Lectionary Calendar
Saturday, April 25th, 2026
the Third Week after Easter
Attention!
Take your personal ministry to the Next Level by helping StudyLight build churches and supporting pastors in Uganda.
Click here to join the effort!

Read the Bible

New Revised Standard

Judges 9:23

But God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the lords of Shechem; and the lords of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

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

Dictionaries:

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

Encyclopedias:

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

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the citizens of Shechem. They treated Abimelech deceitfully,
Hebrew Names Version
God sent an evil spirit between Avimelekh and the men of Shekhem; and the men of Shekhem dealt treacherously with Avimelekh:
King James Version
Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
Lexham English Bible
And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the lords of Shechem, and the lords of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech,
English Standard Version
And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech,
New Century Version
Then God sent an evil spirit to make trouble between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem so that the leaders of Shechem turned against him.
New English Translation
God sent a spirit to stir up hostility between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem. He made the leaders of Shechem disloyal to Abimelech.
Amplified Bible
Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem; and the leaders of Shechem acted treacherously against Abimelech,
New American Standard Bible
Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem; and the leaders of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech,
Geneva Bible (1587)
But God sent an euil spirit betweene Abimelech, and the men of Shechem: and the men of Shechem brake their promise to Abimelech,
Legacy Standard Bible
and for others, save, snatching them out of the fire; and on others have mercy with fear, hating even the tunic polluted by the flesh.
Contemporary English Version
when God decided to punish him and the leaders of Shechem for killing Gideon's seventy sons. So God turned the leaders of Shechem against Abimelech.
Complete Jewish Bible
But God sent a spirit of discord between Avimelekh and the men of Sh'khem, so that the men of Sh'khem dealt treacherously with Avimelekh.
Darby Translation
And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the citizens of Shechem; and the citizens of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech,
Easy-to-Read Version
Abimelech had killed Gideon's 70 sons—and they were his own brothers. The leaders of Shechem had supported him in doing this evil thing. So God caused trouble between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem. And they began planning ways to hurt Abimelech.
George Lamsa Translation
Then God sent an evil spirit upon Abimeleck and upon the lords of Shechem; and the lords of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimeleck,
Good News Translation
Then God made Abimelech and the men of Shechem hostile to each other, and they rebelled against Abimelech.
Literal Translation
And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem. And the leaders of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
God sent an euell mynde betwene Abimelech and the men of Sichen (for the men of Sichem despysed Abimelech,
American Standard Version
And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
Bible in Basic English
And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the townsmen of Shechem; and the townsmen of Shechem were false to Abimelech;
Bishop's Bible (1568)
God sent an euyll spirite betweene Abimelech, & the men of Sichem: and the citezins of Sichem brake their promise to Abimelech,
JPS Old Testament (1917)
And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech;
King James Version (1611)
Then God sent an euill spirit betweene Abimelech & the men of Shechem: and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Sicima; and the men of Sicima dealt treacherously with the house of Abimelech:
English Revised Version
And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
Berean Standard Bible
God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem and caused them to treat Abimelech deceitfully,
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And the Lord sente the worste spirit bitwixe Abymelech and the dwelleris of Sichem, whiche bigynnen to holde hym abomynable,
Young's Literal Translation
and God sendeth an evil spirit between Abimelech and the masters of Shechem, and the masters of Shechem deal treacherously with Abimelech,
Update Bible Version
And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
Webster's Bible Translation
Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
World English Bible
God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
New King James Version
God sent a spirit of ill will between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech,
New Living Translation
God sent a spirit that stirred up trouble between Abimelech and the leading citizens of Shechem, and they revolted.
New Life Bible
Then God sent a bad spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem. The men of Shechem were not faithful to Abimelech.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then God let go a spirit of mischief between Abimelech and the owners of Shechem, - and the owners of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Lord sent a very evil spirit between Abimelech and the inhabitants of Sichem; who began to detest him,
Revised Standard Version
And God sent an evil spirit between Abim'elech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abim'elech;
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech,

Contextual Overview

22 Abimelech ruled over Israel three years. 23 But God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the lords of Shechem; and the lords of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech. 24 This happened so that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might be avenged and their blood be laid on their brother Abimelech, who killed them, and on the lords of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers. 25 So, out of hostility to him, the lords of Shechem set ambushes on the mountain tops. They robbed all who passed by them along that way; and it was reported to Abimelech. 26 When Gaal son of Ebed moved into Shechem with his kinsfolk, the lords of Shechem put confidence in him. 27 They went out into the field and gathered the grapes from their vineyards, trod them, and celebrated. Then they went into the temple of their god, ate and drank, and ridiculed Abimelech. 28 Gaal son of Ebed said, "Who is Abimelech, and who are we of Shechem, that we should serve him? Did not the son of Jerubbaal and Zebul his officer serve the men of Hamor father of Shechem? Why then should we serve him? 29 If only this people were under my command! Then I would remove Abimelech; I would say to him, ‘Increase your army, and come out.'" 30 When Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed, his anger was kindled. 31 He sent messengers to Abimelech at Arumah, saying, "Look, Gaal son of Ebed and his kinsfolk have come to Shechem, and they are stirring up the city against you.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

am 2771, bc 1233

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

An: Ex, Is, 258

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

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

Cross-References

Exodus 20:12
Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
Leviticus 19:32
You shall rise before the aged, and defer to the old; and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord .
Romans 13:7
Pay to all what is due them—taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.
Galatians 6:1
My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted.
1 Timothy 5:1
Do not speak harshly to an older man, but speak to him as to a father, to younger men as brothers,
1 Timothy 5:17
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching;
1 Timothy 5:19
Never accept any accusation against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.
1 Peter 2:17
Honor everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
1 Peter 4:8
Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

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

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

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

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


 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile