Judges 9 37

Judges 9:37 kjv

And Gaal spake again, and said, See there come people down by the middle of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim.

Judges 9:37 nkjv

So Gaal spoke again and said, "See, people are coming down from the center of the land, and another company is coming from the Diviners' Terebinth Tree."

Judges 9:37 niv

But Gaal spoke up again: "Look, people are coming down from the central hill, and a company is coming from the direction of the diviners' tree."

Judges 9:37 esv

Gaal spoke again and said, "Look, people are coming down from the center of the land, and one company is coming from the direction of the Diviners' Oak."

Judges 9:37 nlt

But again Gaal said, "No, people are coming down from the hills. And another group is coming down the road past the Diviners' Oak. "

Judges 9 verses

Judges 9 37 Meaning

Judges 9:37 reveals Gaal's persistent, accurate observations of Abimelech's approaching forces, reporting two distinct movements. It underscores Gaal's perception of the genuine threat, directly contrasting with Zebul's earlier mocking dismissal. The verse vividly sets the stage for the immediate military conflict at Shechem, highlighting the enemy's strategic advance from significant geographical landmarks.

Judges 9 37 Context

Judges Chapter 9 narrates the rise and fall of Abimelech, son of Gideon by a concubine, who seized power in Shechem by murdering his seventy brothers, except for Jotham. Jotham prophesied a curse upon Abimelech and the people of Shechem for their treachery. After three years, discord arose between Abimelech and the Shechemites, fueled by God to fulfill Jotham's curse. Gaal son of Ebed, an outsider, gained influence among the Shechemites, inciting them against Abimelech. Zebul, the city's governor, loyal to Abimelech, watched these developments. Verse 37 follows Zebul's attempt to discredit Gaal's initial warnings about Abimelech's approaching forces (v.36). Gaal, still at the city gate with Zebul, makes a second, more specific report, clarifying the source and path of the advancing army. This observation directly precipitates the battle that ensues between Gaal's followers and Abimelech's forces, skillfully orchestrated by Zebul to ensnare Gaal.

