Judg 9:46 | NET2full | STEP | When all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem heard the news, they went to the stronghold of the temple of El Berith .

‏ Judges 9:46

46 When all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem ^{▼▼sn Perhaps the Tower of Shechem was a nearby town, distinct from Shechem proper, or a tower within the city.} heard the news, they went to the stronghold ^{▼▼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.} of the temple of El Berith. ^{▼▼sn The name El-Berith means “God of the Covenant.” It is probably a reference to the Canaanite high god El.}