Judges 9:20 (KJV)

What does Judges 9:20 mean?

Judges 9:20 calls down a curse, saying that if the people of Shechem and Abimelech have acted wrongly, then destruction should come from both sides: Abimelech should destroy the men of Shechem and the house of Millo, and they in turn should destroy Abimelech. The verse is about mutual destruction as a consequence of betrayal and wrongdoing.

In the story, this is spoken by Jotham, the only surviving son of Gideon, after Abimelech killed his brothers to seize power. Jotham is addressing the leaders of Shechem and warning them that their alliance with Abimelech, if not made in good faith, will lead to both sides turning on each other and being destroyed by their own actions.

The Hebrew behind Judges 9:20

• "fire" (אֵשׁ, 'esh): This word is often used as a symbol of destruction or judgment in the Hebrew Bible. Here, it vividly pictures the consuming nature of the conflict Jotham predicts.
• "devour" (אָכַל, 'akal): This verb means "to eat" or "consume." In this context, it emphasizes the total ruin that will come upon both Abimelech and Shechem, as if they will be consumed by fire.
• "house" (בַּיִת, bayit): The "house of Millo" refers to a specific group or stronghold within Shechem, highlighting that the curse is not just on individuals but on entire communities or power structures.

Why Judges 9:20 matters

• Judges 9:20 clarifies that Jotham’s curse is not one-sided; it predicts that both Abimelech and his allies in Shechem will be destroyed by each other’s actions, not just by outside enemies.
• This verse helps explain the later events in the chapter, where internal conflict and betrayal lead to the downfall of both Abimelech and Shechem, showing the fulfillment of Jotham’s words.
• The verse highlights the theme of justice and consequences in Judges, where treachery and violence often lead to self-destruction among those who commit them.