Judges 9:46

KJV

And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard [that], they entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when all the men {H1167} of the tower {H4026} of Shechem {H7927} heard {H8085} that, they entered {H935} into an hold {H6877} of the house {H1004} of the god {H410} Berith {H1286}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When all the men in the fortress at Sh'khem heard about this, they took refuge in the stronghold of the temple of El-B'rit.

Berean Standard Bible

On hearing of this, all the leaders in the tower of Shechem entered the inner chamber of the temple of El-berith.

American Standard Version

And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard thereof, they entered into the stronghold of the house of Elberith.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 9:46 details a desperate, climactic moment in Abimelech's brutal assault on Shechem. After the city's destruction, the remaining inhabitants, specifically "all the men of the tower of Shechem," sought a final, desperate refuge within the fortified "house of the god Berith." This act underscores their misplaced trust in a pagan deity and a physical structure, setting the stage for the swift and devastating fulfillment of divine judgment upon them.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the devastating climax of Abimelech's campaign against Shechem, a city that had initially made him king after he murdered his seventy brothers, save Jotham ([Judges 9:5](/judges/9-5 "Judges 9:5 - Abimelech Murders His Brothers")). The relationship between Abimelech and Shechem soured, leading to a rebellion instigated by Gaal and a subsequent, brutal retaliation by Abimelech. Having already razed the city and sown salt upon it ([Judges 9:45](/judges/9-45 "Judges 9:45 - Abimelech Destroys Shechem")), Abimelech now targets the last holdouts who have retreated into a strong, sacred edifice. This event directly fulfills Jotham's earlier prophetic curse, where he likened Abimelech and the men of Shechem to combustible thistles and consuming fire ([Judges 9:15](/judges/9-15 "Judges 9:15 - Jotham's Fable and Curse") and [Judges 9:20](/judges/9-20 "Judges 9:20 - Jotham's Curse Fulfilled")). The narrative of Shechem's destruction serves as a stark example of the chaos and moral decay prevalent during the period of the Judges.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Shechem was a historically significant city, known as a covenant site where Abraham built an altar ([Genesis 12:6-7](/genesis/12-6 "Genesis 12:6-7 - Abraham Builds an Altar at Shechem")) and where Joshua renewed the covenant with Israel ([Joshua 24:25-27](/joshua/24-25 "Joshua 24:25-27 - Covenant Renewal at Shechem")). By the time of Judges, it had become a syncretistic city, embracing Canaanite deities like Baal-Berith alongside, or perhaps in place of, Yahweh. Temples in the ancient Near East were not merely places of worship but often served as fortified strongholds or citadels, offering physical protection during sieges due to their sturdy construction and perceived divine sanctity. The "house of the god Berith" (also known as Baal-Berith, "Lord of the Covenant") was likely the central religious and civic structure of Shechem, believed by its worshippers to provide inviolable sanctuary and protection, especially for those who had entered into covenants under his supposed auspices.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several recurring biblical themes. Firstly, it highlights the **futility of false security**, as the Shechemites' ultimate refuge in a pagan temple proved utterly ineffective against divine judgment and Abimelech's wrath. Secondly, it underscores the severe **consequences of idolatry and unholy alliances**, demonstrating that reliance on false gods and broken covenants leads to destruction, a theme echoed throughout the book of Judges and beyond. The "god Berith" was supposed to be a "lord of the covenant," yet the covenant between Abimelech and Shechem, made under this deity's presumed watch, led to their mutual destruction, revealing the impotence of such idols. Finally, the event serves as a clear demonstration of **divine judgment unfolding**, directly fulfilling Jotham's curse and showcasing God's sovereign justice against those who reject His covenant and embrace wickedness, as seen in the broader narrative of [Judges 9](/judges/9 "Judges 9 - Abimelech's Reign and Downfall").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Berith (Hebrew, _bĕrît'_):** While the KJV translates "Berith" as the name of the god, the full name is often "Baal-Berith" (בַּעַל בְּרִית). The Hebrew word _bĕrît_ itself means "covenant" or "treaty." Thus, "Baal-Berith" translates to "Lord of the Covenant" or "Master of the Treaty." This name is highly ironic in the context of Judges 9. The Shechemites had made a "covenant" with Abimelech, a covenant of blood and treachery, and now they seek refuge in the house of a god whose very name signifies covenant, yet this "covenant" god is powerless to save them from the consequences of their broken fidelity to Yahweh and their unholy alliance.
* **hold (Hebrew, _mibtsār'_):** This term refers to a "fortress," "stronghold," or "fortified place." It emphasizes the physical strength and defensive capabilities of the "house of the god Berith." The Shechemites entered it precisely because they perceived it as an impenetrable sanctuary, a place of ultimate security against their attackers. The use of _mibtsār_ highlights their desperate hope that this structure, combined with its sacred status, would offer the protection that their city walls could not.
* **tower of Shechem (Hebrew, _migdal Shekhem'_):** This refers to a specific, highly fortified structure, likely a citadel or a prominent fortified building within or adjacent to the city of Shechem. It represents the last bastion of resistance for the remaining men. Their retreat from the general city into this "tower" and then into the temple within or near it signifies the dwindling options and increasing desperation of the Shechemite survivors.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard [that]":** This clause indicates that the survivors, who had retreated to the last fortified part of Shechem, received news of the city's complete destruction by Abimelech, including the razing of its walls and the sowing of salt. The "that" refers to the prior events of Abimelech's devastating assault and the imminent threat to their lives, prompting a desperate, final course of action.
* **"they entered into an hold":** This describes the action taken by the men: seeking refuge. The word "hold" (as discussed above) denotes a fortified place, emphasizing their attempt to find physical security. This was not merely a casual entry but a strategic, albeit desperate, move to escape certain death outside.
* **"of the house of the god Berith":** This specifies the exact nature of their refuge: the temple dedicated to Baal-Berith. This detail is crucial for the theological implications of the passage. It highlights their reliance on a pagan deity and a structure associated with it, rather than turning to the God of Israel, even in their direst moment. This choice underscores their spiritual blindness and the futility of their ultimate hope.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is prominent: the Shechemites, who had made a "covenant" with Abimelech under the presumed watch of Baal-Berith, now seek refuge in the "house of the god Berith" from the very person their covenant empowered, only to find that this "covenant god" cannot save them. This highlights the emptiness of their idolatrous allegiance. **Symbolism** is also at play: the "house of the god Berith" symbolizes false security and the ultimate futility of relying on anything other than the true God. It represents human attempts to find safety in human constructs or pagan powers, which inevitably fail. The "tower of Shechem" can also symbolize human pride and self-reliance, which are ultimately brought low. Furthermore, the entire episode functions as **foreshadowing**, directly setting up the dramatic and violent end of the Shechemites and Abimelech himself, fulfilling the prophetic curse of Jotham.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 9:46 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of true refuge and the consequences of misplaced trust. The Shechemites, facing annihilation, turned to a pagan temple, a symbol of their spiritual apostasy, for protection. This act vividly illustrates the biblical principle that human-made securities, false gods, and unholy alliances are ultimately impotent in the face of divine judgment and the consequences of sin. Their reliance on Baal-Berith, the "Lord of the Covenant," proved tragically ironic, as their covenant with Abimelech and their worship of this idol led directly to their destruction, demonstrating that only the true God of Israel is a reliable refuge and a faithful covenant-keeper. This narrative reminds us that genuine security and deliverance are found exclusively in the Lord, not in the fleeting powers, structures, or deities of this world.