Judges 9 37 Word analysis

• But Gaal (וְגַעַל - wəḡaʿal): "Gaal" (גַּעַל) means "loathing" or "disgust" and foreshadows his ultimate rejection and defeat. His actions throughout the narrative reflect a rash, overconfident, yet ultimately futile, opposition to Abimelech.
• spoke again (עוֹד מְדַבֵּר - ʿōḏ məḏabbêr): "Again" (עוֹד - ʿōḏ) indicates persistence. Gaal isn't dissuaded by Zebul's mockery in verse 36 but reiterates his observation with greater detail. This highlights his certainty about what he is seeing, setting up the dramatic irony where his truthful report is still denied.
• and said (וַיֹּאמֶר - wayyōʾmer): Simple verb "he said," introducing his clarification.
• “Look, (הִנֵּה - hinnēh): An interjection demanding attention, often translated "behold" or "indeed." Gaal tries to draw Zebul's focus directly to the tangible evidence before their eyes, emphasizing the undeniable reality of the threat.
• people (עַם - ʿam): "People," but in military contexts, refers to "troops" or "men of war." Here, it signifies a contingent of Abimelech's army.
• are coming down (יֹרְדִים - yōrəḏîm): From יָרַד (yarad), "to go down, descend." This implies their approach from higher ground or a specific, elevated position towards the valley of Shechem, indicative of a tactical movement.
• from the center of the land (מִטַּבּוּר הָאָרֶץ - miṭṭabbūr hāʾāreṣ): Literally, "from the navel of the land." This is a striking metaphor. The "navel" (ṭabbūr) refers to the central, highest, or most prominent part of an area, often a strategic hilltop or a main gathering point. In this context, it likely refers to Mount Gerizim or another commanding height near Shechem, implying a well-organized advance from a dominant position. The term can also carry a sense of importance or centrality, sometimes even cultic (though here primarily geographical/military).
• and one company (וְרֹאשׁ אֶחָד - wərōʾš ʾeḥāḏ): Literally "and one head," or "one division/band." This specifies a separate military unit, indicating the coordinated, multi-pronged approach of Abimelech's forces.
• is coming by way of the Diviners’ Oak (בָּא דֶּרֶךְ אֵלוֹן מְעוֹנְנִים - bāʾ dereḵ ʾēlôn məʿôněnîm):
  • coming (בָּא - bāʾ): "is coming."
  • by way of (דֶּרֶךְ - dereḵ): "by way of," specifying their path.
  • the Diviners’ Oak (אֵלוֹן מְעוֹנְנִים - ʾēlôn məʿôněnîm): "Oak of the Diviners" or "Oak of Meonenim." An "oak" (אֵלוֹן - ʾêlôn) was a large, long-lived tree, often a prominent landmark and frequently associated with sacred or cultic sites in ancient Israel (e.g., Gen 12:6, Judg 4:11). "Diviners" (מְעוֹנְנִים - məʿônĕnîm) refers to practitioners of divination, sorcery, or soothsaying—practices strictly forbidden in Israel (Deut 18:10-12). This place name underscores the pervasive pagan influences and moral decay prevalent during the period of the Judges. Its mention here signifies a specific, identifiable, and likely well-known geographical marker, ironically connected to forbidden spiritual activities.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "But Gaal spoke again": This highlights Gaal's insistent perception and Zebul's persistent blindness, despite evidence. It emphasizes the escalating tension and the certainty of Gaal's immediate observations, setting a contrast with Zebul's internal intentions to trick Gaal.
  • "Look, people are coming down from the center of the land": This phrase paints a picture of a discernible, large-scale descent from a prominent vantage point. The strategic naming of the location "navel of the land" indicates a significant, possibly fortified, high ground, from which the forces would be highly visible as they advanced. It reflects military organization and an impending frontal assault.
  • "and one company is coming by way of the Diviners' Oak": This second point identifies a separate, flanking movement or a secondary assault path. The "Diviners' Oak" signifies not just a landmark but possibly a path near a location known for idolatrous practices. This detail reinforces the chaotic and spiritually compromised nature of the Judges era, where a significant military maneuver is referenced by a landmark associated with paganism, reflecting the general moral decline.

Judges 9 37 Bonus section

The passage of Judges 9:37-38 exemplifies dramatic irony within the biblical narrative. Gaal correctly identifies Abimelech's two-pronged attack, yet his truth is twisted into mockery by Zebul. Zebul's taunt, "Do you see shadows as men on the tops of the mountains?", immediately preceding this verse (in 9:36) and continuing afterward, highlights the audience's knowledge that Gaal is seeing accurately, while Zebul feigns disbelief to entrap Gaal. This manipulation directly leads to Gaal's ill-fated confrontation with Abimelech. The specific names of locations ("navel of the land," "Diviners' Oak") serve not only as geographical markers but also implicitly comment on the spiritual state of the people and the land in this chaotic period. The fact that the approaching army's path is identified by a pagan site further underscores the moral ambiguity and corruption that pervaded Israel during the era of the Judges. This period saw Israel acting like the nations around them, relying on physical power and treachery rather than the Lord.

Judges 9 37 Commentary

Judges 9:37 is a pivotal verse, heightening the dramatic tension between Gaal and Zebul, while also illuminating the deteriorating situation in Shechem. Gaal's vision is crystal clear, accurately identifying two distinct columns of Abimelech's forces approaching from strategic points. This detail confirms Abimelech's calculated and effective military movements. The mention of "the center of the land" (navel of the land) points to a prominent high ground from which a military descent would be strikingly visible, suggesting the threat is undeniable. The "Diviners' Oak" reinforces this, indicating another specific, identifiable landmark for a secondary force, incidentally hinting at the spiritual decay in Israel through its association with pagan practices. The irony is profound: Gaal sees the literal, approaching danger clearly, but his correct observations are tragically misconstrued and manipulated by Zebul, ultimately sealing Gaal's fate. It illustrates how arrogance and internal politicking can blind leaders to evident threats, leading to disaster.