Judges 1:7
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.
Judges 1:7 · King James Version
Meaning
Adonibezek, a Canaanite ruler, reflects on his violent actions and the consequences he faced as a result of his cruel treatment of other kings. He acknowledges that he had similarly maimed seventy kings by cutting off their thumbs and big toes, forcing them to gather scraps under his table. This act of maiming and subjugation earned him retribution from God, as he himself was later captured and brought to Jerusalem where he eventually met his death. This serves as a cautionary tale of the cycle of violence and the concept of divine justice in the Bible. It illustrates the principle of "an eye for an eye" where one's deeds are ultimately returned to them, emphasizing the importance of treating others with kindness and respect. Adonibezek's fate highlights the importance of repentance and the consequences of one's actions, emphasizing the belief in divine retribution as a moral lesson for readers.
Theological Overview
Adonibezek's statement in Judges 1:7 provides a glimpse into the theological concept of retribution in the Bible. Adonibezek acknowledges that his fate, having his thumbs and big toes cut off, is a result of his own actions. This could be seen as a form of poetic justice, where his cruel treatment of other kings is now being reciprocated upon him by God. The act of cutting off thumbs and big toes was not just a physical punishment but also a symbolic one, as it would have rendered these kings powerless and unable to fight. Adonibezek's admission of his wrongdoing and punishment also reflects the biblical principle that one reaps what they sow. His fate serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of one's actions, emphasizing the importance of integrity and righteousness in the eyes of God.
Judges 1:7 in other translations
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.
World English Bible
Adoni-Bezek said, “Seventy kings, having their thumbs and their big toes cut off, scavenged under my table. As I have done, so God has done to me.” They brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.
Douay-Rheims
And Adonibezec said: Seventy kings, having their fingers and toes cut off, gathered up the leavings of the meat under my table: as I have done, so hath God requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died there.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And Adoni-bezek said, Seuentie Kings hauing the thumbes of their hands and of their feete cut off, gathered bread vnder my table: as I haue done, so God hath rewarded me. so they brought him to Ierusalem, and there he died.