And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.
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Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Gill's Exposition
And he went to his father's house at Ophrah,.... Which, according to Bunting (a), was ten miles from Shechem:
and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being seventy persons, upon one stone: in…
Barnes' Notes
Such wholesale slaughters have always been common in Eastern monarchies, and are among the fruits of polygamy.
We are here told by what arts Abimelech got into authority, and made himself great. His mother perhaps had instilled into his mind some towering ambitious thoughts, and the name his father gave him,…
Cambridge Bible
upon one stone as if they were sacrificial victims (cf. 1Sa 14:33 f.); perhaps also to avoid promiscuous blood-shed. For this Oriental manner of inaugurating a new reign cf. 2Ki 10:1 ff; 2Ki 11:1.…
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