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.
He went to his father's house in Ophrah and killed his brothers, the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived because he hid himself.
This verse describes how Abimelech murdered almost all of his seventy brothers in a brutal act to secure power for himself, with only the youngest brother escaping.
📚 Historical Context
In the Book of Judges, after the death of Gideon (also called Jerubbaal), his son Abimelech plotted to become ruler by gaining support from the people of Shechem. He traveled to his father's hometown of Ophrah and brutally killed his seventy half-brothers on a single stone to remove any rivals to the throne, reflecting the chaotic era of Israel's judges where power struggles often led to violence and betrayal. This event underscores the consequences of ambition unchecked by faith in God.
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