Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

1 But after Ehud had died, the people of Isra’el again did what was evil fromAdonai’s perspective.

2 SoAdonaihanded them over to Yavin king of Kena‘an. He ruled from Hatzor; and the commander of his army was Sisra, who lived in Haroshet-HaGoyim.

3 The people of Isra’el cried out toAdonai, because he had 900 iron chariots, and for twenty years he cruelly oppressed the people of Isra’el.

4 Now D’vorah, a woman and a prophet, the wife of Lapidot, was judging Isra’el at that time.

5 She used to sit under D’vorah’s Palm between Ramah and Beit-El, in the hills of Efrayim; and the people of Isra’el would come to her for judgment.

6 She sent for Barak the son of Avino‘am, from Kedesh in Naftali, and said to him: “Adonaihas given you this order: ‘Go, march to Mount Tavor, and take with you 10,000 men from the people of Naftali and Z’vulun.

7 I will cause Sisra, the commander of Yavin’s army, to encounter you at the Kishon River with his chariots and troops; and I will hand him over to you.’”

8 Barak answered her: “If you go with me, I’ll go; but if you won’t go with me, I won’t go.”

9 She replied, “Yes, I will gladly go with you; but the way you are doing it will bring you no glory; becauseAdonaiwill hand Sisra over to a woman.” Then D’vorah set out and went with Barak to Kedesh.

10 Barak summoned Z’vulun and Naftali to come to Kedesh. Ten thousand men followed him, and D’vorah went up with him.

11 Now Hever the Keini had cut himself off from the rest of Kayin, the descendants of Hovav Moshe’s father-in-law; he had pitched his tent near the oak at Tza‘ananim, which is close to Kedesh.

12 Sisra was informed that Barak the son of Avino‘am had gone up to Mount Tavor.

13 So Sisra rallied his chariots, all 900 iron chariots, and all the troops he had with him, from Haroshet-HaGoyim to the Kishon River.

14 D’vorah said to Barak: “Get going! This is the day whenAdonaiwill hand Sisra over to you!Adonaihas gone out ahead of you!” So Barak went down from Mount Tavor with 10,000 men following him;

15 andAdonaithrew Sisra, all his chariots and his entire army into a panic before Barak’s sword; so that Sisra got down from his chariot and fled on foot.

16 But Barak pursued the chariots and the army all the way to Haroshet-HaGoyim. Sisra’s entire army was put to the sword; not one man was left.

17 However, Sisra ran on foot to the tent of Ya‘el the wife of Hever the Keini, because there was peace between Yavin the king of Hatzor and the family of Hever the Keini.

18 Ya‘el went out to meet Sisra and said to him, “Come in, my lord; stay here with me; and don’t be afraid.” So he went into her tent, and she covered him with a blanket.

19 He said to her, “Please give me a little water to drink — I’m thirsty.” She opened a goatskin of milk, gave him some to drink, and covered him up again.

20 He said to her, “Stand at the entrance to the tent; and if anyone asks you if somebody is here, say, ‘No.’”

21 But when he was deeply asleep, Ya‘el the wife of Hever took a tent peg and a hammer in her hand, crept in to him quietly and drove the tent peg into his temple, right through to the ground; so that he died without waking up.

22 So here is Barak pursuing Sisra, and Ya‘el steps out to meet him and says, “Come, I will show you the man you are looking for.” He goes into her tent; and there is Sisra, lying dead with the tent peg through his temple.

23 Thus God on that day defeated Yavin the king of Kena‘an in the presence of the people of Isra’el.

24 The hand of the people of Isra’el came down more and more heavily against Yavin the king of Kena‘an, until they had completely destroyed Yavin the king of Kena‘an.

1 On that day D’vorah and Barak the son of Avino‘am sang this song:

2 “When leaders in Isra’el dedicate themselves,

and the people volunteer,

you should all blessAdonai.

3 Hear, kings; listen, princes;

I will sing toAdonai!

I will sing praise toAdonai

the God of Isra’el.

4 “Adonai, when you went out from Se‘ir,

when you marched out from the field of Edom;

the earth quaked, and the sky shook;

yes, the clouds poured down torrents.

5 The mountains melted at the presence ofAdonai,

at Sinai, beforeAdonaithe God of Isra’el.

6 “In the days of Shamgar the son of ‘Anat,

in the days of Ya‘el, the main roads were deserted;

travelers walked the byways.

7 The rulers ceased in Isra’el, they ceased,

until you arose, D’vorah,

arose a mother in Isra’el.

8 “They chose new gods when war was at the gates.

Was there a shield or spear to be seen

among Isra’el’s forty thousand men?

9 My heart goes out to Isra’el’s leaders

and to those among the people who volunteer.

All of you, blessAdonai.

10 “You who ride white donkeys,

sitting on soft saddle-blankets,

and you walking on the road,

talk about it!

11 Louder than the sound of archers at the watering-holes

will they sound as they retell

the righteous acts ofAdonai,

the righteous acts of his rulers in Isra’el.

“ThenAdonai’s people marched down to the gates.

12 “Awake, awake, D’vorah!

Awake, awake, break into song!

Arise, Barak! Lead away your captives,

son of Avino‘am!

13 “Then a remnant of the nobles marched down;

the people ofAdonaimarched down to me like warriors.

14 From Efrayim came those rooted in ‘Amalek.

Behind you, Binyamin is with your peoples.

From Makhir the commanders marched down,

and from Z’vulun those holding the musterer’s staff.

