And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode the grapes, and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.
JUDGES 9:27KJVWhat does Judges 9:27 mean?
Judges 9:27 describes how the people went out to their fields, harvested grapes from their vineyards, made wine, celebrated, and then went into the temple of their god to eat, drink, and curse Abimelech. The verse shows a scene of festivity mixed with open opposition to Abimelech’s rule.
This verse is set in the city of Shechem during a time of unrest after Abimelech made himself king. The people are not just having a harvest festival; they are also using the occasion to express their rejection of Abimelech, likely in a religious setting tied to their local god. The verse highlights both the ordinary activities of harvest and the political tension brewing against Abimelech.
The Hebrew behind Judges 9:27
- The word "made merry" comes from שִׂמְחוּ (simchu), which means to rejoice or celebrate. This shows that the gathering was festive, not just routine work.
- The word "cursed" is קִלְּלוּ (killelu), meaning to treat lightly or to insult. This indicates the people were openly disrespecting Abimelech, not just disagreeing with him.
- The word for "god" here is אֱלֹהִים (elohim), which can mean "god" or "gods" depending on context. In this verse, it refers to the local deity worshipped in Shechem, not the God of Israel.
Why Judges 9:27 matters
- This verse clarifies that the opposition to Abimelech was not hidden or subtle; it was public and tied to both social and religious activities.
- The mention of the house of their god shows that the conflict with Abimelech involved not just politics but also religious loyalty and identity.
- Understanding this verse helps explain why tensions in Shechem escalated, leading to further conflict in the following verses.