Keraia
Judges 9

Judges 9:37

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

Translations

Modern
Then Gaal spoke up again, “Look, people are coming down from the center of the land, and one company is coming by way of the Diviners’ Oak.”
Traditional
And Gaal spake again and said, See there come people down by the middle of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim.
Literal
And Gaal added again to speak, and he said, “Behold, a people are coming down from the center of the land, and one company is coming from the way of the Oak of the Diviners.”
Latin
Rursumque Gaal ait: Ecce populus de umbilico terræ descendit, et unus cuneus venit per viam quæ respicit quercum.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then Gaal spoke up again, “Look, people are coming down from the center of the land, and one company is coming by way of the Diviners’ Oak.”

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

Places

Diviners' Oak: A tree near Shechem, associated with pagan divination practices

Glossary

Abimelech Arumah Baal-Berith Curse, Cursed Diviners’ Oak Gaal Judges, Book of Oak of Meonenim Oak, Diviners’ Plain of Meonenim Shechem (Place) Warfare

Topics

Conspiracy: Gaal, Against Abimelech Gaal: Conspires Against and is Defeated by Abimelech Judge: Abimelech Meonenim: A Place in Ephraim Zebul: An officer of Abimelech