Gaal
1:
GAAL (PERSON) [Heb ga˓al (גַּעַל)]. The son of the Canaanite Ebed and apparently a native of the city of Shechem during the time of Abimelech, the half-Israelite, half-Shechemite son of Gideon (Judg 9:26–42). Abimelech had appealed to the Shechemites for rulership on the basis of his “superior” relationship over the 70 sons of Jerubbaal (Judg 8:31; 9:1; cf. EHI 801 for the view that Jerubaal and Gideon are different persons). There is no biblical record of Shechem’s conquest by Joshua nor any archaeological evidence of destruction for that period (EHI 800), though it was designated as one of the cities of refuge (Josh 20:7). Thus, while the city was substantially Canaanite, Israelites lived in the surrounding area, with perhaps some in the city as well (EHI 638–39). Abimelech appointed Zebul as his personal representative to rule over the city while he lived in nearby Arumah. Into this complex and unstable political situation came Gaal, whose name means “beetle” or “dung-beetle” (IPN 230; HALAT 192). Josephus’ use of gualēs suggests a Heb gō˓al. He is sometimes seen as simply a leader of a mercenary band of ruffians (Reviv 1966: 255), and he identifies himself with the Shechemites (Judg 9:28; cf. Judges AB, 177; Judges OTL 185). During an agricultural thanksgiving festival for the city’s god, Baal-berith (“Baal or Lord of the covenant”), Gaal makes a drunken claim for the city’s loyalty based upon his “purer” blood—the exact same ethnically based argument as Abimelech had made earlier!
The nature of the polity of Abimelech’s rule and Gaal’s challenge of it is a matter of some debate. Judg 9:28 seems to indicate Shechem is a protectorate with Abimelech as an overlord, and Shechem did have a tradition of having no king, like the Gibeonite cities (EHI 639, 800). Others take Judg 9:6 to imply the establishment of a monarchy which provoked resentment in Shechem (Judges OTL 169). At the most it can be said that Abimelech claimed kingship over Shechem and its environs only (Judges AB, 183). Word of Gaal’s boast of supremacy over Abimelech reaches Zebul who advises his master to take immediate action. During the confrontation the next morning, Gaal led the Shechemites in battle against Abimelech and was defeated. Zebul subsequently denied Shechem to Gaal as a base to continue his seditious activities.
Bibliography
Reviv, M. 1966. The Government of Sichem in the Amarna Period and in the Days of Abimelek. IEJ 16:252–57.
Kirk E. Lowery
Freedman, D. N. (1996, c1992). The Anchor Bible Dictionary (2:861). New York: Doubleday.
2:
Gaal — 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, M. (1996, c1897). Easton's Bible dictionary. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
3:
GAAL Ebed’s son, who persuaded the men of Shechem to revolt against Abimelech, the judge of Israel. The revolt, however, was quickly crushed and Shechem was destroyed (Jgs 9:26–41).
Elwell, W. A., & Comfort, P. W. (2001). Tyndale Bible dictionary. Tyndale reference library (505). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.
4:
GA´AL (gāʹal; “loathing”). The son of Ebed (Judg. 9:26–49). He was probably a marauder and was welcomed to Shechem because the Shechemites hoped that he would be able to render them good service in their revolt from Abimelech. At the festival at which the Shechemites offered the first fruits of their vintage in the temple of Baal, Gaal strove to kindle their wrath against the absent Abimelech. His rebellious speech was reported to Abimelech by the town prefect, Zebul. On receiving this news, Abimelech rose up during the night with the people that were with him and placed four companies in ambush against Shechem. When Gaal went out in the morning upon some enterprise and stood before the city gate, Abimelech rose up with his army out of the ambush. Gaal fled into the city but was thrust out by Zebul, and we hear of him no more, c. 1108–1105 b.c.
Unger, M. F., Harrison, R. K., Vos, H. F., Barber, C. J., & Unger, M. F. (1988). The new Unger's Bible dictionary. Revision of: Unger's Bible dictionary. 3rd ed. c1966. (Rev. and updated ed.). Chicago: Moody Press.
5:
GAAL (Heb. ga‘al). Son of Ebed; lxx(b) Iobel suggests Heb. ‘ōḇēḏ = ‘servant’ (cf. Moore, ICC, Judges, p. 256, and Jdg. 9:28). Leader of a roving band, who came to Shechem in the reign of Abimelech to take advantage of disaffection in the city. His activity forced Abimelech to attack Shechem; Gaal and his men were expelled by Abimelech’s governor, but Abimelech took vengeance on the city for supporting him (Jdg. 9:22–45). j.p.u.l.
Wood, D. R. W., Wood, D. R. W., & Marshall, I. H. (1996, c1982, c1962). New Bible Dictionary. Includes index. (electronic ed. of 3rd ed.) (389). Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press.
6:
Gaal (Heb. ga˓al)
The son of Ebed. He led the rebellion of the Shechemites against Abimelech 2 but was repelled by Abimelech’s deputy Zebul (Judg. 9:26–41).
Freedman, D. N., Myers, A. C., & Beck, A. B. (2000). Eerdmans dictionary of the Bible (474). Grand Rapids, Mich.: W.B. Eerdmans.
