Lexical Definition

‎עֶבֶד‎ ʻEbed (eh'-bed) Ebed ^N:N-M-P
the same as ‎עֶבֶד‎

Ebed.

• § Ebed = "servant"
• Ebed, the name of two Israelites

1) father of Gaal in the time of the judges
2) son of Jonathan and one of the sons of Adin who returned from exile with Ezra

Extended Information

• A man living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jdg.9.26
• father of: Gaal (גַּעַל)

Brown-Driver-Briggs

II. ‎עֶ֫בֶד‎ proper name, masculine (servant of God = ‎עַבְדְּאֵל‎); —

1. father of Gaal Judg 9:26; Judg 9:28; Judg 9:30; Judg 9:31; Judg 9:35 (GFM, after Hollenb^{ThLz 1891, 371} [compare Bu^{Ib. 1892, 63}] ‎עֹבֵד‎, as ᵐ5^L; see also Gray^{Prop. N. 184, 272}); ᵐ5 Ιωβηλ, A ᵐ5^L Αβεδ.

2. a companion of Ezra Ezra 8:6 ᵐ5 Ωβηθ, ᵐ5^L Αμιναδαβ. — For list of Arabic names beginning with see Nö^{ZMG xli (1887), 724 ff.}, compare also Id^{ib, xlii (1888), 486} We^{Heid. 2, 2 ff}.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Profile

Male • Father of Gaal • Father of Gaal, who opposed Abimelech's rule

Man living before Israel's Monarchy

Ebed was the father of Gaal, who led a rebellion against Abimelech, the son of Gideon, in Shechem. (Jdg.9.26,28,30,31,35)

• A man living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jdg.9.26;
• only referred to as Ebed עֶבֶד;
• father of Gaal גַּעַל.

Ebed is mentioned in the book of Judges as the father of Gaal, a man who opposed Abimelech's rule over Shechem. Abimelech was a son of Gideon, the judge who had delivered Israel from the Midianites.

After Gideon's death, Abimelech killed his seventy brothers and established himself as king over Shechem (Judges 9:1-6). However, Gaal son of Ebed arrived in Shechem and gained the trust of the people (Judges 9:26). Gaal openly challenged Abimelech's authority, questioning his claim to rule over the city (Judges 9:28).

When Zebul, the ruler of the city and a supporter of Abimelech, heard of Gaal's words, he sent messengers to warn Abimelech (Judges 9:30-31). Abimelech then devised a plan to attack the city and confront Gaal and his followers (Judges 9:32-33).

In the ensuing battle, Abimelech defeated Gaal and his supporters, driving them out of the city (Judges 9:35-41). Abimelech later destroyed the city and sowed it with salt, symbolizing its complete destruction (Judges 9:45).

While Ebed himself is not mentioned beyond being identified as Gaal's father, his son's actions played a significant role in the narrative of Abimelech's reign and downfall. The story of Gaal's rebellion highlights the tensions and power struggles that existed during the period of the judges, as well as the consequences of Abimelech's ruthless ambition.

All entries for Ebed: עֶבֶד

Related Profiles:

• Gaal (child)