Keraia
Judges 9

Judges 9:31

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

Translations

Modern
So he covertly sent messengers to Abimelech to say, “Look, Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem and are stirring up the city against you.
Traditional
And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee.
Literal
And he sent messengers to Abimelech in deceit, saying, “Behold, Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem. And behold, they are fortifying the city against you.
Latin
…et misit clam ad Abimelech nuntios, dicens: Ecce Gaal filius Obed venit in Sichimam cum fratribus suis, et oppugnat adversum te civitatem.

Original

Hebrew
English
So he covertly sent messengers to Abimelech to say, “Look, Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem and are stirring up the city against 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

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

Places

Shechem: City in Canaan, later allotted to Ephraim

Glossary

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

Topics

Armies: March in Ranks: Fortifications Conspiracy: Gaal, Against Abimelech Ebed: Father of Gaal Fortresses: Places Used as Cities Gaal: Conspires Against and is Defeated by Abimelech Judge: Abimelech Zebul: An officer of Abimelech