Bible Strands
Judges 9:3
And when his mother’s brothers spoke all these words about him in the presence of all the leaders of Shechem, their hearts were inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, “He is our brother.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Abimelech’s maternal uncles address the civic leaders of Shechem to persuade them to accept his rule. This occurs immediately after Abimelech’s pitch about kinship and before the leaders provide him with temple silver.
The words — The phrase אֲחֵי־ אִמּוֹ ('a.chei- 'i.M/o) literally renders “brothers of his mother,” emphasizing maternal lineage. The verb וַיְדַבֵּרוּ (va/y.da.be.Ru) denotes “they spoke,” marking the uncles’ direct verbal campaign.
The thread — Kinship appeals for political leverage echo in Genesis 29:15, where Laban uses familial ties to negotiate wages. Manipulative speech that bypasses covenant loyalty appears in Psalms 10:3 and Proverbs 1:11.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition of how familial rhetoric can be weaponized to secure political allegiance. It requires the reader to distinguish between genuine kinship bonds and calculated appeals used to manipulate authority.
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 his mother’s brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother.
Cross-references
- Genesis 29:15 Laban said to him, “Just because you are my relative, should you work for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.”
- Psalms 10:3 For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.
- Proverbs 1:11 If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause,