Judges 9:41
New International Version
Then Abimelek stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his clan out of Shechem.

New Living Translation
Abimelech returned to Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem.

English Standard Version
And Abimelech lived at Arumah, and Zebul drove out Gaal and his relatives, so that they could not dwell at Shechem.

Berean Standard Bible
Abimelech stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem.

King James Bible
And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.

New King James Version
Then Abimelech dwelt at Arumah, and Zebul drove out Gaal and his brothers, so that they would not dwell in Shechem.

New American Standard Bible
Then Abimelech stayed in Arumah, but Zebul drove out Gaal and his relatives so that they could not stay in Shechem.

NASB 1995
Then Abimelech remained at Arumah, but Zebul drove out Gaal and his relatives so that they could not remain in Shechem.

NASB 1977
Then Abimelech remained at Arumah, but Zebul drove out Gaal and his relatives so that they could not remain in Shechem.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Abimelech remained at Arumah, but Zebul drove out Gaal and his relatives so that they could not remain in Shechem.

Amplified Bible
Then Abimelech stayed at Arumah, and Zebul drove out Gaal and his relatives so that they could not remain in Shechem.

Christian Standard Bible
Abimelech stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers from Shechem.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Abimelech stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers from Shechem.

American Standard Version
And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul drove out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.

Contemporary English Version
Abimelech stayed at Arumah, and Zebul forced Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem.

English Revised Version
And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul drave out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Abimelech continued to live at Arumah. Zebul threw Gaal and his brothers out and would not let them live in Shechem.

Good News Translation
Abimelech lived in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem, so that they could no longer live there.

International Standard Version
Afterwards, Abimelech remained at Arumah, but Zebul expelled Gaal and his family so they couldn't remain in Shechem.

Majority Standard Bible
Abimelech stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem.

NET Bible
Abimelech went back to Arumah; Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem.

New Heart English Bible
And Abimelech returned to Arumah; and Zebul drove out Gaal and his brothers, so that they could not dwell in Shechem.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.

World English Bible
Abimelech lived at Arumah; and Zebul drove out Gaal and his brothers, that they should not dwell in Shechem.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Abimelech abides in Arumah, and Zebul casts out Gaal and his brothers from dwelling in Shechem.

Young's Literal Translation
And Abimelech abideth in Arumah, and Zebul casteth out Gaal and his brethren from dwelling in Shechem.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Abimelech will dwell in Arumah: and Zebul will drive out Gaal and his brethren from dwelling in Shechem.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Abimelech sat down in Ruma: but Zebul drove Gaal, and his companions out of the city, and would not suffer them to abide in it.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Abimelech made camp at Arumah. But Zebul expelled Gaal and his companions from the city, and he would not permit them to remain in it.

New American Bible
Abimelech returned to Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his kin away so that they could no longer remain at Shechem.

New Revised Standard Version
So Abimelech resided at Arumah; and Zebul drove out Gaal and his kinsfolk, so that they could not live on at Shechem.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Abimeleck dwelt at Adomah; and Zebul expelled Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Abimelek dwelt in Aduma and Zabal expelled Gael and his brothers that they would not dwell in Shekim
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah; and Zebul drove out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Abimelech entered into Arema, and Zebul cast out Gaal and his brethren, so that they should not dwell in Sychem.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Fall of Shechem
40but Abimelech pursued him, and Gaal fled before him. And many Shechemites fell wounded all the way to the entrance of the gate. 41Abimelech stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem. 42The next day the people of Shechem went out into the fields, and this was reported to Abimelech.…

Cross References
2 Samuel 2:8-9
Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth, moved him to Mahanaim, / and made him king over Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin—over all Israel.

1 Kings 12:20
When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they summoned him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. Only the tribe of Judah followed the house of David.

2 Kings 14:19
And conspirators plotted against Amaziah in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lachish. But men were sent after him to Lachish, and they killed him there.

2 Samuel 15:10
Then Absalom sent spies throughout the tribes of Israel with this message: “When you hear the sound of the horn, you are to say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’”

1 Samuel 22:6-8
Soon Saul learned that David and his men had been discovered. At that time Saul was sitting under the tamarisk tree on the hill at Gibeah, with his spear in hand and all his servants standing around him. / Then Saul said to his servants, “Listen, men of Benjamin! Is the son of Jesse giving all of you fields and vineyards and making you commanders of thousands or hundreds? / Is that why all of you have conspired against me? Not one of you told me that my own son had made a covenant with the son of Jesse. Not one of you has shown concern for me or revealed to me that my son has stirred up my own servant to lie in wait against me, as is the case today.”

2 Samuel 3:10
to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and to establish the throne of David over Israel and Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.”

2 Samuel 20:1-2
Now a worthless man named Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjamite, happened to be there, and he blew the ram’s horn and shouted: “We have no share in David, no inheritance in Jesse’s son. Every man to his tent, O Israel!” / So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bichri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem.

1 Kings 16:21-22
At that time the people of Israel were divided: Half of the people supported Tibni son of Ginath as king, and half supported Omri. / But the followers of Omri proved stronger than those of Tibni son of Ginath. So Tibni died and Omri became king.

2 Samuel 19:41-43
Soon all the men of Israel came to the king and asked, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, take you away secretly and bring the king and his household across the Jordan, together with all of David’s men?” / And all the men of Judah replied to the men of Israel, “We did this because the king is our relative. Why does this anger you? Have we ever eaten at the king’s expense or received anything for ourselves?” / “We have ten shares in the king,” answered the men of Israel, “so we have more claim to David than you. Why then do you despise us? Were we not the first to speak of restoring our king?” But the men of Judah spoke more fiercely than the men of Israel.

2 Samuel 16:5-8
As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and as he approached, he kept yelling out curses. / He threw stones at David and at all the servants of the king, though the troops and all the mighty men were on David’s right and left. / And as he yelled curses, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you worthless man of bloodshed! ...

2 Samuel 18:6-8
So David’s army marched into the field to engage Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim. / There the people of Israel were defeated by David’s servants, and the slaughter was great that day—twenty thousand men. / The battle spread over the whole countryside, and that day the forest devoured more people than the sword.

2 Samuel 17:24-26
Then David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel. / Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of a man named Ithra, the Ishmaelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab. / So the Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead.

2 Samuel 2:12-17
One day Abner son of Ner and the servants of Ish-bosheth son of Saul marched out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. / So Joab son of Zeruiah and the servants of David marched out and met them by the pool of Gibeon. And the two groups took up positions on opposite sides of the pool. / Then Abner said to Joab, “Let us have the young men get up and compete before us.” “Let them get up,” Joab replied. ...

2 Samuel 5:1-3
Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood. / Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’” / So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where King David made with them a covenant before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel.

2 Samuel 11:14-15
The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. / In the letter he wrote: “Put Uriah at the front of the fiercest battle; then withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and killed.”


Treasury of Scripture

And Abimelech dwelled at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brothers, that they should not dwell in Shechem.

Arumah.

Judges 9:28,30
And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him? …

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Abimelech Abim'elech Arumah Aru'mah Drove Dwell Dwelling Dwelt Kinsmen Live Relatives Shechem Thrust Zebul
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Abimelech Abim'elech Arumah Aru'mah Drove Dwell Dwelling Dwelt Kinsmen Live Relatives Shechem Thrust Zebul
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.














And Abimelech stayed in Arumah
The name "Abimelech" means "my father is king" in Hebrew, reflecting his ambition and self-proclaimed authority. Abimelech, a son of Gideon, sought power through ruthless means, contrasting with his father's legacy. "Stayed" suggests a temporary residence, indicating Abimelech's strategic positioning. "Arumah" is a location whose exact site is uncertain, but it is believed to be near Shechem. This place served as a base for Abimelech, highlighting his tactical approach to control the region. Historically, this reflects the turbulent period of the Judges, where local leaders often vied for power amidst Israel's decentralized tribal system.

and Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem
"Zebul" was the ruler of Shechem under Abimelech's authority. His name means "exalted" or "prince," suggesting a position of influence. Zebul's actions demonstrate loyalty to Abimelech, as he actively worked to maintain his master's control over Shechem. "Drove" implies forceful expulsion, indicating the conflict and tension within the city. "Gaal" means "loathing" or "abhorrence," and he was a challenger to Abimelech's rule, representing internal dissent. "His brothers" signifies familial alliances, common in ancient Near Eastern power struggles. "Shechem" was a significant city in Israel's history, a center of covenant renewal and tribal assembly. The expulsion of Gaal and his brothers underscores the instability and factionalism prevalent during the time of the Judges, as well as the consequences of abandoning God's covenantal guidance. This verse serves as a reminder of the chaos that ensues when leaders prioritize personal ambition over divine direction.

(41) Dwelt at Arumah.--Eusebius and Jerome identify Arumah with Remphis or Arimathea, near Lydda, which is most improbable on every ground. It is clearly some place at no great distance from Shechem which he was still determined to punish.

Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren.--Josephus seems here to supply us with the proper clue, for he says that Zebul accused Gaal to the Shechemites of military cowardice and mismanagement. He seems to have been a deep dissembler. Gaal, however, escaped the fate of the Shechemites by their expulsion of him.

Verse 41. - Arumah. A place not otherwise known, but apparently (ver. 42) very near Shechem, and possibly the same place as Rumah, the birthplace of Queen Zebudah (2 Kings 23:36), and, from its name, apparently among the mountains. Zebul thrust out, etc. Gaal was so much weakened by his defeat that Zebul was now strong enough to expel him and the remainder of "his brethren from the city.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Abimelech
אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ (’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 40: Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite name

stayed
וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב (way·yê·šeḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

in Arumah,
בָּארוּמָ֑ה (bā·rū·māh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 725: Arumah -- a place near Shechem

and Zebul
זְבֻ֛ל (zə·ḇul)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2083: Zebul -- an officer of Abimelech

drove
וַיְגָ֧רֶשׁ (way·ḡā·reš)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1644: To drive out from a, possession, to expatriate, divorce

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

and his brothers
אֶחָ֖יו (’e·ḥāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

out of
מִשֶּׁ֥בֶת (miš·še·ḇeṯ)
Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

Shechem.
בִּשְׁכֶֽם׃ (biš·ḵem)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7927: Shechem -- 'ridge', a district in Northern Palestine, also a son of Hamor


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OT History: Judges 9:41 Abimelech lived at Arumah: and Zebul drove (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 9:40
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