Judges 1:7

KJV

And Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered [their meat] under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Adonibezek {H137} said {H559}, Threescore and ten {H7657} kings {H4428}, having their thumbs {H931}{H3027} and their great toes {H7272} cut off {H7112}, gathered {H3950} their meat under my table {H7979}: as I have done {H6213}, so God {H430} hath requited {H7999} me. And they brought {H935} him to Jerusalem {H3389}, and there he died {H4191}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Adoni-Bezek said: "Seventy kings, with their thumbs and their big toes cut off, gathered food under my table; God has paid me back in accordance with what I did." They brought him to Yerushalayim, and he died there.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Adoni-bezek said, “Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off have gathered the scraps under my table. As I have done to them, so God has repaid me.” And they brought him to Jerusalem, where he died.

American Standard Version

And Adoni-bezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their food under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 1:7 records the capture of Adoni-bezek, a Canaanite king, by the tribes of Judah and Simeon. In a profound confession, Adoni-bezek acknowledges that his own gruesome fate—having his thumbs and great toes cut off—is a direct divine "requital" for the same mutilation he inflicted upon seventy other kings. His subsequent death in Jerusalem marks an early, albeit brutal, success in Israel's post-Joshua conquest efforts, simultaneously highlighting God's sovereign justice and the harsh realities of the period.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 1:7 is situated at the very beginning of the Book of Judges, immediately following the death of Joshua. The chapter serves as an introduction to the period of the Judges, outlining the initial, often fragmented, attempts by the individual tribes of Israel to complete the conquest of the Promised Land that Joshua had begun. This particular verse details a specific victory for the tribes of Judah and Simeon against Adoni-bezek. It sets a precedent for the theme of divine retribution that recurs throughout the book and foreshadows the ongoing struggle against the remaining Canaanite inhabitants, even in the midst of early successes. The narrative quickly moves from this victory to describe the challenges and failures of other tribes in fully dispossessing their enemies.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Judges 1 occur in the immediate aftermath of the unified conquest led by Joshua, likely spanning the late 14th to early 12th centuries BCE. This was a tumultuous period characterized by decentralized tribal rule and ongoing conflicts with the indigenous Canaanite city-states. The practice of mutilation, specifically cutting off thumbs and great toes, was a common, albeit brutal, ancient Near Eastern military tactic designed to incapacitate captured enemies, prevent them from ever wielding a weapon or fleeing, and serve as a public display of dominance and humiliation. Adoni-bezek's confession reveals the barbarity of the era and his own extensive cruelty. His death in Jerusalem is also significant, as Jerusalem (then Jebus) was a formidable Jebusite stronghold that remained unconquered by Israel until the time of [King David](/2_samuel/5-6 "2 Samuel 5:6 - David Captures Jerusalem").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully introduces several key themes that permeate the Book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the **Sovereignty of God** and His active involvement in human affairs, even acknowledged by a pagan king. Adoni-bezek's confession, "as I have done, so God hath requited me," unequivocally points to God's hand in dispensing justice. This ties directly into the theme of **Divine Retribution and Justice**, illustrating the principle that actions have consequences and that God holds individuals and nations accountable for their deeds. The verse also highlights the **Consequences of Cruelty and Sin**, demonstrating that the very evil one inflicts upon others can return upon oneself. Finally, while a victory, Adoni-bezek's capture and death in Jerusalem subtly underscore the theme of the **Incomplete Conquest**, as the city itself was not yet fully subdued by Israel, setting the stage for the recurring cycles of disobedience and oppression in the subsequent chapters of [Judges](/judges/1 "Judges 1 - The Incomplete Conquest").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Threescore and ten (Hebrew, _shiv'im'_):** This archaic English phrase simply means "seventy." The number is significant, indicating a vast and extensive record of cruelty on Adoni-bezek's part. It emphasizes the scale of his dominion and the widespread nature of his barbaric practices, making his eventual downfall a more profound act of divine justice.
