Judges 9:23

Judges 9:23 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

God sent a spirit of animosity between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem and caused them to treat Abimelech deceitfully,

King James Version KJV

Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:

American Standard Version ASV

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

Bible in Basic English BBE

And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the townsmen of Shechem; and the townsmen of Shechem were false to Abimelech;

Free Bible Version FBV

Then God sent an evil spirit to cause trouble between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem. The leaders of Shechem betrayed Abimelech.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

But God sent an euil spirit betweene Abimelech, and the men of Shechem: and the men of Shechem brake their promise to Abimelech,

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and God sendeth an evil spirit between Abimelech and the masters of Shechem, and the masters of Shechem deal treacherously with Abimelech,

World English Bible WEB

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

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And the Lord sent a very evil spirit between Abimelech and the inhabitants of Sichem: who began to detest him,

Translation for Translators T4T

Then God sent an evil spirit to cause trouble between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, with the result that the leaders of Shechem rebelled against Abimelech.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 9:23

BAB

Word Study

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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Judges 9:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַ/יִּשְׁלַ֤ח אֱלֹהִים֙ ר֣וּחַ רָעָ֔ה בֵּ֣ין אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ וּ/בֵ֖ין בַּעֲלֵ֣י שְׁכֶ֑ם וַ/יִּבְגְּד֥וּ בַעֲלֵי שְׁכֶ֖ם בַּ/אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ

וַ/יִּשְׁלַ֤ח shâlach H7971 to send Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

אֱלֹהִים֙ ʼĕlôhîym H430 God N-mp

ר֣וּחַ rûwach H7307 spirit N-cs

רָעָ֔ה raʻ H7451 bad Adj

בֵּ֣ין bêyn H996 between Prep

אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ ʼĂbîymelek H40 Ahimelech N-proper

וּ/בֵ֖ין bêyn H996 between Conj | Prep

בַּעֲלֵ֣י baʻal H1167 master N-mp

שְׁכֶ֑ם Shᵉkem H7927 Shechem N-proper

וַ/יִּבְגְּד֥וּ bâgad H898 to act treacherously Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

בַעֲלֵי baʻal H1167 master N-mp

שְׁכֶ֖ם Shᵉkem H7927 Shechem N-proper

בַּ/אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ ʼĂbîymelek H40 Ahimelech Prep | N-proper

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 9:23

וַ/יִּשְׁלַ֤ח shâlach H7971 "to send" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

To send or depart is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which has various applications in the Bible. It can describe sending someone or something away, or letting something go.

Definition: : depart/send 1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to send 1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct 1a3) to send away 1a4) to let loose 1b) (Niphal) to be sent 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out 1c2) to let go, set free 1c3) to shoot forth (of branches) 1c4) to let down 1c5) to shoot 1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled 1e) (Hiphil) to send

Usage: Occurs in 790 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 9:27; Joshua 14:11.

אֱלֹהִים֙ ʼĕlôhîym H430 "God" N-mp

The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.

Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.

ר֣וּחַ rûwach H7307 "spirit" N-cs

In the Bible, this word for spirit refers to the breath of life, the wind, or a person's mind and emotions, as seen in the book of Ezekiel.

Definition: : spirit 1) wind, breath, mind, spirit 1a) breath 1b) wind 1b1) of heaven 1b2) quarter (of wind), side 1b3) breath of air 1b4) air, gas 1b5) vain, empty thing 1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation) 1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour 1c2) courage 1c3) temper, anger 1c4) impatience, patience 1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented) 1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse 1c7) prophetic spirit 1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals) 1d1) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being 1e) spirit (as seat of emotion) 1e1) desire 1e2) sorrow, trouble 1f) spirit 1f1) as seat or organ of mental acts 1f2) rarely of the will 1f3) as seat especially of moral character 1g) Spirit of God, the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son 1g1) as inspiring ecstatic state of prophecy 1g2) as impelling prophet to utter instruction or warning 1g3) imparting warlike energy and executive and administrative power 1g4) as endowing men with various gifts 1g5) as energy of life 1g6) as manifest in the Shekinah glory 1g7) never referred to as a depersonalised force

Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y). See also: Genesis 1:2; Job 6:26; Psalms 1:4.

