The BibleGospel Companion

Gaal

גַּ֫עַל · ga.al · H1603“contempt; abomination” Hitchcock's 18699 mentions, all in Judges

Who he was

Gaal, the son of Ebed, appears in Judges 9 as the leader of a revolt against Abimelech, the ruler of Shechem. After Abimelech had ruled Shechem for three years, Gaal arrived in the city and gained the trust of the people (Judges 9:26–29). He challenged Abimelech's authority and encouraged the people to follow him instead. When Abimelech was informed of Gaal's actions, he devised a plan to attack the city (Judges 9:30–33). Gaal and his followers went out to fight against Abimelech but were defeated and driven out of Shechem (Judges 9:34–41). Abimelech then destroyed the city and scattered salt over it, symbolizing its complete destruction (Judges 9:45). The story of Gaal's failed revolt illustrates the internal conflicts and power struggles that occurred during the period of the judges in Israel.

Article: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

Family

FatherEbed
Family relations: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

Every mention

9 references, counted from STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0 · verse text: World English Bible (public domain)

Judges 9 mentions

Judges 9:26Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brothers and went over to Shechem; and the men of Shechem put their trust in him.Judges 9:28Gaal the son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Isn’t he the son of Jerubbaal? Isn’t Zebul his officer? Serve the men of Hamor the father of…Judges 9:30When Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger burned.Judges 9:31He sent messengers to Abimelech craftily, saying, “Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem; and behold, they incite the city against you.Judges 9:35Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city. Abimelech rose up, and the people who were with him, from the ambush.Judges 9:36When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Behold, people are coming down from the tops of the mountains.” Zebul said to him, “You see the shadows of the mountains as if they were men.”Judges 9:37Gaal spoke again and said, “Behold, people are coming down by the middle of the land, and one company comes by the way of the oak of Meonenim.”Judges 9:39Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.Judges 9:41Abimelech lived at Arumah; and Zebul drove out Gaal and his brothers, that they should not dwell in Shechem.

What the dictionary says

Loathing, the son of Ebed, in whom the Shechemites “placed their confidence” when they became discontented with Abimelech.

Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
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Sources