This verse is a direct quote of what Abimelech said, as he asks his mother’s relatives to help him. He wants them to speak for him to his other relatives in Shechem, so that they will appoint him as their leader. In many cultures having some person speak on your behalf in any delicate situation, such as seeking public office or favor, is a face-saving mechanism.

Say in the ears of all the citizens of Shechem is a fairly literal rendering of the Hebrew. Since this clause introduces a question, Say in the ears of may be rendered “Ask” (New International Version) or “Put this question to” (New American Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). In Hebrew the verb for Say is followed by the politeness marker naʾ, which may be rendered “Please” (New Jerusalem Bible) or “I beg you” (Revised English Bible). Abimelech’s motives are far from worthy, but he plays the role of the dutiful and polite son in order to convince his maternal family to do what he requests. The Hebrew word for citizens (baʿal) occurs throughout this passage, sometimes rendered “men” or “people” (verse 9.3, 6-7, 18, 20, 23-26, 39, 46-47, 51). When it is not a proper noun designating Baal, the god of the Canaanites, it means “lord” or “master.” Here it designates the leaders of Shechem, so Contemporary English Version says “leaders,” and New Jerusalem Bible has “leading men.” This word also creates a play on words with the name of Abimelech’s father, Jerubbaal (meaning “let Baal defend himself”), as it occurs elsewhere (see verse 9.1). By repeating this word, it is as if the narrator is bringing to the forefront the unfaithfulness of the people of Israel at this point in time. They abandoned Yahweh and worshiped Baal (verse 8.33). In most English versions this important wordplay is lost, as translators seek to make the story understandable. Likewise, in most other languages this wordplay will not be evident. If desired, a footnote could be added that says: “The Hebrew word for ‘leaders’ is baʿal. It is the same word for the god Baal whom the Israelites had chosen to worship (see verse 8.33). This play on words occurs throughout this story.”

Say in the ears of all the citizens of Shechem is followed by a direct quote of what Abimelech is asking his mother’s relatives to say to the leaders of Shechem. In many languages quotes within quotes can be difficult to express or understand. This is probably what has led Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version to use an indirect quote here. If a quote within a quote is kept, normal punctuation for the target language should be used.

Which is better for you…? is literally “What good for you [plural]?” Abimelech is going to presents two options, so Revised Standard Version uses the comparative word better. Good News Translation says “Which would you prefer?” Abimelech may be expecting an answer, but this could also be a rhetorical question, attempting to convince the town leaders to adopt his point of view. If this question seems unnatural, translators could express it as a statement, for example, “Being ruled by only one is better….”

That all seventy of the sons of Jerubbaal rule over you, or that one rule over you: Abimelech wants his mother’s relatives to present two options to the leaders of Shechem: either they will accept the leadership of seventy people (the sons of Gideon) or one person (himself). All seventy of the sons of Jerubbaal is literally “seventy men, all sons of Jerubbaal.” This phrase refers to the sons born of the wives of Gideon (see comments on verse 8.30). Certainly the legal sons of Gideon must have been very powerful, due to the status of their father and grandfather (verse 6.15; verse 8.22, 30, 32). Abimelech, born of a concubine, is jealous of their status. Seventy seems to be the favorite number of the Judges narrator, and the word all emphasizes that Gideon’s legal sons are many. As is always the case in this chapter, Gideon is referred to as Jerubbaal.

The Hebrew verb rendered rule (mashal) is a general one that does not necessarily imply kingship. It is the same verb used in verse 8.22-23 (see comments there), when Gideon is offered the position of ruler over the Israelites. Good News Translation says “govern,” while another possibility is “lead.”

The alternative to being governed by seventy is to be ruled by one. It is clear from what follows that Abimelech means himself. He does not include himself among the number of Gideon’s sons, certainly because he is the son of a concubine and not a legal son. Since this is an embedded quote, Abimelech speaks of himself in the third person. By using the word one, he may be trying to be modest. It might be possible to say “me,” but that would eliminate the play between two numbers, seventy and one. Translators should probably leave the text as it stands and let the readers determine what is meant here.

Giving alternatives in some languages is sometimes difficult, and in many languages the order of the clauses in this question will have to be reversed. For example, many languages might say “All seventy sons of Jerubbaal ruling over you, or one man ruling over you, which do you choose/prefer?”

Remember also that I am your bone and your flesh: With these words Abimelech makes it clear what his real intentions are. There is some debate concerning whether this sentence is addressed to the leaders of Shechem or to the relatives of Abimelech’s mother. Either is possible, since usually the people in a town were all related in some way. This statement may be the way Abimelech pressures his family into speaking to the town leaders. However, the leaders’ immediate response in verse 9.3 (“He is our brother”) suggests that these words were in fact addressed to them. If Abimelech is addressing only his immediate family, then his question (the quote within a quote) can be closed before this final statement, as in Revised Standard Version, New International Version, and New American Bible. The verb Remember is preceded in Hebrew by the waw conjunction, which Revised Standard Version renders also. Remember also may be translated “And remember” (New Living Translation, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), “And don’t forget,” or simply “Remember” (Good News Translation, New International Version). This verb plays an important role in this part of the book (see verse 8.34).

I am your bone and your flesh is a very emphatic clause in Hebrew, literally “your bone and your flesh I [am].” Your bone and your flesh is an idiomatic expression in Hebrew referring to close family ties. In English we usually say “your own flesh and blood” (Good News Translation; similarly New International Version, Revised English Bible). If there is no similar idiomatic expression in the target language, translators might say “Remember I am a true Shechemite also” or “Remember I belong to your clan also.” A model that expresses the emphatic Hebrew pronoun for I is “Remember, it is I [and not them] who is your real brother.” If Abimelech is made ruler, he will certainly help his relatives.

Translation models for this verse are:

• “Ask all the leaders of Shechem whether they would prefer to be governed by all Gideon’s seventy sons or by just one man. Don’t forget. I am your own flesh and blood.”

• “Say to all the leaders of Shechem, ‘Which would you prefer? Would you want all Gideon’s seventy sons to rule you, or just one man?’ Remind them that I, Abimelech, am their brother.”

Quoted with permission from Zogbo, Lynell and Ogden, Graham S. A Handbook on Judges. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .