And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard that, they entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith.
When all the men in the tower of Shechem heard about this, they went into the stronghold of the temple of their god Berith.
The writer is describing how the people of Shechem's tower sought protection in their pagan temple when they heard about the danger approaching.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs during Abimelech's violent campaign to secure his rule over Israel, specifically his attack on the city of Shechem that had rebelled against him. The tower of Shechem was likely a fortified area within or near the city, and Berith (also called Baal-berith) was a Canaanite god that the Israelites had begun worshiping despite God's commands. The people were desperately seeking refuge in what they considered their most secure and sacred place.
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