Judges 9 31

Judges 9:31 kjv

And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee.

Judges 9:31 nkjv

And he sent messengers to Abimelech secretly, saying, "Take note! Gaal the son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem; and here they are, fortifying the city against you.

Judges 9:31 niv

Under cover he sent messengers to Abimelek, saying, "Gaal son of Ebed and his clan have come to Shechem and are stirring up the city against you.

Judges 9:31 esv

And he sent messengers to Abimelech secretly, saying, "Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his relatives have come to Shechem, and they are stirring up the city against you.

Judges 9:31 nlt

He sent messengers to Abimelech in Arumah, telling him, "Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers have come to live in Shechem, and now they are inciting the city to rebel against you.

Judges 9 verses

Judges 9 31 Meaning

Judges 9:31 describes Zebul, an officer serving Abimelech in Shechem, secretly sending a message to Abimelech. In this private communication, Zebul warns Abimelech that Gaal son of Ebed and his relatives have arrived in Shechem and are actively inciting the city's inhabitants against him, essentially preparing a rebellion.

Judges 9 31 Context

Judges chapter 9 recounts the tumultuous reign of Abimelech, the illegitimate son of Gideon. After Gideon's death, Abimelech brutally murdered 69 of his 70 half-brothers to secure power over Shechem. Jotham, the youngest brother, survived and pronounced a prophetic curse against Abimelech and the men of Shechem for their wickedness and treachery (Jdg 9:7-21). This curse foretold that fire would come out from Abimelech to consume the men of Shechem, and fire would come out from the men of Shechem to consume Abimelech.

Verse 31 falls within the unfolding of this curse. After three years of Abimelech's oppressive rule, God sent an "evil spirit" between Abimelech and the Shechemites, causing them to turn against each other (Jdg 9:23). Gaal son of Ebed, an outsider and leader of a mercenary group, entered Shechem and began to openly challenge Abimelech's authority, winning popular support among the Shechemites who despised Abimelech (Jdg 9:26-29). Zebul, the officer of Abimelech and "ruler of the city," heard of Gaal's provocations. Although seemingly interacting with Gaal publicly, Zebul's true allegiance is revealed in this verse as he secretly warns Abimelech of the growing threat, setting the stage for Abimelech's counter-attack on Shechem and the subsequent fulfillment of Jotham's curse. The historical context reflects a time in Israel without a king, where local power struggles, shifting allegiances, and violence were common. Shechem, with its history of covenants, became a place of grave treachery.

Judges 9 31 Word analysis

• And he sent: וַיִּשְׁלַח (wayyishlaḥ) - Derived from שָׁלַח (shalach), meaning "to send forth, extend." Implies purposeful action, dispatching messengers for a specific task.
• messengers: מַלְאָכִים (mal'akhim) - Plural of מַלְאָךְ (mal'akh), meaning "messenger" or "angel." Denotes official envoys or delegates carrying a weighty message.
• to Abimelech: אֶל־אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (el-’Avimeleḵ) - "To Abimelech." אֲבִימֶלֶךְ (Abimelech) means "my father is king" or "Melech is father," fitting his self-proclaimed royal status.
• privately: בְּתָרְמָה (bəṯārmâ) - This is a crucial adverb. תָּרְמָה (tarmāh) often denotes "deceit," "fraud," "trickery," or "secretly," "treacherously." Here it emphasizes the clandestine and conspiratorial nature of Zebul's communication, suggesting a covert and potentially self-serving motive, contrasting with any public appearance of neutrality or support for Gaal. It highlights the cunning involved.
• saying: לֵאמֹר (le'mor) - A standard introductory particle in Hebrew to indicate direct speech or quoting.
• 'Behold: הִנֵּה (hinnēh) - An interjection, "Look," "See," or "Indeed," used to draw attention to an impending or significant event. It adds emphasis and urgency.
• Gaal the son of Ebed: גַּעַל בֶּן־עֶבֶד (Ga'al ben-’Eḇeḏ) - גַּעַל (Ga'al) means "loathing" or "abhorrence." עֶבֶד ('eḇed) means "servant" or "slave." His name could be ironic, signifying one who evokes contempt yet rises to challenge power. "Son of Ebed" may suggest a non-elite background or highlight his reliance on personal followers rather than noble lineage.
• and his relatives: וְאֶחָיו (wə'eḥāyw) - Literally "and his brothers." Often refers more broadly to kinsmen, clan members, or close associates. This indicates Gaal did not come alone but had a power base, a group unified by blood or close allegiance.
• are coming to Shechem: בָּאִים שְׁכֶמָה (bā'îm Šəḵemâ) - בָּאִים (ba'im) is the masculine plural participle of בּוֹא (bo), "to come." Denotes an ongoing or established presence. שְׁכֶמָה (Šəḵemâ) means "to Shechem," indicating their direct approach to the city.
• and behold: וְהִנֵּה (wəhinnēh) - Another instance of the emphatic "behold," reinforcing the urgency of the next piece of information.
• they are stirring up: הֵם צָרִים (hēm ṣārim) - צָרִים (ṣārim) is the active participle of צָרַר (tsarar), which can mean "to bind," "to tie up," "to show hostility," "to oppress," or "to besiege." Here, it vividly describes an active, aggressive incitement, turning people against Abimelech. It means more than mere agitation; it implies making the city an adversary or preparing it for conflict.
• the city: הָעִיר (hā'îr) - Specifically refers to Shechem.
• against you: עָלֶיךָ ('ālêḵā) - "Against you" or "upon you," emphasizing the direct, personal threat posed by Gaal's actions to Abimelech.

