Bible Strands
Judges 9:29
If only this people were under my authority, I would remove Abimelech; I would say to him, ‘Muster your army and come out!’”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Gaal son of Ebed addresses the assembled citizens of Shechem immediately after publicly questioning Abimelech’s legitimacy. He speaks during a moment of open rebellion while the city's leadership listens.
The words — The Hebrew יִתֵּן (yi.Ten) means “will he give,” paired with בְּיָדִי (be./ya.D/i) “in my hand,” forming the conditional wish that the people would be placed under his control. This structure frames his challenge as a hypothetical assertion of military capability.
The thread — This rhetorical pattern of conditional leadership claims appears in 2 Samuel 15:4, where Absalom wishes to be judge to win popular support. It also tracks the martial posturing found in 2 Samuel 2:14 and 1 Kings 20:11.
Why it lands — The verse demands recognition of how political ambition disguises itself as liberation while relying on force. It requires the reader to evaluate who truly holds authority and whether the proposed change serves justice or personal power.
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 would to God this people were under my hand! then would I remove Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out.
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 15:4 And he would add, “If only someone would appoint me judge in the land, then everyone with a grievance or dispute could come to me, and I would give him justice.”
- 2 Samuel 2:14 Then Abner said to Joab, “Let us have the young men get up and compete before us.” “Let them get up,” Joab replied.
- 1 Kings 20:11 And the king of Israel replied, “Tell him: ‘The one putting on his armor should not boast like one taking it off.’”
- 2 Kings 14:8 Then Amaziah sent messengers to the king of Israel Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu. “Come, let us meet face to face,” he said.
- 2 Kings 18:23 Now, therefore, make a bargain with my master, the king of Assyria. I will give you two thousand horses—if you can put riders on them!
- Psalms 10:3 For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.
- Isaiah 36:8 Now, therefore, make a bargain with my master, the king of Assyria. I will give you two thousand horses—if you can put riders on them!
- Romans 1:30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents.