Judges 9:37
New International Version
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.”

New Living Translation
But again Gaal said, “No, people are coming down from the hills. And another group is coming down the road past the Diviners’ Oak.”

English Standard Version
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.”

Berean Standard Bible
Then Gaal spoke up again, “Look, people are coming down from the center of the land, and one company is coming by way of the Diviners’ Oak.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.”

New American Standard Bible
And Gaal spoke yet again and said, “Look, people are coming down from the highest part of the land, and one unit is coming by way of the diviners’ oak.”

NASB 1995
Gaal spoke again and said, “Behold, people are coming down from the highest part of the land, and one company comes by the way of the diviners’ oak.”

NASB 1977
And Gaal spoke again and said, “Behold, people are coming down from the highest part of the land, and one company comes by the way of the diviners’ oak.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Yet Gaal spoke again and said, “Behold, people are coming down from the highest part of the land, and one company comes by the way of the soothsayers’ oak.”

Amplified Bible
Gaal spoke again and said, “Look! People are coming down from the highest part of the land, and one company is coming by way of the sorcerers’ oak tree.”

Christian Standard Bible
Then Gaal spoke again, “Look, troops are coming down from the central part of the land, and one unit is coming from the direction of the Diviners’ Oak.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Gaal spoke again, “Look, people are coming down from the central part of the land, and one unit is coming from the direction of the Diviners’ Oak.”

American Standard Version
And Gaal spake again and said, See, there come people down by the middle of the land, and one company cometh by the way of the oak of Meonenim.

Contemporary English Version
"But Zebul, look over there," Gaal said. "There's a crowd coming down from the sacred mountain, and another group is coming along the road from the tree where people talk with the spirits of the dead."

English Revised Version
And Gaal spake again and said, See, there come people down by the middle of the land, and one company cometh by the way of the oak of Meonenim.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Gaal spoke again, "No, there are troops coming down from Tabbur Haares. One company is coming along the road by the Fortunetellers' Tree."

Good News Translation
Gaal said again, "Look! There are men coming down the crest of the mountain and one group is coming along the road from the oak tree of the fortunetellers!"

International Standard Version
Gaal spoke up again to say, "Look! People are coming down from the highest part of the land, and there's a company approaching from the diviner's oak tree."

Majority Standard Bible
Then Gaal spoke up again, ?Look, people are coming down from the center of the land, and one company is coming by way of the Diviners? Oak.?

NET Bible
Gaal again said, "Look, men are coming down from the very center of the land. A unit is coming by way of the Oak Tree of the Diviners."

New Heart English Bible
Gaal spoke again and said, "Look, there are people coming down by the central part of the land, and one company comes by the way of the Diviners' Oak."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Gaal spoke again, and said, See, there come people down by the middle of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim.

World English Bible
Gaal spoke again and said, “Behold, people are coming down by the middle of the land, and one company comes by the way of the oak of Meonenim.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Gaal adds yet to speak and says, “Behold, people are coming down from the high part of the land, and another detachment is coming by the way of the oak of Meonenim.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Gaal addeth yet to speak, and saith, 'Lo, people are coming down from the high part of the land, and another detachment is coming by the way of the oak of Meonenim.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Gaal will add to speak, and will say, Behold, people coming down from the height of the land, and one head coming from the way of the oak of Meonenim.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Again Gaal said: Behold there cometh people down from the middle of the land, and one troop cometh by the way that looketh towards the oak.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Again, Gaal said, “Behold, a people is descending from the middle of the land, and one company is arriving by the way that looks towards the oak.”

New American Bible
But Gaal went on to say, “Soldiers are coming down from the region of Tabbur-haarez, and one company is coming by way of Elon-meonenim.”

New Revised Standard Version
Gaal spoke again and said, “Look, people are coming down from Tabbur-erez, and one company is coming from the direction of Elon-meonenim.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Gaal spoke again and said, Behold, there are people coming down from the center of the land, and one company is coming along from the way of the house of the oak of Meaonin.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Gael added and said to Zabal: “Behold, the people are coming down from the center of the land and one division came from the road of the Place of the Oak of Meunin!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Gaal spoke again and said: 'See, there come people down by the middle of the land, and one company cometh by the way of Elon-meonenim.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Gaal continued to speak and said, Behold, a people comes down westward from the part bordering on the middle of the land, and another company comes by the way of Helon Maonenim.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Fall of Shechem
36When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Look, people are coming down from the mountains!” But Zebul replied, “The shadows of the mountains look like men to you.” 37Then Gaal spoke up again, “Look, people are coming down from the center of the land, and one company is coming by way of the Diviners’ Oak.” 38“Where is your gloating now?” Zebul replied. “You said, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Are these not the people you ridiculed? Go out now and fight them!”…

Cross References
2 Samuel 18:24-27
Now David was sitting between the two gates when the watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall, looked out, and saw a man running alone. / So he called out and told the king. “If he is alone,” the king replied, “he bears good news.” As the first runner drew near, / the watchman saw another man running, and he called out to the gatekeeper, “Look! Another man is running alone!” “This one also brings good news,” said the king. ...

2 Kings 9:17-20
Now the watchman standing on the tower in Jezreel saw Jehu’s troops approaching, and he called out, “I see a company of troops!” “Choose a rider,” Joram commanded. “Send him out to meet them and ask, ‘Have you come in peace?’” / So a horseman rode off to meet Jehu and said, “This is what the king asks: ‘Have you come in peace?’” “What do you know about peace?” Jehu replied. “Fall in behind me.” And the watchman reported, “The messenger reached them, but he is not coming back.” / So the king sent out a second horseman, who went to them and said, “This is what the king asks: ‘Have you come in peace?’” “What do you know about peace?” Jehu replied. “Fall in behind me.” ...

Isaiah 21:6-9
For this is what the Lord says to me: “Go, post a lookout and have him report what he sees. / When he sees chariots with teams of horsemen, riders on donkeys, riders on camels, he must be alert, fully alert.” / Then the lookout shouted: “Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower; night after night I stay at my post. ...

Jeremiah 6:1
“Run for cover, O sons of Benjamin; flee from Jerusalem! Sound the ram’s horn in Tekoa; send up a signal over Beth-haccherem, for disaster looms from the north, even great destruction.

Ezekiel 33:2-6
“Son of man, speak to your people and tell them: ‘Suppose I bring the sword against a land, and the people of that land choose a man from among them, appointing him as their watchman, / and he sees the sword coming against that land and blows the ram’s horn to warn the people. / Then if anyone hears the sound of the horn but fails to heed the warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood will be on his own head. ...

Habakkuk 2:1
I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the ramparts. I will watch to see what He will say to me, and how I should answer when corrected.

Matthew 24:42-44
Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come. / But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. / For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.

Mark 13:34-37
It is like a man going on a journey who left his house, put each servant in charge of his own task, and instructed the doorkeeper to keep watch. / Therefore keep watch, because you do not know when the master of the house will return—whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning. / Otherwise, he may arrive without notice and find you sleeping. ...

Luke 12:37-40
Blessed are those servants whom the master finds on watch when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve and will have them recline at the table, and he himself will come and wait on them. / Even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night and finds them alert, those servants will be blessed. / But understand this: If the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. ...

Luke 21:36
So keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Acts 20:31
Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.

1 Thessalonians 5:6
So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober.

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Revelation 3:2-3
Wake up and strengthen what remains, which is about to die; for I have found your deeds incomplete in the sight of My God. / Remember, then, what you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know the hour when I will come upon you.


Treasury of Scripture

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

middle.

Deuteronomy 18:14
For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.

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Judges 9
1. Abimelech by conspiracy with the Shechemites, and murder of his brothers, is made king
7. Jotham by a parable rebukes them, and foretells their ruin
22. Gaal conspires with the Shechemites against him
30. Zebul reveals it
34. Abimelech overcomes them, and sows the city with salt
46. He burns the hold of the god Berith
50. At Thebez he is slain by a piece of a millstone
56. Jotham's curse is fulfilled.














But Gaal spoke up again
The phrase highlights Gaal's persistence and boldness. Gaal, son of Ebed, is a character who challenges Abimelech's authority. His speaking up "again" indicates a repeated action, suggesting his determination to rally the people of Shechem against Abimelech. In the Hebrew context, the act of speaking up is often associated with taking a stand or making a declaration, which Gaal does in his opposition.