15 The princes of Yissakhar were with D’vorah,

Yissakhar, along with Barak;

into the valley they rushed forth behind him.

Among the divisions of Re’uven

they made great resolutions in their hearts.

16 But why did you stay at the pens for the sheep,

and listen to the shepherd’s flute playing for the flocks?

Concerning the divisions of Re’uven

there were great searchings of heart.

17 Gil‘ad lives beyond the Yarden.

Dan — why does he stay by the ships?

Asher stayed by the shore of the sea,

remaining near its bays.

18 The people of Z’vulun risked their lives,

Naftali too, on the open heights.

19 “Kings came; they fought.

Yes, the kings of Kena‘an fought

at Ta‘anakh, by the waters of Megiddo;

but they took no spoil of silver.

20 They fought from heaven, the stars in their courses;

yes, they fought against Sisra.

21 The Kishon River swept them away,

that ancient river, the Kishon River.

O my soul, march on with strength!

22 Then the horses’ hoofs pounded the ground,

their mighty steeds galloping at full speed.

23 “‘Curse Meroz!’ said the angel ofAdonai,

‘Curse the people living there with a bitter punishment

for not coming to helpAdonai,

to helpAdonaiagainst the mighty warriors.’

24 “Ya‘el will be blessed more than all women.

The wife of Hever the Keini

will be blessed more than any woman in the tent.

25 He asked for water, and she gave him milk;

In an elegant bowl she brought him curds.

26 Then she took a tent peg in her left hand

and a workman’s hammer in her right;

with the hammer she struck Sisra, pierced his skull,

yes, she shattered and crushed his temple.

27 He sank down at her feet, he fell and lay there;

he sank at her feet, he fell —

where he sank down, there he fell dead.

28 “Sisra’s mother looks out the window;

peering out through the lattice she wonders,

‘Why is his chariot so long in coming?

Why are his horses so slow to return?’

29 The wisest of her ladies answer her,

and she repeats it to herself,

30 ‘Of course! They’re collecting and dividing the spoil —

a girl, two girls for every warrior,

for Sisra booty of dyed clothing,

a plunder of colorfully embroidered garments,

two embroidered scarves for every soldier’s neck.’

31 “May all your enemies perish like this,Adonai;

but may those who love him be like the sun

going forth in its glory!”

Then the land had rest for forty years.

1 But the people of Isra’el did what was evil fromAdonai’s perspective, soAdonaihanded them over to Midyan for seven years.

2 Midyan exercised its power harshly against Isra’el, and because of Midyan the people of Isra’el hid themselves in mountains, in caves and in other safe places.

3 One time, after Isra’el’s sowing season, Midyan, with ‘Amalek and others from the east, attacked them.

4 They set up camp by them and destroyed the produce of the country all the way to ‘Azah; they left nothing for people to live on, no sheep, no oxen, no donkeys.

5 For they came up with their cattle and tents, and they came in as thick as locusts; both they and their camels were beyond numbering, and they came into the land to destroy it.

6 Isra’el became very discouraged because of Midyan, and the people of Isra’el cried out toAdonai.

7 When the people of Isra’el cried out toAdonaibecause of Midyan,

8 Adonaisent a prophet to the people of Isra’el, who said to them: “Adonaithe God of Isra’el says, ‘I brought you up from Egypt, out of a life of slavery.

9 I delivered you from the power of the Egyptians and from the power of all your oppressors. I drove them out ahead of you and gave you their land.

10 And I said to you: “I amAdonaiyour God; you are not to be afraid of the gods of the Emori in whose land you are living.” But you paid no attention to what I said!’”

11 Then the angel ofAdonaicame and sat under the pistachio tree in ‘Ofrah that belonged to Yo’ash the Avi‘ezri. His son Gid‘on was threshing wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from Midyan.

12 The angel ofAdonaiappeared to him and said to him: “You valiant hero!Adonaiis with you!”

13 “Excuse me, sir,” answered Gid‘on, “but ifAdonaiis with us, then why is all this happening to us? And where are all his miracles our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Didn’tAdonaibring us up from Egypt?’ For nowAdonaihas abandoned us and handed us over to Midyan.”

14 Adonaiturned to him and said, “Go in this strength of yours and save Isra’el from the hands of Midyan. Haven’t I sent you?”

15 But Gid‘on answered him, “Forgive me, my Lord, but with what am I to save Isra’el? Why, my family is the poorest in M’nasheh, and I’m the youngest person in my father’s house!”

16 Adonaisaid to him, “Because I will be with you, you will strike down Midyan as easily as if they were just one man.”

17 Gid‘on replied, “If indeed you favor me, would you mind giving me a sign that it is really you talking with me?

18 Please don’t leave until I go and return with a gift and present it to you.” He replied, “I’ll wait till you come back.”

19 Gid‘on went in, cooked a young goat and madematzotfrom a bushel of flour. He put the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot, brought them out to him under the pistachio tree and presented them.

20 The angel of God said to him, “Take the meat andmatzot, lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth.” Gid‘on did so.

21 Then the angel ofAdonaireached out with the stick he was holding, touched the meat andmatzot, and fire shot up out of the rock and burned up the meat andmatzot. Then the angel ofAdonaidisappeared before his eyes.

22 Gid‘on realized that he was the angel ofAdonaiand said, “Oh no! My Lord!Adonai! Because I’ve seen the angel ofAdonaiface-to-face!”