* [Psalm 115:4-7](/psalm/115-4 "Psalm 115:4-7 - The Futility of Idols")
* [Psalm 46:1](/psalm/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God Our Refuge and Strength")
* [Proverbs 18:10](/proverbs/18-10 "Proverbs 18:10 - The Name of the Lord is a Strong Tower")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The desperate flight of the Shechemites into the "house of the god Berith" offers a timeless and sobering reflection for believers today. In moments of crisis, fear, or uncertainty, where do we instinctively turn for refuge? Are our "strongholds" truly God-ordained, or are they analogous to the fortified temple of Baal-Berith – seemingly secure, yet ultimately incapable of delivering lasting safety or peace? This passage challenges us to examine our own lives: do we place our ultimate trust in financial stability, career success, social status, political systems, or even our own intellect and strength? While these may offer temporary comfort or perceived security, the narrative of Shechem powerfully reminds us that true and enduring refuge is found only in the Lord. It calls us to repent of any subtle idolatry, where anything other than God occupies the place of ultimate reliance in our hearts, and to instead anchor our hope and security firmly in Him, who alone is a faithful and unfailing fortress in times of trouble.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "towers" or "false securities" do we sometimes rely on instead of God when facing challenges?**
* **How does this passage challenge our understanding of true refuge and strength in a world that often promotes self-reliance or worldly solutions?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to make "covenants" or alliances (e.g., compromises with ungodly values) that ultimately lead to spiritual peril, similar to Shechem's alliance with Abimelech?**

### FAQ
**Who was the god Berith?**

Answer: The "god Berith" refers to Baal-Berith, a Canaanite deity whose name means "Lord of the Covenant" or "Master of the Treaty." He was likely worshipped in Shechem as a patron god of covenants and agreements, perhaps even presiding over legal and social contracts. The Shechemites' worship of Baal-Berith highlights their syncretistic practices, blending Canaanite religion with their nominal Israelite heritage, a common issue during the period of the Judges. The irony of his name is profound, as the "covenant" made under his supposed authority (between Abimelech and Shechem) led to utter destruction, demonstrating the impotence of this false god.

**Why did the men of Shechem go into the temple?**

Answer: The men of Shechem went into the "house of the god Berith" as a desperate, last-ditch effort to find refuge and safety from Abimelech's siege. Temples in the ancient Near East were often constructed as robust, fortified structures, serving not only as places of worship but also as citadels or strongholds during times of war. The Shechemites likely believed that the physical strength of the building, combined with its sacred status, would provide inviolable sanctuary and protection from their attackers, a common belief in the ancient world.

**What was the "tower of Shechem" mentioned in the verse?**

Answer: The "tower of Shechem" was likely a prominent fortified structure or citadel within or immediately adjacent to the city of Shechem. It represented the last remaining stronghold or bastion of resistance after Abimelech had already destroyed much of the main city. The men of Shechem had retreated to this "tower" as their final defensive position before seeking refuge in the even more secure (in their minds) "house of the god Berith." It signifies the progression of Abimelech's conquest, pushing the survivors into increasingly confined and desperate spaces.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic narrative of Judges 9:46, with the Shechemites seeking futile refuge in the "house of the god Berith," powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and true refuge found only in Jesus Christ. The Shechemites relied on a physical structure and a false "lord of the covenant" who could not deliver them from judgment, leading to their complete destruction. In stark contrast, Christ is the true and faithful [covenant-keeper](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Jesus, the Mediator of a Better Covenant"), establishing a [new covenant](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31 - The New Covenant") not with human hands or pagan deities, but through His own shed blood on the cross. Where the "house of Berith" failed to protect, Christ offers an eternal and unshakeable sanctuary for all who believe. He is the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") who takes away the sin of the world, providing the only escape from the ultimate divine judgment that the Shechemites experienced in a temporal sense. Unlike the "tower of Shechem" or the temple of Baal-Berith, which were ultimately burned, the [name of the Lord is a strong tower](/proverbs/18-10 "Proverbs 18:10 - The Name of the Lord is a Strong Tower") into which the righteous run and are safe. Thus, Judges 9:46, in its depiction of desperate, failed human and idolatrous attempts at security, points us to the absolute necessity and sufficiency of [Jesus Christ](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation in No Other Name") as our sole and perfect refuge, our unshakeable foundation, and the ultimate fulfillment of God's covenant promises.

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

Judges 8:33

And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god.

Judges 9:4

And they gave him threescore and ten [pieces] of silver out of the house of Baalberith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him.

Isaiah 28:15

Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:

Isaiah 28:18

And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it.

2 Kings 1:2

And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that [was] in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.

2 Kings 1:4

Now therefore thus saith the LORD, Thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die. And Elijah departed.

Judges 9:27

And they went out into the fields, and gathered their vineyards, and trode [the grapes], and made merry, and went into the house of their god, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech.