Bible Strands
Judges 1:7
Then Adoni-bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off have gathered the scraps under my table. As I have done to them, so God has repaid me.” And they brought him to Jerusalem, where he died.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Adoni-bezek speaks to his captors immediately after they seize him and cut off his thumbs and big toes. The declaration occurs just before they transport him to Jerusalem, where he dies.
The words — אֲדֹנִי־בֶזֶק (Adoni-bezek) literally means "lord of Bezek." The phrase בְּהֹנֹת יְדֵיהֶם (be-honot yedeihem) translates to "thumbs of their hands," specifying the exact mutilation performed.
The thread — The principle of measured retribution runs through Leviticus 24:19, which mandates that whatever injury one inflicts must be done in return. The inevitability of divine judgment also parallels the warning in Revelation 13:10 about facing the same fate one ordained for others.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that violent actions produce inescapable consequences. It requires the reader to acknowledge divine justice operating through historical events without minimizing the brutality described.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Adoni–bezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.
Cross-references
- Revelation 13:10 “If anyone is destined for captivity, into captivity he will go; if anyone is to die by the sword, by the sword he must be killed.” Here is a call for the perseverance and faith of the saints.
- 1 Samuel 15:33 But Samuel declared: “As your sword has made women childless, so your mother will be childless among women.” And Samuel hacked Agag to pieces before the LORD at Gilgal.
- Leviticus 24:19 If anyone injures his neighbor, whatever he has done must be done to him:
- Luke 6:37 Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
- James 2:13 For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
- Exodus 21:23 But if a serious injury results, then you must require a life for a life—
- Matthew 7:1 “Do not judge, or you will be judged.
- Romans 2:15 So they show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts either accusing or defending them
- 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.
- Revelation 16:6 For they have spilled the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink, as they deserve.”