος: 'this'; 'this people' — the Shechemites present at the feast, gesturing to those Gaal would lead.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (idiom: 'in my hand' = under my control)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
χειρίhandDativedative object of ἐν (idiomatic: 'in my power')χείρ: 'hand'; the idiom ἐν χειρί ('in the hand') renders בְּיָד, denoting power/control; Gaal wishes the army 'in his hand,' i.e. under his command.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possessionμου: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
καὶand thencoordinate conjunction (consequential)καί: here with consequential force — 'and (then) I would remove Abimelech.'
μεταστήσωI would removeFut Act Indic 1 Sg · μεθίστημιmain verb (Gaal's intended action)→ predictive/volitive future (in the wish-context)μεθίστημι: 'remove / depose / set aside'; renders סוּר (Hiphil); Gaal boasts he would depose Abimelech — political euphemism for overthrow; the future expresses resolve consequent on the wish.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (marking Αβιμελεχ as object)τὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechaccusative object of μεταστήσω (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐρῶI would sayFut Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introducing Gaal's taunt)→ predictive/volitive futureλέγω (fut. ἐρῶ): 'say'; introduces Gaal's defiant taunt to Abimelech, daring him to fight.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)πρὸς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
αὐτόνhimAccusativeaccusative object of πρόςαὐτόν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
πλήθυνονreinforce / multiplyAor Act Impv 2 Sg · πληθύνωmain verb (Gaal's taunt: imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperative (defiant dare)πληθύνω: 'multiply / increase'; renders רָבָה (Hiphil); the taunt 'multiply your army!' dares Abimelech to muster all the force he can — bravado expressing Gaal's contempt for the king's strength.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with δύναμιν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δύναμίνarmy / forceAccusativedirect object of πλήθυνονδύναμις: 'power / force / army'; renders חַיִל ('army / might'); here Abimelech's military force, which Gaal dares him to enlarge — confident of victory.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possessionσου: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔξελθεcome outAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (the challenge to battle)→ ingressive aorist imperative (dare to battle)ἐξέρχομαι (aor. impv. ἔξελθε): 'come out / go forth'; the challenge to come out and fight; 'come out [to battle]' is a standard idiom of military defiance; ironically Abimelech will indeed come out — to Gaal's ruin (vv. 34–40).
30

καὶ ἤκουσεν Ζεβουλ ἄρχων τῆς πόλεως τοὺς λόγους Γααλ υἱοῦ Ιωβηλ καὶ ὠργίσθη θυμῷ αὐτός

And Zebul, the ruler of the city, heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed, and he was enraged with anger.

Zebul's reaction (turn toward counter-action)καὶ ἤκουσεν Ζεβουλ
Zebul, here titled ἄρχων τῆς πόλεως ('ruler of the city'), hears Gaal's sedition and is enraged. The cognate dative ὠργίσθη θυμῷ ('was angered with anger') is a Hebraizing intensification (cf. charah aph). His loyalty to Abimelech drives the covert reporting and counter-ambush of vv. 31–33.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἤκουσενheardAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (Zebul hears the sedition)→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; Zebul's overhearing of Gaal's words triggers his counter-move; with accusative of the thing heard (τοὺς λόγους).
ΖεβουλZebulsubject (indeclinable)Ζεβουλ: Abimelech's loyal governor; his vigilance saves Abimelech's hold on the city.
ἄρχωνrulerNominativeappositive to Ζεβουλἄρχων: 'ruler / official / commander'; renders שַׂר; Zebul's office as governor of Shechem under Abimelech — the title Gaal had derided (v. 28).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with πόλεως)τῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεωςcityGenitivegenitive of relationship (with ἄρχων)πόλις: 'city'; renders עִיר; Shechem, which Zebul governs on Abimelech's behalf.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with λόγους)τοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λόγουςwordsAccusativedirect object of ἤκουσενλόγος: 'word'; Gaal's seditious speech (vv. 28–29), the content Zebul hears and reports.
Γααλof Gaalgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Γααλ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive in apposition to Γααλ (patronymic)υἱός: 'son'; patronymic of Gaal.
ΙωβηλEbedgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Ιωβηλ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ὠργίσθηwas enragedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ὀργίζωmain verb (Zebul's anger)→ ingressive aorist (became angry)ὀργίζω (pass.): 'be angry / be enraged'; renders חָרָה; the passive ('was angered') with the cognate dative θυμῷ intensifies — a Hebraizing pleonasm for blazing anger.
θυμῷwith angerDativecognate dative (intensifying ὠργίσθη)θυμός: 'wrath / rage / passion'; the cognate dative ὠργίσθη θυμῷ ('was angered with anger') renders the Hebrew idiom וַיִּחַר אַפּוֹ ('his anger burned'), intensifying Zebul's fury at the sedition.
αὐτόςhimselfNominativeintensive pronoun (subject emphasis)αὐτός: 'himself'; the intensive pronoun underscores Zebul's personal indignation — the slighted governor takes Gaal's words as a direct affront.
31

καὶ ἀπέστειλεν ἀγγέλους πρὸς Αβιμελεχ ἐν κρυφῇ λέγων ἰδοὺ Γααλ υἱὸς Ιωβηλ καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ ἔρχονται εἰς Συχεμ καὶ ἰδοὺ αὐτοὶ περικάθηνται τὴν πόλιν ἐπὶ σέ

And he sent messengers secretly to Abimelech, saying: 'Behold, Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers are coming to Shechem, and behold, they are besieging the city against you.'

Zebul's covert reportκαὶ ἀπέστειλεν ἀγγέλους
Zebul acts covertly (ἐν κρυφῇ, 'in secret'), dispatching messengers to alert Abimelech. The double ἰδού ('behold ... behold') gives the report urgency and immediacy. The charge that Gaal's faction περικάθηνται τὴν πόλιν ἐπὶ σέ ('are turning the city against you') frames the threat as imminent insurrection requiring swift military response.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀπέστειλενsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (dispatching messengers)→ constative aoristἀποστέλλω: 'send / dispatch'; renders שָׁלַח; Zebul secretly sends word to Abimelech, initiating the counter-plot.
ἀγγέλουςmessengersAccusativedirect object of ἀπέστειλενἄγγελος: 'messenger / envoy'; renders מַלְאָךְ; here human couriers carrying Zebul's covert intelligence to Abimelech.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)πρὸς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner: 'secretly')ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
κρυφῇsecretDativedative of manner (with ἐν: 'in secret')κρυφή: 'secret / concealment'; the phrase ἐν κρυφῇ ('secretly / by stealth') renders Hebrew בְּתָרְמָה or similar; Zebul must act covertly while remaining in the city under Gaal's eye.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Sg · λέγωcircumstantial participle (Hebraizing speech-marker)→ imperfective participle (Hebraizing speech-marker)λέγω (pres. ptc.): the participle λέγων renders לֵאמֹר, introducing the content of the message.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (attention-marker)ἰδού: 'behold / look'; renders הִנֵּה; the presentative particle dramatizes the urgency of the report and points to the danger at hand.
ΓααλGaalsubject (indeclinable)Γααλ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
υἱὸςsonNominativeappositive to Γααλ (patronymic)υἱός: 'son'; patronymic of Gaal.
ΙωβηλEbedgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Ιωβηλ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἀδελφοί)οἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοὶbrothersNominativesubject (coordinate with Γααλ)ἀδελφός: 'brother'; Gaal's clan-faction, the seditious newcomers.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationshipαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
ἔρχονταιare comingPres Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb of the report (vivid present)→ progressive present (action in view)ἔρχομαι: 'come'; the present tense reports the danger as currently unfolding — Gaal's faction is actively establishing itself in Shechem.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΣυχεμShechemaccusative object of εἰς (indeclinable)Συχεμ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (second occurrence)ἰδού: 'behold'; the second presentative heightens the alarm of the second clause — the city itself turning hostile.
αὐτοὶtheyNominativeemphatic subject pronounαὐτός: 'they (themselves)'; stresses Gaal's faction as the active besiegers.
περικάθηνταιare besieging / setting againstPres Mid Indic 3 Pl · περικάθημαιmain verb of the report (vivid present)→ progressive presentπερικάθημαι: 'sit around / besiege / encircle'; the verb (lit. 'sit around') here means they are stirring/setting the city against Abimelech — fortifying it as a base of revolt; renders צוּר ('besiege') or similar.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόλιν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativedirect object of περικάθηνταιπόλις: 'city'; Shechem, being turned into Gaal's stronghold against Abimelech.
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)ἐπί + acc.: 'against'; the hostility is aimed at Abimelech personally — 'against you.'
σέyouAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (Abimelech)σέ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
32

καὶ νῦν ἀναστὰς νυκτὸς σὺ καὶ ὁ λαὸς ὁ μετὰ σοῦ καὶ ἐνέδρευσον ἐν τῷ ἀγρῷ

Now therefore rise up by night, you and the people who are with you, and lie in ambush in the field;

Zebul's tactical counsel (the ambush plan)καὶ νῦν ἀναστὰς νυκτὸς
Zebul shifts to military advice. The hinge καὶ νῦν ('now therefore') introduces the plan: a night march (νυκτός) and ambush in the field (ἐνέδρευσον ἐν τῷ ἀγρῷ). The ambush motif (cf. vv. 25, 35, 43) is the recurring tactic of the chapter; Zebul turns Shechem's own method against Gaal.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandtransitional conjunction (with νῦν)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
νῦνnowlogical transition adverbνῦν: 'now'; καὶ νῦν renders וְעַתָּה, the hinge from situation-report to imperative advice.
ἀναστὰςrising upAor Act Ptc Nom Masc Sg · ἀνίστημιcircumstantial participle (attendant to ἐνέδρευσον)→ coincident/antecedent actionἀνίστημι (aor. ptc. ἀναστάς): 'rise up / set out'; renders קוּם; the participle 'having risen' is the Hebraizing prelude to a command ('arise and ...'), marking the start of decisive action.
νυκτὸςby nightGenitivegenitive of time (within which: 'during the night')νύξ: 'night'; the genitive of time νυκτός ('by night') specifies the cover of darkness for the secret march — essential to a surprise ambush.
σὺyouNominativeemphatic subject (with the implied imperative subject)σύ: 'you'; Abimelech, the addressee of the plan; the explicit pronoun stresses his personal leadership of the ambush.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
theNominativearticle (with λαός)ὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeople / troopsNominativesubject (coordinate with σύ)λαός: 'people'; here Abimelech's troops/army; λαός commonly denotes a military force in Judges (cf. vv. 33–36, 42–48).
theNominativearticle (attributive, introducing μετὰ σοῦ phrase)ὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)μετὰ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
σοῦyouGenitivegenitive object of μετάthe phrase ὁ λαὸς ὁ μετὰ σοῦ ('the people who are with you') is a fixed formula for one's accompanying force, recurring in vv. 33–48.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐνέδρευσονlie in ambushAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἐνεδρεύωmain verb (the tactical command)→ ingressive aorist imperativeἐνεδρεύω: 'lie in wait / ambush'; renders אָרַב; the central command of Zebul's plan — set an ambush in the field, the same tactic Shechem used against travellers (v. 25), now redirected at Gaal.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τῷtheDativearticle (with ἀγρῷ)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀγρῷfieldDativedative of place (with ἐν)ἀγρός: 'field'; the open country outside Shechem, site of the ambush and the coming battle (vv. 42–44).
33

καὶ ἔσται τὸ πρωὶ ἅμα τῷ ἀνατεῖλαι τὸν ἥλιον ὀρθριεῖς καὶ ἐκτενεῖς ἐπὶ τὴν πόλιν καὶ ἰδοὺ αὐτὸς καὶ ὁ λαὸς ὁ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἐκπορεύονται πρὸς σέ καὶ ποιήσεις αὐτῷ ὅσα ἂν εὕρῃ ἡ χείρ σου

and it shall be in the morning, as soon as the sun rises, that you shall rise early and rush upon the city; and behold, when he and the people who are with him come out against you, you shall do to him whatever your hand finds.

Zebul's plan continued: the dawn assaultκαὶ ἔσται τὸ πρωὶ
The plan's second phase: at dawn (ἅμα τῷ ἀνατεῖλαι τὸν ἥλιον, 'as the sun rises') Abimelech is to spring the trap and storm the city. The free-hand authorization ποιήσεις … ὅσα ἂν εὕρῃ ἡ χείρ σου ('do whatever your hand finds') is an idiom for acting as opportunity allows — a chilling carte blanche against Gaal.
Word-by-word analysis· 36 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔσταιit shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (Hebraizing 'and it shall come to pass')→ predictive futureεἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'be'; καὶ ἔσται renders וְהָיָה ('and it shall come to pass'), a Hebraizing formula introducing a future temporal scenario.
τὸtheNominativearticle (with πρωί)τὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρωὶmorningNominativeadverbial accusative/nominative of time (substantivized)πρωί: 'early / morning'; the substantivized τὸ πρωί ('the morning') names the time of the assault; renders בַּבֹּקֶר.
ἅμαtogether with / as soon asadverb/preposition (temporal, with articular infinitive)ἅμα: 'at the same time / together with'; with the articular infinitive (τῷ ἀνατεῖλαι) it means 'at the moment of / as soon as' the sun rises.
τῷtheDativearticle + infinitive (temporal: 'at the rising')τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνατεῖλαιto riseAor Act Inf · ἀνατέλλωarticular infinitive of time (with ἅμα τῷ)→ ingressive aorist infinitive (the moment of first sprouting)ἀνατέλλω (aor. inf.): 'rise / spring up (of the sun)'; renders זָרַח; the articular infinitive with ἅμα τῷ marks the precise dawn moment for the attack.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with ἥλιον; accusative subject of the infinitive)τὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἥλιονsunAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive ἀνατεῖλαιἥλιος: 'sun'; renders שֶׁמֶשׁ; the accusative subject of the infinitive; sunrise fixes the hour of the dawn assault.
ὀρθριεῖςyou shall rise earlyFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ὀρθρίζωmain verb (instruction with future-imperatival force)→ imperatival future (command)ὀρθρίζω: 'rise early / do at dawn'; renders שָׁכַם (Hiphil); the imperatival future ('you shall rise early') commands the dawn attack; the verb emphasizes the surprise of an early-morning strike.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐκτενεῖςyou shall rush / stretch outFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἐκτείνωmain verb (imperatival future)→ imperatival future (command)ἐκτείνω: 'stretch out / extend / deploy'; renders פָּשַׁט ('make a raid / rush'); here of deploying/rushing the force against the city — a military advance (cf. the cognate ἐξέτειναν at vv. 44).
ἐπὶupon / againstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)ἐπὶ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόλιν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπίπόλις: 'city'; Shechem, the target of the dawn assault.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particleἰδού: 'behold'; anticipates Gaal's sortie, framing the moment the trap is sprung.
αὐτὸςheNominativesubject (Gaal)αὐτός: 'he'; Gaal, who will come out to meet the attack.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
theNominativearticle (with λαός)ὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject (coordinate with αὐτός)λαός: 'people / troops'; Gaal's followers.
theNominativearticle (attributive, μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ phrase)ὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)μετ᾿: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετ᾿the formula ὁ λαὸς ὁ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ('the people with him'), here of Gaal's force.
ἐκπορεύονταιcome outPres Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἐκπορεύομαιmain verb (vivid present in temporal scenario)→ futuristic present (anticipated sortie)ἐκπορεύομαι: 'go out / come out'; the present in the future scenario vividly anticipates Gaal's sortie to meet Abimelech — the moment the ambush is sprung.
πρὸςto / againstpreposition + accusative (direction)πρὸς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
σέyouAccusativeaccusative object of πρόςσέ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ποιήσειςyou shall doFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (imperatival future)→ imperatival future (authorization)ποιέω: 'do / act'; the imperatival future authorizes Abimelech to deal with Gaal as opportunity allows — a free hand for ruthless action.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object (Gaal)αὐτῷ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
ὅσαwhateverAccusativerelative pronoun (object: 'whatever things')ὅσος: 'as much/many as / whatever'; introduces the indefinite content of the free-hand authorization.
ἂνevermodal particle (with subjunctive in indefinite clause)ἄν: the modal particle marking the indefinite relative clause with the subjunctive εὕρῃ ('whatever ... may find').
εὕρῃmay findAor Act Subj 3 Sg · εὑρίσκωverb of indefinite relative clause→ indefinite subjunctiveεὑρίσκω (aor. subj.): 'find'; the idiom 'whatever your hand finds [to do]' (cf. 1 Sam 10:7; Eccl 9:10) means 'act as the occasion presents' — opportunistic, decisive action against Gaal.
theNominativearticle (with χείρ)ἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χείρhandNominativesubject of εὕρῃχείρ: 'hand'; in the idiom 'whatever your hand finds,' the hand stands by metonymy for one's capacity to act — do whatever you are able and the moment permits.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possessionσου: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
34

καὶ ἀνέστη Αβιμελεχ καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ νυκτὸς καὶ ἐνήδρευσαν ἐπὶ Συχεμ τέτρασιν ἀρχαῖς

And Abimelech rose up, and all the people who were with him, by night, and they lay in ambush against Shechem in four companies.

Execution of the plan: the night ambushκαὶ ἀνέστη Αβιμελεχ
Abimelech executes Zebul's plan precisely: a night march (νυκτός) and ambush against Shechem. The detail τέτρασιν ἀρχαῖς ('in four companies') shows tactical organization — dividing the force to surround the city; the same companies (ἀρχαί) reappear in the assault of vv. 43–44.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀνέστηrose upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνίστημιmain verb (Abimelech sets out)→ constative aoristἀνίστημι (aor. ἀνέστη): 'rise up / set out'; renders קוּם; Abimelech acts on Zebul's counsel (ἀναστάς, v. 32), mustering for the night march.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechsubject (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
πᾶςallNominativeattributive adjective (with λαός)πᾶς: 'all'; the whole of Abimelech's force joins the march.
theNominativearticle (with λαός)ὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeople / troopsNominativesubject (coordinate with Αβιμελεχ)λαός: 'people / troops'; Abimelech's army.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)μετ᾿: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετ᾿the formula 'the people with him' for Abimelech's force.
νυκτὸςby nightGenitivegenitive of time (within which)νύξ: 'night'; the genitive of time, fulfilling Zebul's instruction (νυκτός, v. 32) for a covert night approach.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐνήδρευσανthey lay in ambushAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐνεδρεύωmain verb (the ambush set)→ constative aoristἐνεδρεύω: 'lie in wait / ambush'; the execution of Zebul's command ἐνέδρευσον (v. 32); the force takes position around Shechem under cover of darkness.
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)ἐπὶ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΣυχεμShechemaccusative object of ἐπί (indeclinable)Συχεμ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
τέτρασινfourDativeattributive numeral (with ἀρχαῖς)τέσσαρες (dat. τέτρασιν): 'four'; the four divisions show tactical deployment to surround the city; the same companies/divisions recur in the assault (vv. 43–44, there 'three companies').
ἀρχαῖςcompanies / divisionsDativedative of manner (military divisions)ἀρχή: 'beginning / command / company'; here a military 'company / division' (rendering רֹאשׁ, 'detachment, head'); the four ἀρχαί are the units into which Abimelech split his force for the ambush.
35

καὶ ἐξῆλθεν Γααλ υἱὸς Ιωβηλ καὶ ἔστη πρὸς τῇ θύρᾳ τῆς πύλης τῆς πόλεως καὶ ἀνέστη Αβιμελεχ καὶ ὁ λαὸς ὁ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τοῦ ἐνέδρου

And Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood at the entrance of the gate of the city; and Abimelech rose up, and the people who were with him, from the ambush.

The trap is sprungκαὶ ἐξῆλθεν Γααλ
Morning comes: Gaal goes out and stands at the city gate (πρὸς τῇ θύρᾳ τῆς πύλης) — the public place of civic leadership, where he plays the confident commander. At that moment Abimelech springs the ambush (ἀνέστη … ἀπὸ τοῦ ἐνέδρου). The juxtaposition of Gaal's exposed posture and the rising ambush creates dramatic tension resolved in vv. 36–40.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐξῆλθενwent outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (Gaal emerges)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go out'; Gaal comes out to the gate, the public seat of authority, unaware of the ambush.
ΓααλGaalsubject (indeclinable)Γααλ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
υἱὸςsonNominativeappositive to Γααλ (patronymic)υἱός: 'son'; patronymic of Gaal.
ΙωβηλEbedgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Ιωβηλ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔστηstoodAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἵστημιmain verb (Gaal takes his post)→ constative aorist (intransitive)ἵστημι (aor. ἔστη): 'stand'; Gaal posts himself at the gate, the place of civic command — exposed and overconfident.
πρὸςatpreposition + dative (location)πρὸς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τῇtheDativearticle (with θύρᾳ)τῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θύρᾳentrance / doorDativedative object of πρός (location)θύρα: 'door / entrance'; here the gateway-entrance; the phrase θύρα τῆς πύλης ('the opening of the gate') denotes the city-gate's entry (cf. vv. 40, 44, 52).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with πύλης)τῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πύληςgateGenitivegenitive of relationship (with θύρᾳ)πύλη: 'gate'; renders שַׁעַר; the city-gate, the hub of civic and military activity; Gaal's standing there asserts his claim to leadership.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with πόλεως)τῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεωςcityGenitivegenitive of relationship (with πύλης)πόλις: 'city'; Shechem; 'the gate of the city' completes the locative phrase.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀνέστηrose upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνίστημιmain verb (the ambush springs)→ constative aoristἀνίστημι (aor. ἀνέστη): 'rise up'; Abimelech and his men spring from concealment — the trap is sprung at the moment Gaal stands exposed at the gate.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechsubject (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
theNominativearticle (with λαός)ὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeople / troopsNominativesubject (coordinate with Αβιμελεχ)λαός: 'people / troops'; Abimelech's ambushing force.
theNominativearticle (attributive, μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ phrase)ὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)μετ᾿: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετ᾿the formula 'the people with him' for Abimelech's force.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source: out of the ambush)ἀπὸ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ἐνέδρου)τοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνέδρουambushGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (source)ἔνεδρον: 'ambush / place of ambush'; renders מַאֲרָב; the concealed position from which Abimelech's force springs; cognate with the verb ἐνεδρεύω (vv. 25, 32, 34).
36

καὶ εἶδεν Γααλ υἱὸς Ιωβηλ τὸν λαὸν καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς Ζεβουλ ἰδοὺ λαὸς καταβαίνει ἀπὸ κεφαλῶν τῶν ὀρέων καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτὸν Ζεβουλ τὴν σκιὰν τῶν ὀρέων σὺ βλέπεις ὡς ἄνδρας

And Gaal son of Ebed saw the people and said to Zebul: 'Behold, people are coming down from the tops of the mountains!' But Zebul said to him: 'You are seeing the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.'

Zebul's deception of Gaal (dramatic irony)καὶ εἶδεν Γααλ
A scene of dramatic irony: Gaal spots the descending troops, but Zebul — still maintaining his cover and stalling for Abimelech — dismisses them as 'the shadow of the mountains.' Zebul's deft deflection keeps Gaal off-balance and committed to the city until the force is fully revealed (v. 37), ensuring the trap closes.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἶδενsawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (Gaal spots the troops)→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. εἶδεν): 'see'; Gaal observes the advancing force — the visual that triggers the exchange with Zebul.
ΓααλGaalsubject (indeclinable)Γααλ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
υἱὸςsonNominativeappositive to Γααλ (patronymic)υἱός: patronymic of Gaal.
ΙωβηλEbedgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Ιωβηλ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with λαόν)τὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeople / troopsAccusativedirect object of εἶδενλαός: 'people / troops'; Abimelech's advancing force, seen descending the mountains.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Gaal speaks to Zebul)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces Gaal's alarmed report to Zebul.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)πρὸς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΖεβουλZebulaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)Ζεβουλ: still beside Gaal, maintaining his cover as he stalls.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particleἰδού: 'behold'; Gaal's alarmed pointing-out of the descending troops.
λαὸςpeople / troopsNominativesubject of καταβαίνειλαός: 'people / troops'; the force Gaal sees descending.
καταβαίνειis coming downPres Act Indic 3 Sg · καταβαίνωmain verb of Gaal's report (vivid present)→ progressive present (action in view)καταβαίνω: 'go/come down / descend'; renders יָרַד; the present vividly reports the troops descending from the heights — exactly the ambush positions of v. 25, 34.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)ἀπὸ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
κεφαλῶνtops / headsGenitivegenitive object of ἀπόκεφαλή: 'head / top'; 'the tops of the mountains,' the high ground (cf. v. 25); the descending troops emerge from the heights where they had lain in ambush.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with ὀρέων)τῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀρέωνmountainsGenitivegenitive of relationship (with κεφαλῶν)ὄρος: 'mountain'; the heights around Shechem.
καὶbutnarrative conjunction (adversative in force)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Zebul's deflecting reply)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces Zebul's misdirection — a calculated lie to keep Gaal from acting too soon.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)πρὸς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Gaal)αὐτὸν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
ΖεβουλZebulsubject (indeclinable)Ζεβουλ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with σκιάν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκιὰνshadowAccusativedirect object of βλέπεις (fronted for emphasis)σκιά: 'shadow / shade'; renders צֵל; Zebul's deflection — 'you mistake the mountains' shadows for men'; the fronted position stresses the supposed illusion; ironic echo of the bramble's empty σκιά (v. 15).
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with ὀρέων)τῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀρέωνmountainsGenitivegenitive of relationship (with σκιάν)ὄρος: 'mountain'; the shadows of which Zebul claims Gaal is seeing.
σὺyouNominativeemphatic subject pronoun (with βλέπεις)σύ: the emphatic 'you' carries a faintly mocking tone — 'it's just shadows you're seeing.'
βλέπειςyou seePres Act Indic 2 Sg · βλέπωmain verb (Zebul's deflecting claim)→ progressive presentβλέπω: 'see / look'; Zebul's insistence that Gaal is misperceiving — the deception that buys Abimelech time.
ὡςas / as ifcomparative particle ('as if they were')ὡς: 'as / as if'; introduces the false comparison — Gaal is allegedly seeing shadows 'as men.'
ἄνδραςmenAccusativeaccusative (object of the implied comparison)ἀνήρ: 'man'; the shadows are mistaken 'as men' — the very soldiers Gaal will soon face in earnest.
37

καὶ προσέθετο ἔτι Γααλ τοῦ λαλῆσαι καὶ εἶπεν ἰδοὺ λαὸς καταβαίνων κατὰ θάλασσαν ἀπὸ τοῦ ἐχόμενα ὀμφαλοῦ τῆς γῆς καὶ ἀρχὴ ἑτέρα ἔρχεται διὰ ὁδοῦ Ηλωνμαωνενιμ

And Gaal spoke again and said: 'Behold, people are coming down from the direction of the navel of the land, and another company is coming by the way of the Diviners' Oak.'

Gaal's second sighting (the truth dawns)καὶ προσέθετο ἔτι Γααλ
Gaal can no longer be deflected. The Hebraism προσέθετο … τοῦ λαλῆσαι ('he added to speak' = 'he spoke again') renders יָסַף. He now sees clearly: troops from the 'navel of the land' (ὀμφαλοῦ τῆς γῆς, a geographic landmark) and another company by the 'Diviners' Oak.' The transliterated place-name Ηλωνμαωνενιμ (the oak/terebinth of the soothsayers) recalls the cultic landscape of Shechem.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
προσέθετοspoke again / addedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · προστίθημιmain verb (auxiliary in Hebraizing idiom)→ constative aoristπροστίθημι (mid.): 'add / do again'; the idiom προσέθετο … τοῦ λαλῆσαι ('he added to speak') renders the Hebrew auxiliary יָסַף + infinitive ('he spoke again / continued speaking'), a characteristic LXX calque.
ἔτιstill / againadverb (reinforcing the 'again' idiom)ἔτι: 'still / yet / further'; reinforces the iterative sense — Gaal speaks once more, no longer fooled.
ΓααλGaalsubject (indeclinable)Γααλ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
τοῦtoGenitivearticle + infinitive (complementary, in the idiom)τοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαλῆσαιto speakAor Act Inf · λαλέωcomplementary infinitive (with προσέθετο)→ aorist infinitiveλαλέω (aor. inf.): 'speak'; the complementary infinitive completing the 'spoke again' idiom.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introducing the second report)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces Gaal's clearer, second observation of the advancing force.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particleἰδού: 'behold'; the urgency mounts as Gaal recognizes the reality of the attack.
λαὸςpeople / troopsNominativesubject (with the participle καταβαίνων)λαός: 'people / troops'; the advancing force, now unmistakable.
καταβαίνωνcoming downPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Sg · καταβαίνωattributive/predicative participle (with λαός)→ progressive aspect (descent in view)καταβαίνω (pres. ptc.): 'coming down'; the participle vividly depicts the troops descending — the same verb as Gaal's first report (v. 36), now beyond doubt.
κατὰtoward / from the direction ofpreposition + accusative (direction)κατά + acc.: 'down along / toward / in the direction of'; here orienting the descent by a geographic bearing.
θάλασσανsea / westAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (directional)θάλασσα: 'sea'; in Hebrew orientation 'the sea' (יָם) means 'the west'; so κατὰ θάλασσαν = 'toward/from the west' — the compass-bearing of the descending troops.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)ἀπὸ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (substantivizing the following phrase)τοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐχόμεναthe region near / next toPres Mid Ptc Acc Neut Pl · ἔχωsubstantival participle (idiom: 'the parts adjoining')ἔχω (mid. ptc. ἐχόμενα): lit. 'holding to / adjoining'; the middle participle τὰ ἐχόμενα ('the parts next to / vicinity of') is an idiom for 'the region adjoining'; renders Hebrew 'from beside' — the troops come from the vicinity of the landmark named next.
ὀμφαλοῦnavelGenitivegenitive (with the adjoining idiom: 'near the navel')ὀμφαλός: 'navel / central point'; renders Hebrew טַבּוּר ('navel / height'); the 'navel of the land' is a landmark (perhaps a central hill or sacred high place near Shechem); the striking image marks Shechem's region as a central, even cosmic, point.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with γῆς)τῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςland / earthGenitivegenitive of relationship (with ὀμφαλοῦ)γῆ: 'land / earth'; 'the navel of the land' (ὀμφαλὸς τῆς γῆς) is a geographic/sacral designation; later Jewish tradition applied the same image to Zion (cf. Ezek 38:12).
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀρχὴcompany / divisionNominativesubject of ἔρχεταιἀρχή: 'company / division' (as in v. 34); a second detachment of Abimelech's force approaching by another route — confirming the multi-pronged ambush.
ἑτέραanotherNominativeattributive adjective (with ἀρχή)ἕτερος: 'other / another'; marks this as a distinct second column, increasing the visible threat.
ἔρχεταιis comingPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (vivid present)→ progressive presentἔρχομαι: 'come'; the present depicts the second column's approach as in progress.
διὰby / throughpreposition + genitive (route)διά + gen.: 'through / by way of'; marks the route of the second column.
ὁδοῦway / roadGenitivegenitive object of διάὁδός: 'road / way'; the route named by the following landmark.
Ηλωνμαωνενιμthe Diviners' Oakgenitive of relationship (indeclinable place-name)Ηλωνμαωνενιμ: a composite transliteration of Hebrew אֵלוֹן מְעוֹנְנִים ('the oak/terebinth of the soothsayers/diviners'); indeclinable; a cultic landmark near Shechem (cf. Gen 12:6, the oak of Moreh); its name evokes the divinatory cult that pervades the Shechemite landscape.
38

καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτὸν Ζεβουλ καὶ ποῦ ἐστιν τὸ στόμα σου ὡς ἐλάλησας τίς ἐστιν Αβιμελεχ ὅτι δουλεύσομεν αὐτῷ μὴ οὐχὶ οὗτος ὁ λαός ὃν ἐξουδένωσας ἔξελθε δὴ νῦν καὶ παράταξαι αὐτῷ

And Zebul said to him: 'Where now is your mouth, with which you said, Who is Abimelech that we should serve him? Is this not the people you despised? Go out now and fight against him!'

Zebul throws off the mask and taunts Gaalκαὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτὸν Ζεβουλ
Zebul drops the pretense and turns Gaal's own bravado against him. The biting ποῦ ἐστιν τὸ στόμα σου ('where now is your mouth?') and the verbatim quotation of Gaal's boast (τίς ἐστιν Αβιμελεχ ... v. 28) expose the demagogue. The taunt μὴ οὐχί ('is this not?') and the dare ἔξελθε δὴ νῦν καὶ παράταξαι ('go out now and fight') force Gaal into the battle he cannot win.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Zebul's taunt)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces Zebul's withering taunt now that the trap is sprung.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)πρὸς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Gaal)αὐτὸν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
ΖεβουλZebulsubject (indeclinable)Ζεβουλ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶand / soconjunction (introducing the taunt-question)καί: here introducing the rhetorical question with a tone of derision — 'so where is your mouth now?'
ποῦwhereinterrogative adverbποῦ: 'where?'; the taunting 'where now is your mouth?' mocks Gaal's earlier bluster.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative presentεἰμί: the copula of the taunt-question.
τὸtheNominativearticle (with στόμα)τὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στόμαmouthNominativesubject of ἐστινστόμα: 'mouth'; renders פֶּה; 'your mouth' = your big talk/boasting; the metonymy exposes Gaal's bravado as empty words.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possessionσου: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
ὡςwith which / asrelative/comparative particle ('with which you said')ὡς: here 'with which / inasmuch as' introducing the recollection of Gaal's own words.
ἐλάλησαςyou saidAor Act Indic 2 Sg · λαλέωverb of relative clause (recalling Gaal's boast)→ constative aoristλαλέω: 'speak'; Zebul throws Gaal's own speech (v. 28) back at him.
τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (quoting Gaal)τίς: 'who?'; the verbatim quotation of Gaal's contemptuous boast from v. 28.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (within the quotation)→ stative presentεἰμί: the copula of the quoted boast.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechsubject of ἐστιν (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ὅτιthatconjunction (consecutive, within the quotation)ὅτι: 'that'; reproduces the consecutive clause of Gaal's boast (v. 28).
δουλεύσομενwe should serveFut Act Indic 1 Pl · δουλεύωverb of the quoted consecutive clause→ deliberative-future (quoted)δουλεύω: 'serve'; the quoted defiance — 'that we should serve him' — now thrown back mockingly.
αὐτῷhimDativedative object of δουλεύσομεναὐτῷ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
μὴis it not?interrogative negative (with οὐχί: expecting 'yes')μή (with οὐχί): the combination μὴ οὐχί forms a strong rhetorical question expecting an affirmative answer — 'is this not the very people...?'
οὐχὶnotemphatic negative (reinforcing μή)οὐχί: emphatic 'not'; with μή it makes the taunt-question pointed — 'surely this is the people you despised!'
οὗτοςthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject)οὗτος: 'this'; points to the advancing army — the very force Gaal had dismissed.
theNominativearticle (with λαός)ὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαόςpeopleNominativepredicate nominative (with οὗτος)λαός: 'people'; Abimelech's force, identified as the very 'people' Gaal had scorned.
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐξουδένωσας)ὅς: 'whom'; introduces the relative clause recalling Gaal's contempt.
ἐξουδένωσαςyou despisedAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ἐξουδενόωverb of relative clause→ constative aoristἐξουδενόω: 'despise / treat as nothing / hold in contempt'; renders מָאַס / בָּזָה; recalls Gaal's scorn (v. 28); Zebul's point: now face the army you mocked.
ἔξελθεgo outAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (the dare to battle)→ ingressive aorist imperative (challenge)ἐξέρχομαι (aor. impv. ἔξελθε): 'go out'; Zebul flings Gaal's own challenge-word back (cf. ἔξελθε, v. 29) — 'now go out and fight, as you boasted you would.'
δὴnow / thenhortatory particle (urging the imperative)δή: the particle of urgency/challenge ('go on, then!'), sharpening the taunt.
νῦνnowtemporal adverbνῦν: 'now'; presses immediacy — the moment of reckoning has come.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
παράταξαιfight / draw up for battleAor Mid Impv 2 Sg · παρατάσσωmain verb (the battle command)→ ingressive aorist imperativeπαρατάσσω (mid. impv. παράταξαι): 'draw up in battle / engage'; renders עָרַךְ מִלְחָמָה; the middle 'array yourself for battle / give battle' — Zebul forces the boaster to back his words with arms.
αὐτῷagainst himDativedative object of παράταξαι (the foe)the dative αὐτῷ with παρατάσσομαι denotes the adversary engaged ('fight against him').
39

καὶ ἐξῆλθεν Γααλ ἐνώπιον ἀνδρῶν Συχεμ καὶ παρετάξατο πρὸς Αβιμελεχ

And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem and fought against Abimelech.

The battle joinedκαὶ ἐξῆλθεν Γααλ
Goaded, Gaal goes out 'before the men of Shechem' (ἐνώπιον ἀνδρῶν Συχεμ) — leading the citizens he had won — and engages Abimelech in open battle. The verb παρετάξατο echoes Zebul's dare (παράταξαι, v. 38); the boaster must now make good on his words, with the outcome already foreshadowed.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐξῆλθενwent outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (Gaal sallies forth)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go out'; Gaal sallies out to battle, obeying (under taunt) Zebul's ἔξελθε of v. 38.
ΓααλGaalsubject (indeclinable)Γααλ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐνώπιονbefore / at the head ofpreposition + genitive (in front of)ἐνώπιον: 'before / in front of / in the sight of'; renders לִפְנֵי; Gaal leads out 'before / at the head of' the Shechemite citizens — publicly committed as their champion.
ἀνδρῶνmenGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιονἀνήρ: the lords/citizens of Shechem, whom Gaal leads into battle; again ἄνδρες, not κύριος.
Συχεμof Shechemgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Συχεμ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
παρετάξατοfoughtAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · παρατάσσωmain verb (engaging in battle)→ constative aoristπαρατάσσω (mid.): 'draw up in battle / give battle'; Gaal engages Abimelech, fulfilling Zebul's command παράταξαι (v. 38) — but the battle goes against him.
πρὸςagainstpreposition + accusative (adversary)πρός + acc.: here 'against' the foe in the battle-array idiom.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
40

καὶ ἐδίωξεν αὐτὸν Αβιμελεχ καὶ ἔφυγεν ἀπὸ προσώπου αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔπεσαν τραυματίαι πολλοὶ ἕως τῆς θύρας τῆς πύλης

And Abimelech pursued him, and he fled before him, and many fell slain, up to the entrance of the gate.

Gaal's routκαὶ ἐδίωξεν αὐτὸν Αβιμελεχ
The boaster is routed. Abimelech pursues; Gaal flees ἀπὸ προσώπου αὐτοῦ ('before his face'). The grim tally ἔπεσαν τραυματίαι πολλοί ('many fell slain') reaching ἕως τῆς θύρας τῆς πύλης ('up to the gate-entrance') shows the slaughter pressed to the very threshold where Gaal had so confidently stood (v. 35) — his bravado utterly undone.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐδίωξενpursuedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διώκωmain verb (Abimelech routs Gaal)→ constative aoristδιώκω: 'pursue / chase'; renders רָדַף; Abimelech drives Gaal in flight — the decisive reversal of the would-be usurper.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἐδίωξεν (Gaal)αὐτὸν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechsubject (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔφυγενfledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · φεύγωmain verb (Gaal's flight)→ constative aoristφεύγω: 'flee'; Gaal flees before Abimelech — the inglorious end of his rebellion.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (idiom: 'from the face of')ἀπὸ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
προσώπουface / presenceGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (idiomatic)πρόσωπον: 'face'; the idiom ἀπὸ προσώπου ('from before / from the face of') renders מִפְּנֵי; Gaal flees from Abimelech's presence in defeat (cf. v. 21).
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive of possession (Abimelech's face)αὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔπεσανfellAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πίπτωmain verb (the casualties)→ constative aoristπίπτω (aor. ἔπεσαν): 'fall'; the idiom for falling dead/wounded in battle; renders נָפַל; the Shechemite casualties in Gaal's rout.
τραυματίαιslain / woundedNominativesubject of ἔπεσαν (predicate-like)τραυματίας: 'one wounded/slain (in battle)'; renders חָלָל ('pierced, slain'); the battle-dead of Shechem strewn in the rout.
πολλοὶmanyNominativeattributive adjective (with τραυματίαι)πολύς: 'many'; the heavy toll underscores the completeness of Gaal's defeat.
ἕωςup topreposition + genitive (extent)ἕως: 'up to / as far as'; the slain lie all the way to the gate, showing how far the rout was pressed.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with θύρας)τῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θύραςentrance / doorGenitivegenitive object of ἕωςθύρα: 'door / entrance'; the gate-entrance where Gaal had stood (v. 35) — the slaughter reaches the very threshold of his earlier confidence.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with πύλης)τῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πύληςgateGenitivegenitive of relationship (with θύρας)πύλη: 'gate'; the city-gate of Shechem; the rout's end-point.
41

καὶ εἰσῆλθεν Αβιμελεχ ἐν Αρημα καὶ ἐξέβαλεν Ζεβουλ τὸν Γααλ καὶ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ μὴ οἰκεῖν ἐν Συχεμ

And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah, and Zebul drove out Gaal and his brothers, so that they should not dwell in Shechem.

Episode E conclusion: Gaal expelledκαὶ εἰσῆλθεν Αβιμελεχ ἐν Αρημα
Abimelech withdraws to Arumah (his base), while Zebul, now openly in control, expels Gaal and his clan from Shechem (μὴ οἰκεῖν ἐν Συχεμ, 'so as not to dwell in Shechem'). The Gaal revolt is crushed — but the city's disloyalty remains, setting up Abimelech's punitive destruction of Shechem itself (vv. 42–45).
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἰσῆλθενentered / dweltAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (Abimelech withdraws to his base)→ constative aoristεἰσέρχομαι: 'enter / go in'; here of Abimelech entering/taking up residence at Arumah, his operational base near Shechem; renders יָשַׁב in sense.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechsubject (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐνin / atpreposition + dative (locative)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΑρημαArumahdative object of ἐν (indeclinable place-name)Αρημα: transliteration of Hebrew אֲרוּמָה (Arumah); indeclinable; a town near Shechem serving as Abimelech's base of operations.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐξέβαλενdrove outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκβάλλωmain verb (Zebul expels Gaal)→ constative aoristἐκβάλλω: 'cast out / drive out / expel'; renders גָּרַשׁ; Zebul, now in firm control, banishes the defeated Gaal and his faction from the city.
ΖεβουλZebulsubject (indeclinable)Ζεβουλ: the loyal governor, victorious, who removes the rebel element from Shechem.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (marking Γααλ as object)τὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΓααλGaalaccusative object of ἐξέβαλεν (indeclinable)Γααλ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ἀδελφούς)τοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοὺςbrothersAccusativesecond direct object of ἐξέβαλενἀδελφός: 'brother'; Gaal's clan-faction, expelled along with him.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationshipαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
μὴnotnegative particle (with infinitive of result/purpose)μή: the negative with the infinitive expressing the result/intent of the expulsion ('so as not to dwell').
οἰκεῖνto dwellPres Act Inf · οἰκέωinfinitive of result/purpose (with μή)→ progressive / durative (ongoing residence)οἰκέω (pres. inf.): 'dwell / live'; renders יָשַׁב; the infinitive of result — Gaal's faction is barred from residence in Shechem; the rebel presence is purged.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΣυχεμShechemdative object of ἐν (indeclinable)Συχεμ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
42

καὶ ἐγένετο τῇ ἐπαύριον καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ὁ λαὸς εἰς τὸν ἀγρόν καὶ ἀνήγγειλεν τῷ Αβιμελεχ

And it came to pass on the next day that the people went out into the field, and it was reported to Abimelech.

Episode F opening: the day of Shechem's destructionκαὶ ἐγένετο τῇ ἐπαύριον
The Hebraizing καὶ ἐγένετο ('and it came to pass') opens the climactic punitive campaign. The Shechemite populace, unaware or overconfident, goes out into the field — exposing themselves; and word reaches Abimelech, who turns the routine outing into a death-trap (vv. 43–45).
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐγένετοit came to passAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (Hebraizing temporal formula)→ constative aoristγίνομαι (aor. ἐγένετο): 'become / happen'; καὶ ἐγένετο renders וַיְהִי ('and it came to pass'), the standard LXX narrative-temporal formula introducing a new episode.
τῇon theDativearticle (with ἐπαύριον)τῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐπαύριονnext dayDativeadverbial dative of time (substantivized: 'on the morrow')ἐπαύριον: 'the next day / morrow'; the dative τῇ ἐπαύριον ('on the next day') renders מִמָּחֳרָת; marks the day after Gaal's expulsion as the day of Shechem's doom.
καὶthat / andnarrative conjunction (apodotic καί after ἐγένετο)καί: here the apodotic καί following καὶ ἐγένετο — a Hebraism (the וַיְהִי ... וַ construction) left untranslated in smooth English ('it came to pass ... that').
ἐξῆλθενwent outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (the populace goes to the field)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go out'; the people leave the city for the fields (perhaps to work or harvest), exposing themselves to ambush.
theNominativearticle (with λαός)ὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of ἐξῆλθενλαός: 'people'; here the civilian populace of Shechem, soon to be slaughtered in the field.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with ἀγρόν)τὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀγρόνfieldAccusativeaccusative object of εἰςἀγρός: 'field'; the open country, where the populace becomes vulnerable to Abimelech's waiting force.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀνήγγειλενit was reported / one reportedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναγγέλλωmain verb (impersonal/indefinite subject: news to Abimelech)→ constative aoristἀναγγέλλω: 'report / announce'; here with indefinite subject ('it was reported / someone reported') the movement of the people is conveyed to Abimelech, who exploits it.
τῷtoDativearticle (with Αβιμελεχ as dative)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechdative indirect object (indeclinable, marked by article)Αβιμελεχ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
43

καὶ ἔλαβεν τὸν λαὸν καὶ διεῖλεν αὐτοὺς εἰς τρεῖς ἀρχὰς καὶ ἐνήδρευσεν ἐν ἀγρῷ καὶ εἶδεν καὶ ἰδοὺ ὁ λαὸς ἐξῆλθεν ἐκ τῆς πόλεως καὶ ἀνέστη ἐπ᾿ αὐτοὺς καὶ ἐπάταξεν αὐτούς

And he took the people and divided them into three companies and lay in ambush in the field; and he looked, and behold, the people came out of the city, and he rose up against them and struck them.

The ambush and slaughter in the fieldκαὶ ἔλαβεν τὸν λαὸν
Abimelech repeats the ambush tactic, now dividing his force into τρεῖς ἀρχάς ('three companies'). The narrative ἰδού marks the moment the unsuspecting populace emerges and the trap closes: ἀνέστη ἐπ᾿ αὐτοὺς καὶ ἐπάταξεν ('he rose against them and struck them'). The field outing becomes a massacre, the prelude to the city's destruction.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (Abimelech musters his force)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take'; renders לָקַח; Abimelech takes his troops to set the ambush — 'the people' here being his own force.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with λαόν)τὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeople / troopsAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβενλαός: 'people / troops'; here Abimelech's own military force (distinct from the Shechemite populace later in the verse).
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
διεῖλενdividedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διαιρέωmain verb (dividing the force)→ constative aoristδιαιρέω: 'divide / distribute'; renders חָצָה; Abimelech splits his force into three units for a coordinated ambush — recalling the four companies of v. 34.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of διεῖλεναὐτοὺς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (result of division)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τρεῖςthreeAccusativeattributive numeral (with ἀρχάς)τρεῖς: 'three'; the three companies of the ambush (cf. Gideon's three companies, 7:16); tactical subdivision for encirclement.
ἀρχὰςcompaniesAccusativeaccusative object of εἰςἀρχή: 'company / division' (as v. 34); the military units into which the force is split.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐνήδρευσενlay in ambushAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐνεδρεύωmain verb (setting the ambush)→ constative aoristἐνεδρεύω: 'lie in wait / ambush'; the recurring ambush tactic (vv. 25, 32, 34), now deployed against the city's populace in the field.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ἀγρῷfieldDativedative of place (with ἐν)ἀγρός: 'field'; the ambush-ground where the unsuspecting populace will be caught.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἶδενlooked / sawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (Abimelech watches for the moment)→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. εἶδεν): 'see / look'; Abimelech watches from concealment for the populace to emerge — the signal to strike.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (marking what is seen)ἰδού: 'behold'; dramatizes the moment the populace comes into view — the trap about to close.
theNominativearticle (with λαός)ὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of ἐξῆλθενλαός: 'people'; here the Shechemite populace emerging from the city — the ambush's victims.
ἐξῆλθενcame outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιverb (the populace emerges)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go out'; the populace exits the city, walking into the ambush.
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (source)ἐκ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with πόλεως)τῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεωςcityGenitivegenitive object of ἐκπόλις: 'city'; Shechem, from which the doomed populace emerges.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀνέστηrose upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνίστημιmain verb (the ambush springs)→ constative aoristἀνίστημι (aor. ἀνέστη): 'rise up'; Abimelech springs from ambush against the exposed populace — as at v. 35.
ἐπ᾿againstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)ἐπ᾿: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπ᾿ (the populace)αὐτοὺς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐπάταξενstruckAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πατάσσωmain verb (the slaughter)→ constative aoristπατάσσω: 'strike / smite / slay'; renders נָכָה; the lethal blow against the populace — the slaughter that precedes the razing of the city.
αὐτούςthemAccusativedirect object of ἐπάταξεναὐτούς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
44

καὶ Αβιμελεχ καὶ οἱ ἀρχηγοὶ οἱ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἐξέτειναν καὶ ἔστησαν παρὰ τὴν θύραν τῆς πύλης τῆς πόλεως καὶ αἱ δύο ἀρχαὶ ἐξέτειναν ἐπὶ πάντας τοὺς ἐν τῷ ἀγρῷ καὶ ἐπάταξαν αὐτούς

And Abimelech and the commanders who were with him rushed forward and took their stand at the entrance of the gate of the city, while the two companies rushed upon all who were in the field and struck them.

