Who is…
Adonibezek

also known as: Adoni-Bezek or Adoni Bezek

Hebrew: אֲדֹנִי־בֶזֶק —meaning: Lord of Bezek

Adonibezek is an ancient king in the land of Canaan who, having subdued 70 of the chiefs that were around him, attacked 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 paid him back for for his similar cruelty to the 70 kings that he had subdued (Judges 1:4-7; compare 1 Samuel 15:33).

The cutting off of his thumbs would prevent him from ever again drawing a bow or wielding a sword. —Charles John Ellicott, editor, An Old Testament Commentary for English Readers (1897)

Article Version: October 6, 2025