* **Thumbs and great toes cut off (Hebrew, _b'honot yadeihem v'ragleihem'_):** This describes a specific and highly debilitating form of mutilation. Cutting off the thumbs would render a warrior unable to effectively hold a sword, spear, or bow, thus incapacitating them for battle. Severing the great toes would severely impair balance and the ability to run, making escape or further military service impossible. This act was designed not merely to injure but to utterly humiliate, degrade, and permanently disable, turning former kings into helpless beggars.
* **Requited (Hebrew, _shalem'_):** Derived from the root שָׁלֵם, _shalem_, this word conveys the idea of repayment, completion, or making whole. In this context, it specifically means to repay in kind, to recompense, or to punish. It carries a strong connotation of divine justice, where an account is settled and the perpetrator receives the just consequence for their deeds. Adoni-bezek's use of this term indicates his recognition that his suffering was a direct, proportional consequence of his own actions, ordained by a higher power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered [their meat] under my table:"** This opening clause is Adoni-bezek's chilling confession, revealing the depth of his former power and his extreme cruelty. He recounts how he systematically mutilated seventy captured kings, reducing them to a state of utter dependence and degradation, forcing them to scavenge for scraps like dogs under his dining table. This vivid imagery underscores his depravity and the extent of his tyrannical rule.
* **"as I have done, so God hath requited me."** This is the theological crux of the verse. From the mouth of a pagan king, there comes an explicit acknowledgment of divine justice. Adoni-bezek recognizes that his current suffering—the loss of his own thumbs and great toes—is not mere misfortune or the random outcome of war, but a direct and precise retribution from "God." This confession testifies to the universal reach of God's sovereignty and His active role in dispensing justice according to the principle of proportional consequence.
* **"And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died."** This concluding statement details Adoni-bezek's fate. His transport to and death in Jerusalem is significant. At this time, Jerusalem was a Jebusite stronghold that the Israelites had not yet fully conquered (as noted in [Judges 1:21](/judges/1-21 "Judges 1:21 - The Jebusites in Jerusalem")). This detail subtly highlights the partial nature of Israel's conquest and the ongoing challenges they faced, even as they achieved this specific victory. His death in a still-unconquered city also foreshadows Jerusalem's future importance in Israelite history.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 1:7 employs several powerful **literary devices**. The most prominent is **Poetic Justice** or **Retribution**, where Adoni-bezek's punishment perfectly mirrors his crime. The very act of mutilation he inflicted upon seventy kings is precisely what is done to him, creating a stark and memorable demonstration of consequences. This exact mirroring also serves as a form of **Irony**, as the powerful oppressor becomes the humiliated victim of his own methods. Furthermore, Adoni-bezek's statement, "as I have done, so God hath requited me," functions as a **Confession** or **Testimony**. It is remarkable that an enemy king, presumably not a worshiper of Yahweh, explicitly attributes his downfall to the God of Israel. This unexpected acknowledgment serves to underscore the universal and undeniable sovereignty of God. Finally, the mention of Adoni-bezek's death in Jerusalem, a city not yet fully under Israelite control, acts as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the continued struggles of the conquest and the future significance of this particular city in Israel's history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 1:7 stands as a stark and powerful testament to the biblical principle of divine retribution and the unwavering sovereignty of God. It asserts that God is actively involved in the affairs of humanity, dispensing justice and holding individuals accountable for their actions, even those who do not explicitly acknowledge Him. Adoni-bezek's confession, from the mouth of a pagan king, serves as a universal declaration that a moral order exists and that evil deeds will ultimately face their just recompense. This verse establishes early in the Book of Judges that God's justice is not merely a theological concept but a tangible reality experienced in the unfolding of history, setting the stage for the cycles of judgment and deliverance that characterize the remainder of the book. It reminds us that while human justice may falter, God's justice is perfect and inevitable.

* [Psalm 7:16](/psalms/7-16 "Psalm 7:16 - The Wicked's Own Mischief")
* [Proverbs 26:27](/proverbs/26-27 "Proverbs 26:27 - He Who Digs a Pit")
* [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Sowing and Reaping")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 1:7 offers profound insights for contemporary reflection and application. It serves as a stark reminder that actions have consequences, and that a divine principle of justice is at work in the world. The gruesome fate of Adoni-bezek underscores that cruelty, oppression, and injustice do not go unnoticed by God, and that there is an ultimate accountability for our deeds. This should prompt us to examine our own lives: are we living justly, treating others with dignity and respect, or are we, even subtly, inflicting "mutilation" through our words, attitudes, or actions? Furthermore, Adoni-bezek's unexpected confession encourages us to recognize God's hand even in difficult or painful circumstances, understanding that His purposes, including the dispensing of justice, are always at work. While the Old Testament context reflects a harsh reality of retribution, believers today are called to a higher standard of love, forgiveness, and seeking justice through redemptive means, yet the underlying principle of divine accountability remains.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Adoni-bezek's confession challenge our understanding of divine justice in the world today, especially when we observe apparent injustices?**
* **In what ways might we, perhaps subtly, inflict "mutilation" (emotional, spiritual, relational) on others, and what might be the ultimate consequences of such actions?**
* **How can recognizing God's sovereignty, even in difficult circumstances or when facing the consequences of our own actions, strengthen our faith and promote humility?**

### FAQ
**Why did Adoni-bezek confess that God "requited" him?**

Answer: Adoni-bezek's confession, "as I have done, so God hath requited me," is a powerful and unexpected acknowledgment of divine justice. Even as a pagan king, he recognized that his suffering was not random but a direct, proportional consequence of his own cruel actions. This highlights God's universal sovereignty; He is not confined to Israel but actively governs all nations and individuals. Adoni-bezek's experience served as an undeniable testimony to God's active involvement in history and His moral governance over all humanity, regardless of their knowledge or worship of Him. It demonstrates that the principle of sowing and reaping is a universal truth embedded in God's created order.

**What is the significance of his death in Jerusalem?**

Answer: Adoni-bezek's death in Jerusalem, a city not yet fully conquered by Israel, holds significant symbolic and historical weight. At the time, Jerusalem (then Jebus) was a formidable Jebusite stronghold that the tribes of Judah and Benjamin had failed to fully dispossess ([Judges 1:21](/judges/1-21 "Judges 1:21 - The Jebusites in Jerusalem")). His death there, even after his capture, subtly underscores the incomplete nature of the conquest outlined in the first chapter of Judges. It foreshadows the ongoing struggle for the Promised Land and the future significance of Jerusalem, which would later become the capital of Israel under [King David](/2_samuel/5-6 "2 Samuel 5:6 - David Captures Jerusalem"). Thus, while a victory, the detail of his death in Jerusalem serves as a reminder of the challenges that lay ahead for Israel and the partial fulfillment of God's promises due to their disobedience.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Judges 1:7 vividly portrays the Old Testament principle of "an eye for an eye," demonstrating God's justice through direct retribution, its ultimate fulfillment is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The brutal justice meted out to Adoni-bezek, where the perpetrator receives the exact measure of his own cruelty, points to the perfect justice of God that demands a reckoning for sin. However, in Christ, this "requital" takes a redemptive turn. Instead of humanity receiving the just recompense for its own widespread spiritual "mutilation" and rebellion against God, Jesus, the perfect [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), voluntarily bore the full weight of divine justice on the cross. He became the one upon whom the consequences of our sin were "requited," allowing us to receive not judgment, but grace and forgiveness. Unlike Adoni-bezek, who was brought to Jerusalem to die as a defeated enemy, Jesus entered Jerusalem as a triumphant King, though one who willingly faced death there to conquer sin and death itself ([Matthew 21:1-11](/matthew/21-1 "Matthew 21:1-11 - The Triumphal Entry")). His teachings moved beyond the strict "eye for an eye" ([Matthew 5:38-39](/matthew/5-38 "Matthew 5:38-39 - Eye for an Eye")) to advocate for love of enemies and turning the other cheek, demonstrating a higher form of justice rooted in divine love and redemptive power. Through Christ, the cycle of vengeance is broken, and a new way of reconciliation and transformation is offered, fulfilling God's ultimate purpose not merely in punishing evil, but in overcoming it with good and making all things new ([Romans 12:19-21](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19-21 - Overcoming Evil with Good")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 15:33

And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.

James 2:13

For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

Luke 6:37

¶ Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

Luke 6:38

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Leviticus 24:19

And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him;

Leviticus 24:21

And he that killeth a beast, he shall restore it: and he that killeth a man, he shall be put to death.

Revelation 13:10

He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.