The coordinated pincer assaultκαὶ Αβιμελεχ καὶ οἱ ἀρχηγοὶ
The three-company tactic plays out: Abimelech's column seizes the gate (cutting off retreat into the city), while αἱ δύο ἀρχαί ('the two companies') fall on those in the field. The doubled ἐξέτειναν ('rushed/deployed') marks the swift pincer movement; the slaughter is total. This sets up the storming of the now-undefended city in v. 45.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechsubject (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἀρχηγοί)οἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀρχηγοὶcommanders / chiefsNominativesubject (coordinate with Αβιμελεχ)ἀρχηγός: 'leader / chief / commander'; renders רֹאשׁ; the officers of Abimelech's column who seize the gate; distinct from the ἀρχαί (companies) of the same verse.
οἱtheNominativearticle (attributive, μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ phrase)οἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)μετ᾿: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετ᾿the formula 'those with him' for Abimelech's lead column.
ἐξέτεινανrushed forward / deployedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐκτείνωmain verb (the column charges)→ constative aoristἐκτείνω: 'stretch out / extend / rush'; here of a military rush/deployment (as the imperatival ἐκτενεῖς, v. 33); Abimelech's column charges to seize the gate.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔστησανtook their standAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἵστημιmain verb (seizing the gate)→ constative aoristἵστημι (aor. ἔστησαν): 'stand / take a stand'; Abimelech's column positions itself at the gate to block the populace's escape back into the city — the anvil of the pincer.
παρὰat / besidepreposition + accusative (position)παρά + acc.: 'beside / at'; positioning at the gate-entrance.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with θύραν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θύρανentranceAccusativeaccusative object of παράθύρα: 'door / entrance'; the gate-entrance (cf. vv. 35, 40, 52), now seized to seal off the city.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with πύλης)τῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πύληςgateGenitivegenitive of relationship (with θύραν)πύλη: 'gate'; the city-gate, the choke-point of the assault.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with πόλεως)τῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεωςcityGenitivegenitive of relationship (with πύλης)πόλις: 'city'; Shechem; 'the gate of the city.'
καὶwhile / andcoordinate conjunction (introducing the second prong)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
αἱtheNominativearticle (with ἀρχαί)αἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δύοtwoattributive numeral (with ἀρχαί)δύο: 'two'; the other two of the three companies (v. 43), assigned to attack those caught in the field.
ἀρχαὶcompaniesNominativesubject (the second prong of the pincer)ἀρχή: 'company / division'; the two units that fall upon the populace in the field while Abimelech holds the gate.
ἐξέτεινανrushedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐκτείνωmain verb (the two companies charge)→ constative aoristἐκτείνω: 'rush / deploy'; the two companies charge the field — completing the pincer movement.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)ἐπὶ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
πάνταςallAccusativesubstantival adjective (object of ἐπί)πᾶς: 'all'; the totality of those caught in the field — none spared.
τοὺςthoseAccusativearticle (substantivizing the ἐν τῷ ἀγρῷ phrase)τοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τῷtheDativearticle (with ἀγρῷ)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀγρῷfieldDativedative of place (with ἐν)ἀγρός: 'field'; where the populace was caught and slaughtered.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐπάταξανstruckAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πατάσσωmain verb (the slaughter)→ constative aoristπατάσσω: 'strike / smite / slay'; the two companies cut down the populace in the field — completing the massacre before the city is razed.
αὐτούςthemAccusativedirect object of ἐπάταξαναὐτούς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
45

καὶ Αβιμελεχ παρετάσσετο ἐν τῇ πόλει ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν ἐκείνην καὶ κατελάβετο τὴν πόλιν καὶ τὸν λαὸν τὸν ἐν αὐτῇ ἀπέκτεινεν καὶ καθεῖλεν τὴν πόλιν καὶ ἔσπειρεν εἰς ἅλας

And Abimelech fought against the city all that day, and he captured the city and killed the people who were in it, and he tore down the city and sowed it with salt.

The razing of Shechem and the sowing with saltκαὶ Αβιμελεχ παρετάσσετο
The climax of the punitive campaign. After a day-long assault (παρετάσσετο … ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν), Abimelech captures Shechem, slaughters its people, demolishes it (καθεῖλεν), and ἔσπειρεν εἰς ἅλας ('sowed it with salt') — a symbolic act of permanent desolation and curse (cf. Deut 29:23), declaring the site forever barren. The first half of Jotham's curse (v. 20) is now realized.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechsubject (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
παρετάσσετοwas fightingImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · παρατάσσωmain verb (durative assault)→ durative imperfect (sustained battle)παρατάσσω (mid.): 'give battle / fight'; the imperfect παρετάσσετο depicts a sustained, all-day assault on the city — the protracted siege-battle before its fall.
ἐνagainst / atpreposition + dative (location of battle)ἐν: here 'at / against' in the battle-context — Abimelech fights at/against the city.
τῇtheDativearticle (with πόλει)τῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλειcityDativedative object of ἐνπόλις: 'city'; Shechem, now the object of Abimelech's full assault.
ὅληνwholeAccusativeattributive adjective (with ἡμέραν)ὅλος: 'whole / entire'; 'all that day' (ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν) stresses the duration and ferocity of the assault.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ἡμέραν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρανdayAccusativeaccusative of duration of timeἡμέρα: 'day'; the accusative of extent ('for the whole day') marks the length of the battle.
ἐκείνηνthatAccusativedemonstrative adjective (with ἡμέραν)ἐκεῖνος: 'that'; 'that day' — the fateful day of Shechem's destruction.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
κατελάβετοcapturedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · καταλαμβάνωmain verb (the city falls)→ constative aoristκαταλαμβάνω (mid.): 'seize / capture / take'; renders לָכַד; Abimelech takes the city by force; the middle stresses his personal seizure of it.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόλιν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativedirect object of κατελάβετοπόλις: 'city'; Shechem, captured.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with λαόν)τὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeopleAccusativedirect object of ἀπέκτεινεν (fronted)λαός: 'people'; the inhabitants of Shechem, slaughtered when the city falls.
τὸνthe / whoAccusativearticle (attributive, introducing ἐν αὐτῇ phrase)τὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
αὐτῇitDativedative object of ἐν (the city)the phrase τὸν λαὸν τὸν ἐν αὐτῇ ('the people who were in it') specifies the city's inhabitants slain.
ἀπέκτεινενkilledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκτείνωmain verb (the slaughter of the inhabitants)→ constative aoristἀποκτείνω: 'kill'; the slaughter of Shechem's people — the same verb used of the murder of the seventy (vv. 5, 18, 24), now the city's own doom in just recompense.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
καθεῖλενtore downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καθαιρέωmain verb (demolition of the city)→ constative aoristκαθαιρέω (aor. καθεῖλεν): 'pull down / demolish / raze'; renders נָתַץ; Abimelech demolishes the city — total physical destruction following the slaughter.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόλιν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativedirect object of καθεῖλενπόλις: 'city'; Shechem, razed to the ground.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔσπειρενsowedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · σπείρωmain verb (the symbolic sowing with salt)→ constative aoristσπείρω: 'sow / scatter'; renders זָרַע; the sowing of salt over a razed city is a symbolic act of perpetual desolation and curse — making the ground barren, declaring it never to be rebuilt (cf. the salt of Deut 29:23; Ps 107:34).
εἰςwith / forpreposition + accusative (result/manner: 'as/for salt')εἰς: here in the idiom ἔσπειρεν εἰς ἅλας ('sowed [it] for/with salt'), a Hebraizing construction (זָרַע מֶלַח) expressing the result — the city given over to salt-barrenness.
ἅλαςsaltAccusativeaccusative object of εἰςἅλας: 'salt'; renders מֶלַח; salt symbolizes sterility and irreversible curse; sowing the ruins with salt declares Shechem permanently accursed and uninhabitable — the climactic image of its desolation.
46

καὶ ἤκουσαν πάντες οἱ ἄνδρες πύργων Συχεμ καὶ ἦλθον εἰς συνέλευσιν Βαιθηλβεριθ

And all the men of the tower of Shechem heard of it and came into the stronghold of the temple of Baal-berith.

The lords of the tower take refuge in the temple-strongholdκαὶ ἤκουσαν πάντες οἱ ἄνδρες πύργων Συχεμ
The defenders of the fortified 'tower of Shechem' hear of the city's fall and retreat into the συνέλευσις ('assembly-hall / stronghold') of Baithēl-berith (the temple of El-/Baal-berith, cf. vv. 4, 27). Their refuge in the cult-fortress sets up the fiery fulfilment of Jotham's curse (vv. 47–49) — fire from the bramble devouring the cedars.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἤκουσανheardAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (the tower-men learn of the fall)→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; the defenders of the tower hear of the city's destruction and react by taking refuge.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (with ἄνδρες)πᾶς: 'all'; the whole body of the tower's defenders.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἄνδρες)οἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubjectἀνήρ: the lords/men of the tower of Shechem; again ἄνδρες, not κύριος — the human leadership/garrison of the fortified quarter.
πύργωνof the towerGenitivegenitive of relationship (with ἄνδρες)πύργος: 'tower / fortified stronghold'; renders מִגְדָּל; the 'tower of Shechem' (Migdal-Shechem) is a fortified citadel or temple-tower, possibly distinct from the city proper; the genitive plural here is collective.
Συχεμof Shechemgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Συχεμ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἦλθονcameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (taking refuge)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come / go'; the tower-men retreat into the temple-stronghold for safety — a fatal choice.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
συνέλευσινstronghold / assembly-placeAccusativeaccusative object of εἰςσυνέλευσις: 'gathering / assembly-place'; here the inner chamber/stronghold (the crypt or fortified hall) of the temple of Baal-berith, where the defenders gather (Hebrew צְרִיחַ, 'vault/crypt'); their place of refuge becomes their pyre (vv. 48–49).
ΒαιθηλβεριθBaithel-berithgenitive of relationship (indeclinable temple-name)Βαιθηλβεριθ: transliteration of Hebrew בֵּית אֵל בְּרִית ('house/temple of El-berith / Baal-berith'); indeclinable; the temple of the covenant-god of Shechem (cf. Βααλβεριθ, v. 4) — the very sanctuary that funded Abimelech's rise now becomes the tomb of his accomplices.
47

καὶ ἀνηγγέλη τῷ Αβιμελεχ ὅτι συνήχθησαν πάντες οἱ ἄνδρες πύργων Συχεμ

And it was reported to Abimelech that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.

Intelligence reaches Abimelechκαὶ ἀνηγγέλη τῷ Αβιμελεχ
A brief transitional notice: Abimelech learns that the tower-men have all gathered in one place (συνήχθησαν). This intelligence — the defenders concentrated in a single flammable stronghold — prompts his fire-attack of vv. 48–49, the literal enactment of the bramble's threat.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀνηγγέληit was reportedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀναγγέλλωmain verb (impersonal passive: news to Abimelech)→ constative aoristἀναγγέλλω (pass.): 'report / announce'; the impersonal passive conveys the intelligence to Abimelech (cf. v. 7, 25), prompting his next move.
τῷtoDativearticle (with Αβιμελεχ as dative)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechdative indirect object (indeclinable, marked by article)Αβιμελεχ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing content of the report)ὅτι: 'that'; introduces the reported fact — the defenders' assembly.
συνήχθησανwere gatheredAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · συνάγωverb of the ὅτι-clause→ constative aoristσυνάγω (pass.): 'gather together'; the tower-men's concentration in one stronghold — the very fact that makes them vulnerable to the coming fire.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (with ἄνδρες)πᾶς: 'all'; the whole garrison gathered together.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἄνδρες)οἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject of συνήχθησανἀνήρ: the men of the tower of Shechem; again ἄνδρες, not κύριος.
πύργωνof the towerGenitivegenitive of relationship (with ἄνδρες)πύργος: 'tower / stronghold'; the fortified citadel of Shechem (cf. v. 46).
Συχεμof Shechemgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Συχεμ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
48

καὶ ἀνέβη Αβιμελεχ εἰς ὄρος Ερμων καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ὁ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔλαβεν Αβιμελεχ τὰς ἀξίνας ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔκοψεν κλάδον ξύλου καὶ ἦρεν καὶ ἔθηκεν ἐπ᾿ ὤμων αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶπεν τῷ λαῷ τῷ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ὃ εἴδετέ με ποιοῦντα ταχέως ποιήσατε ὡς ἐγώ

And Abimelech went up to Mount Hermon, he and all the people who were with him, and Abimelech took axes in his hand and cut a branch of a tree and lifted it and laid it on his shoulders, and said to the people who were with him: 'What you have seen me do, quickly do as I have done!'

Preparation for the fire-attack (Abimelech sets the example)καὶ ἀνέβη Αβιμελεχ εἰς ὄρος Ερμων
Abimelech personally models the tactic: he ascends the wooded height (ὄρος Ερμων, for Zalmon, cf. Hebrew Tsalmon), cuts a branch (κλάδον ξύλου — note ξύλον, the fable's word for 'tree'), shoulders it, and commands his men to imitate him at once. The branches will fuel the fire against the stronghold. The leader's hands-on example drives the swift, total execution of v. 49.
Word-by-word analysis· 48 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀνέβηwent upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (ascent to the wooded mountain)→ constative aoristἀναβαίνω: 'go up / ascend'; renders עָלָה; Abimelech climbs the forested height to gather wood for the fire-attack.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechsubject (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ὄροςmountainAccusativeaccusative object of εἰςὄρος: 'mountain'; the wooded height from which branches are cut.
ΕρμωνHermon / Zalmongenitive of apposition (indeclinable place-name)Ερμων: the LXX transliteration here for the mountain by Shechem; the Hebrew names Tsalmon (צַלְמוֹן); indeclinable; a forested height near Shechem supplying the wood for the conflagration.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
πᾶςallNominativeattributive adjective (with λαός)πᾶς: 'all'; the whole force ascends with Abimelech.
theNominativearticle (with λαός)ὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeople / troopsNominativesubject (coordinate with Αβιμελεχ)λαός: 'people / troops'; Abimelech's force.
theNominativearticle (attributive, μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ phrase)ὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)μετ᾿: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετ᾿the formula 'the people with him.'
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (Abimelech takes up an axe)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take'; Abimelech takes axes to cut wood — personally demonstrating the plan.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechsubject (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with ἀξίνας)τὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀξίναςaxesAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβενἀξίνη: 'axe'; renders קַרְדֹּם; the tools for cutting the branches; the plural may be generic/collective ('an axe / axes').
ἐνinpreposition + dative (instrumental/locative)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τῇtheDativearticle (with χειρί)τῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χειρὶhandDativedative of means/place (with ἐν: 'in his hand')χείρ: 'hand'; 'in his hand' stresses Abimelech's personal, hands-on leadership of the wood-cutting.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔκοψενcutAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κόπτωmain verb (cutting the branch)→ constative aoristκόπτω: 'cut / chop / fell'; renders כָּרַת; Abimelech cuts a branch to carry as fuel — the model his men will follow (v. 49).
κλάδονbranchAccusativedirect object of ἔκοψενκλάδος: 'branch / bough'; renders שׂוֹכָה; the bough cut for kindling — heaping fuel against the stronghold.
ξύλουof a treeGenitivegenitive of relationship (with κλάδον)ξύλον: 'tree / wood'; the very word of Jotham's fable (vv. 8–15); the trees that sought a bramble-king now furnish the fire that consumes the bramble's victims — a grim narrative echo.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἦρενliftedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · αἴρωmain verb (lifting the branch)→ constative aoristαἴρω: 'lift / take up / carry'; Abimelech hoists the cut branch — the action his men are to imitate.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔθηκενlaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · τίθημιmain verb (placing it on his shoulder)→ constative aoristτίθημι (aor. ἔθηκεν): 'put / lay / place'; Abimelech sets the branch on his shoulders to carry it down to the stronghold.
ἐπ᾿uponpreposition + genitive (position)ἐπ᾿: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ὤμωνshouldersGenitivegenitive object of ἐπ᾿ὦμος: 'shoulder'; renders שֶׁכֶם — a striking pun, since the city's name Shechem (Συχεμ) means 'shoulder'; Abimelech bears the wood 'on his shoulders' against the city of the Shoulder.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Abimelech's command)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces Abimelech's order to imitate him.
τῷto theDativearticle (with λαῷ)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαῷpeopleDativeindirect objectλαός: 'people / troops'; Abimelech's men, commanded to follow his example.
τῷtheDativearticle (attributive, μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ phrase)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)μετ᾿: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετ᾿αὐτοῦ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
whatAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εἴδετε/ποιοῦντα)ὅς: 'what / that which'; introduces the content of the command — 'what you saw me doing.'
εἴδετέyou sawAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ὁράωverb of relative clause→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. εἴδετε): 'see'; the men have watched Abimelech's demonstration; he bids them replicate it.
μεmeAccusativeaccusative subject of the participle ποιοῦνταμε: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
ποιοῦνταdoingPres Act Ptc Acc Masc Sg · ποιέωsupplementary participle (with εἴδετε: 'saw me doing')→ progressive aspect (action observed in process)ποιέω (pres. ptc.): 'do'; the supplementary participle in the perception-construction ('saw me doing'); the present aspect captures the action as observed underway.
ταχέωςquicklyadverb of mannerταχέως: 'quickly / swiftly'; renders מַהֵר; the urgency of the command — speed is essential to the surprise fire-assault.
ποιήσατεdoAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (the command, imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperativeποιέω: 'do'; the command to imitate Abimelech's wood-cutting at once — the order that mobilizes the whole force for the fire-attack.
ὡςascomparative particleὡς: 'as / like'; 'as I have done' — the standard of imitation.
ἐγώINominativeemphatic pronoun (standard of comparison: 'as I')ἐγώ: the emphatic 'I' closes the command — Abimelech sets himself as the pattern; 'do exactly as I did.'
49

καὶ ἔκοψαν καί γε ἀνὴρ κλάδον πᾶς ἀνὴρ καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν ὀπίσω Αβιμελεχ καὶ ἐπέθηκαν ἐπὶ τὴν συνέλευσιν καὶ ἐνεπύρισαν ἐπ᾿ αὐτοὺς τὴν συνέλευσιν ἐν πυρί καὶ ἀπέθανον καί γε πάντες οἱ ἄνδρες πύργου Σικιμων ὡς χίλιοι ἄνδρες καὶ γυναῖκες

And they too cut, each man a branch, every man, and they went after Abimelech and laid them against the stronghold and set the stronghold on fire over them with fire; and all the men of the tower of Shechem also died, about a thousand men and women.

Fulfilment of Jotham's curse: fire devours the tower of Shechemκαὶ ἔκοψαν καί γε ἀνὴρ κλάδον
The first half of Jotham's curse (v. 20) is literally fulfilled: 'fire came out from Abimelech and devoured the men of Shechem.' The distributive ἀνὴρ … πᾶς ἀνήρ ('each man ... every man') and the dual asseverative καί γε ('indeed') stress total participation. The death-toll — ὡς χίλιοι ἄνδρες καὶ γυναῖκες ('about a thousand men and women') — measures the magnitude of the bramble-fire's consuming reach (cf. v. 15).
Word-by-word analysis· 39 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔκοψανthey cutAor Act Indic 3 Pl · κόπτωmain verb (the men imitate Abimelech)→ constative aoristκόπτω: 'cut / chop'; the men obey Abimelech's command (v. 48), each cutting a branch for the fire.
καίandparticle (component of καί γε asseverative)καί: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γεindeedemphatic particle (with καί: dual asseverative)γε: emphatic enclitic; καί γε ('and indeed / yes, even') renders the Hebrew asseverative וְגַם, a hallmark of the B-text of Judges (cf. vv. 19, 55); here it stresses the complete participation of every man.
ἀνὴρeach manNominativedistributive subject ('each man')ἀνήρ: 'man'; here distributive ('each man'), rendering the Hebrew אִישׁ used distributively — every individual cuts his branch.
κλάδονa branchAccusativedirect object of ἔκοψανκλάδος: 'branch'; each man's bough, heaped to make the pyre against the stronghold.
πᾶςeveryNominativedistributive adjective (reinforcing ἀνήρ)πᾶς: 'every'; πᾶς ἀνήρ ('every man') reinforces the distributive — without exception all join in, ensuring an overwhelming mass of fuel.
ἀνὴρmanNominativedistributive subject (repeated for emphasis)ἀνήρ: the repeated ἀνήρ (πᾶς ἀνήρ) is a Hebraizing distributive emphasis — 'every single man.'
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐπορεύθησανwentAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb (following Abimelech)→ constative aoristπορεύομαι: 'go'; with ὀπίσω Αβιμελεχ ('after Abimelech') the allegiance/following idiom — the men follow their leader to the stronghold.
ὀπίσωafterpreposition + genitive (following idiom)ὀπίσω: 'after / behind'; the following idiom (Hebrew אַחֲרֵי).
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechgenitive object of ὀπίσω (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐπέθηκανlaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιτίθημιmain verb (piling the branches)→ constative aoristἐπιτίθημι: 'place upon / lay on'; the men heap their branches against the stronghold to build the pyre.
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (position)ἐπὶ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with συνέλευσιν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
συνέλευσινstrongholdAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπίσυνέλευσις: 'gathering-place / stronghold'; the temple-crypt of Baal-berith where the defenders sheltered (v. 46); the branches are heaped against it.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐνεπύρισανset on fireAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐμπυρίζωmain verb (igniting the pyre)→ constative aoristἐμπυρίζω: 'set on fire / burn'; renders שָׂרַף / יָצַת; the kindling of the heaped branches — the literal enactment of the bramble's fire (v. 15) and Jotham's curse (v. 20).
ἐπ᾿over / uponpreposition + accusative (over the people inside)ἐπί + acc.: 'upon / over' — the fire set 'over them' (the trapped defenders), making the stronghold their pyre.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπ᾿ (the trapped defenders)αὐτοὺς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with συνέλευσιν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
συνέλευσινstrongholdAccusativedirect object of ἐνεπύρισανσυνέλευσις: 'stronghold'; repeated — the structure itself is what is set ablaze, with the people inside.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrumental)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
πυρίfireDativedative of means (with ἐν: 'with fire')πῦρ: 'fire'; the instrument of destruction; the πῦρ of the curse (vv. 15, 20) now literally consumes the men of Shechem.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀπέθανονdiedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (the deaths)→ constative aoristἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; renders מוּת; the mass death of the tower-people in the conflagration.
καίandparticle (component of καί γε asseverative)καί: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γεindeedemphatic particle (with καί: dual asseverative)γε: the second καί γε in the verse — 'and indeed all ... died'; the asseverative stresses the totality of the death-toll.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (with ἄνδρες)πᾶς: 'all'; none of the tower's people escaped the fire.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἄνδρες)οἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject of ἀπέθανονἀνήρ: the men of the tower of Shechem; again ἄνδρες, not κύριος.
πύργουof the towerGenitivegenitive of relationship (with ἄνδρες)πύργος: 'tower / stronghold'; the citadel of Shechem (cf. vv. 46–47), here in the singular.
Σικιμωνof Shechemgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Σικιμων: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ὡςaboutadverb of approximation (with the numeral)ὡς: 'about / approximately'; with the round number χίλιοι ('a thousand') gives an estimate of the dead.
χίλιοιthousandNominativeattributive numeral (with ἄνδρες)χίλιοι: 'a thousand'; the round number measuring the magnitude of the slaughter — the full reach of the bramble-fire.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativeappositive (the count of the dead)ἀνήρ: 'man'; the thousand counted; with the addition 'and women' the toll includes the whole sheltering populace.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
γυναῖκεςwomenNominativeappositive (coordinate with ἄνδρες)γυνή: 'woman'; the inclusion of women in the toll underscores the indiscriminate horror of the fire-massacre; a woman will, in turn, be the agent of Abimelech's own death (v. 53).
50

καὶ ἐπορεύθη Αβιμελεχ ἐκ Βαιθηλβεριθ καὶ παρενέβαλεν ἐν Θηβης καὶ κατέλαβεν αὐτήν

And Abimelech went from Baithel-berith and encamped against Thebez and captured it.

Episode G opening: the campaign against Thebezκαὶ ἐπορεύθη Αβιμελεχ ἐκ Βαιθηλβεριθ
Flush with the destruction of Shechem, Abimelech presses on to Thebez (Θηβης), encamping against it (παρενέβαλεν, a military siege-term) and capturing it. The relentless aggression sets the stage for the ironic reversal at the tower of Thebez (vv. 51–54), where the second half of Jotham's curse — fire/death from Shechem upon Abimelech — will be realized.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐπορεύθηwentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (Abimelech marches on)→ constative aoristπορεύομαι: 'go'; Abimelech moves from the ruins of Shechem to his next target.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechsubject (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)ἐκ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΒαιθηλβεριθBaithel-berithgenitive object of ἐκ (indeclinable)Βαιθηλβεριθ: the temple-precinct of Baal-/El-berith at Shechem (v. 46), here standing for the site Abimelech leaves; indeclinable.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
παρενέβαλενencampedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παρεμβάλλωmain verb (laying siege)→ constative aoristπαρεμβάλλω: 'encamp / lay siege'; renders חָנָה; a military term — Abimelech pitches camp against Thebez to besiege it.
ἐνagainst / atpreposition + dative (location of siege)ἐν: here 'at / against' in the siege-context.
ΘηβηςThebezdative object of ἐν (indeclinable place-name)Θηβης: transliteration of Hebrew תֵּבֵץ (Thebez); indeclinable; a town near Shechem, the site of Abimelech's death; the form here reflects the Greek rendering of the place-name.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
κατέλαβενcapturedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καταλαμβάνωmain verb (the city taken)→ constative aoristκαταλαμβάνω: 'seize / capture'; renders לָכַד; Abimelech takes the city of Thebez (cf. v. 45) — but its inner tower will prove his undoing.
αὐτήνitAccusativedirect object of κατέλαβεν (Thebez)αὐτήν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
51

καὶ πύργος ἰσχυρὸς ἦν ἐν μέσῳ τῆς πόλεως καὶ ἔφυγον ἐκεῖ πάντες οἱ ἄνδρες καὶ αἱ γυναῖκες τῆς πόλεως καὶ ἔκλεισαν ἔξωθεν αὐτῶν καὶ ἀνέβησαν ἐπὶ τὸ δῶμα τοῦ πύργου

But a strong tower was in the midst of the city, and all the men and the women of the city fled there and shut themselves in, and went up onto the roof of the tower.

The strong tower of Thebez: refuge and trapκαὶ πύργος ἰσχυρὸς ἦν
A circumstantial clause (ἦν, imperfect) describes the strong inner tower (πύργος ἰσχυρός) where the people of Thebez take refuge — men and women alike — shutting themselves in and going up to the roof (δῶμα). The scene deliberately parallels the tower of Shechem (vv. 46–49), but here the outcome inverts: the tower becomes the place not of the defenders' death but of Abimelech's.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
καὶbutnarrative conjunction (introducing circumstantial clause)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
πύργοςtowerNominativesubject (of the circumstantial ἦν)πύργος: 'tower / stronghold'; renders מִגְדָּל; the fortified inner keep of Thebez, the people's last refuge — and the scene of Abimelech's death.
ἰσχυρὸςstrongNominativeattributive adjective (with πύργος)ἰσχυρός: 'strong / mighty'; renders עֹז; the tower's strength makes it a viable refuge — but its very height provides the vantage for the fatal millstone.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (circumstantial/descriptive imperfect)→ descriptive imperfect (background state)εἰμί (impf. ἦν): 'be'; the descriptive imperfect sets the scene — there 'was' a strong tower, background to the action that follows.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
μέσῳmidstDativedative of place (with ἐν: 'in the midst')μέσος: 'middle / midst'; ἐν μέσῳ ('in the midst of') locates the tower at the city's center — its citadel of last resort.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with πόλεως)τῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεωςcityGenitivegenitive of relationship (with μέσῳ)πόλις: 'city'; Thebez, in whose center the strong tower stood.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔφυγονfledAor Act Indic 3 Pl · φεύγωmain verb (the people take refuge)→ constative aoristφεύγω: 'flee'; the populace flees into the tower for safety — as the Shechemites had fled to their stronghold (v. 46).
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (into the tower)ἐκεῖ: 'there'; into the strong tower.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (with ἄνδρες)πᾶς: 'all'; the whole populace seeks refuge.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἄνδρες)οἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject (coordinate with γυναῖκες)ἀνήρ: 'man'; here simply the male inhabitants of Thebez (not a leadership term); again ἄνδρες, not κύριος.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
αἱtheNominativearticle (with γυναῖκες)αἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γυναῖκεςwomenNominativesubject (coordinate with ἄνδρες)γυνή: 'woman'; the women among the refugees — one of whom will deal Abimelech his death-blow (v. 53).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with πόλεως)τῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεωςcityGenitivegenitive of relationship (with ἄνδρες/γυναῖκες)πόλις: 'city'; Thebez; 'the men and women of the city.'
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔκλεισανshutAor Act Indic 3 Pl · κλείωmain verb (barring the tower)→ constative aoristκλείω: 'shut / close / bar'; renders סָגַר; the refugees shut the tower behind them — securing themselves within.
ἔξωθενfrom outside / behindadverb (manner of shutting)ἔξωθεν: 'from without / on the outside'; the idiom ἔκλεισαν ἔξωθεν αὐτῶν ('they shut [it] behind them, from outside themselves') means they barred the door, sealing themselves in.
αὐτῶνthemselvesGenitivegenitive (with ἔξωθεν: 'outside of them')αὐτῶν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀνέβησανwent upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (ascending the roof)→ constative aoristἀναβαίνω: 'go up / ascend'; the refugees climb to the tower-roof, the highest defensible point — from which a woman will strike Abimelech.
ἐπὶontopreposition + accusative (direction)ἐπὶ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with δῶμα)τὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δῶμαroofAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπίδῶμα: 'roof / housetop'; renders גָּג; the flat roof of the tower, the elevated platform from which the millstone will be dropped on Abimelech (v. 53).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with πύργου)τοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πύργουtowerGenitivegenitive of relationship (with δῶμα)πύργος: 'tower'; the strong tower of Thebez; its roof is the scene of Abimelech's mortal wounding.
52

καὶ ἦλθεν Αβιμελεχ ἕως τοῦ πύργου καὶ παρετάξαντο αὐτῷ καὶ ἤγγισεν Αβιμελεχ ἕως τῆς θύρας τοῦ πύργου τοῦ ἐμπρῆσαι αὐτὸν ἐν πυρί

And Abimelech came up to the tower and they fought against it, and Abimelech drew near to the door of the tower to burn it with fire.

Abimelech's fatal approach to the towerκαὶ ἦλθεν Αβιμελεχ ἕως τοῦ πύργου
Abimelech repeats his Shechem tactic: he advances to the tower-door intending to burn it (τοῦ ἐμπρῆσαι αὐτὸν ἐν πυρί), the same fire-method that destroyed the tower of Shechem (v. 49). But his over-confident, hands-on approach to the very door (ἤγγισεν … ἕως τῆς θύρας) brings him fatally within range of the roof above — the trap of his own making.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἦλθενcameAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (Abimelech advances to the tower)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come / go'; Abimelech advances to assault the tower of Thebez.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechsubject (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἕωςup topreposition + genitive (extent)ἕως: 'up to / as far as'; Abimelech comes right up to the tower.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with πύργου)τοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πύργουtowerGenitivegenitive object of ἕωςπύργος: 'tower'; the strong tower of Thebez, Abimelech's target.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
παρετάξαντοthey foughtAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · παρατάσσωmain verb (the assault on the tower)→ constative aoristπαρατάσσω (mid.): 'give battle / fight'; Abimelech's force assaults the tower; the plural subject is his troops, fighting 'against it' (αὐτῷ).
αὐτῷagainst itDativedative object of παρετάξαντο (the tower)the dative with παρατάσσομαι denotes the object attacked — here the tower.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἤγγισενdrew nearAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐγγίζωmain verb (Abimelech approaches the door)→ constative aoristἐγγίζω: 'draw near / approach'; renders נָגַשׁ; Abimelech personally approaches the tower-door — the fatal proximity that exposes him to the roof above.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechsubject (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἕωςup topreposition + genitive (extent)ἕως: 'up to'; right up to the very door.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with θύρας)τῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θύραςdoorGenitivegenitive object of ἕωςθύρα: 'door'; the tower's entrance, which Abimelech means to set ablaze; his approach to it is his undoing.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with πύργου)τοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πύργουtowerGenitivegenitive of relationship (with θύρας)πύργος: 'tower'; the tower of Thebez.
τοῦtoGenitivearticle + infinitive (genitive of purpose)τοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐμπρῆσαιto burnAor Act Inf · ἐμπίμπρημιarticular infinitive of purpose (τοῦ + inf.)ἐμπίμπρημι (aor. inf. ἐμπρῆσαι): 'set on fire / burn'; renders שָׂרַף; the infinitive of purpose states Abimelech's intent — to burn the tower, exactly as he burned Shechem's stronghold (v. 49); the repetition seals the ironic symmetry.
αὐτὸνitAccusativedirect object of ἐμπρῆσαι (the tower)αὐτὸν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrumental)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
πυρίfireDativedative of means (with ἐν)πῦρ: 'fire'; the instrument Abimelech wields against others (vv. 49, 52) but which, per Jotham's curse, is now to turn against him (v. 20).
53

καὶ ἔρριψεν γυνὴ μία κλάσμα ἐπιμυλίου ἐπὶ κεφαλὴν Αβιμελεχ καὶ ἔκλασεν τὸ κρανίον αὐτοῦ

And one woman threw a piece of a millstone onto Abimelech's head and crushed his skull.

The death-blow: a woman's millstoneκαὶ ἔρριψεν γυνὴ μία
The decisive, ironic reversal. γυνὴ μία ('one woman' — the emphatic 'one' echoing the seventy slain 'on one stone,' v. 5) drops a κλάσμα ἐπιμυλίου ('a piece of millstone') on Abimelech's head and crushes his skull (ἔκλασεν τὸ κρανίον). The man who killed seventy on one stone is felled by one stone hurled by a nameless woman — divine retribution exquisitely fitted to the crime (vv. 56–57).
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔρριψενthrewAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ῥίπτωmain verb (the fatal throw)→ constative aoristῥίπτω: 'throw / hurl / cast'; renders שָׁלַךְ; the woman casts the millstone fragment from the roof — the decisive blow that ends Abimelech's career.
γυνὴwomanNominativesubject (the agent of Abimelech's death)γυνή: 'woman'; renders אִשָּׁה; the nameless woman whose blow kills Abimelech — the shameful death (by a woman's hand) he then tries to disguise (v. 54); a fitting agent given the women among his victims (v. 49).
μίαoneNominativeattributive numeral (with γυνή)εἷς, μία, ἕν: 'one'; the emphatic 'one woman' pointedly recalls the 'one stone' (λίθον ἕνα, v. 5) on which Abimelech slew seventy — a single woman with a single stone now repays him; the lex talionis is precise.
κλάσμαpiece / fragmentAccusativedirect object of ἔρριψενκλάσμα: 'fragment / broken piece'; from κλάω ('break'); the broken-off piece of an upper millstone — a heavy disk, lethal when dropped from a height; cognate with ἔκλασεν ('crushed') below.
ἐπιμυλίουof an upper millstoneGenitivegenitive of relationship/material (with κλάσμα)ἐπιμύλιον: 'upper millstone / rider-stone'; renders Hebrew רֶכֶב ('the upper millstone'); the hand-turned upper stone of a household mill, a common heavy object on a roof; its association with women's domestic labor sharpens the irony of the death-blow.
ἐπὶontopreposition + accusative (target)ἐπὶ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
κεφαλὴνheadAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπίκεφαλή: 'head'; the target of the throw; the word resonates with the retribution-theology of vv. 57 (God returns evil 'on their heads') and the ambushers 'on the heads of the mountains' (v. 25).
Αβιμελεχof Abimelechgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔκλασενcrushed / brokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κλάωmain verb (the crushing of the skull)→ constative aoristκλάω: 'break / shatter'; renders רָצַץ ('crush'); the millstone-fragment (κλάσμα) 'breaks/crushes' (ἔκλασεν) his skull — the cognate wordplay underscores the brutal aptness of the death.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with κρανίον)τὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κρανίονskullAccusativedirect object of ἔκλασενκρανίον: 'skull'; renders גֻּלְגֹּלֶת; Abimelech's skull, shattered by the millstone — the mortal wound; the same word (Latinized 'Calvary') names the place of the crucifixion in the Gospels.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
54

καὶ ἐβόησεν ταχὺ πρὸς τὸ παιδάριον τὸ αἶρον τὰ σκεύη αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ σπάσον τὴν ῥομφαίαν μου καὶ θανάτωσόν με μήποτε εἴπωσιν γυνὴ ἀπέκτεινεν αὐτόν καὶ ἐξεκέντησεν αὐτὸν τὸ παιδάριον αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀπέθανεν

And he quickly called to the young man who bore his armor and said to him: 'Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, A woman killed him.' And his young man ran him through, and he died.

Abimelech's death: the shame he cannot escapeκαὶ ἐβόησεν ταχὺ
Mortally wounded, Abimelech's last concern is honor: he begs his armor-bearer to kill him μήποτε εἴπωσιν γυνὴ ἀπέκτεινεν αὐτόν ('lest they say, A woman killed him'). The armor-bearer runs him through (ἐξεκέντησεν), and he dies. The attempt to escape the shame is futile — the narrator and 2 Sam 11:21 both record exactly what he feared: a woman killed him.
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐβόησενcalled / cried outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βοάωmain verb (Abimelech's urgent summons)→ constative aoristβοάω: 'cry out / call loudly'; renders קָרָא; the dying Abimelech urgently summons his armor-bearer — his last act, driven by shame.
ταχὺquicklyadverb of mannerταχύς (adv. ταχύ): 'quickly'; the urgency — Abimelech must act before he dies of the wound or before witnesses can name his disgrace.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)πρὸς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with παιδάριον)τὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδάριονyoung man / ladAccusativeaccusative object of πρόςπαιδάριον: 'boy / lad / young servant'; renders נַעַר; Abimelech's armor-bearer, the youth attending him in battle; the diminutive stresses his subordinate status.
τὸthe / whoAccusativearticle (attributive, with the participle αἶρον)τὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἶρονbearingPres Act Ptc Acc Neut Sg · αἴρωattributive participle (modifying παιδάριον)→ progressive aspect (his ongoing role)αἴρω (pres. ptc.): 'carry / bear'; the attributive participle 'the one bearing his armor' identifies the youth as Abimelech's armor-bearer (Hebrew נֹשֵׂא כֵלָיו).
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with σκεύη)τὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκεύηarmor / weaponsAccusativedirect object of αἶρονσκεῦος (pl. σκεύη): 'implement / gear / weapons'; here Abimelech's armor and weapons; 'the bearer of his armor' is the standard idiom for an armor-bearer.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Abimelech's command)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces Abimelech's dying order.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object (the armor-bearer)αὐτῷ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
σπάσονdrawAor Act Impv 2 Sg · σπάωmain verb (command to draw the sword)→ ingressive aorist imperativeσπάω (aor. impv. σπάσον): 'draw / pull out'; renders שָׁלַף; the command to unsheathe the sword — Abimelech seeks a soldier's death by a man's hand.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ῥομφαίαν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥομφαίανswordAccusativedirect object of σπάσονῥομφαία: 'sword / large blade'; renders חֶרֶב; the armor-bearer's sword, with which Abimelech is to be dispatched.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possessionμου: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
θανάτωσόνkillAor Act Impv 2 Sg · θανατόωmain verb (command to be killed)→ ingressive aorist imperativeθανατόω: 'put to death / kill'; renders מוּת (Polel); Abimelech commands his own execution to forestall the shame of dying by a woman's hand.
μεmeAccusativedirect object of θανάτωσονμε: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
μήποτεlestconjunction (negative purpose: 'lest')μήποτε: 'lest / so that ... not'; introduces the purpose of Abimelech's command — to prevent the shameful report.
εἴπωσινthey should sayAor Act Subj 3 Pl · λέγωverb of negative-purpose clause (subjunctive)→ subjunctive of apprehension/purposeλέγω (aor. subj.): 'say'; the subjunctive after μήποτε expresses what Abimelech dreads — the indefinite 'they' (people generally) saying that a woman killed him.
γυνὴa womanNominativesubject (within the quoted shameful report)γυνή: 'woman'; the quoted disgrace — 'a woman killed him'; in the ancient warrior code, death at a woman's hand was the ultimate dishonor (cf. 9:53; this very saying is recalled at 2 Sam 11:21).
ἀπέκτεινενkilledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκτείνωverb of the quoted report→ constative aorist (within quotation)ἀποκτείνω: 'kill'; within the dreaded saying; ironically the same verb of Abimelech's own crime (vv. 5, 18, 24, 45) — the killer fears being said to have been killed.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object (within the quotation)αὐτόν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐξεκέντησενran through / piercedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκκεντέωmain verb (the armor-bearer obeys)→ constative aoristἐκκεντέω: 'pierce through / stab'; renders דָּקַר; the armor-bearer runs Abimelech through, granting the requested death; the same verb appears at Zech 12:10 ('they shall look on him whom they pierced').
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἐξεκέντησεναὐτὸν: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
τὸtheNominativearticle (with παιδάριον)τὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδάριονyoung manNominativesubject of ἐξεκέντησενπαιδάριον: 'young man / lad'; the armor-bearer, now Abimelech's executioner at his own command.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀπέθανενdiedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (Abimelech's death)→ constative aoristἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the death of Abimelech — the second half of Jotham's curse (v. 20) realized; the usurper perishes, his three-year tyranny ended.
55

καὶ εἶδεν ἀνὴρ Ισραηλ ὅτι ἀπέθανεν Αβιμελεχ καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν ἀνὴρ εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτοῦ

And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they went, each man to his own place.

Dispersal of the armyκαὶ εἶδεν ἀνὴρ Ισραηλ
With the tyrant dead, the campaign dissolves: 'the men of Israel' (collective ἀνὴρ Ισραηλ) disperse, each to his own place (ἀνὴρ εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτοῦ — the distributive Hebraism אִישׁ לִמְקֹמוֹ). The instant collapse of Abimelech's force confirms that his rule rested on nothing but his own person — the bramble-king leaves no kingdom behind.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἶδενsawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (the army perceives Abimelech's death)→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. εἶδεν): 'see / perceive'; the singular verb agrees with the collective ἀνὴρ Ισραηλ ('the man of Israel' = the men of Israel).
ἀνὴρthe menNominativecollective subject ('the man of Israel' = Israel's men)ἀνήρ: 'man'; here collective singular ('the man of Israel' = the Israelite soldiery), a Hebraism rendering אִישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל used for the army as a body; again ἄνδρες-sense, not κύριος.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Ισραηλ: Israel; 'the men of Israel' here are Abimelech's own troops/levies, who disband at his death.
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing object clause of εἶδεν)ὅτι: 'that'; introduces what they perceived — Abimelech's death.
ἀπέθανενhad diedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωverb of the ὅτι-clause→ constative aoristἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; Abimelech's death, now known to the army, occasions their dispersal.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechsubject of ἀπέθανεν (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐπορεύθησανthey wentAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb (the dispersal)→ constative aoristπορεύομαι: 'go'; the plural verb (with the distributive ἀνήρ) describes the soldiers dispersing, each homeward — the regime evaporates.
ἀνὴρeach manNominativedistributive subject ('each man')ἀνήρ: 'man'; here distributive ('each man'), in the Hebraism ἀνὴρ εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτοῦ ('each to his own place') = אִישׁ לִמְקֹמוֹ.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with τόπον)τὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόπονplaceAccusativeaccusative object of εἰςτόπος: 'place'; renders מָקוֹם; each man's home — the army melts away now that the usurper is dead.
αὐτοῦhis ownGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
56

καὶ ἐπέστρεψεν ὁ θεὸς τὴν πονηρίαν Αβιμελεχ ἣν ἐποίησεν τῷ πατρὶ αὐτοῦ ἀποκτεῖναι τοὺς ἑβδομήκοντα ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ

Thus God repaid the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did to his father in killing his seventy brothers;

Narrator's theological summary (part 1): Abimelech requitedκαὶ ἐπέστρεψεν ὁ θεὸς
The narrator's closing verdict on Abimelech. The key verb ἐπέστρεψεν ('returned / repaid') frames the whole chapter as divine retribution: God 'turned back' upon Abimelech his own wickedness (πονηρίαν — the same root as the πνεῦμα πονηρόν of v. 23). The crime is named precisely: the killing of the seventy brothers (vv. 5, 18, 24). Divine justice has come full circle.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶand / thusnarrative conjunction (summarizing)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐπέστρεψενrepaid / turned backAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb (divine retribution)→ constative aorist (the completed requital)ἐπιστρέφω: 'turn back / return / requite'; renders שׁוּב (Hiphil); the idiom 'God returned the evil upon X' (cf. v. 57, εἰς κεφαλὴν αὐτῶν) is the technical language of retributive justice — the deed recoils on the doer.
theNominativearticle (with θεός)ὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubjectθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; the narrator names God as the agent of the whole retributive sequence — the evil spirit (v. 23), the falling-out, and the deaths all serve his justice.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πονηρίαν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πονηρίανwickednessAccusativedirect object of ἐπέστρεψενπονηρία: 'wickedness / evil'; renders רָעָה; Abimelech's crime, now turned back on him; the noun shares the root of the πνεῦμα πονηρόν (v. 23), binding the divine instrument to the divine verdict.
Αβιμελεχof Abimelechgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Αβιμελεχ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐποίησεν)ὅς: 'which'; introduces the relative clause specifying the wickedness.
ἐποίησενdidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωverb of relative clause→ constative aoristποιέω: 'do / commit'; Abimelech's deed against his father's house — the crime that the chapter's whole arc has avenged.
τῷto theDativearticle (with πατρί)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρὶfatherDativeindirect object (the wronged Gideon)πατήρ: 'father'; Gideon/Jerubbaal, against whose house the crime was committed; the wrong is reckoned as done 'to his father.'
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationshipαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
ἀποκτεῖναιin killingAor Act Inf · ἀποκτείνωepexegetic infinitive (specifying the wickedness)→ constative aorist infinitiveἀποκτείνω (aor. inf.): 'to kill'; the epexegetic infinitive specifies in what the wickedness consisted — the murder of the seventy brothers (cf. vv. 5, 18, 24); the chapter's recurring crime named one final time.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ἀδελφούς)τοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑβδομήκονταseventyattributive numeral (with ἀδελφούς)ἑβδομήκοντα: 'seventy'; the slain brothers' full count, named a final time as the measure of the crime requited.
ἀδελφοὺςbrothersAccusativedirect object of ἀποκτεῖναιἀδελφός: 'brother'; the seventy brothers, the victims of the fratricide; the kinship-word that has shadowed the whole chapter closes the verdict on Abimelech.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationshipαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
57

καὶ τὴν πᾶσαν πονηρίαν ἀνδρῶν Συχεμ ἐπέστρεψεν ὁ θεὸς εἰς κεφαλὴν αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπῆλθεν ἐπ᾿ αὐτοὺς ἡ κατάρα Ιωαθαν υἱοῦ Ιεροβααλ

and all the wickedness of the men of Shechem God returned upon their own head, and the curse of Jotham son of Jerubbaal came upon them.

Narrator's theological summary (part 2): Shechem requited and the curse fulfilledκαὶ τὴν πᾶσαν πονηρίαν ἀνδρῶν Συχεμ
The chapter's closing verdict on Shechem, sealing the retribution theology. God returns their wickedness εἰς κεφαλὴν αὐτῶν ('upon their own head' — the lex talionis idiom). The final clause makes explicit what the whole narrative has demonstrated: ἐπῆλθεν … ἡ κατάρα Ιωαθαν ('the curse of Jotham came upon them'), fulfilling the imprecation of v. 20 in every particular. The chapter ends where Jotham's word pointed.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πονηρίαν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πᾶσανallAccusativeattributive adjective (with πονηρίαν)πᾶς: 'all'; the totality of Shechem's wickedness — their complicity in the murders and their subsequent treachery — all requited.
πονηρίανwickednessAccusativedirect object of ἐπέστρεψεν (fronted)πονηρία: 'wickedness / evil'; the Shechemites' guilt, parallel to Abimelech's (v. 56); fronted for emphasis as the object of the divine requital.
ἀνδρῶνof the menGenitivegenitive of relationship (with πονηρίαν)ἀνήρ: the lords/men of Shechem, whose evil is now repaid; the chapter's final use of ἄνδρες for the Shechemite leadership — never κύριος.
Συχεμof Shechemgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Συχεμ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
ἐπέστρεψενreturned / repaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb (divine retribution on Shechem)→ constative aoristἐπιστρέφω: 'turn back / return / requite'; the same verb as v. 56; the deed recoils on its doers — Shechem's evil returns 'on their own head.'
theNominativearticle (with θεός)ὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubjectθεός: 'God'; the agent of the complete retribution — the chapter's theological key (cf. vv. 23, 56).
εἰςuponpreposition + accusative (idiom: 'onto their head')εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
κεφαλὴνheadAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (idiomatic)κεφαλή: 'head'; the idiom εἰς κεφαλὴν αὐτῶν ('upon their own head') renders בְּרֹאשָׁם, the standard expression for retribution recoiling on the guilty; pointedly echoes Abimelech's crushed κεφαλή/κρανίον (v. 53) and the ambush 'on the heads of the mountains' (v. 25).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτῶν: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐπῆλθενcame uponAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπέρχομαιmain verb (the curse arrives)→ constative aorist (the fulfilment)ἐπέρχομαι: 'come upon / overtake'; renders בּוֹא; the curse 'came upon' the Shechemites — the verb of fulfilment, declaring Jotham's imprecation (v. 20) realized in full.
ἐπ᾿uponpreposition + accusative (direction)ἐπ᾿: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπ᾿ (the Shechemites)αὐτοὺς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
theNominativearticle (with κατάρα)ἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατάραcurseNominativesubject of ἐπῆλθενκατάρα: 'curse / imprecation'; renders קְלָלָה; cognate with κατηράσαντο ('cursed,' v. 27); 'the curse of Jotham' is the imprecation of v. 20 — its named fulfilment is the chapter's theological climax, vindicating both Jotham and divine justice.
Ιωαθανof Jothamgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Ιωαθαν: Jotham, the sole survivor (v. 5) and curse-pronouncer (vv. 7–20), now vindicated as God's justice fulfils his word; his name ('YHWH is upright') is fittingly the last spoken in the chapter of judgment.
υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive in apposition to Ιωαθαν (patronymic)υἱός: 'son'; the patronymic binds Jotham to Jerubbaal's house one final time — the wronged house vindicated.
Ιεροβααλof Jerubbaalgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Ιεροβααλ: Gideon; the chapter that opened with 'Abimelech son of Jerubbaal' (v. 1) closes with 'Jotham son of Jerubbaal' — the murderous son repaid, the righteous son vindicated, the father's house avenged.