9:46 When all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem 1 heard the news, they went to the stronghold 2 of the temple of El-Berith. 3 9:47 Abimelech heard 4 that all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem were in one place. 5
1 sn Perhaps the Tower of Shechem was a nearby town, distinct from Shechem proper, or a tower within the city.
2 tn Apparently this rare word refers here to the most inaccessible area of the temple, perhaps the inner sanctuary or an underground chamber. It appears only here and in 1 Sam 13:6, where it is paired with “cisterns” and refers to subterranean or cave-like hiding places.
3 sn The name El-Berith means “God of the Covenant.” It is probably a reference to the Canaanite high god El.
4 tn Heb “and it was told to Abimelech.”
5 tn Heb “were assembled.”