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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Judges 9:39 So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought against Abimelech,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/9-39.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/07_Jdg_09_39.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 9:39 - The Fall of Shechem" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought against Abimelech," /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad19.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/judges/9-38.htm" title="Judges 9:38">◄</a> Judges 9:39 <a href="/judges/9-40.htm" title="Judges 9:40">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/judges/9.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/judges/9.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />So Gaal led out the citizens of Shechem and fought Abimelek.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So Gaal led the leading citizens of Shechem into battle against Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And Gaal went out at the head of the leaders of Shechem and fought with Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought against Abimelech,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So Gaal went out, leading the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Gaal went out in the sight of the leaders of Shechem and fought Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought with Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought with Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So Gaal went out before the lords of Shechem and fought with Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So Gaal went out ahead of the leaders of Shechem and fought with Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Gaal went out leading the citizens of Shechem and fought against Abimelech,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Gaal went out leading the lords of Shechem and fought against Abimelech, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Gaal and the leaders of Shechem went out and fought Abimelech. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then Gaal led citizens of Shechem out to fight Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Gaal led the men of Shechem out and fought Abimelech. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So Gaal went out in full view of the "lords" of Shechem and fought Abimelech. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought against Abimelech,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So Gaal led the leaders of Shechem out and fought Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And Gaal went out before the lords of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Gaal goes out before the masters of Shechem, and fights against Abimelech,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Gaal goeth out before the masters of Shechem, and fighteth against Abimelech,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Gaal will go forth before the lords of Shechem, and he will fight against Abimelech.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />So Gaal went out in the sight of the people of Sichem, and fought against Abimelech, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Therefore, Gaal went out, with the people of Shechem watching, and he fought against Abimelech,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So Gaal went out at the head of the lords of Shechem to fight against Abimelech;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />So Gaal went out at the head of the lords of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Gaal went out before the lords of Shechem and fought with Abimeleck.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Gael went out before the Lords of the city and fought with Abimelek<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Gaal went forth before the men of Sychem, and set the battle in array against Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/9-39.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=3006" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/judges/9.htm">The Fall of Shechem</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">38</span>“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!” <span class="reftext">39</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1603.htm" title="1603: ḡa·‘al (N-proper-ms) -- Probably a Canaanite. From ga'al; loathing; Gaal, an Israelite.">So Gaal</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: way·yê·ṣê (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">went out</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê (Prep-l:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before</a> <a href="/hebrew/1167.htm" title="1167: ba·‘ă·lê (N-mpc) -- Owner, lord. From ba'al; a master; hence, a husband, or owner.">the leaders</a> <a href="/hebrew/7927.htm" title="7927: šə·ḵem (N-proper-fs) -- Ridge, a district in N. Pal., also a son of Hamor. The same as shkem; ridge; Shekem, a place in Palestine.">of Shechem</a> <a href="/hebrew/3898.htm" title="3898: way·yil·lā·ḥem (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To feed on, to consume, to battle. A primitive root; to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle.">and fought</a> <a href="/hebrew/40.htm" title="40: ba·’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ (Prep-b:: N-proper-ms) -- From 'ab and melek; father of king; Abimelek, the name of two Philistine kings and of two Israelites.">against Abimelech,</a> </span><span class="reftext">40</span>but Abimelech pursued him, and Gaal fled before him. And many Shechemites fell wounded all the way to the entrance of the gate.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-48.htm">1 Samuel 17:48</a></span><br />As the Philistine started forward to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/14-13.htm">1 Samuel 14:13</a></span><br />So Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer behind him. And the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and finished them off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/2-28.htm">2 Samuel 2:28</a></span><br />So Joab blew the ram’s horn, and all the troops stopped; they no longer pursued Israel or continued to fight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/10-9.htm">2 Samuel 10:9-10</a></span><br />When Joab saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans. / And he placed the rest of the troops under the command of his brother Abishai, who arrayed them against the Ammonites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/3-24.htm">2 Kings 3:24</a></span><br />But when the Moabites came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and attacked them, and they fled before them. So the Israelites invaded their land and struck down the Moabites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/19-14.htm">1 Chronicles 19:14</a></span><br />So Joab and his troops advanced to fight the Arameans, who fled before him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/13-15.htm">2 Chronicles 13:15-16</a></span><br />and the men of Judah raised the battle cry. And when they raised the cry, God routed Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. / So the Israelites fled before Judah, and God delivered them into their hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/8-14.htm">Joshua 8:14</a></span><br />When the king of Ai saw the Israelites, he hurried out early in the morning with the men of the city to engage them in battle at an appointed place overlooking the Arabah. But he did not know that an ambush had been set up against him behind the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/10-24.htm">Joshua 10:24-25</a></span><br />When they had brought the kings to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had accompanied him, “Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So the commanders came forward and put their feet on their necks. / “Do not be afraid or discouraged,” Joshua said. “Be strong and courageous, for the LORD will do this to all the enemies you fight.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-40.htm">1 Samuel 17:40-51</a></span><br />And David took his staff in his hand, selected five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag. And with his sling in hand, he approached the Philistine. / Now the Philistine came closer and closer to David, with his shield-bearer before him. / When the Philistine looked and saw David, he despised him because he was just a boy, ruddy and handsome. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/22-30.htm">2 Samuel 22:30</a></span><br />For in You I can charge an army; with my God I can scale a wall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-11.htm">Isaiah 41:11-12</a></span><br />Behold, all who rage against you will be ashamed and disgraced; those who contend with you will be reduced to nothing and will perish. / You will seek them but will not find them. Those who wage war against you will come to nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-31.htm">Romans 8:31</a></span><br />What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/6-10.htm">Ephesians 6:10-17</a></span><br />Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. / Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. / For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/1-28.htm">Philippians 1:28</a></span><br />without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a clear sign of their destruction but of your salvation, and it is from God.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/9-38.htm">Abimelech</a> <a href="/judges/9-38.htm">Abim'elech</a> <a href="/judges/9-26.htm">Citizens</a> <a href="/judges/8-28.htm">Head</a> <a href="/judges/9-3.htm">Leaders</a> <a href="/judges/9-25.htm">Masters</a> <a href="/judges/9-34.htm">Shechem</a> <a href="/judges/9-25.htm">Townsmen</a> <a href="/judges/9-17.htm">War</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/9-40.htm">Abimelech</a> <a href="/judges/9-40.htm">Abim'elech</a> <a href="/judges/9-46.htm">Citizens</a> <a href="/judges/9-53.htm">Head</a> <a href="/judges/9-46.htm">Leaders</a> <a href="/judges/9-46.htm">Masters</a> <a href="/judges/9-41.htm">Shechem</a> <a href="/judges/9-46.htm">Townsmen</a> <a href="/judges/10-9.htm">War</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-1.htm">Abimelech by conspiracy with the Shechemites, and murder of his brothers, is made king</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-7.htm">Jotham by a parable rebukes them, and foretells their ruin</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-22.htm">Gaal conspires with the Shechemites against him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">30. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-30.htm">Zebul reveals it</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-34.htm">Abimelech overcomes them, and sows the city with salt</a></span><br><span class="reftext">46. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-46.htm">He burns the hold of the god Berith</a></span><br><span class="reftext">50. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-50.htm">At Thebez he is slain by a piece of a millstone</a></span><br><span class="reftext">56. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-56.htm">Jotham's curse is fulfilled.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/9.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/judges/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>So Gaal went out</b><br>Gaal, a newcomer to Shechem, is introduced as a challenger to Abimelech's authority. His actions reflect the turbulent period of the Judges, characterized by a lack of centralized leadership and frequent power struggles. This phrase indicates Gaal's proactive stance, suggesting a boldness or confidence in his ability to confront Abimelech. The narrative of Judges often highlights the cyclical nature of Israel's disobedience and the resulting chaos, with Gaal's actions fitting into this pattern of rebellion and conflict.<p><b>before the leaders of Shechem</b><br>The leaders of Shechem play a significant role in the unfolding events. Shechem, a city with a rich biblical history, was a significant Canaanite city and later an Israelite city of refuge. It was here that Joshua renewed the covenant (Joshua 24). The leaders' involvement suggests political intrigue and the shifting allegiances common in the era. Their support of Gaal indicates dissatisfaction with Abimelech, whom they had previously supported, highlighting the instability and factionalism of the time.<p><b>and fought against Abimelech</b><br>Abimelech, a son of Gideon, had declared himself king after killing his seventy brothers, an act that set the stage for divine retribution. His rule is marked by violence and treachery, reflecting the moral decline during the Judges period. The conflict between Gaal and Abimelech is emblematic of the internal strife and lack of unity among the Israelites. This struggle can be seen as a microcosm of the broader theme in Judges, where Israel repeatedly turns away from God, leading to internal and external conflicts. The battle also foreshadows Abimelech's eventual downfall, serving as a reminder of the consequences of ungodly leadership.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/gaal.htm">Gaal</a></b><br>A man who opposed Abimelech and sought to lead the people of Shechem against him. His actions are a pivotal part of the conflict in <a href="/bsb/judges/9.htm">Judges 9</a>.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/l/leaders_of_shechem.htm">Leaders of Shechem</a></b><br>The ruling figures in the city of Shechem who initially supported Abimelech but later turned against him, influenced by Gaal's leadership.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/abimelech.htm">Abimelech</a></b><br>The son of Gideon (Jerubbaal) who declared himself king over Israel after killing his seventy brothers. His rule is marked by treachery and violence.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/shechem.htm">Shechem</a></b><br>An ancient city in the hill country of Ephraim, significant in Israel's history as a center of covenant renewal and conflict.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_battle.htm">The Battle</a></b><br>The conflict between Gaal and Abimelech represents the broader theme of internal strife and the consequences of ungodly leadership.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_dangers_of_ambition_and_pride.htm">The Dangers of Ambition and Pride</a></b><br>Both Gaal and Abimelech exhibit prideful ambition, leading to conflict and destruction. Believers are reminded to seek humility and God's guidance in leadership.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_ungodly_leadership.htm">The Consequences of Ungodly Leadership</a></b><br>Abimelech's rule is a cautionary tale about the dangers of self-appointed leadership without God's blessing. It encourages believers to seek leaders who are godly and righteous.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_discernment.htm">The Importance of Discernment</a></b><br>The leaders of Shechem initially supported Abimelech, only to later regret their decision. This highlights the need for discernment in choosing whom to follow.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_human_affairs.htm">God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs</a></b><br>Despite human schemes and conflicts, God's sovereign plan prevails. Believers can trust that God is in control, even in chaotic situations.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 9</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_abimelech,_gideon's_son.htm">Who was Abimelech, son of Gideon, in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_abimelech's_rule_conflict_with_ot.htm">Does the account of Abimelech's violent rule conflict with other Old Testament portrayals of just leadership (Judges 9:22-24)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_send_an_evil_spirit_in_judges_9_23.htm">Why would God send an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem (Judges 9:23)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_shechem's_destruction.htm">Is there any archaeological evidence supporting the destruction of Shechem as described (Judges 9)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(39) <span class= "bld">Before the men of Shechem.</span>--Not merely "in the presence of the Shechemites," as some of the versions understand it, but as leader of the "lords" of Shechem. (Comp. <a href="/judges/9-23.htm" title="Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:">Judges 9:23</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 39.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Before the men of Shechem</span>, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> at their head, as their leader, as the phrase not uncommonly means (<a href="/genesis/33-3.htm">Genesis 33:3</a>; <a href="/exodus/13-21.htm">Exodus 13:21</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/9-39.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">So Gaal</span><br /><span class="heb">גַ֔עַל</span> <span class="translit">(ḡa·‘al)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1603.htm">Strong's 1603: </a> </span><span class="str2">Gaal -- probably a Canaanite</span><br /><br /><span class="word">went out</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּ֣צֵא</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·ṣê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, bring, out, direct and proxim</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before</span><br /><span class="heb">לִפְנֵ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(lip̄·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the leaders</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּעֲלֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(ba·‘ă·lê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1167.htm">Strong's 1167: </a> </span><span class="str2">A master, a husband, owner</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Shechem</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁכֶ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(šə·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7927.htm">Strong's 7927: </a> </span><span class="str2">Shechem -- 'ridge', a district in Northern Palestine, also a son of Hamor</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and fought</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּלָּ֖חֶם</span> <span class="translit">(way·yil·lā·ḥem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3898.htm">Strong's 3898: </a> </span><span class="str2">To feed on, to consume, to battle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against Abimelech,</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּאֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ׃</span> <span class="translit">(ba·’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_40.htm">Strong's 40: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite name</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/9-39.htm">Judges 9:39 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/9-39.htm">Judges 9:39 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/9-39.htm">Judges 9:39 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/9-39.htm">Judges 9:39 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/9-39.htm">Judges 9:39 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/9-39.htm">Judges 9:39 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/9-39.htm">Judges 9:39 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/9-39.htm">Judges 9:39 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/9-39.htm">Judges 9:39 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/9-39.htm">Judges 9:39 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/9-39.htm">OT History: Judges 9:39 Gaal went out before the men (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/9-38.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 9:38"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 9:38" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/9-40.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 9:40"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 9:40" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>