Keraia
Judges 9

Judges 9:35

The Fall of Shechem · Judges 9:30–49
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Translations

Modern
Now Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood at the entrance of the city gate just as Abimelech and his men came out from their hiding places.
Traditional
And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait.
Literal
And Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city, and Abimelech rose, and the people who were with him, from the ambush.
Latin
Egressusque est Gaal filius Obed, et stetit in introitu portæ civitatis. Surrexit autem Abimelech, et omnis exercitus cum eo, de insidiarum loco.

Original

Hebrew
English
Now Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood at the entrance of the city gate just as Abimelech and his men came out from their hiding places.

Notes

Judges 9:30–41

The second plot, like the first (Judges 9:22–25), was stopped by an informer, likely an official appointed by the absent Abimelech. Zebul suggested a bold morning ambush, planning to lure Gaal and his followers into the open country for a confrontation. The plan succeeded. Due to his boasting and possibly Zebul’s mocking challenge, Gaal and his men ventured out, only to be driven from town by the loyal Zebul, who acted to cleanse the city.

Judges 9:26–41

Gaal, son of Ebed (meaning "vile son of a slave"), led a failed rebellion against Abimelech. Many citizens of Shechem died in this event. This partially fulfilled Jotham's curse (Judges 9:20).

Judges 9:22–57

Theological statements in Judges 9:23–24 and 9:56–57 frame the story of the civil conflict that caused the destruction of Abimelech and Shechem. This event fulfilled the curse that Jotham declared (Judges 9:19–20).

Judges 9:1–57

Abimelech's reign marked a shift from the relative peace of the early judges (Judges 3:7–8:35) to the decline of the later years (10:1–16:31).

Theme notes and profiles

Gideon Shechem

Events

People

Abimelech: Son of Gideon, self-proclaimed king of Shechem Ebed: Father of Gaal, who opposed Abimelech's rule Gaal: Son of Ebed; led a revolt against Abimelech

Glossary

Abimelech Arumah Baal-Berith Curse, Cursed Ebed Gaal Judges, Book of Shechem (Place) Warfare

Topics

Conspiracy: Gaal, Against Abimelech Ebed: Father of Gaal Gaal: Conspires Against and is Defeated by Abimelech Judge: Abimelech Zebul: An officer of Abimelech