Liber Iudicum, 9

1. Abiit autem Abimelech filius Ierobbaal in Sichem ad fratres matris suae et locutus est ad eos et ad omnem cognationem familiae matris suae dicens:

1. Now Abim'elech the son of Jerubba'al went to Shechem to his mother's kinsmen and said to them and to the whole clan of his mother's family,

2. “Loquimini ad omnes viros Sichem: “Quid vobis est melius, ut dominentur vestri septuaginta viri, omnes filii Ierobbaal, an ut dominetur vobis unus vir? Simulque considerate quod os vestrum et caro vestra sum””.

2. "Say in the ears of all the citizens of Shechem, `Which is better for you, that all seventy of the sons of Jerubba'al rule over you, or that one rule over you?' Remember also that I am your bone and your flesh."

3. Locutique sunt fratres matris eius de eo ad omnes viros Sichem universos sermones istos et inclinaverunt cor eorum post Abimelech dicentes: “Frater noster est”.

3. And his mother's kinsmen spoke all these words on his behalf in the ears of all the men of Shechem; and their hearts inclined to follow Abim'elech, for they said, "He is our brother."

4. Dederuntque illi septuaginta pondo argenti de fano Baalberith; qui conduxit sibi ex eo viros inopes et vagos, secutique sunt eum.

4. And they gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Ba'al-be'rith with which Abim'elech hired worthless and reckless fellows, who followed him.

5. Et venit in domum patris sui Ephra et occidit fratres suos filios Ierobbaal septuaginta viros super lapidem unum. Remansitque Ioatham filius Ierobbaal minimus, quia absconditus erat.

5. And he went to his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brothers the sons of Jerubba'al, seventy men, upon one stone; but Jotham the youngest son of Jerubba'al was left, for he hid himself.

6. Congregati sunt autem omnes viri Sichem et universae domus Mello abieruntque et constituerunt regem Abimelech iuxta quercum, quae stabat in Sichem.

6. And all the citizens of Shechem came together, and all Beth-millo, and they went and made Abim'elech king, by the oak of the pillar at Shechem.

7. Quod cum nuntiatum esset Ioatham, ivit et stetit in vertice montis Garizim elevataque voce clamavit et dixit: “Audite me, viri Sichem, ut audiat vos Deus.

7. When it was told to Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Ger'izim, and cried aloud and said to them, "Listen to me, you men of Shechem, that God may listen to you.

8. Ierunt ligna, ut ungerent super se regem, dixeruntque olivae: “Impera nobis”.

8. The trees once went forth to anoint a king over them; and they said to the olive tree, `Reign over us.'

9. Quae respondit: “Numquid possum deserere pinguedinem meam, qua et dii honorantur et homines, et venire, ut super ligna movear?”.

9. But the olive tree said to them, `Shall I leave my fatness, by which gods and men are honored, and go to sway over the trees?'

10. Dixeruntque ligna ad arborem ficum: “Veni et super nos regnum accipe”.

10. And the trees said to the fig tree, `Come you, and reign over us.'

11. Quae respondit eis: “Numquid possum deserere dulcedinem meam fructusque suavissimos et ire, ut super cetera ligna movear?”.

11. But the fig tree said to them, `Shall I leave my sweetness and my good fruit, and go to sway over the trees?'

12. Locuta quoque sunt ligna ad vitem: “Veni et impera nobis”.

12. And the trees said to the vine, `Come you, and reign over us.'

13. Quae respondit: “Numquid possum deserere vinum meum, quod laetificat deos et homines, et super ligna cetera commoveri?”.

13. But the vine said to them, `Shall I leave my wine which cheers gods and men, and go to sway over the trees?'

14. Dixeruntque omnia ligna ad rhamnum: “Veni et impera super nos”.

14. Then all the trees said to the bramble, `Come you, and reign over us.'

15. Quae respondit eis: “Si vere me regem vobis constituitis, venite et sub mea umbra requiescite; sin autem non vultis, egrediatur ignis de rhamno et devoret cedros Libani!”.

15. And the bramble said to the trees, `If in good faith you are anointing me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon.'

16. Nunc igitur, si recte et absque peccato constituistis super vos regem Abimelech et bene egistis cum Ierobbaal et cum domo eius et reddidistis vicem beneficiis eius,

16. "Now therefore, if you acted in good faith and honor when you made Abim'elech king, and if you have dealt well with Jerubba'al and his house, and have done to him as his deeds deserved --

17. qui pugnavit pro vobis et animam suam dedit periculis, ut erueret vos de manu Madian,

17. for my father fought for you, and risked his life, and rescued you from the hand of Mid'ian;

18. qui nunc surrexistis contra domum patris mei et interfecistis filios eius septuaginta viros super unum lapidem et constituistis regem Abimelech filium ancillae eius super habitatores Sichem, eo quod frater vester sit;

18. and you have risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, seventy men on one stone, and have made Abim'elech, the son of his maidservant, king over the citizens of Shechem, because he is your kinsman --

19. si ergo recte et absque vitio egistis cum Ierobbaal et domo eius hodie, laetamini in Abimelech, et ille laetetur in vobis.

