Bible Strands
Gaal
the name means loathing Strong's Lexicon
Gaal, the son of Ebed, led a revolt against Abimelech, the ruler of Shechem, but was defeated and driven out of the city.
From Easton's Bible Dictionary
Loathing, the son of Ebed, in whom the Shechemites "placed their confidence" when they became discontented with Abimelech. He headed the revolution, and led out the men of Shechem against Abimelech; but was defeated, and fled to his own home (Judg. 9:26-46). We hear no more of him after this battle.
Easton's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, 1897 — public domain, quoted in full and unedited.
Family
Parents
Ebed
From STEPBible's TIPNR genealogy data. A relationship the data marks uncertain is not shown here.
First named at Judges 9:26.
Verses that name Gaal
- Judges 9:26 Meanwhile, Gaal son of Ebed came with his brothers and crossed into Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem put their confidence in him.
- Judges 9:28 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?
- Judges 9:30 When Zebul the governor of the city heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed, he burned with anger.
- Judges 9:31 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.
- Judges 9:35 Now Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood at the entrance of the city gate just as Abimelech and his men came out from their hiding places.
- Judges 9:36 When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Look, people are coming down from the mountains!” But Zebul replied, “The shadows of the mountains look like men to you.”
- Judges 9:37 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.”
- Judges 9:39 So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought against Abimelech,
- Judges 9:41 Abimelech stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem.