Keraia
Judges 9

Judges 9:28

Gaal Conspires with the Shechemites · Judges 9:22–29
Read Judges 9

Translations

Modern
Then Gaal son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, and is not Zebul his officer? You are to serve the men of Hamor, the father of Shechem. Why should we serve Abimelech?
Traditional
And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him?
Literal
And Gaal son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal? And is not Zebul his officer? Serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem—and why should we serve him?
Latin
…clamante Gaal filio Obed: Quis est Abimelech, et quæ est Sichem, ut serviamus ei? numquid non est filius Jerobaal, et constituit principem Zebul servum suum super viros Emor patris Sichem? cur ergo serviemus ei?

Original

Hebrew
English
Then Gaal son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, and is not Zebul his officer? You are to serve the men of Hamor, the father of Shechem. Why should we serve Abimelech?

Notes

Judges 9:28

  • Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem: Gaal focused on Abimelech’s lineage through his father, Gideon, who was not from Shechem, rather than through his mother (Judges 8:31; 9:2).

  • serve the men of Hamor: Gaal’s lineage apparently traced back to Hamor, the founder of Shechem (Genesis 33:18–34:31).

Judges 9:27–29

People were unhappy with Abimelech, and there was social unrest. With plenty of wine and careless talk, Gaal easily gained initial support.

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 Gideon: Judge of Israel; defeated Midianites; tested and reassured by God Hamor: A Hivite prince, father of Shechem Zebul: Governor of Shechem under Abimelech

Places

Shechem: City in Canaan, later allotted to Ephraim

Glossary

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

Topics

Conspiracy: Gaal, Against Abimelech Ebed: Father of Gaal Gaal: Conspires Against and is Defeated by Abimelech Hamor: Jacob Buys a Piece of Property From Judge: Abimelech Shechem: Son of Hamor; Seduces Jacob's Daughter; Killed by Jacob's Sons Zebul: An officer of Abimelech