Topical Encyclopedia Adonibezek is a figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Judges. He was a Canaanite king who ruled over the city of Bezek. His account is primarily found in Judges 1:4-7, where he is depicted as a powerful and ruthless leader who faced the Israelites during their conquest of Canaan.Biblical Account: The narrative of Adonibezek begins with the Israelites, under the leadership of the tribe of Judah, engaging in battle against the Canaanites and Perizzites. The Lord delivered these enemies into the hands of the Israelites, and they defeated ten thousand men at Bezek. The Berean Standard Bible recounts this victory: "And Judah went up, and the LORD delivered the Canaanites and Perizzites into their hands, and they struck down ten thousand men at Bezek" (Judges 1:4). Adonibezek fled the battlefield but was pursued and captured by the Israelites. In a striking act of retribution, they cut off his thumbs and big toes. This punishment mirrored the treatment Adonibezek had inflicted upon seventy kings whom he had subdued and humiliated by cutting off their thumbs and big toes, forcing them to gather scraps under his table. Adonibezek acknowledged the justice of his fate, saying, "Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off used to gather scraps under my table. As I have done, so God has repaid me" (Judges 1:7). After his capture, Adonibezek was brought to Jerusalem, where he died. Historical and Theological Context: Adonibezek's account is set during the period of the Judges, a time characterized by the Israelites' struggle to fully possess the Promised Land and their repeated cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. The account of Adonibezek serves as an illustration of divine justice and retribution, reflecting the biblical principle that individuals often reap what they sow (cf. Galatians 6:7). The mutilation of Adonibezek is significant in the ancient Near Eastern context, where the removal of thumbs and big toes would render a warrior ineffective in battle and symbolize complete subjugation. This act by the Israelites can be seen as both a literal and symbolic demonstration of their victory over a formidable enemy. Moral and Ethical Considerations: From a moral and ethical standpoint, the account of Adonibezek raises questions about justice and the appropriate response to evil. The narrative suggests that Adonibezek's punishment was a direct consequence of his own actions, highlighting the biblical theme of divine retribution. This theme is consistent with the broader biblical narrative, where God's justice is often portrayed as both immediate and ultimate. Legacy and Lessons: Adonibezek's legacy is one of a cautionary tale about the consequences of pride and cruelty. His acknowledgment of God's justice serves as a reminder of the sovereignty of God over the affairs of nations and individuals. The account encourages believers to trust in God's righteous judgment and to live in accordance with His commandments, knowing that He will ultimately vindicate His people and bring justice to the earth. Smith's Bible Dictionary Adonibezek(lord of Bezek), king of Bezek, a city of the Canaanites. [BEZEK] This chieftain was vanquished by the tribe of Judah, (Judges 1:3-7) who cut off his thumbs and great toes, and brought him prisoner to Jerusalem, where he died. He confessed that he had inflicted the same cruelty upon 70 petty kings whom he had conquered. (B.C. 1425). ATS Bible Dictionary AdonibezekLord of Bezek, a Canaanite tyrant of Bezek, east of Shechem. Having taken seventy of the neighboring petty chiefs, he disabled them by cutting off their thumbs and great toes, and fed them like dogs. The same barbarous treatment was meted out to him, when defeated at the head of an army of Canaanites and Perizzites, by Judah and Simeon, Jude 1:4-7. Easton's Bible Dictionary Lord of Bezek, a Canaanitish king who, having subdued seventy of the chiefs that were around him, made an attack against the armies of Judah and Simeon, but was defeated and brought as a captive to Jerusalem, where his thumbs and great toes were cut off. He confessed that God had requited him for his like cruelty to the seventy kings whom he had subdued (Judges 1:4-7; Comp. 1 Samuel 15:33). International Standard Bible Encyclopedia ADONIBEZEKa-do-ni-be'-zek ('adhonibhezeq "lord of Bezek"): Lord of a town, Bezek, in southern Palestine, whom the tribes of Judah and Simeon overthrew. Adonibezek fled when his men were defeated, but was captured, and was punished for his cruelty in cutting off the thumbs and great toes of seventy kings by a similar mutilation. Being brought to Jerusalem, he died there (Judges 1:5-7). This not to be confused with Adonizedek, as in the Septuagint. This is quite another name. Library How, after the Death of Joshua their Commander, the Israelites ... Book 5 Footnotes Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest Differences in Judgment About Water Baptism, no Bar to Communion ... Thesaurus Adonibezek (2 Occurrences)... 1 Samuel 15:33). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ADONIBEZEK. ... This is quite another name. Multi-Version Concordance Adonibezek (2 Occurrences). ... /a/adonibezek.htm - 8k Melchisedec (10 Occurrences) Melchizedek (12 Occurrences) Adonai-shalom (1 Occurrence) Adoni-bezek (3 Occurrences) Prisoner (87 Occurrences) Slew (206 Occurrences) Prison (131 Occurrences) King (25505 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible ThesuarusConcordance Adonibezek (2 Occurrences)Judges 1:5 Judges 1:6 Subtopics Related Terms |
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