Judges 9:56 (KJV)

What does Judges 9:56 mean?

Judges 9:56 says that God paid back Abimelech for the evil he had done to his father by murdering his seventy brothers. The verse makes clear that Abimelech’s violent actions did not go unnoticed or unpunished by God.

This verse comes near the end of the story of Abimelech, who had killed his many brothers to seize power after Gideon’s death. The writer is explaining to the reader that the downfall and death of Abimelech were not random events, but were God’s response to Abimelech’s wickedness. The verse is a summary statement, showing that God brings justice for serious wrongdoing.

The Hebrew behind Judges 9:56

• “God” (אֱלֹהִים, ’Elohim): This is the general Hebrew word for God, emphasizing God’s role as judge and ruler in this context.
• “Rendered” (שׁוּב, shuv): This word means “to return” or “to pay back.” Here, it highlights the idea of God actively returning the consequences of Abimelech’s actions to him.
• “Wickedness” (רַע, ra‘): This word means “evil” or “harm.” The verse labels Abimelech’s actions as truly evil, not just a political move.
• “Slaying” (הָרַג, harag): This word means “to kill” or “to murder.” It underlines the violent, deliberate nature of Abimelech’s crime.

Why Judges 9:56 matters

• The verse clarifies that Abimelech’s punishment was not just bad luck or politics, but a direct act of God’s justice in response to evil.
• It connects the violence at the start of Abimelech’s rule (the murder of his brothers) with his violent end, showing a pattern of cause and effect.
• This verse helps the reader see a key theme in Judges: God is aware of injustice and will ultimately bring about justice, even if it takes time.