But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.
But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and destroy the men of Shechem and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem and the house of Millo, and destroy Abimelech.
The writer is recording a curse that predicts mutual destruction between Abimelech and the people of Shechem if they don't treat each other with integrity.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of Jotham's parable and curse spoken from Mount Gerizim after his half-brother Abimelech killed their 70 brothers to become king. Jotham was warning the people of Shechem that their alliance with the murderous Abimelech would end in mutual destruction. The curse later came true when both Abimelech and the men of Shechem were destroyed through their conflict with each other.
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