The term "Seventy Brothers" refers to the sons of Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal, a prominent judge of Israel. This account is primarily found in the Book of Judges, specifically in Judges 8 and 9. Gideon, after delivering Israel from the oppression of the Midianites, had many wives, and through them, he fathered seventy sons. These sons are collectively referred to as the "seventy brothers."

Biblical Context

Gideon's leadership and military prowess are well-documented in Judges 6-8. After his victory over the Midianites, the Israelites asked Gideon to rule over them, but he declined, saying, "I will not rule over you, nor will my son. The LORD shall rule over you" (Judges 8:23). Despite this, Gideon amassed wealth and took many wives, leading to the birth of his seventy sons.

Abimelech's Ambition

The narrative of the seventy brothers takes a dark turn with the rise of Abimelech, one of Gideon's sons through a concubine from Shechem. Abimelech sought to establish himself as king over Shechem and, by extension, Israel. To secure his position, he conspired to eliminate his half-brothers, the seventy sons of Gideon.

Judges 9:5 recounts the tragic event: "He went to his father’s house in Ophrah and killed his brothers, the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, on one stone. But Jotham, the youngest son of Jerubbaal, survived, because he hid himself." This massacre was a calculated move by Abimelech to remove any potential rivals to his claim to leadership.

Jotham's Parable

Jotham, the sole surviving son, delivered a parable from Mount Gerizim, which is recorded in Judges 9:7-21. In this parable, he likened Abimelech to a bramble, a worthless plant, warning the people of Shechem of the consequences of their choice. Jotham's words were prophetic, as Abimelech's reign was marked by treachery and violence, ultimately leading to his downfall.

Theological Significance

The account of the seventy brothers highlights several key themes in the biblical narrative. It underscores the dangers of ambition and the lust for power, as exemplified by Abimelech's ruthless actions. The account also serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of turning away from God's intended order, as the Israelites sought a human king despite God's sovereignty.

Furthermore, the narrative illustrates the principle of divine justice. Abimelech's violent rise to power and subsequent demise reflect the biblical theme that those who sow injustice will ultimately reap calamity. Judges 9:56-57 states, "In this way God repaid the wickedness that Abimelech had done to his father by murdering his seventy brothers. God also brought all the wickedness of the men of Shechem back upon their heads, and upon them came the curse of Jotham son of Jerubbaal."

Historical and Cultural Context

In the ancient Near Eastern context, polygamy was a common practice among leaders and rulers, often resulting in large families. The account of Gideon's seventy sons is consistent with this cultural backdrop. The political dynamics of the time were also characterized by tribal affiliations and local power struggles, as seen in Abimelech's appeal to his maternal relatives in Shechem to support his bid for kingship.

The account of the seventy brothers serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities and challenges faced by the nascent Israelite nation during the period of the judges, a time marked by cycles of faithfulness and apostasy, leadership and anarchy.