Judges 9:51

KJV

But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut [it] to them, and gat them up to the top of the tower.

KJV (with Strong's)

But there was a strong {H5797} tower {H4026} within {H8432} the city {H5892}, and thither fled {H5127} all the men {H582} and women {H802}, and all they {H1167} of the city {H5892}, and shut {H5462} it to them, and gat them up {H5927} to the top {H1406} of the tower {H4026}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But there was a fortified tower inside the city; and all the men and women took refuge in it, everyone in the city. They shut themselves inside and went up onto the roof of the tower.

Berean Standard Bible

But there was a strong tower inside the city, and all the men, women, and leaders of the city fled there. They locked themselves in and went up to the roof of the tower.

American Standard Version

But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut themselves in, and gat them up to the roof of the tower.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 9:51 vividly portrays the desperate final stand of Thebez's inhabitants during Abimelech's relentless siege. Faced with overwhelming assault, the entire populace—men, women, and all residents—sought their last refuge in the city's formidable "strong tower." They sealed themselves within its walls and ascended to its summit, a desperate act of self-preservation against the advancing tyrant. This pivotal moment not only highlights the extreme peril faced by the city but also dramatically sets the stage for Abimelech's humiliating and divinely orchestrated demise, underscoring the ultimate futility of human-made defenses against God's sovereign justice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 9:51 is strategically placed at the climax of Abimelech's tyrannical reign, immediately preceding his death and the fulfillment of Jotham's curse. The chapter opens with Abimelech's brutal consolidation of power, marked by the massacre of his seventy brothers in Ophrah, an act that secured his kingship over Shechem [Judges 9:1-6](/judges/9-1-6 "Judges 9:1-6 - Abimelech's Violent Rise to Power"). This violent usurpation is swiftly followed by Jotham's prophetic fable, delivered from Mount Gerizim, which foretells a consuming fire that would emanate from Abimelech to consume Shechem, and from Shechem to consume Abimelech, a curse against their ungodly alliance [Judges 9:7-21](/judges/9-7-21 "Judges 9:7-21 - Jotham's Fable and Curse"). After three years, divine retribution begins as God sends an evil spirit, fostering mutual betrayal and conflict between Abimelech and the men of Shechem, leading to their eventual destruction [Judges 9:22-49](/judges/9-22-49 "Judges 9:22-49 - God's Judgment on Abimelech and Shechem"). Having devastated Shechem, Abimelech turns his destructive attention to Thebez. Verse 51 describes the inhabitants' last-ditch effort for survival, directly setting the scene for Abimelech's fatal injury and the dramatic fulfillment of Jotham's earlier prophecy.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (approximately 12th to 11th centuries BC) was characterized by political fragmentation, cycles of apostasy, and frequent inter-tribal conflicts and external oppressions. Cities in the ancient Near East, such as Thebez, were typically fortified with concentric layers of defense. Beyond the primary city walls, it was common for a city to possess an inner citadel or "strong tower" (Hebrew: _migdal-oz_). These structures were designed as a final, highly defensible stronghold, a place where the civilian population and remaining defenders could retreat if the main city defenses were breached. They were constructed with immensely thick walls and often occupied the highest ground, making them formidable targets for siege warfare. The act of "shutting it to them" was a standard, desperate tactic to seal off the last point of resistance, indicating a commitment to withstand a prolonged siege, hoping to outlast the attackers or force a negotiation. Abimelech's strategy of attempting to burn down such a tower, as he had done elsewhere, was a brutal but effective means of forcing surrender or annihilating resistance.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 9:51 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully illustrates the **desperate search for refuge** in the face of overwhelming danger, highlighting the primal human instinct to seek safety when life is threatened. This physical refuge, however, stands in stark contrast to the spiritual refuge found in God, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture. The verse also underscores the brutal realities of **ancient siege warfare**, where the ultimate objective was often the reduction of a city's final stronghold, often leading to mass casualties or enslavement. Most profoundly, this verse serves as a direct **foreshadowing of divine justice** and the precise fulfillment of Jotham's curse. The gathering of the people in the tower directly precedes Abimelech's attempt to destroy it, which ultimately leads to his humiliating death by a woman's hand [Judges 9:53](/judges/9-53 "Judges 9:53 - Abimelech's Humiliating Death"), demonstrating God's sovereign hand in bringing retribution upon those who rule through violence and treachery, as prophesied in [Jotham's fable](/judges/9-20 "Judges 9:20 - Jotham's Prophecy of Fire").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **strong tower (Hebrew, _migdâl-ʿôz'_):** The Hebrew phrase מִגְדַּל־עֹז (migdal-oz) is a compound noun formed from מִגְדָּל (migdâl, H4026), meaning "tower" (from its size or height), and עֹז (ʿôz, H5797), meaning "strength," "might," or "security." This combination emphasizes the structure's formidable nature and its intended purpose as a place of ultimate defense and security. In a military context, it refers to a citadel or a fortified keep, highlighting the inhabitants' desperate hope that this physical stronghold would provide impenetrable safety, a stark contrast to the spiritual understanding of the Lord as a "strong tower" in other biblical texts.
* **fled (Hebrew, _nûwç'_):** The verb נוּס (nûwç, H5127) means "to flee," "to escape," or "to take refuge." Its use here conveys a profound sense of urgency, panic, and desperation. The description that "all the men and women, and all they of the city" did not merely walk but "fled" underscores the severity of the imminent threat posed by Abimelech's forces. This immediate and universal flight highlights the profound fear gripping the city and their last-ditch, unified effort to preserve life.
* **shut [it] to them (Hebrew, _ṣâgar'_):** The verb סָגַר (ṣâgar, H5462) means "to shut up," "to close," or "to bar." This action signifies a deliberate and decisive act of sealing themselves inside the tower. It implies a complete commitment to defense, cutting off any possibility of retreat or further engagement outside the stronghold. By shutting themselves in, the inhabitants were making a final, desperate stand, hoping the tower's inherent strength would protect them from the onslaught, an act of self-preservation against an overwhelming and merciless enemy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But there was a strong tower within the city":** This clause introduces the crucial architectural feature that serves as the focal point of the city's defense and the subsequent dramatic events. It establishes the presence of a final, formidable refuge, a common and essential element in ancient Near Eastern urban planning, specifically designed for such dire circumstances of siege.
* **"and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city":** This phrase emphasizes the universality and desperation of the flight. The inclusion of "all the men and women, and all they of the city" highlights that no one was left behind; the entire populace, without exception, sought safety in this final stronghold. This collective movement underscores the extreme peril and the unified, albeit desperate, attempt to survive Abimelech's relentless assault.
* **"and shut [it] to them":** This action signifies the inhabitants' commitment to a final, unyielding stand. By "shutting" the tower, they were sealing themselves inside, reinforcing its defenses, and effectively cutting off access to the outside world. This was a critical and decisive step in preparing for a siege, indicating their resolute determination to withstand the attack from within the tower's walls, come what may.
* **"and gat them up to the top of the tower":** This final clause describes the strategic positioning taken by the inhabitants. Ascending to the "top of the tower" (Hebrew: _gâg_, H1406, meaning "roof" or "top") provided them with the highest vantage point for observation and defense. From this elevated position, they could potentially hurl objects down upon attackers, or at least gain a temporary sense of security from the immediate ground-level threat. This act represents their final, most defensible posture against Abimelech, from which they would launch the fatal blow.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 9:51 employs several powerful literary devices to heighten its dramatic impact and underscore its theological implications. **Foreshadowing** is prominently featured, as the description of the citizens gathering in the "strong tower" directly sets the stage for Abimelech's attempt to burn it down, which ultimately leads to his fatal injury from a millstone thrown by a woman [Judges 9:53](/judges/9-53 "Judges 9:53 - Abimelech's Humiliating Death"). This ignominious end, in turn, precisely fulfills the curse pronounced by Jotham earlier in the chapter, where fire would consume Abimelech and the people of Shechem [Judges 9:20](/judges/9-20 "Judges 9:20 - Jotham's Prophecy of Fire"). There is also a strong element of **irony** in the "strong tower" itself; intended as a place of ultimate safety and defense, it paradoxically becomes the site of Abimelech's humiliation and death, demonstrating the limits of human strength and the unexpected, often humbling, ways divine justice can manifest. The verse also uses **hyperbole** and **desperation** as literary motifs, vividly portraying the frantic, universal flight of "all the men and women, and all they of the city," emphasizing their profound fear and the dire circumstances they faced, creating a palpable sense of urgency and impending doom for the reader.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 9:51, while describing a physical act of seeking refuge, subtly points to a profound theological truth about the nature of true security. The inhabitants of Thebez placed their ultimate hope in a human-made "strong tower," a structure designed to provide physical protection. Yet, as the subsequent narrative reveals, even the strongest human defenses have inherent limits and can become the very site of one's downfall or a place of desperate, rather than ultimate, safety. This narrative serves as a stark reminder that reliance on earthly constructs, human power, or even one's own strength is ultimately insufficient and fleeting. It implicitly contrasts with the biblical understanding of God as the true and enduring refuge, whose strength and faithfulness are unwavering, unlike any physical fortress. The events surrounding this tower demonstrate God's sovereign hand in bringing justice and retribution, even through the chaotic actions of sinful humanity, ensuring that those who sow violence and treachery will inevitably reap their just reward.

