Judges 9:39
Judges 9:39 in Multiple Translations
So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought against Abimelech,
And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.
And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.
So Gaal went out at the head of the townsmen of Shechem and made war on Abimelech.
So Gaal led the leaders of Shechem out of the town and fought with Abimelech.
And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.
And Gaal goeth out before the masters of Shechem, and fighteth against Abimelech,
Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.
And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.
So Gaal went out in the sight of the people of Sichem, and fought against Abimelech,
So Gaal led the men of Shechem outside the city to fight Abimelech and his men.
Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 9:39
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Judges 9:39 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֵּ֣צֵא
גַ֔עַל
לִ/פְנֵ֖י
בַּעֲלֵ֣י
שְׁכֶ֑ם
וַ/יִּלָּ֖חֶם
בַּ/אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ
וַ/יֵּ֣צֵא
yâtsâʼ
H3318
to come out
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
גַ֔עַל
Gaʻal
H1603
Gaal
N-proper
לִ/פְנֵ֖י
pânîym
H6440
face
Prep | N-cp
בַּעֲלֵ֣י
baʻal
H1167
master
N-mp
שְׁכֶ֑ם
Shᵉkem
H7927
Shechem
N-proper
וַ/יִּלָּ֖חֶם
lâcham
H3898
to fight
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3ms
בַּ/אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ
ʼĂbîymelek
H40
Ahimelech
Prep | N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 9:39
וַ/יֵּ֣צֵא
yâtsâʼ
H3318
"to come out"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth
Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.
גַ֔עַל
Gaʻal
H1603
"Gaal"
N-proper
Gaal was an Israelite who lived before Israel's monarchy, first mentioned in Judges 9:26, and was the son of Ebed. He helped the Shechemites rebel against Abimelech.
Definition: A man living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jdg.9.26; son of: Ebed (H5651) § Gaal = "loathing" son of Eved who aided the Shechemites in their rebellion against Abimelech
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: Gaal. See also: Judges 9:26; Judges 9:35; Judges 9:41.
לִ/פְנֵ֖י
pânîym
H6440
"face"
Prep | N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
בַּעֲלֵ֣י
baʻal
H1167
"master"
N-mp
Means master or owner, often referring to a husband or leader, as seen in the book of Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: : master/leader 1) owner, husband, lord 1a) owner 1b) a husband 1c) citizens, inhabitants 1d) rulers, lords 1e) (noun of relationship used to characterise-ie, master of dreams)
Usage: Occurs in 79 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] archer, [phrase] babbler, [phrase] bird, captain, chief man, [phrase] confederate, [phrase] have to do, [phrase] dreamer, those to whom it is due, [phrase] furious, those that are given to it, great, [phrase] hairy, he that hath it, have, [phrase] horseman, husband, lord, man, [phrase] married, master, person, [phrase] sworn, they of. See also: Genesis 14:13; 1 Samuel 23:11; Proverbs 1:17.
שְׁכֶ֑ם
Shᵉkem
H7927
"Shechem"
N-proper
Shechem refers to a city in Palestine and a man who lived during the time of the Patriarchs, mentioned in Genesis 33:19. He was the son of Hamor, a Hivite chieftain. The city was located between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.33.19; son of: Hamor (H2544) § Shechem = "back" or "shoulder" 1) son of Hamor, the chieftain of the Hivites at Shechem at the time of Jacob's arrival 2) a city in Manasseh; located in a valley between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, 34 miles (54 km) north of Jerusalem and 7 miles (10.5 km) south- east of Samaria
Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: Shechem. See also: Genesis 12:6; Judges 9:6; Psalms 60:8.
וַ/יִּלָּ֖חֶם
lâcham
H3898
"to fight"
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3ms
In the Bible, this word means to feed on or consume something, often referring to eating food or battling against someone. It's used in stories like David's battles and the Israelites' struggles in the wilderness.
Definition: 1) to fight, do battle, make war 1a) (Qal) to fight, do battle 1b) (Niphal) to engage in battle, wage war
Usage: Occurs in 171 OT verses. KJV: devour, eat, [idiom] ever, fight(-ing), overcome, prevail, (make) war(-ring). See also: Exodus 1:10; 2 Samuel 8:10; Psalms 35:1.
בַּ/אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ
ʼĂbîymelek
H40
"Ahimelech"
Prep | N-proper
Abimelech was the name of two Philistine kings and two Israelites in the Bible, including a king who met Abraham and a priest who helped David. The name means 'my father is king'.
Definition: A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.8.17; son of: Abiathar (H0054); brother of: Jonathan (H3083I) Another spelling of a.chi.me.lekh (אֲחִימֶ֫לֶךְ "Ahimelech" H0288I) § Abimelech = "Melek is father" or "my father is king" 1) king of Gerar in Abraham's time 2) king of Gath in David's time; maybe title of Philistine kings 3) son of Gideon by a concubine 4) priest, son of Abiathar
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: Abimelech. See also: Genesis 20:2; Judges 9:20; Psalms 34:1.
Study Notes — Judges 9:39
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Fall of Shechem
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!”
39So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought against Abimelech,
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.Judges 9:39 Summary
In Judges 9:39, Gaal decides to fight against Abimelech, which ultimately leads to his defeat. This verse teaches us that pride and arrogance can lead to reckless decisions, as seen in Gaal's case. We can learn from Gaal's mistakes by cultivating humility and seeking wisdom, as seen in verses like James 1:5 and Proverbs 16:18. By doing so, we can avoid the pitfalls of pride and instead walk in humility and obedience to God, as seen in Micah 6:8.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Gaal decide to fight against Abimelech?
Gaal decided to fight against Abimelech because Zebul, Abimelech's officer, challenged him to go out and fight the people he had previously ridiculed, as seen in Judges 9:38. This shows that Gaal was goaded into action by Zebul's words.
What was the outcome of the fight between Gaal and Abimelech?
The outcome of the fight is not fully described in Judges 9:39, but in the following verses, we see that Abimelech pursued Gaal and many Shechemites fell wounded, as seen in Judges 9:40-41.
What can we learn from Gaal's decision to fight against Abimelech?
We can learn that pride and arrogance can lead to reckless decisions, as seen in Gaal's case. This is similar to the warning in Proverbs 16:18, which says that pride goes before destruction.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the story in Judges 9?
This verse is a pivotal moment in the story, as it marks the beginning of the end of Gaal's rebellion against Abimelech, and ultimately leads to Abimelech's victory and Gaal's defeat, as seen in Judges 9:41.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I allow pride and arrogance to influence my decisions, and how can I learn from Gaal's mistakes?
- How do I respond when faced with challenges or opposition, and what can I learn from Gaal's decision to fight against Abimelech?
- What role does humility play in our relationships and decision-making, and how can we cultivate humility in our own lives, as seen in verses like Micah 6:8?
- How does this verse relate to the broader theme of Judges, which is the cycle of sin and redemption, and what can we learn from this story about God's sovereignty and justice?
Gill's Exposition on Judges 9:39
And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem,.... At the head of them, to meet Abimelech, having gathered together as many, and put them in as good order, as he could, and the time would admit of: and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 9:39
And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 9:39
Judges 9:39 And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.Ver. 39. And Gaal went out.] Zebul’ s taunts had made him ashamed to retire: but God had a special hand in it, for his just punishment. That is a true saying of one, Where iniquity breaketh fast, calamity will be sure to dine; to sup where it dineth, and to lodge where it suppeth.
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 9:39
(39) Before the men of Shechem.—Not merely “in the presence of the Shechemites,” as some of the versions understand it, but as leader of the “lords” of Shechem. (Comp. Judges 9:23.)
Whedon's Commentary on Judges 9:39
39. Gaal went out before the men of Shechem — It must have been a hasty gathering and a hurried advance, so that they were ill prepared to meet Abimelech.