Keraia
Judges 9

Judges 9:36

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

Modern
When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Look, people are coming down from the mountains!” But Zebul replied, “The shadows of the mountains look like men to you.”
Traditional
And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.
Literal
And Gaal saw the people, and he said to Zebul, “Behold, a people is coming down from the tops of the mountains.” And Zebul said to him, “The shadows of the mountains You are seeing as men.”
Latin
Cumque vidisset populum Gaal, dixit ad Zebul: Ecce de montibus multitudo descendit. Cui ille respondit: Umbras montium vides quasi capita hominum, et hoc errore deciperis.

Original

Hebrew
English
When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Look, people are coming down from the mountains!” But Zebul replied, “The shadows of the mountains look like men to you.”

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

Gaal: Son of Ebed; led a revolt against Abimelech Zebul: Governor of Shechem under Abimelech

Glossary

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

Topics

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