19. if you then have acted in good faith and honor with Jerubba'al and with his house this day, then rejoice in Abim'elech, and let him also rejoice in you;

20. Sin autem perverse, egrediatur ignis ex Abimelech et consumat habitatores Sichem et domum Mello, egrediaturque ignis de viris Sichem et de domo Mello et devoret Abimelech!”.

20. but if not, let fire come out from Abim'elech, and devour the citizens of Shechem, and Beth-millo; and let fire come out from the citizens of Shechem, and from Beth-millo, and devour Abim'elech."

21. Quae cum Ioatham dixisset, fugit et abiit in Bera habitavitque ibi metu Abimelech fratris sui.

21. And Jotham ran away and fled, and went to Beer and dwelt there, for fear of Abim'elech his brother.

22. Regnavit itaque Abimelech super Israel tribus annis.

22. Abim'elech ruled over Israel three years.

23. Misitque Deus spiritum pessimum inter Abimelech et habitatores Sichem, qui rebellaverunt contra eum,

23. And God sent an evil spirit between Abim'elech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abim'elech;

24. ut scelus interfectionis septuaginta filiorum Ierobbaal et effusio sanguinis eorum veniret super Abimelech fratrem suum et in viros Sichimorum, qui eum adiuverant.

24. that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubba'al might come and their blood be laid upon Abim'elech their brother, who slew them, and upon the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to slay his brothers.

25. Posueruntque insidias adversus eum in montium summitate et exercebant latrocinia agentes praedas de omnibus praetereuntibus. Nuntiatumque est Abimelech.

25. And the men of Shechem put men in ambush against him on the mountain tops, and they robbed all who passed by them along that way; and it was told Abim'elech.

26. Venit autem Gaal filius Ebed cum fratribus suis et transivit in Sichimam, et confisi sunt habitatores Sichem in eo.

26. And Ga'al the son of Ebed moved into Shechem with his kinsmen; and the men of Shechem put confidence in him.

27. Egressi in agros vindemiaverunt vineas uvasque calcaverunt et, factis cantantium choris, ingressi sunt fanum dei sui et inter epulas et pocula maledicebant Abimelech,

27. And they went out into the field, and gathered the grapes from their vineyards and trod them, and held festival, and went into the house of their god, and ate and drank and reviled Abim'elech.

28. clamante Gaal filio Ebed: “Quis est Abimelech, et quae est Sichem, ut serviamus ei? Numquid non est filius Ierobbaal et Zebul praefectus eius? Servite viris Hemmor patris Sichem! Cur serviemus ei?

28. And Ga'al the son of Ebed said, "Who is Abim'elech, and who are we of Shechem, that we should serve him? Did not the son of Jerubba'al and Zebul his officer serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem? Why then should we serve him?

29. Utinam daret aliquis populum istum sub manu mea, ut auferrem de medio Abimelech et dicerem ei: Congrega exercitus multitudinem et veni”.

29. Would that this people were under my hand! then I would remove Abim'elech. I would say to Abim'elech, `Increase your army, and come out.'"

30. Zebul princeps civitatis, auditis sermonibus Gaal filii Ebed, iratus est valde

30. When Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Ga'al the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.

31. et misit clam ad Abimelech nuntios dicens: “Ecce Gaal filius Ebed venit in Sichimam cum fratribus suis et excitant adversum te civitatem.

31. And he sent messengers to Abim'elech at Aru'mah, saying, "Behold, Ga'al the son of Ebed and his kinsmen have come to Shechem, and they are stirring up the city against you.

32. Surge itaque nocte cum populo, qui tecum est, et latita in agro.

32. Now therefore, go by night, you and the men that are with you, and lie in wait in the fields.

33. Et primo mane, oriente sole, irrue super civitatem; illo autem egrediente adversum te cum populo suo, fac ei, quod potueris”.

33. Then in the morning, as soon as the sun is up, rise early and rush upon the city; and when he and the men that are with him come out against you, you may do to them as occasion offers."

34. Surrexit itaque Abimelech cum omni exercitu suo nocte et tetendit insidias iuxta Sichimam in quattuor locis.

34. And Abim'elech and all the men that were with him rose up by night, and laid wait against Shechem in four companies.

35. Egressusque est Gaal filius Ebed et stetit in introitu portae civitatis; surrexit autem Abimelech et omnis exercitus cum eo de insidiarum loco.

35. And Ga'al the son of Ebed went out and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city; and Abim'elech and the men that were with him rose from the ambush.

36. Cumque vidisset populum Gaal, dixit ad Zebul: “Ecce de montibus multitudo descendit”. Cui ille respondit: “Umbras montium vides quasi homines”.

36. And when Ga'al saw the men, he said to Zebul, "Look, men are coming down from the mountain tops!" And Zebul said to him, "You see the shadow of the mountains as if they were men."

37. Rursumque Gaal ait: “Ecce populus de Umbilico terrae descendit, et unus cuneus venit per viam Quercus Augurum”.

37. Ga'al spoke again and said, "Look, men are coming down from the center of the land, and one company is coming from the direction of the Diviners' Oak."