Words-group analysis:

• "sent messengers... privately": This phrase highlights Zebul's strategic cunning. The "privately" (בְּתָרְמָה, b'tarmah) signals not just secrecy but a manipulative, possibly deceptive motive. Zebul appears to have maintained a façade of supporting or at least tolerating Gaal publicly in Shechem while covertly protecting Abimelech. This duality underlines the pervasive treachery in Shechem.
• "Gaal the son of Ebed and his relatives are coming to Shechem": This entire clause paints Gaal not as a lone instigator but as a leader with a committed following. Their arrival in Shechem indicates an internal threat that is already established within the city. The description of "his relatives" implies a strong, potentially clan-based, opposition force.
• "they are stirring up the city against you": This clarifies the precise nature of the threat: Gaal is actively recruiting and inciting the Shechemites to revolt. The Hebrew word צָרִים (tsarim) connotes making an enemy or oppressing, showing the full scale of hostility Gaal intended, turning the very city meant to be Abimelech's power base against him. This foreshadows the coming battle within Shechem.

Judges 9 31 Bonus section

• Zebul's Loyalty and Pragmatism: Zebul’s actions are less about personal ethics and more about survival and shrewd political calculation. By sending the message "privately," he ensured his own standing with Abimelech while likely still maintaining an outward posture in Shechem that did not immediately reveal his hand. This double-dealing is a hallmark of political opportunism.
• The Deceptive Nature of the Word "Privately": The term תָּרְמָה (tarmāh) often translates as "deceit" or "treachery." While it clearly signifies a secret message here, it also subtly colors Zebul's act, suggesting that his loyalty, like so much else in Shechem, is rooted in manipulative tactics rather than genuine virtue or divine leading. This hints at the overall moral landscape of the Abimelech narrative, where cunning and deceit thrive.
• The Inevitability of Jotham's Curse: This verse is a direct catalyst for the fulfillment of Jotham's curse in Jdg 9:20, "Let fire come out from Abimelech and consume the men of Shechem...and let fire come out from the men of Shechem and consume Abimelech." Zebul's warning initiates the destructive conflict, showcasing divine justice working through human actions and schemes.

Judges 9 31 Commentary

Judges 9:31 marks a pivotal moment where the escalating conflict between Abimelech and the men of Shechem, specifically ignited by Gaal, comes to a head. Zebul, often interpreted as Abimelech's governor in Shechem, acts as a pivotal informer. His private, or perhaps even "treacherous" (given the nuance of b'tarmah), message to Abimelech reveals not only his deep-seated loyalty to Abimelech but also the perilous state of affairs in Shechem, where open rebellion is brewing.

This verse effectively underscores the volatility and moral decay present in Shechem, aligning perfectly with Jotham's earlier curse. The city that once made Abimelech king through bloodshed is now poised to reject him, fueled by Gaal's ambition and the deep-seated resentment that festered after Abimelech's tyrannical reign. Zebul's shrewd intelligence gathering allows Abimelech to preempt Gaal's full-scale insurrection, directly leading to the brutal counterattack described in the following verses. The theme of betrayal and shifting loyalties, endemic to the story of Abimelech, is clearly encapsulated here, illustrating how political maneuvering and human ambition often precede devastating judgment.