23 ButAdonaireassured him, “Shalomto you, don’t be afraid, you won’t die!”

24 Then Gid‘on built an altar there toAdonaiand called it “Adonai-Shalom”; to this day it remains in ‘Ofrah of the Avi‘ezri.

25 That very nightAdonaisaid to him, “Take your father’s bull and the other bull, the seven-year-old. Destroy the altar to Ba‘al that belongs to your father, cut down the sacred pole next to it,

26 and build a proper altar toAdonaiyour God on top of this strong-point. Then take the second bull; and offer it as a burnt offering, using the wood of the sacred pole you cut down.”

27 Gid‘on took ten of his servants and did whatAdonaihad told him to do. He didn’t do it by day, because he was afraid of the men in his father’s household and those from the city, so he did it at night.

28 When the men of the city got up the next morning, there was the altar of Ba‘al destroyed, the sacred pole cut down, and the second bull a burnt offering on the newly built altar.

29 They asked each other, “Who could have done this?” But after investigating, they concluded that Gid‘on the son of Yo’ash had done it.

30 “Bring out your son,” the men of the city demanded of Yo’ash, “so that he may die, because he destroyed the altar of Ba‘al and cut down the sacred pole next to it!”

31 But Yo’ash said to all those crowding around him, “You’re defending Ba‘al, are you? It’s your job to save him? Anyone who defends Ba‘al will be put to death before morning! If he’s a god, let him defend himself! After all, somebody destroyed his altar!”

32 Therefore on that day Gid‘on was given the name Yeruba‘al [let Ba‘al defend], because they said, “Let Ba‘al defend himself against him, since he destroyed his altar.”

33 Now all Midyan, ‘Amalek and the others from the east joined forces, crossed the Yarden, and set up camp in the Yizre‘el Valley.

34 But the Spirit ofAdonaicovered Gid‘on. He sounded the call on theshofar, and Avi‘ezer rallied behind him.

35 He sent messengers throughout all M’nasheh, and they too rallied behind him. He also sent messengers to Asher, Z’vulun and Naftali; and they came up to join them.

36 Gid‘on said to God, “If you are going to save Isra’el through me, as you said you would,

37 then, here: I will lay a wool fleece on the threshing-floor; if there is dew on the fleece only, while all the ground stays dry, I will be convinced that you will save Isra’el through me, as you said you would.”

38 And it happened! He got up early in the morning, pressed the fleece together and wrung dew out of it, a bowlful of water.

39 But Gid‘on said to God, “Don’t be angry with me because I am asking one more thing, let me make one more test, please: this time let it be dry only on the fleece, with dew all over the ground.”

40 And that is what God did that night — it was dry only on the fleece, even though there was dew all over the ground.

1 Then Yeruba‘al, that is, Gid‘on, and all the people with him, got up early and set up camp by ‘Ein-Harod; the camp of Midyan was north of them, by Giv‘at-Moreh, in the valley.

2 Adonaisaid to Gid‘on, “There are too many people with you for me to hand Midyan over to them, because I don’t want Isra’el to be able to boast against me, ‘We saved ourselves by our own strength.’

3 Therefore, proclaim to the people ‘Anyone who is anxious or afraid should go back home, while we stay here on Mount Gil‘ad.’” Twenty-two thousand returned, but ten thousand remained.

4 Adonaisaid to Gid‘on, “There are still too many people. Have them come down to the water, and there I will screen them for you. If I say of anyone, ‘This one is for you,’ he will go with you; and if I say, ‘This one is not for you,’ he won’t go with you.”

5 So he brought the people down to the water, andAdonaisaid to Gid‘on, “Put to one side everyone who laps up water with his tongue the way a dog does, and put to the other side everyone who gets down on his knees to drink.”

6 Three hundred lapped, putting their hand to their mouth; all the rest of the men got down on their knees to drink water.

7 Adonaisaid to Gid‘on, “I will use the three hundred men who lapped the water to save you; I will hand Midyan over to you. Let all these others go back home.”

8 So they took the provisions and theshofars of the people; then he sent all the men of Isra’el away, each to his tent. But the three hundred men he kept.

The camp of Midyan was in the valley below him.

9 That nightAdonaisaid to him, “Get up and attack the camp, because I have handed it over to you.

10 But if you are afraid to attack, go down with your servant Purah;

11 and after you hear what they are saying, you will have the courage to attack the camp.” So with his servant Purah he went down to the outposts of the camp.

12 Now Midyan, ‘Amalek and all the others from the east had settled in the valley as thick as locusts; their camels too were beyond counting, like the sand on the seashore.

13 Gid‘on got there just as a man was telling a comrade about a dream he had had: “I just now dreamt that a loaf of barley bread fell into the camp of Midyan, came to the tent and struck it so hard that it overturned the tent and knocked it flat.”

14 His comrade answered, “This can only be the sword of Gid‘on son of Yo’ash, a man of Isra’el. God has given Midyan and all its army into his hands.”

15 When Gid‘on heard the dream and its interpretation, he fell on his knees in worship. Then he returned to the camp of Isra’el and said, “Get up! becauseAdonaihas handed Midyan’s army over to you.”

16 He divided the three hundred men into three companies. He put in the hands of all of themshofars and empty pitchers with torches in them.

17 Then he said to them, “Watch me, and do what I do. When I get to the edge of the camp, whatever I do, you do the same.

18 When I and everyone with me blow theshofar, then you blow yourshofars all around the whole camp, and shout, “ForAdonaiand for Gid‘on!”

19 Gid‘on and the hundred men with him arrived at the edge of the camp a little before midnight, just after they had changed the guard. They blew theshofars and broke in pieces the pitchers that were in their hands.

20 All three companies blew theshofars, broke the pitchers and held the torches in their left hands, keeping their right hands free for theshofars they were blowing; and they shouted, “The sword forAdonaiand for Gid‘on!”

21 Then, as every man stood still in place around the camp, the whole camp was thrown into panic, with everyone screaming and trying to escape.

22 Gid‘on’s men blew their 300shofars, andAdonaicaused everyone in the camp to attack his comrades; and the enemy fled beyond Beit-Sheetah near Tz’rerah, as far as the border of Avel-M’cholah, by Tabat.

23 Then men of Isra’el were summoned from Naftali, Asher, and both regions of M’nasheh; and they pursued Midyan.

24 Gid‘on sent messengers through all the hills of Efrayim, with the message, “Come down and attack Midyan; and capture the rivers before they get there, as far as Beit-Barah, and also the Yarden.” So all the men of Efrayim came together and seized the rivers as far as Beit-Barah and the Yarden.

25 They also captured two chiefs of Midyan, ‘Orev and Ze’ev. They put ‘Orev to death at the Rock of ‘Orev and Ze’ev at Ze’ev’s Winepress; then, as they kept pursuing Midyan, they brought the heads of Orev and Ze’ev to Gid‘on, who had crossed to the far side of the Yarden.

1 But the men of Efrayim complained to Gid‘on, “Why didn’t you call on us when you went to fight Midyan? Why did you treat us this way?” They were sharp in their criticism.

2 He answered by saying to them, “How can what I have done be compared with what you have done? Aren’t the grapes Efrayim leaves on the vines better than the ones Avi‘ezer harvests?

3 God handed over to you Midyan’s chiefs, ‘Orev and Ze’ev. What could I do that matches what you did?” By saying that, he appeased their anger at him.

4 By now Gid‘on and his three hundred men had come to the Yarden and crossed over. They were exhausted but were still pursuing the enemy.

5 In Sukkot he asked the people there, “Please give some loaves of bread to the men following me, because they are exhausted, and I am pursuing Zevach and Tzalmuna the kings of Midyan.”

6 But the chiefs of Sukkot said, “You haven’t captured Zevach and Tzalmuna yet, so why should we give bread to your army?”

7 Gid‘on said: “If that’s your answer, then afterAdonaihas put Zevach and Tzalmuna in my hands, I will tear your flesh apart with desert thorns and thistles!”

8 From there he went up to P’nu’el and made the same request, and the people of P’nu’el gave the same answer as those of Sukkot.

9 So he answered the people of P’nu’el similarly, “When I return safe and sound, I will break down this tower!”

10 Now Zevach and Tzalmuna were in Karkor with their army, about 15,000 men, all that remained of the entire army of the people from the east; since 120,000 arms-bearing soldiers had fallen.

11 Gid‘on went up, using the route of the nomads east of Novach and Yogbehah, and struck down the army when they thought they were safe.

12 Zevach and Tzalmuna fled, but Gid‘on pursued them. Thus he captured the two kings of Midyan, Zevach and Tzalmuna, and routed their whole army in panic.

13 When Gid‘on the son of Yo’ash returned from the battle by way of the Heres Pass,

14 he captured a young man from Sukkot and asked him about the chiefs and leaders of Sukkot; he wrote down for him the names of seventy-seven of them.

15 Then he came to the people of Sukkot and said: “You insulted me when you said, ‘You haven’t captured Zevach and Tzalmuna yet, so why should we give bread to your exhausted men?’ Well, here are Zevach and Tzalmuna!”

16 And he took the leaders of the city and desert thorns and thistles, and used them to teach the people of Sukkot a lesson!

17 He also broke down the tower of P’nu’el and put the men of the city to death.

18 Then he said to Zevach and Tzalmuna, “Tell me about the men you killed at Tavor.” They answered, “They looked like you, like a king’s sons.”

19 Gid‘on replied, “They were my brothers, my mother’s sons. As surely asAdonaiis alive, I swear that if you had spared them, I would not kill you.”

20 Then he ordered his oldest son, Yeter, “Get up, and kill them!” But the boy didn’t draw his sword; being still a boy, he was afraid.

21 Then Zevach and Tzalmuna said, “You, do it. You, kill us. Let a grown man do what takes a grown man’s strength.” So Gid‘on got up and killed Zevach and Tzalmuna; then he took the ornamental crescents from around their camels’ necks.

22 The men of Isra’el said to Gid‘on: “Rule over us, you, your son and your grandson, because you saved us from the power of Midyan.

23 Gid‘on replied, “Neither I nor my son will rule over you;Adonaiwill rule over you.”

24 Then he added, “But I have this request to make of you, that each of you would give me the earrings from the booty you have taken.” For the enemy soldiers had worn gold earrings, like all the other tribes descended from Yishma‘el.

25 They replied, “We’re glad to give them to you.” They spread out a robe, and each man threw in the earrings from his booty.

26 The gold earrings he requested weighed more than forty-two pounds; and this doesn’t include the crescents, pendants and purple cloth worn by the kings of Midyan and the chains around their camels’ necks.

27 Out of these things Gid‘on made a ritual vest, which he located in his city, ‘Ofrah. But all Isra’el turned it into an idol there, and it thus became a snare to Gid‘on and his family.