רָעָ֔ה raʻ H7451 "bad" Adj

Ra means bad or evil, referring to moral or natural harm. It describes adversity, affliction, or distress, and is often used to convey a sense of misery or injury.

Definition: : harmful adj 1) bad, evil 1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant 1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery) 1c) evil, displeasing 1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc) 1e) bad (of value) 1f) worse than, worst (comparison) 1g) sad, unhappy 1h) evil (hurtful) 1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition) 1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically) 1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts 1j2) deeds, actions

Usage: Occurs in 623 OT verses. KJV: adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). See also: Genesis 2:9; Judges 9:57; 2 Kings 21:6.

בֵּ֣ין bêyn H996 "between" Prep

Between is the meaning of this preposition, used to show a location or a choice, like either or, as seen in Exodus where it describes the space between two objects.

Definition: : between between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between

Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: among, asunder, at, between (-twixt...and), [phrase] from (the widest), [idiom] in, out of, whether (it be...or), within. See also: Genesis 1:4; Joshua 24:7; Psalms 68:14.

אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ ʼĂbîymelek H40 "Ahimelech" N-proper

Abimelech was the name of two Philistine kings and two Israelites in the Bible, including a king who met Abraham and a priest who helped David. The name means 'my father is king'.

Definition: A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.8.17; son of: Abiathar (H0054); brother of: Jonathan (H3083I) Another spelling of a.chi.me.lekh (אֲחִימֶ֫לֶךְ "Ahimelech" H0288I) § Abimelech = "Melek is father" or "my father is king" 1) king of Gerar in Abraham's time 2) king of Gath in David's time; maybe title of Philistine kings 3) son of Gideon by a concubine 4) priest, son of Abiathar

Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: Abimelech. See also: Genesis 20:2; Judges 9:20; Psalms 34:1.

וּ/בֵ֖ין bêyn H996 "between" Conj | Prep

Between is the meaning of this preposition, used to show a location or a choice, like either or, as seen in Exodus where it describes the space between two objects.

Definition: : between between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between

בַּעֲלֵ֣י baʻal H1167 "master" N-mp

Means master or owner, often referring to a husband or leader, as seen in the book of Genesis and Exodus.

Definition: : master/leader 1) owner, husband, lord 1a) owner 1b) a husband 1c) citizens, inhabitants 1d) rulers, lords 1e) (noun of relationship used to characterise-ie, master of dreams)

Usage: Occurs in 79 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] archer, [phrase] babbler, [phrase] bird, captain, chief man, [phrase] confederate, [phrase] have to do, [phrase] dreamer, those to whom it is due, [phrase] furious, those that are given to it, great, [phrase] hairy, he that hath it, have, [phrase] horseman, husband, lord, man, [phrase] married, master, person, [phrase] sworn, they of. See also: Genesis 14:13; 1 Samuel 23:11; Proverbs 1:17.

שְׁכֶ֑ם Shᵉkem H7927 "Shechem" N-proper

Shechem refers to a city in Palestine and a man who lived during the time of the Patriarchs, mentioned in Genesis 33:19. He was the son of Hamor, a Hivite chieftain. The city was located between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim.

Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.33.19; son of: Hamor (H2544) § Shechem = "back" or "shoulder" 1) son of Hamor, the chieftain of the Hivites at Shechem at the time of Jacob's arrival 2) a city in Manasseh; located in a valley between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, 34 miles (54 km) north of Jerusalem and 7 miles (10.5 km) south- east of Samaria

Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: Shechem. See also: Genesis 12:6; Judges 9:6; Psalms 60:8.

וַ/יִּבְגְּד֥וּ bâgad H898 "to act treacherously" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

To act treacherously means to be deceitful or unfaithful, as seen in Job 31:27-28, where Job denies acting treacherously. It involves covering or hiding one's true intentions, often to pillage or offend others.

Definition: 1) to act treacherously, deceitfully, deal treacherously 1a) (Qal) to act or deal treacherously, faithlessly, deceitfully, offend

Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: deal deceitfully (treacherously, unfaithfully), offend, transgress(-or), (depart), treacherous (dealer, -ly, man), unfaithful(-ly, man), [idiom] very. See also: Exodus 21:8; Isaiah 24:16; Psalms 25:3.

בַעֲלֵי baʻal H1167 "master" N-mp

Means master or owner, often referring to a husband or leader, as seen in the book of Genesis and Exodus.

