Elon: not as KJV "the plain of." In central Palestine; Gaal saw Abimelech's men coming by the way that led to it (Judges 9:37). Meonenim means "enchanters." "observers of times" (Deuteronomy 18:10; Deuteronomy 18:14). These practiced some of their magic arts at this oak. The oak of Meonenim was at a distance from Shechem. That where under Jacob hid the strange gods and talisman earrings of his household was close by Shechem (Genesis 35:4), the same where Abram built his first altar in Palestine (Genesis 12:6); here also Joshua, alluding to the patriarch Jacob's address and the original idolatry of Israel's forefathers, urges the people similarly to "put away the strange gods," etc. (Genesis 24:23.) In Judges 9:6, "the oak (not 'plain') of memorial" (mutsab ) is the large memorial stone set up under the oak at Shechem. The inhabitants elected Abimelech king in the very place where Joshua renewed Israel's covenant with Jehovah, the true covenant God. Here was the temple of Baal Berith (Lord of the covenant, Judges 9:46).
From the co-author of the classic Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary, Fausset's Bible Dictionary stands as one of the best single-volume Bible encyclopedias ever written for general use. The author's writing style is always clear and concise, and he tackles issues important to the average student of the Bible, not just the Biblical scholars. This makes Fausset an excellent tool for both everyday Bible study and in-depth lesson or sermon preparation.Wikipedia
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