28 This is how Midyan was defeated by Isra’el, so that they ceased to be a threat. The land had rest forty years during the lifetime of Gid‘on;

29 Yeruba‘al the son of Yo’ash returned to his home and stayed there.

30 Gid‘on became the father of seventy sons, because he had many wives.

31 He also had a concubine in Sh’khem, and she too bore him a son, whom he called Avimelekh.

32 Gid‘on the son of Yo’ash died at a ripe old age and was buried in the tomb of his father Yo’ash, in ‘Ofrah of the Avi‘ezri.

33 But as soon as Gid‘on was dead, the people of Isra’el again went astray after theba‘alimand made Ba‘al-B’rit their god.

34 They forgotAdonaitheir God, who had saved them from the power of all their enemies on every side;

35 and they showed no kindness toward the family of Yeruba‘al, that is, Gid‘on, to repay them for all the good he had done for Isra’el.

1 Avimelekh the son of Yeruba‘al went to Sh’khem, to his mother’s brothers, and spoke with them and with the whole clan of his maternal grandfather. He said,

2 “Please ask all the men of Sh’khem, ‘Which is better for you — that all seventy sons of Yeruba‘al rule over you, or that one person rule over you? And remember that I am your blood relative.’”

3 His mother’s brothers spoke to all the men of Sh’khem and said all this about him, so that they followed their feelings and supported Avimelekh, arguing, “After all, he’s our brother.”

4 They also gave him seventy pieces of silver from the temple of Ba‘al-B’rit; and he used these to pay good-for-nothing thugs to follow him.

5 He went back to his father’s house in ‘Ofrah and killed his brothers the sons of Yeruba‘al, all seventy of them, on a single rock, except for Yotam Yeruba‘al’s youngest son, who stayed alive because he hid himself.

6 All the men of Sh’khem and all Beit-Millo got together and went and made Avimelekh king at the oak by the cult-pillar in Sh’khem.

7 When they told this to Yotam, he went and stood on top of Mount G’rizim and shouted, “Listen to me, you leaders of Sh’khem; then God will listen to you!

8 Once the trees went out to choose a king to rule them. They said to the olive tree, ‘Rule over us!’

9 But the olive tree replied, ‘Am I supposed to leave my oil, which is used to honor both God and humanity, just to go and hold sway over the trees?’

10 So the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You, come and rule over us!’

11 But the fig tree replied, ‘Am I supposed to leave my sweetness and my good fruit just to go and hold sway over the trees?’

12 So the trees said to the grapevine, ‘You, come and rule over us!’

13 But the grapevine replied, ‘Am I supposed to leave my wine, which gives cheer to God and humanity, just to go and hold sway over the trees?’

14 Finally, all the trees said to the thorn bush, ‘You, come and rule over us!’

15 The thorn bush replied, ‘If you really make me king over you, then come and take shelter in my shade. But if not, let fire come out of the thorn bush and burn down the cedars of the L’vanon!’

16 “Here’s the point. Have you been honest and straightforward in making Avimelekh king? Have you been fair with Yeruba‘al and his household and treated him as he deserves?

17 My father fought on your behalf, risking his life, and rescued you from the power of Midyan;

18 and now you are rebelling against my father’s household. You’ve killed his seventy sons on a single stone and made Avimelekh, the son of his slave-girl, king over the men of Sh’khem, because he’s your brother.

19 I say this: if you are dealing honestly and righteously with Yeruba‘al and his household today, then may you enjoy Avimelekh and may he enjoy you!

20 But if not, let fire come out from Avimelekh and burn up the men of Sh’khem and Beit-Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Sh’khem and Beit-Millo and burn up Avimelekh!”

21 Then Yotam fled, making his way to Be’er, and he lived there for fear of Avimelekh his brother.

22 Avimelekh was chief over Isra’el for three years.

23 But God sent a spirit of discord between Avimelekh and the men of Sh’khem, so that the men of Sh’khem dealt treacherously with Avimelekh.

24 This came about so that the crime against the seventy sons of Yeruba‘al might be avenged and the responsibility for their bloody death be placed on Avimelekh their brother, who murdered them, and on the men of Sh’khem, who helped him kill his brothers.

25 So the men of Sh’khem sent out men to ambush him on the mountaintops. They robbed everyone who went past them, and Avimelekh was told about it.

26 Ga‘al the son of a slave came with his brothers and went on to Sh’khem, and the men of Sh’khem put their trust in him.

27 They went out into the field, gathered their grapes and pressed the juice out of them. Then they held a feast and went into the house of their god to eat and drink, and there they insulted Avimelekh.

28 Ga‘al the son of a slave said, “Who is Avimelekh? Think of the contrast with Sh’khem! Why should we serve Avimelekh? Isn’t he the son of Yeruba‘al? Isn’t Z’vul his officer? Serve the men of Hamor the father of Sh’khem! Why should we serve Avimelekh?

29 If I were in control of this people, I’d get rid of Avimelekh!” Then, addressing his words to Avimelekh, he said, “Come out and fight! I don’t care if you make your army even larger!”

30 When Z’vul the ruler of the city heard the words of Ga‘al the son of a slave, he was enraged.

31 He sent messengers to Avimelekh in Tormah with this message: “Ga‘al the son of a slave and his brothers have come to Sh’khem, and they’re inciting the city against you.

32 You and the men with you should come up now at night and lie in wait in the field.

33 In the morning, get up early, as soon as the sun rises; and attack the city. Then, when Ga‘al and the men with him come out to fight you, do whatever you can to them.”

34 Avimelekh and all the men with him came up by night and lay in wait against Sh’khem in four groups.

35 Ga‘al the son of a slave went out and stationed himself at the entrance to the city gate. Then Avimelekh and his men rose from their ambush.

36 When Ga‘al saw the men, he said to Z’vul, “Look, there are men coming down from the mountaintops.” Z’vul answered, “You’re seeing the shadows of the mountains as if they were men.”

37 Ga‘al said again, “Look, there are men coming down from the main hill in the land, and one group is coming on the road from the Fortuneteller’s Oak.

38 Z’vul said to him, “Where’s your mouth now? You said, ‘Who is Avimelekh? Why should we serve him?’ Aren’t these the people you despise? Go on out and fight them!”

39 So Ga‘al went out, leading the men of Sh’khem, and fought Avimelekh.

40 But Avimelekh gave chase, and Ga‘al took to flight; many fell wounded, strewn all along the way to the city gate.

41 Then Avimelekh took up residence in Arumah, and Z’vul drove out Ga‘al and his brothers, so that they could not live in Sh’khem.

42 But the very next day, the people went out into the field, and Avimelekh was told about it.

43 He took his men, divided them into three groups, and lay in wait in the field. When he saw the people going out of the city, he came out of hiding and slaughtered them.

44 Avimelekh and his group rushed forward and occupied the entrance to the city gate, while the other two groups attacked all those in the field and killed them.

45 Avimelekh fought against the city all that day; captured it, killed its people, destroyed its buildings and sowed its land with salt.

46 When all the men in the fortress at Sh’khem heard about this, they took refuge in the stronghold of the temple of El-B’rit.

47 Avimelekh was told that all the men from the Sh’khem fortress had gathered together;

48 so he led all his men up to Mount Tzalmon, where he took an axe in his hand, cut a branch off a tree, and laid it on his shoulder. Then he said to those with him, “Quick! Do just what you saw me do!”

49 They all did likewise, each man cutting off his branch; and they followed Avimelekh. They put the branches up against the stronghold, set them on fire, and burned down the stronghold; so that all the people from the Sh’khem fortress died, about a thousand men and women.

50 Then Avimelekh went to Tevetz, set up camp against Tevetz and captured it.

51 But there was a fortified tower inside the city; and all the men and women took refuge in it, everyone in the city. They shut themselves inside and went up onto the roof of the tower.

52 However, when Avimelekh approached the tower, attacked it, and then came up close to the tower’s door in order to burn it down,

53 a woman dropped an upper millstone on Avimelekh’s head, cracking his skull.

54 He quickly called out to the young man holding his armor, “Draw your sword, and finish me off, so that people won’t say a woman killed me.” So his attendant ran him through, and he died.

55 When the men of Isra’el saw that Avimelekh was dead, they all went back home.

56 This is how God paid back Avimelekh for the wrong he did to his father in murdering his seventy brothers.

57 God also repaid the men of Sh’khem for all the wrong they had done; on them came the curse of Yotam the son of Yeruba‘al.

1 After Avimelekh there arose to save Isra’el Tola the son of Pu’ah, the son of Dodo, from the tribe of Yissakhar. He lived in Shamir, in the hills of Efrayim.

2 He judged Isra’el twenty-three years, and when he died he was buried in Shamir.

3 After him arose Ya’ir, from Gil‘ad. He judged Isra’el twenty-two years.

4 He had thirty sons who rode on thirty young donkeys. They owned thirty cities which are called Havot-Ya’ir to this day; they are in the territory of Gil‘ad.

5 When Ya’ir died, he was buried in Kamon.

6 Again the people of Isra’el did what was evil fromAdonai’s perspective — they served theba‘alim, the‘ashtarot, the gods of Aram, the gods of Tzidon, the gods of Mo’av, the gods of the people of ‘Amon and the gods of the P’lishtim. They abandonedAdonaiand did not serve him;

7 so the anger ofAdonaiblazed against Isra’el, and he handed them over to the P’lishtim and the people of ‘Amon.

8 For eighteen years, starting that year, they oppressed and persecuted all the people of Isra’el who lived beyond the Yarden, in the territory of the Emorim, in Gil‘ad.

9 The people of ‘Amon also crossed the Yarden to fight Y’hudah, Binyamin and the house of Efrayim; so that Isra’el was greatly distressed.

10 Then the people of Isra’el cried toAdonai, “We have sinned against you by forsaking our God and serving theba‘alim.”

11 Adonaisaid to the people of Isra’el, “I saved you from the Egyptians, the Emorim, the people of ‘Amon, and the P’lishtim, didn’t I?

12 Likewise, when the people of Tzidon, ‘Amalek and Ma‘on oppressed you, you cried out to me; and I rescued you from their power.

13 Yet you abandoned me and served other gods; therefore I will not rescue you any more.

14 Go and cry to the gods you chose; let them rescue you when you’re in trouble!”

15 The people of Isra’el said toAdonai, “We have sinned! Treat us in whatever way seems good to you, but save us today, please!”

16 They got rid of their foreign gods and servedAdonai, and he became troubled by Isra’el’s misery.

17 Then the people of ‘Amon gathered together and set up camp in Gil‘ad, while the people of Isra’el assembled and camped at Mitzpah.

18 The people, the chiefs of Gil‘ad, said to each other, “Whoever leads the battle against the army of ‘Amon will be head over everyone living in Gil‘ad.”

1 Now Yiftach, a brave soldier from Gil‘ad, was the son of a prostitute. His father, Gil‘ad,

2 had other sons by his wife; and when his wife’s sons grew up, they drove Yiftach away and told him, “You will not inherit from our father, because you are another woman’s son.”

3 Then Yiftach fled from his brothers and lived in the territory of Tov, where he enlisted a gang of rowdies who would go out raiding with him.

4 After a while the people of ‘Amon made war against Isra’el.

5 When the army of ‘Amon attacked Isra’el, the leaders of Gil‘ad went to fetch Yiftach from the territory of Tov

6 and said to him, “Come and be our chief, so that we can fight the army of ‘Amon.”

7 Yiftach answered the leaders of Gil‘ad, “Didn’t you hate me so much that you forced me out of my father’s house? Why are you coming to me now, when you’re in trouble?”

8 The leaders of Gil‘ad replied, “Here is why we’ve come back to you now: if you lead us in war with the people of ‘Amon, you will be head over everyone living in Gil‘ad.”

9 Yiftach answered them, “If you bring me back home to fight the army of ‘Amon, andAdonaidefeats them for me, I will be your head.”

10 The leaders of Gil‘ad said to Yiftach, “Adonaiis witness that we promise to do what you have said.”

11 Then Yiftach went with the leaders of Gil‘ad, and the people made him head and chief over them. Yiftach repeated all these conditions at Mitzpah in the presence ofAdonai.

12 Yiftach sent messengers to the king of the people of ‘Amon to say, “What’s your problem with us? Why are you invading our territory?”

13 The king of ‘Amon answered the messengers of Yiftach, “Because Isra’el took away my territory when they came up from Egypt. They took everything from the Arnon to the Yabok and the Yarden. Now, restore it peacefully.”

14 Yiftach sent messengers again to the king of the people of ‘Amon

15 with this response, “Here is what Yiftach has to say: ‘Isra’el captured neither the territory of Mo’av nor the territory of the people of ‘Amon.

16 But when Isra’el came up from Egypt, walked through the desert to the Red Sea and arrived at Kadesh,

17 then Isra’el sent messengers to the king of Edom, to say, “Please let us pass through your land.” But the king of Edom wouldn’t let them. He sent a similar message to the king of Mo’av, but neither would he, so Isra’el stayed at Kadesh.

18 Then they walked through the desert, around the territory of Edom and the territory of Mo’av, past the east border of the territory of Mo’av, and pitched camp on the other side of the Arnon; but they did not cross the border into Mo’av, for the Arnon was the border of Mo’av.

19 Isra’el sent messengers to Sichon king of the Emori and king of Heshbon with this message, “Please let us pass through your land to our own place.”

20 But Sichon did not trust that Isra’el would only pass through his land, so he gathered all his people together, pitched camp in Yahatz and fought against Isra’el.

21 Adonaithe God of Isra’el handed Sichon and all his people over to Isra’el, and they killed them. Thus Isra’el possessed all the territory of the Emori who lived there.

22 They took possession of all the territory of the Emori from the Arnon to the Yabok and from the desert to the Yarden.

23 So now thatAdonaithe God of Isra’el has expelled the Emori before his people Isra’el, do you think that you will expel us?

24 You should just keep the territory your god K’mosh has given you; while we, for our part, will hold onto whateverAdonaiour God has given us of the lands that belonged to others before us.

25 Really, are you better than Balak the son of Tzippor, king of Mo’av? Did he ever pick a quarrel with Isra’el or fight with us?

26 Isra’el lived in Heshbon and its villages, in ‘Aro‘er and its villages and in all the cities on the banks of the Arnon for three hundred years. Why didn’t you take them back during that time?

27 No, I have done you no wrong. But you are doing me wrong to war against me. MayAdonaithe Judge be judge today between the people of Isra’el and the people of ‘Amon.’”

28 But the king of the people of ‘Amon paid no attention to the message Yiftach sent him.

29 Then the spirit ofAdonaicame upon Yiftach; and he passed through Gil‘ad and M’nasheh, on through Mitzpeh of Gil‘ad, and from there over to the people of ‘Amon.

30 Yiftach made a vow toAdonai: “If you will hand the people of ‘Amon over to me,

31 then whatever comes out the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the people of ‘Amon will belong toAdonai; I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.”

32 So Yiftach crossed over to fight the people of ‘Amon, andAdonaihanded them over to him.

33 He killed them from ‘Aro‘er until you reach Minnit, twenty cities, all the way to Avel-K’ramim; it was a massacre. So the people of ‘Amon were defeated before the people of Isra’el.

34 As Yiftach was returning to his house in Mitzpah, his daughter came dancing out to meet him with tambourines. She was his only child; he had no other son or daughter.

35 When he saw her, he tore his clothes and said, “Oh, no, my daughter! You’re breaking my heart! Why must you be the cause of such pain to me? I made a vow toAdonai, and I can’t go back on my word.”

36 She said to him, “Father, you made a vow toAdonai; so do whatever you said you would do to me; becauseAdonaidid take vengeance on your enemies the people of ‘Amon.”

37 Then she said to her father, “Just do this one thing for me — let me be alone for two months. I’ll go away into the mountains with my friends and mourn, because I will die without getting married.”

38 “You may go,” he answered, and he sent her away for two months. She left, she and her friends, and mourned in the mountains that she would die unmarried.

39 After two months she returned to her father, and he did with her what he had vowed; she had remained a virgin. So it became a law in Isra’el

40 that the women of Isra’el would go every year for four days to lament the daughter of Yiftach from Gil‘ad.

1 The men of Efrayim assembled, crossed into Tzafon and said to Yiftach, “Why didn’t you call us to go with you when you went over to fight the people of ‘Amon? We’re ready to burn down your house with you in it!”

2 Yiftach answered, “When my people and I were in a serious dispute with the people of ‘Amon, I called you; and you didn’t rescue me from their power.

3 When I saw that you weren’t rescuing me, I put my life in my own hands and went over to attack the people of ‘Amon; andAdonaigave them over into my power. So why have you come up today to fight me?”

4 Then Yiftach gathered together all the men of Gil‘ad and fought with Efrayim, and the men of Gil‘ad defeated Efrayim; because they were saying, “You Gil‘ad men who live in Efrayim and M’nasheh have deserted Efrayim!”

5 The men of Gil‘ad cut off Efrayim from the crossings over the Yarden, and whenever anyone from Efrayim tried to escape and said, “Let me go across,” the men of Gil‘ad would ask him, “Are you from Efrayim?” and if he said, “No,”

6 they would tell him to say “Shibbolet.” If he said, “Sibbolet,” because he could not make his mouth pronounce it right, they took hold of him and killed him on the spot at the Yarden crossing; at that time 42,000 men of Efrayim died.

7 Yiftach judged Isra’el for six years. Then Yiftach from Gil‘ad died, and he was buried in one of the cities of Gil‘ad.

8 After him Ibtzan of Beit-Lechem judged Isra’el.

9 He had thirty sons, and he had thirty daughters whom he sent abroad; he brought thirty women from abroad in to marry his sons. He judged Isra’el for seven years.

10 Then Ibtzan died and was buried at Beit-Lechem.

11 After him Elon from Z’vulun judged Isra’el; he judged Isra’el for ten years.

12 Then Elon from Z’vulun died and was buried at Ayalon, in the territory of Z’vulun.

13 After him Avdon the son of Hillel from Pir‘aton judged Isra’el.

14 He had forty sons and thirty grandsons who rode on seventy young donkeys. He judged Isra’el for eight years.

15 Then Avdon the son of Hillel from Pir‘aton died and was buried at Pir‘aton in the territory of Efrayim, in the ‘Amalek hills.

1 Again the people of Isra’el did what was evil fromAdonai’s perspective, andAdonaihanded them over to the P’lishtim for forty years.

2 There was a man from Tzor‘ah from the family of Dan, whose name was Manoach; his wife was barren, childless.

3 The angel ofAdonaiappeared to the woman and said to her, “Listen! You are barren, you haven’t had a child, but you will conceive and bear a son.

4 Now, therefore, be careful not to drink any wine or other intoxicating liquor, and don’t eat anything unclean.

5 For indeed you will conceive and bear a son. No razor is to touch his head, because the child will be anazirfor God from the womb. Moreover, he will begin to rescue Isra’el from the power of the P’lishtim.”

6 The woman came and told her husband; she said, “A man of God came to me; his face was fearsome, like that of the angel of God. I didn’t ask him where he came from, and he didn’t tell me his name.

7 But he said to me, ‘Listen! You will conceive and bear a son, so now don’t drink any wine or other intoxicating liquor, and don’t eat anything unclean, because the child will be anazirfor God from the womb until the day he dies.’”

8 Then Manoach prayed toAdonai, “Please,adonai, let the man of God you sent come again to us and teach us what we should do for the child who will be born.”

9 God paid attention to what Manoach said, and the angel of God came again to the woman as she sat in the field, but her husband Manoach wasn’t with her.

10 The woman hurried and ran to tell her husband, “Here! That man, the one who came to me the other day, he’s come again!”

11 Manoach got up, followed his wife, went to the man and said to him, “Are you the man who spoke to the woman?” He answered, “I am.”

12 Manoach asked, “Now, when what you said comes true, what are the guidelines for raising the child? What should be done for him?”

13 The angel ofAdonaisaid to Manoach, “The woman should take care to do everything I said to her.

14 She shouldn’t eat anything that comes from a grapevine, she shouldn’t drink wine or other intoxicating liquor, and she shouldn’t eat anything unclean. She should do everything I ordered her to do.”

15 Manoach said to the angel ofAdonai, “Please stay with us a bit longer, so that we can cook a young goat for you.”

16 The angel ofAdonaisaid to Manoach, “Even if I do stay, I won’t eat your food; and if you prepare a burnt offering, you must offer it toAdonai.” For Manoach did not know that he was the angel ofAdonai.

17 Manoach said to the angel ofAdonai, “Tell us your name, so that when your words come true we can honor you.”

18 The angel ofAdonaianswered him, “Why are you asking about my name? It is wonderful.”

19 Manoach took the kid and the grain offering and offered them on the rock toAdonai.Then, with Manoach and his wife looking on, the angel did something wonderful —

20 as the flame went up toward the sky from the altar, the angel ofAdonaiwent up in the flame from the altar. When Manoach and his wife saw it, they fell to the ground on their faces.

21 But the angel ofAdonaidid not appear again to Manoach or his wife. Then Manoach realized it had been the angel ofAdonai.

22 Manoach said to his wife, “We will surely die, because we have seen God!”

23 But his wife said to him, “IfAdonaihad wanted to kill us, he wouldn’t have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering from us, and he wouldn’t have shown us all this or told us such things at this time.”

24 The woman bore a son and called him Shimshon. The child grew, andAdonaiblessed him.

25 The Spirit ofAdonaibegan to stir him when he was in the Camp of Dan, between Tzor‘ah and Eshta’ol.