Gaal in the Bible

Meaning: contempt; abomination

Exact Match

And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him.

Verse ConceptsOptimismTrusting Other People

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?

Verse ConceptsAudacityOther Unimportant People

And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.

Verse ConceptsGovernorsNamed People Angry With Others

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.

Verse ConceptsMessengers Sent OutThose Who Deceived

Then in the morning, at sunrise, you will get up early and rush upon and attack the city; and when Gaal and the people who are with him come out against you, you shall do to them whatever you can.”

Verse ConceptsDawnMorningThe SunThose Who Rose Early

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.

Verse ConceptsStanding In The Gateway

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.

Verse ConceptsShadowsThings Like PeopleLike Men

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.

Verse ConceptsOaks

Then Zebul said to Gaal, “Where is your [boasting] mouth now, you who said, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Is this not the people whom you despised? Go out now and fight with them!”

Verse ConceptsBraggingBoasting ExcludedOther Unimportant People

but Abimelech pursued him, and Gaal fled before him. Many wounded died as far as the entrance of the gate.

Verse ConceptsWounds

And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.

Thematic Bible



Gaal son of Ebed came through Shechem with his brothers. The leaders of Shechem transferred their loyalty to him. They went out to the field, harvested their grapes, squeezed out the juice, and celebrated. They came to the temple of their god and ate, drank, and cursed Abimelech. Gaal son of Ebed said, "Who is Abimelech and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerub-Baal, and is not Zebul the deputy he appointed? Serve the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem! But why should we serve Abimelech? read more.
If only these men were under my command, I would get rid of Abimelech!" He challenged Abimelech, "Muster your army and come out for battle!" When Zebul, the city commissioner, heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed, he was furious. He sent messengers to Abimelech, who was in Arumah, reporting, "Beware! Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers are coming to Shechem and inciting the city to rebel against you. Now, come up at night with your men and set an ambush in the field outside the city. In the morning at sunrise quickly attack the city. When he and his men come out to fight you, do what you can to him." So Abimelech and all his men came up at night and set an ambush outside Shechem -- they divided into four units. When Gaal son of Ebed came out and stood at the entrance to the city's gate, Abimelech and his men got up from their hiding places. Gaal saw the men and said to Zebul, "Look, men are coming down from the tops of the hills." But Zebul said to him, "You are seeing the shadows on the hills -- it just looks like men." Gaal again said, "Look, men are coming down from the very center of the land. A unit is coming by way of the Oak Tree of the Diviners." Zebul said to him, "Where now are your bragging words, 'Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?' Are these not the men you insulted? Go out now and fight them!" So Gaal led the leaders of Shechem out and fought Abimelech. Abimelech chased him, and Gaal ran from him. Many Shechemites fell wounded at the entrance of the gate. Abimelech went back to Arumah; Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem.


References

Hastings

Easton

American

Fausets

Morish

Smith

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible