Ga'al is a minor biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Judges, specifically in Judges 9. He is known for his brief but significant role in the narrative concerning Abimelech, the son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal), who declared himself king over Shechem and its surrounding areas.

Background and Context

The account of Ga'al takes place during the period of the Judges, a time characterized by a cyclical pattern of Israel's disobedience, oppression by foreign powers, cries for deliverance, and subsequent deliverance by judges raised by God. After the death of Gideon, Abimelech, one of his sons, sought to establish himself as king. He did so by conspiring with the leaders of Shechem and killing his seventy brothers, except for Jotham, the youngest, who escaped.

Ga'al's Role

Ga'al, the son of Ebed, enters the narrative in Judges 9:26. He arrives in Shechem with his relatives and gains the confidence of the city's leaders. During a festival in the temple of their god, Baal-berith, Ga'al incites the people of Shechem against Abimelech. He questions Abimelech's legitimacy and encourages the Shechemites to rebel, saying, "Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him?" (Judges 9:28).

Ga'al's rhetoric resonates with the people, and he offers to lead them in a revolt against Abimelech. Zebul, the governor of the city and a supporter of Abimelech, hears of Ga'al's plans and informs Abimelech, setting the stage for a confrontation.

The Conflict

Abimelech responds by setting an ambush outside the city. When Ga'al and the leaders of Shechem go out to fight, Abimelech's forces attack. Ga'al initially misinterprets the situation, but Zebul taunts him, urging him to fulfill his boastful words. Ga'al and his men are defeated and driven back into the city. Zebul then expels Ga'al and his relatives from Shechem (Judges 9:30-41).

Significance

Ga'al's brief appearance in the biblical narrative highlights themes of political intrigue, the consequences of ambition, and the instability of leadership not ordained by God. His challenge to Abimelech underscores the tension and division within Israel during the time of the Judges. Ga'al's account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of rebellion and the fleeting nature of power gained through manipulation and discord.

Biblical References

· Judges 9:26-41 : The account of Ga'al's arrival in Shechem, his incitement of rebellion, and his subsequent defeat by Abimelech.

Ga'al's account, though short, is a vivid illustration of the tumultuous period of the Judges and the complex dynamics of leadership and loyalty in ancient Israel.1603. Gaal -- probably a Canaanite
... Usage Gaal (9). Gaal. From ga'al; loathing; Gaal, an Israelite -- Gaal. see
HEBREW ga'al. 1602, 1603. Gaal. 1604 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1603.htm - 6k

1604. goal -- a loathing
... Word Origin from gaal Definition a loathing NASB Word Usage abhorred (1). loathing.
From ga'al; abhorrence -- loathing. see HEBREW ga'al. 1603, 1604. ...
/hebrew/1604.htm - 6k

1351. gaal -- to defile
... A primitive root, (rather identified with ga'al, through the idea of freeing, ie
Repudiating); to soil or (figuratively) desecrate -- defile, pollute, stain. ...
/hebrew/1351.htm - 6k

1352. goel -- defiling, defilement
... Word Origin from gaal Definition defiling, defilement NASB Word Usage defiled (1).
defile. From ga'al; profanation -- defile. see HEBREW ga'al. 1351, 1352. ...
/hebrew/1352.htm - 6k

1353. geullah -- redemption, perhaps kin
... Feminine passive participle of ga'al; redemption (including the right and the object);
by implication, relationship -- kindred, redeem, redemption, right. ...
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3008. Yigal -- "He redeems," three Israelites
... NASB Word Usage Igal (3). Igal, Igeal. From ga'al; avenger; Jigal, the name of three
Israelites -- Igal, Igeal. see HEBREW ga'al. 3007, 3008. Yigal. 3009 . ...
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Ga'al (8 Occurrences)
Ga'al. Gaal, Ga'al. Gaash . Multi-Version Concordance Ga'al (8 Occurrences).
Judges 9:26 And Ga'al the son of Ebed moved into Shechem ...
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Gaal (10 Occurrences)
...ga'-al (ga`al, "rejection," or "loathing"; according to Wellhausen, "beetle," HPN,
110): A man of whose antecedents nothing is known, except that his father's ...
/g/gaal.htm - 10k

Abim'elech (58 Occurrences)
... Judges 9:31 And he sent messengers to Abim'elech at Aru'mah, saying, "Behold,
Ga'al the son of Ebed and his kinsmen have come to Shechem, and they are stirring ...
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Kinsmen (74 Occurrences)
... Judges 9:26 And Ga'al the son of Ebed moved into Shechem with his kinsmen;
and the men of Shechem put confidence in him. (DBY RSV). ...
/k/kinsmen.htm - 28k

Ransom (46 Occurrences)
... 2:6, antilutron); the verbal form occurs 4 times (Isaiah 35:10 Hosea 13:14, padhah;
Isaiah 51:10 the King James Version; Jeremiah 31:11, ga'al; these two ...
/r/ransom.htm - 43k

Gaash (4 Occurrences)

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Aru'mah (2 Occurrences)
... Judges 9:31 And he sent messengers to Abim'elech at Aru'mah, saying, "Behold,
Ga'al the son of Ebed and his kinsmen have come to Shechem, and they are stirring ...
/a/aru'mah.htm - 6k

Avenger (18 Occurrences)
... inflicts punishment upon the evil-doer for a wrong experienced by himself (from
naqam, "to avenge"; Psalm 8:2 et al.) or by someone else from ga'al, "to redeem ...
/a/avenger.htm - 17k

Avenge (27 Occurrences)
... inflicts punishment upon the evil-doer for a wrong experienced by himself (from
naqam, "to avenge"; Psalm 8:2 et al.) or by someone else from ga'al, "to redeem ...
/a/avenge.htm - 17k

Abhor (23 Occurrences)
... in the Old Testament from the following Hebrew words amongst others: (ba'ash),
"to be or to become stinking" (1 Samuel 27:12 2 Samuel 16:21); (ga`al), "to cast ...
/a/abhor.htm - 14k

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