Look
This word serves as an imperative, drawing attention to the unfolding situation. In Hebrew, the word often translated as "look" or "behold" is used to emphasize the importance of what follows. It is a call to awareness, urging the listener to pay close attention to the events that are about to transpire.

people are coming down
This phrase indicates movement and potential threat. The Hebrew root for "coming down" often implies a descent from a higher place, which can be both literal and metaphorical. In this context, it suggests an impending confrontation as the people descend from the hills or high places, a common military tactic in ancient warfare.

from the center of the land
This phrase suggests a strategic location. The "center of the land" could refer to a central, possibly elevated, position that offers a tactical advantage. Historically, controlling the center of a region often meant having the upper hand in terms of movement and defense. It underscores the strategic nature of the unfolding conflict.

and one company is coming
The mention of "one company" indicates a specific group or division of forces. In military terms, a "company" is a unit of soldiers, suggesting organization and intent. The Hebrew term for "company" can also imply a band or troop, highlighting the structured approach of the advancing forces.

by way of the Diviners’ Oak
This phrase provides a geographical and cultural reference point. The "Diviners’ Oak" was likely a well-known landmark, possibly associated with pagan practices or local traditions of divination. Oaks were often sites of religious significance in ancient Canaanite culture. The mention of this oak not only locates the movement of the troops but also hints at the spiritual and cultural backdrop of the narrative, where places of divination were common in the land. This reference serves as a reminder of the spiritual battles intertwined with the physical conflicts in the Book of Judges.

(37) By the middle of the land.--Literally, by the navel of the land. Probably the expression means some gently-swelling hill, but it perplexed the translators. The Chaldee renders it "the strength," and the Svriac "the fortification of the land." In Ezekiel 38:12 it is rendered "in the midst of the land." The LXX. here have the strangely blundering addition, "by sea."

Another company.--Literally, one head (Vulg., cuneus unus).

By the plain of Meonenim.--Rather, from the way to the Enchanters' Terebinth (LXX., "of the oak of those that look away;" Vulg., "which looks toward the oak;" Luther, more correctly, "zur Zaubereiche"). Meonen in Leviticus 19:28 is rendered "enchantment," and means especially the kind of "enchantment" which affects the eye (the "evil eye," &c.), and therefore implies the use of amulets, &c. Hence, though the terebinth is nowhere else mentioned by this particular name, it is at least a probable conjecture that it may be the ancient tree under which Jacob's family had buried their idolatrous amulets (Genesis 35:4).

Verse 37. - Gaal spake again, etc. Of course, as the men got nearer, it was impossible to mistake them for anything but men. Gaal could see two bands distinctly, one coming down the hill-side, the other marching by the road of the soothsayers' oak. The middle of the land. The word rendered middle only occurs again in Ezekiel 38:12, "the midst of the land," A.V. It is so rendered from the notion of the old interpreters that it was connected with a word meaning "the navel." It is usually explained now to mean the height. There may have been some particular height in the ridge called Tabbur ha-aretz. The plain of Meonenim. Rather, the oak (or terebinth tree) of the soothsayers, some large terebinth or turpentine tree under which the soothsayers used to take their auguries. Dean Stanley would identify it with the oak of the pillar in ver. 6, where see note.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Gaal
גַּעַל֮ (ga·‘al)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1603: Gaal -- probably a Canaanite

spoke up
לְדַבֵּר֒ (lə·ḏab·bêr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

again,
וַיֹּ֨סֶף (way·yō·sep̄)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3254: To add, augment

“Look,
הִנֵּה־ (hin·nêh-)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

people
עָם֙ (‘ām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

are coming down
יֽוֹרְדִ֔ים (yō·wr·ḏîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

from
מֵעִ֖ם (mê·‘im)
Preposition-m
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

the center
טַבּ֣וּר (ṭab·būr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2872: Accumulated, a summit

of the land,
הָאָ֑רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

and one
אֶחָ֣ד (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

company
וְרֹאשׁ־ (wə·rōš-)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7218: The head

is coming
בָּ֔א (bā)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

by way of
מִדֶּ֖רֶךְ (mid·de·reḵ)
Preposition-m | Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

the Diviners’
מְעוֹנְנִֽים׃ (mə·‘ō·wn·nîm)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 6049: To act covertly, practise magic

Oak.”
אֵל֥וֹן (’ê·lō·wn)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 436: An oak, other strong tree


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OT History: Judges 9:37 Gaal spoke again and said Behold there (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 9:36
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