Gaal גַּ֫עַל
Son of Ebed; led a revolt against Abimelech.
Biography
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 (Jdg.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 (Jdg.9.30-33). Gaal and his followers went out to fight against Abimelech but were defeated and driven out of Shechem (Jdg.9.34-41). Abimelech then destroyed the city and scattered salt over it, symbolizing its complete destruction (Jdg.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.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical bookJudges 5 verses
- Judges 9:26
"Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brothers and went over to Shechem; and the men of Shechem put their trust in him."
- Judges 9:28
"Gaal 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 Shechem, but why should we serve him?"
- Judges 9:30
"When Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger burned."
- Judges 9:31
"He 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 9:35
"Gaal 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."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | גַּ֫עַל | H1603 |
Gaal
the part of the inhabitants of Shechem against Abimelech, son of Gideon, and his rebellion failed (Jud 9:26-45).
See also ABIMELECH.
ga'-ash (ga`-ash): First mentioned in connection with the burial place of Joshua "in the border of his inheritance in Timnath-serah, which is in the hill-country of Ephraim, on the north (side) of the mountain of Gaash"