Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.
Please speak privately to all the men of Shechem and ask them: 'What would be better for you - to have all seventy sons of Jerubbaal rule over you, or to have just one person rule over you? And remember that I am your own family - your bone and flesh.'
Abimelech is asking his mother's family to convince the people of Shechem that it would be better to have him as their single ruler rather than being governed by all seventy of his half-brothers.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs after Gideon's (Jerubbaal's) death, when his son Abimelech is scheming to become king. Abimelech's mother was from Shechem, so he's appealing to his maternal relatives for support. The phrase 'bone and flesh' emphasizes family loyalty and shared ancestry, which was crucial in ancient tribal societies.
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