Illustration created for this project.
Abimelech (son of Gideon)
A son of Gideon who murdered his brothers and made himself king at Shechem, and died when a woman dropped a millstone on his head.
What we know — and how we know it
Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 1
Archaeology — physical evidence · 1
Life, role & deeds
BibleSon of Gideon who murdered his seventy brothers to make himself king at Shechem, and died when a woman dropped a millstone on his head.
Judges 9:1–6, 50–54
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Gideon
Death & legacy
ArchaeologyExcavations at Shechem uncovered a massive fortress-temple of Baal-berith — matching the 'tower of Shechem' burned in the story.
Fortress-temple (Migdal Temple 1, Field V) at Tell Balâṭah (biblical Shechem), identified with the temple of El/Baal-berith of Judges 9; excavated by Ernst Sellin (from 1926) and the Drew-McCormick Expedition under G. Ernest Wright; G. E. Wright, 'Shechem: The Biography of a Biblical City' (McGraw-Hill, 1965).
Where in scripture
JudgesFamily
In their own words — 3 recorded sayings
“Say now in the ears of all the townsmen of Shechem, Is it better for you to be ruled by all the seventy sons of Jerubbaal or by one man only? And keep in mind that I am your bone and your flesh.” — Judges 9:2
“Then Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, with all his people; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand and, cutting down branches of trees, took them and put them on his back. And he said to the people who were with him, Be quick and do as you have seen me do.” — Judges 9:48
“Then quickly crying out to his body-servant, he said to him, Take out your sword and put an end to me straight away, so that men may not say of me, His death was the work of a woman. So the young man put his sword through him, causing his death.” — Judges 9:54
Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).
In art
