Judges 8:31
Arabic Simplified (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)
What Does This Mean?
This verse tells us that Gideon, a leader of Israel, had a concubine in Shechem who gave birth to his son named Abimelech. The verse does not specify who is speaking, but it provides important context about Gideon's family and his son who would later cause trouble for Israel.
Explained for Children
Imagine you have a friend who has a special friend in another town who gives birth to his child. The friend names the child, and that's what happened here. Gideon, a leader, had a special friend in Shechem, and she had his child named Abimelech.
Historical Background
The Book of Judges was written by various authors, possibly including Samuel, during the period of the Judges in Israel, which was around 1200-1050 BCE. The audience was the Israelites, and the cultural setting was a time when Israel was governed by leaders called judges rather than kings.
Living It Out Today
In today’s context, this can be seen as a reminder of the consequences of our choices. Gideon’s choice to have a concubine led to a son who would later cause problems for Israel. Think about how your choices today can affect your family or community in the future.