"How many sons did Gideon have?" (Alleged Contradiction #E5893)
And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives. And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bare him a son, whose name he called Abimelech.
Judges 8:30-31
And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baalberith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him. And he went unto his father’s house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.
Judges 9:4-5
Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech: that the cruelty done to the threescore and ten sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which slew them; and upon the men of Shechem, which aided him in the killing of his brethren.
Judges 9:23-24
Response
Gideon had 70 sons of his wives and 1 son mentioned of his concubine (“she also bare him a son”, Judges 8:31), Abimelech. Abimelech killed all 70 sons born of Gideon’s wives, except for Jotham, which is specifically mentioned as having escaped from among the 70.
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