* [Proverbs 18:10](/proverbs/18-10 "Proverbs 18:10 - The Name of the Lord is a Strong Tower")
* [Psalm 91:2](/psalms/91-2 "Psalm 91:2 - God My Refuge and Fortress")
* [2 Samuel 22:3](/2_samuel/22-3 "2 Samuel 22:3 - God My Rock and Fortress")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 9:51 offers a poignant reflection on where we, as individuals and communities, tend to place our trust and seek our security. In moments of profound crisis, much like the people of Thebez, our natural inclination is often to flee to what we perceive as our "strong towers"—whether they be financial stability, professional achievements, social status, personal relationships, or even our own self-sufficiency and perceived control. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that while these earthly constructs may offer temporary comfort or protection, they are ultimately limited, fallible, and subject to collapse. The narrative of Abimelech's ignominious end at this very tower underscores the fragility of human power and the futility of relying on anything other than the true, unshakeable refuge found in God. For believers, this passage challenges us to critically examine our hearts: are we truly seeking our ultimate safety, security, and deliverance in the Lord, or are we, like the Thebezites, still running to human-made fortresses that cannot ultimately save? It calls us to a deeper, more profound trust in God's sovereignty and faithfulness, even when circumstances are dire, recognizing that He is the only unfailing refuge and the ultimate dispenser of perfect justice.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "strong towers" do you tend to build or rely on in your life for security, comfort, or a sense of control?**
* **How does the narrative of Judges 9 challenge your understanding of true refuge and ultimate safety in the face of life's uncertainties?**
* **In what specific ways do you see God's justice at work in the world today, even amidst human conflict, violence, and sin?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of a "strong tower" in ancient cities like Thebez?**

Answer: In ancient Near Eastern cities, a "strong tower" (Hebrew: _migdal-oz_), or citadel, was a crucial architectural feature designed as the city's ultimate defensive stronghold. When outer city walls were breached during a siege, the strong tower served as the last line of defense, providing a fortified refuge where the entire populace—men, women, and children—could retreat. These towers were typically built with robust, thick walls and often situated on elevated positions, making them extremely difficult to assault. They were intended to be a place where inhabitants could make a final, desperate stand, hoping to withstand the siege, outlast the attackers, or negotiate terms of surrender from a position of relative safety. The tower in Thebez served precisely this purpose for the city's inhabitants during Abimelech's assault, representing their last hope for survival.

**How does this verse connect to Abimelech's ultimate fate?**

Answer: Judges 9:51 directly sets the stage for Abimelech's dramatic and ignominious death, which occurs immediately in the subsequent verses. After the people of Thebez fled into the strong tower, Abimelech followed, intending to burn it down with the inhabitants inside, just as he had done to the tower of Shechem [Judges 9:49](/judges/9-49 "Judges 9:49 - Abimelech's Destruction of Shechem's Tower"). However, as he approached the tower's door to set it ablaze, a woman from the top of the tower dropped a millstone on his head, crushing his skull [Judges 9:53](/judges/9-53 "Judges 9:53 - Abimelech's Death by a Millstone"). This humiliating death, at the hand of a woman, precisely fulfilled Jotham's earlier curse against Abimelech and the men of Shechem [Judges 9:20](/judges/9-20 "Judges 9:20 - Jotham's Curse"), demonstrating divine retribution for his brutal actions and tyrannical rule.

**Does this verse have any spiritual meaning for believers today?**

Answer: Yes, Judges 9:51 carries significant spiritual meaning for believers. While it describes a physical act of seeking refuge in a human-made fortress, it implicitly contrasts this with the ultimate and true refuge found in God. The "strong tower" of Thebez, though seemingly secure, ultimately became the site of desperation and Abimelech's downfall, illustrating the limitations of human strength and reliance on earthly securities. For believers, this narrative serves as a powerful reminder that our ultimate safety, security, and deliverance are not found in wealth, power, human institutions, or personal abilities, but solely in the Lord. As [Proverbs 18:10](/proverbs/18-10 "Proverbs 18:10 - The Name of the Lord is a Strong Tower") declares, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." This verse encourages us to place our trust in God as our ultimate refuge and fortress, especially in times of distress, recognizing that He alone provides enduring, unfailing, and eternal security.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Judges 9:51 depicts a desperate flight into a physical "strong tower" that ultimately proved to be a place of limited and temporary refuge, it subtly prefigures the ultimate and perfect refuge found in Jesus Christ. The Thebezites sought safety in a structure of stone and mortar, which, despite its formidable appearance, could not guarantee their deliverance and became the site of their oppressor's demise, not their salvation. In stark contrast, Christ is the true and eternal "strong tower" to whom all can flee for ultimate safety and salvation. He is the one who, unlike any earthly fortress, has triumphed over sin, death, and the grave, offering a security that transcends all temporal threats and provides eternal life. Just as the people of Thebez sought to "shut [it] to them" for protection, so too do believers find their ultimate security by being "in Christ," hidden in Him from the wrath to come and the power of sin [Colossians 3:3](/colossians/3-3 "Colossians 3:3 - Hidden with Christ in God"). He is our unshakeable rock and fortress, the one who delivers us from all our enemies, both seen and unseen, and from the ultimate enemy, spiritual death [Psalm 18:2](/psalms/18-2 "Psalm 18:2 - The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress"). The desperation of the Thebezites highlights humanity's inherent need for a deliverer, a need perfectly and eternally met in the person and redemptive work of Jesus, who offers not just temporary physical safety, but eternal life and spiritual refuge for all who believe in Him [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World").

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.