Lexical Definition

‎גַּעַל‎ Gaʻal (gah'-al) Gaal N:N-M-P
from ‎גָּעַל‎; loathing

Gaal.

1) son of Eved who aided the Shechemites in their rebellion against Abimelech

Usage: 7 forms in 18 verses
Form Translated As     In Verse(s)
גַּעַל֮ Gaal Judg.9.36 • Judg.9.37
גַּ֥עַל Gaal Judg.9.41
גַּ֤עַל Gaal Judg.9.26
גַּ֣עַל Gaal Judg.9.28 • Judg.9.30 • Judg.9.35
גַ֨עַל Gaal Judg.9.31
גַ֔עַל Gaal Judg.9.39
Γαάλ Gaal LXX.Judg.9.26 • LXX.Judg.9.28 • LXX.Judg.9.31 • LXX.Judg.9.35 • LXX.Judg.9.36 • LXX.Judg.9.37 • LXX.Judg.9.41
Gaal went forth LXX.Judg.9.39
of Gaal LXX.Judg.9.30

Extended Information

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎גַּ֫עַל‎ proper name, masculine apparently a Canaanite, son of ‎עֶבֶד‎ (but compare VB) Judg 9:26; Judg 9:28; Judg 9:30; Judg 9:31; Judg 9:35; Judg 9:36; Judg 9:37; Judg 9:39; Judg 9:41.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Book Refs
Judges 9:26 · 9:28 · 9:30 · 9:31 · 9:35 · 9:36 · 9:37 · 9:39 · 9:41

Profile

Male • Son of Ebed • Son of Ebed; led a revolt against Abimelech.

Man living before Israel's Monarchy

Gaal, the son of Ebed, led a revolt against Abimelech, the ruler of Shechem, but was defeated and driven out of the city.

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.

All entries for Gaal: גַּעַל