Definition: : master/leader 1) owner, husband, lord 1a) owner 1b) a husband 1c) citizens, inhabitants 1d) rulers, lords 1e) (noun of relationship used to characterise-ie, master of dreams)

שְׁכֶ֖ם Shᵉkem H7927 "Shechem" N-proper

Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: Shechem. See also: Genesis 12:6; Judges 9:6; Psalms 60:8.

בַּ/אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ ʼĂbîymelek H40 "Ahimelech" Prep | N-proper

Abimelech was the name of two Philistine kings and two Israelites in the Bible, including a king who met Abraham and a priest who helped David. The name means 'my father is king'.

Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: Abimelech. See also: Genesis 20:2; Judges 9:20; Psalms 34:1.

Study Notes — Judges 9:23

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Judges 9:23 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Judges 9:23
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 9:23
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 9:23
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 9:23
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 9:23
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 9:23
Cambridge Bible on Judges 9:23
Whedon's Commentary on Judges 9:23
Sermons on Judges 9:23

Context — Gaal Conspires with the Shechemites

21Then Jotham ran away, escaping to Beer, and he lived there for fear of his brother Abimelech. 22After Abimelech had reigned over Israel for three years,

23God sent a spirit of animosity between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem and caused them to treat Abimelech deceitfully,

24in order that the crime against the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come to justice and their blood be avenged on their brother Abimelech and on the leaders of Shechem, who had helped him murder his brothers. 25The leaders of Shechem set up an ambush against Abimelech on the hilltops, and they robbed all who passed by them on the road. So this was reported to Abimelech.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Isaiah 33:1	Woe to you, O destroyer never destroyed, O traitor never betrayed! When you have finished destroying, you will be destroyed. When you have finished betraying, you will be betrayed.
2	Isaiah 19:14	The LORD has poured into her a spirit of confusion. Egypt has been led astray in all she does, as a drunkard staggers through his own vomit.
3	Isaiah 19:2	“So I will incite Egyptian against Egyptian; brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.
4	2 Chronicles 10:15	So the king did not listen to the people, and indeed this turn of events was from God, in order that the LORD might fulfill the word that He had spoken through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam son of Nebat.
5	2 Thessalonians 2:11–12	For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.
6	Matthew 7:2	For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
7	Judges 9:20	But if not, may fire come from Abimelech and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo, and may fire come from the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo and consume Abimelech.”
8	Judges 9:15–16	But the thornbush replied, ‘If you really are anointing me as king over you, come and find refuge in my shade. But if not, may fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon.’ Now if you have acted faithfully and honestly in making Abimelech king, if you have done well by Jerubbaal and his family, and if you have done to him as he deserves—
9	1 Samuel 16:14–16	After the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, a spirit of distress from the LORD began to torment him. Saul’s servants said to him, “Surely a spirit of distress from God is tormenting you. Let our lord command your servants here to seek out someone who can skillfully play the harp. Whenever the spirit of distress from God is upon you, he is to play it, and you will be well.”
10	2 Chronicles 18:19–22	And the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab king of Israel to march up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one suggested this, and another that. Then a spirit came forward, stood before the LORD, and said, ‘I will entice him.’ ‘By what means?’ asked the LORD. And he replied, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.’ ‘You will surely entice him and prevail,’ said the LORD. ‘Go and do it.’ So you see, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of these prophets of yours, and the LORD has pronounced disaster against you.”

Judges 9:23 Summary

This verse, Judges 9:23, tells us that God can influence people's emotions and actions to accomplish His purposes. In this case, God sent a spirit of animosity between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, causing them to treat Abimelech deceitfully. This was part of God's plan to bring about justice for the murder of Abimelech's brothers, as seen in Judges 9:24. Just like in Psalm 37:23, we can trust that God is guiding our steps and working everything out for our good, even when we don't understand what is happening.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for God to send a spirit of animosity?

This phrase suggests that God can influence the emotions and actions of people to accomplish His purposes, as seen in Judges 9:23, similar to how He hardened Pharaoh's heart in Exodus 9:34-35.

Why did God cause the leaders of Shechem to treat Abimelech deceitfully?

According to Judges 9:24, this was to avenge the blood of the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, showing that God is a just God who will not let evil go unpunished, as stated in Deuteronomy 32:4.

Is this verse saying that God is responsible for evil actions?

While God is sovereign over all things, including human actions, the Bible teaches that humans are responsible for their own sins, as seen in Joshua 24:15, and that God's sovereignty does not negate human responsibility.

How does this verse relate to the rest of the story of Abimelech?

Judges 9:23 is a turning point in the story, marking the beginning of Abimelech's downfall, which is a consequence of his own actions and the judgment of God, as seen in the surrounding verses, Judges 9:21-25.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that God might be working in my life to bring about justice or to correct my own sinful actions?
How can I trust in God's sovereignty over all things, even when I don't understand what is happening?
What are some areas in my life where I need to be aware of the potential for deceit or animosity, and how can I seek God's protection and guidance in those areas?
In what ways can I be an instrument of God's justice and righteousness in my own community, as seen in Judges 9:24?

Gill's Exposition on Judges 9:23

Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem,.... Permitted, yea, gave a commission to Satan, the evil spirit, to go among them, who stirred up suspicions, jealousies,

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 9:23

Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech: Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 9:23

God gave the devil commission to enter into or work upon their minds and hearts; knowing that he of himself, and by his own inclination, would fill them with mistakes, and jealousies, and dissensions, and heart-burnings, which would end in civil wars and mutual ruin.

Trapp's Commentary on Judges 9:23

Judges 9:23 Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:Ver. 23. Then God sent an evil spirit.] The devil, that troubler, that seedsman of sedition, that great kindle coal and mischief maker of the world, who, working upon these men’ s corruptions, whom God had justly given over to a reprobate mind, filled them with "envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity," &c. Dealt treacherously with Abimelech.] Whom themselves had chosen and set up. What a fickle tenure holdeth he by, who holdeth of the multitude! Neutrum modo, mas modo Vulgus. So the English were soon weary of Richard III, who yet was a good prince though an evil man, and made many good laws against those evils in others which himself practised.

Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 9:23

(23) An evil spirit.—Whether the word used for spirit (ruach) is here meant to be personal or not we cannot say. Sometimes it seems to mean an evil being (1 Samuel 16:14), sometimes only an evil temper (Numbers 14:24). The later Jews would have made little or no difference between the two, since they attributed almost every evil to the direct agency of demons. Dealt treacherously.—The word is used for the beginning of a defection.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 9:23

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

Cambridge Bible on Judges 9:23

23. God sent an evil spirit] i.e. an infatuation which led to their destruction, and so carried out the punishment which God determined. Where we speak of secondary causes, the ancients thought of the direct intervention of God; cf. 1 Samuel 16:14, 1 Kings 22:21 ff., Amos 3:6. Elohim is thought to indicate that Judges 9:22-25 come from the source E; Judges 9:24 goes with Judges 9:16-18.

Whedon's Commentary on Judges 9:23

23. God sent an evil spirit — Not merely “permitted jealousies to take place, which produced factions, but actually sent, or permitted to go, a personal evil demon, to generate discords among the

Sermons on Judges 9:23

	Sermon	Description
	Belfast Conference 1964-03 Judges 8:22 by Fred Condick	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the fable of the tree mentioned in Judges' Capital Night. He first examines the historical facts presented in the passage and then explores
	The Downfall of Saddam Hussein by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher expresses his struggle to find a message for the congregation but feels a burning desire to share something important. He emphasizes that God is about
	Palm Sunday by Martin Geehan	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of going out and spreading the word of God. He compares the act of evangelizing to untying and loosing people from their sins
	(The Word for Today) Isaiah 33:1 - Part 1 by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of God receiving all the glory for His works. He uses the example of Gideon and how God reduced his army to 300 men in order t
	Living That Grieves the Spirit by A.W. Tozer	James urges believers to experience deep sorrow and wretchedness over their sins, emphasizing the need for genuine repentance and inner penitence rather than external ascetic pract
	Epistle 271 by George Fox	George Fox emphasizes the danger of straying from the light, spirit, and power of God, leading to confusion and a lack of true form in life. He warns that those who follow their ow
	For It Was Brought About of God. by F.B. Meyer	F.B. Meyer emphasizes that the revolt against the young king, though appearing to be a mistake driven by human folly, was ultimately orchestrated by God to fulfill His divine purpo