Gaal
גַּעַל/GAY-al/
“Loathing or rejection”
Summary
Son of Ebed who led an unsuccessful rebellion of the Shechemites against Abimelech.
☩The Rebellion at Shechem
Gaal arrived at Shechem with his brothers when the inhabitants grew dissatisfied with Abimelech's rule. He appears to have been a mercenary captain who offered his services to lead their revolt. At a festival in the temple of Baal-berith, inflamed by wine, Gaal boasted that if made leader, he would overthrow Abimelech.
Key verses:Judges 9:26-29
☩Defeat and Expulsion
Zebul, Abimelech's officer in Shechem, secretly informed his master of the conspiracy. Abimelech set an ambush, and when Gaal led the Shechemites out to battle, he was defeated and driven from the city by Zebul. Nothing more is recorded of Gaal after this humiliation.
Key verses:Judges 9:30-41
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Gaal," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Gaal," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Gaal," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 4.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Gaal," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).