38. Cui dixit Zebul: “Ubi est nunc os tuum, quo loquebaris: “Quis est Abimelech, ut serviamus ei?”. Nonne iste est populus, quem despiciebas? Egredere et pugna contra eum”.

38. Then Zebul said to him, "Where is your mouth now, you who said, `Who is Abim'elech, that we should serve him?' Are not these the men whom you despised? Go out now and fight with them."

39. Abiit ergo Gaal, spectante Sichimorum populo, et pugnavit contra Abimelech.

39. And Ga'al went out at the head of the men of Shechem, and fought with Abim'elech.

40. Qui persecutus est eum fugientem, cecideruntque ex parte eius plurimi usque ad portam civitatis.

40. And Abim'elech chased him, and he fled before him; and many fell wounded, up to the entrance of the gate.

41. Et Abimelech sedit in Aruma; Zebul autem Gaal et fratres eius expulit de urbe nec in ea passus est commorari.

41. And Abim'elech dwelt at Aru'mah; and Zebul drove out Ga'al and his kinsmen, so that they could not live on at Shechem.

42. Sequenti ergo die egressus est populus in campum. Quod cum nuntiatum esset Abimelech,

42. On the following day the men went out into the fields. And Abim'elech was told.

43. tulit exercitum suum et divisit in tres turmas tendens insidias in agris. Vidensque quod egrederetur populus de civitate, surrexit et percussit eos.

43. He took his men and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the fields; and he looked and saw the men coming out of the city, and he rose against them and slew them.

44. Irruensque cum cuneo suo obsedit ingressum portae civitatis; duae autem turmae palantes per campum adversarios percusserunt.

44. Abim'elech and the company that was with him rushed forward and stood at the entrance of the gate of the city, while the two companies rushed upon all who were in the fields and slew them.

45. Porro Abimelech omni illo die oppugnabat urbem, quam cepit, interfectis habitatoribus eius ipsaque destructa, ita ut sal in ea dispergeret.

45. And Abim'elech fought against the city all that day; he took the city, and killed the people that were in it; and he razed the city and sowed it with salt.

46. Quod cum audissent, qui habitabant in turre Sichimorum, ingressi sunt cryptam fani Elberith (id est dei Foederis).

46. When all the people of the Tower of Shechem heard of it, they entered the stronghold of the house of El-be'rith.

47. Abimelech quoque audiens omnes viros turris Sichimorum pariter conglobatos,

47. Abim'elech was told that all the people of the Tower of Shechem were gathered together.

48. ascendit in montem Selmon cum omni populo suo et, arrepta securi, praecidit arboris ramum impositumque ferens umero dixit ad socios: “Quod me viditis facere, cito facite”.

48. And Abim'elech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the men that were with him; and Abim'elech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bundle of brushwood, and took it up and laid it on his shoulder. And he said to the men that were with him, "What you have seen me do, make haste to do, as I have done."

49. Igitur certatim ramos de arboribus praecidentes sequebantur ducem, quos circumdantes cryptae succenderunt; atque ita factum est, ut fumo et igne omnes homines necarentur, circiter mille viri pariter ac mulieres, habitatores turris Sichem.

49. So every one of the people cut down his bundle and following Abim'elech put it against the stronghold, and they set the stronghold on fire over them, so that all the people of the Tower of Shechem also died, about a thousand men and women.

50. Abimelech autem inde proficiscens venit ad oppidum Thebes, quod obsidebat et cepit.

50. Then Abim'elech went to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.

51. Erat autem turris fortis in media civitate, ad quam confugerant viri simul ac mulieres et omnes cives civitatis, clausa firmissime ianua, et super turris tectum stantes per propugnacula.

51. But there was a strong tower within the city, and all the people of the city fled to it, all the men and women, and shut themselves in; and they went to the roof of the tower.

52. Accedensque Abimelech iuxta turrim pugnabat fortiter et appropinquans ostio ignem supponere nitebatur.

52. And Abim'elech came to the tower, and fought against it, and drew near to the door of the tower to burn it with fire.

53. Et ecce una mulier superiorem molam desuper iaciens illisit capiti Abimelech et confregit cerebrum eius.

53. And a certain woman threw an upper millstone upon Abim'elech's head, and crushed his skull.

54. Qui vocavit cito armigerum suum et ait ad eum: “Evagina gladium tuum et percute me, ne forte dicatur quod a femina interfectus sim”. Qui transfodit eum.

54. Then he called hastily to the young man his armor-bearer, and said to him, "Draw your sword and kill me, lest men say of me, `A woman killed him.'" And his young man thrust him through, and he died.

55. Illoque mortuo, omnes viri Israel hoc videntes reversi sunt in sedes suas.

55. And when the men of Israel saw that Abim'elech was dead, they departed every man to his home.

56. Et reddidit Deus malum, quod fecerat Abimelech contra patrem suum, interfectis septuaginta fratribus suis.

56. Thus God requited the crime of Abim'elech, which he committed against his father in killing his seventy brothers;

57. Sichimitis quoque, quod operati erant, retributum est, et venit super eos maledictio Ioatham filii Ierobbaal.

57. and God also made all the wickedness of the men of Shechem fall back upon their heads, and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubba'al.