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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 9:37 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."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/9-37.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/07_Jdg_09_37.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 9:37 - The Fall of Shechem" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/judges/9-37.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/judges/9-37.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/judges/">Judges</a> > <a href="/judges/9.htm">Chapter 9</a> > Verse 37</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.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/9-36.htm" title="Judges 9:36">◄</a> Judges 9:37 <a href="/judges/9-38.htm" title="Judges 9:38">►</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">Verse<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"><a href="/niv/judges/9.htm">New International Version</a> But Gaal spoke up again: &#8220Look, people are coming down from the central hill, and a company is coming from the direction of the diviners&#8217 tree.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/judges/9.htm">New Living Translation</a> But again Gaal said, “No, people are coming down from the hills. And another group is coming down the road past the Diviners’ Oak.” <a href="/esv/judges/9.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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.” <a href="/bsb/judges/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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.” <a href="/kjv/judges/9.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/judges/9.htm">New King James Version</a> 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.” <a href="/nasb_/judges/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> 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.” <a href="/nasb/judges/9.htm">NASB 1995</a> Gaal spoke again and said, &#8220Behold, people are coming down from the highest part of the land, and one company comes by the way of the diviners&#8217 oak.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/judges/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a> 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.” <a href="/lsb/judges/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> 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.” <a href="/amp/judges/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a> 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.” <a href="/csb/judges/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> 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.” <a href="/hcsb/judges/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then Gaal spoke again, &#8220Look, people are coming down from the central part of the land, and one unit is coming from the direction of the Diviners&#8217 Oak.&#8221 <a href="/asv/judges/9.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/cev/judges/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> "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." <a href="/erv/judges/9.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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. <a href="/gwt/judges/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Gaal spoke again, "No, there are troops coming down from Tabbur Haares. One company is coming along the road by the Fortunetellers' Tree." <a href="/gnt/judges/9.htm">Good News Translation</a> 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!" <a href="/isv/judges/9.htm">International Standard Version</a> 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." <a href="/msb/judges/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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.? <a href="/net/judges/9.htm">NET Bible</a> 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." <a href="/nheb/judges/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> 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." <a href="/wbt/judges/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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. <a href="/web/judges/9.htm">World English Bible</a> 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.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/judges/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> 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.” <a href="/ylt/judges/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 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.' <a href="/slt/judges/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> 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.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/judges/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> 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. <a href="/cpdv/judges/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> 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.” <a href="/nabre/judges/9.htm">New American Bible</a> 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.” <a href="/nrsvce/judges/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Gaal spoke again and said, “Look, people are coming down from Tabbur-erez, and one company is coming from the direction of Elon-meonenim.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/judges/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> 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. <a href="/hpbt/judges/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> 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!”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/judges/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> 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.' <a href="/sep/judges/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> 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. <a href="/parallel/judges/9-37.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=2985" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/judges/9.htm">The Fall of Shechem</a> …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.” 37<a href="/hebrew/1603.htm" title="1603: ga·‘al (N-proper-ms) -- Probably a Canaanite. From ga'al; loathing; Gaal, an Israelite.">Then Gaal</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: lə·ḏab·bêr (Prep-l:: V-Piel-Inf) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">spoke up</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3254.htm" title="3254: way·yō·sep̄ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To add. A primitive root; to add or augment.">again,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5750.htm" title="5750: ‘ō·wḏ (Adv) -- Or rod; from uwd; properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially, again, repeatedly, still, more."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: hin·nêh- (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">“Look,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ‘ām (N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">people</a> <a href="/hebrew/3381.htm" title="3381: yō·wr·ḏîm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To come or go down, descend. ">are coming down</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: mê·‘im (Prep-m) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/2872.htm" title="2872: ṭab·būr (N-msc) -- Highest part, center. From an unused root meaning to pile up; properly, accumulated; i.e. a summit.">the center</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">of the land,</a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: ’e·ḥāḏ (Number-ms) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">and one</a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: wə·rōš- (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">company</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: bā (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">is coming</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: mid·de·reḵ (Prep-m:: N-csc) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">by way of</a> <a href="/hebrew/6049.htm" title="6049: mə·‘ō·wn·nîm (V-Piel-Prtcpl-mp) -- A primitive root; to cover; used only as a denominative from anan, to cloud over; figuratively, to act covertly, i.e. Practise magic.">the Diviners’</a> <a href="/hebrew/436.htm" title="436: ’ê·lō·wn (N-msc) -- A terebinth. Prolonged from 'ayil; an oak or other strong tree.">Oak.”</a> 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!”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/2_samuel/18-24.htm">2 Samuel 18:24-27</a> 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. ... <a href="/2_kings/9-17.htm">2 Kings 9:17-20</a> 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.” ... <a href="/isaiah/21-6.htm">Isaiah 21:6-9</a> 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. ... <a href="/jeremiah/6-1.htm">Jeremiah 6:1</a> “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. <a href="/ezekiel/33-2.htm">Ezekiel 33:2-6</a> “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. ... <a href="/habakkuk/2-1.htm">Habakkuk 2:1</a> 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. <a href="/matthew/24-42.htm">Matthew 24:42-44</a> 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. <a href="/mark/13-34.htm">Mark 13:34-37</a> 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. ... <a href="/luke/12-37.htm">Luke 12:37-40</a> 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. ... <a href="/luke/21-36.htm">Luke 21:36</a> 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.” <a href="/acts/20-31.htm">Acts 20:31</a> Therefore be alert and remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. <a href="/1_corinthians/16-13.htm">1 Corinthians 16:13</a> Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong. <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-6.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:6</a> So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober. <a href="/1_peter/5-8.htm">1 Peter 5:8</a> Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. <a href="/revelation/3-2.htm">Revelation 3:2-3</a> 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.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>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.<a href="/deuteronomy/18-14.htm">Deuteronomy 18:14</a> 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.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/22-26.htm">Addeth</a> <a href="/joshua/10-20.htm">Band</a> <a href="/numbers/35-5.htm">Center</a> <a href="/joshua/22-30.htm">Company</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-14.htm">Diviners</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-13.htm">Highest</a> <a href="/judges/7-19.htm">Middle</a> <a href="/judges/9-6.htm">Oak</a> <a href="/judges/6-11.htm">Oak-Tree</a> <a href="/judges/9-31.htm">Part</a> <a href="/judges/9-6.htm">Plain</a> <a href="/micah/3-7.htm">Seers</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-14.htm">Soothsayers</a> <a href="/judges/9-3.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/judges/9-11.htm">Tree</a> <a href="/judges/9-29.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/11-14.htm">Addeth</a> <a href="/judges/9-44.htm">Band</a> <a href="/judges/9-51.htm">Center</a> <a href="/judges/9-44.htm">Company</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-2.htm">Diviners</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-14.htm">Highest</a> <a href="/judges/9-51.htm">Middle</a> <a href="/1_samuel/10-3.htm">Oak</a> <a href="/1_kings/13-14.htm">Oak-Tree</a> <a href="/judges/11-2.htm">Part</a> <a href="/judges/11-33.htm">Plain</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-13.htm">Seers</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-3.htm">Soothsayers</a> <a href="/judges/12-6.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-2.htm">Tree</a> <a href="/judges/9-40.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 9</div>1. <a href="/judges/9-1.htm">Abimelech by conspiracy with the Shechemites, and murder of his brothers, is made king</a> 7. <a href="/judges/9-7.htm">Jotham by a parable rebukes them, and foretells their ruin</a> 22. <a href="/judges/9-22.htm">Gaal conspires with the Shechemites against him</a> 30. <a href="/judges/9-30.htm">Zebul reveals it</a> 34. <a href="/judges/9-34.htm">Abimelech overcomes them, and sows the city with salt</a> 46. <a href="/judges/9-46.htm">He burns the hold of the god Berith</a> 50. <a href="/judges/9-50.htm">At Thebez he is slain by a piece of a millstone</a> 56. <a href="/judges/9-56.htm">Jotham's curse is fulfilled.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>Then Gaal spoke up again Gaal, son of Ebed, is a central figure in this narrative, representing opposition to Abimelech, the son of Gideon. His speaking up signifies a moment of tension and impending conflict. This reflects the recurring theme in Judges of Israel's internal strife and the consequences of turning away from God. Gaal's boldness can be seen as both a challenge to Abimelech's authority and a fulfillment of the cycle of rebellion and deliverance that characterizes the book.“Look, people are coming down from the center of the land The "center of the land" likely refers to the strategic and elevated position of Shechem, a significant city in Israel's history. This phrase indicates a military movement, suggesting an impending attack or confrontation. The geographical reference underscores the importance of Shechem as a central hub in the tribal confederation of Israel, often associated with covenant renewal and conflict resolution, as seen in <a href="/joshua/24.htm">Joshua 24</a>.and one company is coming by way of the Diviners’ Oak.” The "Diviners’ Oak" is a notable landmark, possibly a site associated with pagan practices or local traditions of divination. This reference highlights the syncretism present in Israel during the time of the Judges, where Canaanite religious practices often infiltrated Israelite worship. The oak's mention may also serve as a reminder of the spiritual decline and the need for Israel to return to exclusive worship of Yahweh. The use of such landmarks for orientation in military strategy reflects the practical and spiritual dimensions of the narrative.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/g/gaal.htm">Gaal</a> A leader who opposed Abimelech, the son of Gideon, and sought to incite the people of Shechem against him. 2. <a href="/topical/a/abimelech.htm">Abimelech</a> The son of Gideon who declared himself king over Shechem and ruled with tyranny. 3. <a href="/topical/s/shechem.htm">Shechem</a> An ancient city in Israel, significant for its historical and religious importance, and the setting for the conflict between Gaal and Abimelech. 4. <a href="/topical/d/diviners'_oak.htm">Diviners’ Oak</a> A notable landmark mentioned in the passage, possibly a place associated with pagan practices or a significant meeting point. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_center_of_the_land.htm">The Center of the Land</a> Refers to a strategic location from which Abimelech's forces were advancing, indicating a tactical maneuver in the conflict.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_dangers_of_ambition_and_pride.htm">The Dangers of Ambition and Pride</a> Gaal's and Abimelech's accounts serve as warnings about the destructive nature of unchecked ambition and pride. Believers are encouraged to seek humility and God's guidance in their pursuits. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_idolatry.htm">The Consequences of Idolatry</a> The events in Shechem remind us of the consequences of turning away from God. Idolatry leads to chaos and conflict, urging Christians to remain steadfast in their faith. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_godly_leadership.htm">The Importance of Godly Leadership</a> The account highlights the need for leaders who are guided by God's principles. Christians are called to pray for and support leaders who uphold biblical values. <a href="/topical/r/recognizing_god's_sovereignty.htm">Recognizing God's Sovereignty</a> Despite human schemes, God's sovereignty prevails. This encourages believers to trust in God's ultimate plan, even when circumstances seem dire. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_landmarks_in_spiritual_life.htm">The Role of Landmarks in Spiritual Life</a> The mention of the Diviners’ Oak prompts reflection on the spiritual landmarks in our lives. Christians are encouraged to establish and remember places and moments of divine encounter.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 9</a> <a href="/q/is_2_kings_18_25_consistent_with_other_divine_judgments.htm">2 Kings 18:25 - Is the claim that the Assyrian king was acting by God's command consistent with other biblical accounts of divine judgment?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_god_allow_prolonged_suffering.htm">If God's 'arm is not too short' (Isaiah 59:1), why do we see prolonged suffering and injustice without divine intervention in this narrative?</a> <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> <a href="/q/does_god's_cycle_conflict_with_free_will.htm">Does the cyclical pattern of God sending deliverers (Judges 3:7-11) conflict with the notion of human free will or moral responsibility?</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>(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 <a href="/ezekiel/38-12.htm" title="To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn your hand on the desolate places that are now inhabited, and on the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the middle of the land.">Ezekiel 38:12</a> 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 <a href="/leviticus/19-28.htm" title="You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks on you: I am the LORD.">Leviticus 19:28</a> 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 (<a href="/genesis/35-4.htm" title="And they gave to Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.">Genesis 35:4</a>).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>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 <a href="/ezekiel/38-12.htm">Ezekiel 38:12</a>, "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. <a href="/commentaries/judges/9-37.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Then Gaal גַּעַל֮ (ga·‘al) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1603.htm">Strong's 1603: </a> Gaal -- probably a Canaanite spoke up לְדַבֵּר֒ (lə·ḏab·bêr) Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> To arrange, to speak, to subdue again, וַיֹּ֨סֶף (way·yō·sep̄) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3254.htm">Strong's 3254: </a> To add, augment “Look, הִנֵּה־ (hin·nêh-) Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> Lo! behold! people עָם֙ (‘ām) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock are coming down יֽוֹרְדִ֔ים (yō·wr·ḏîm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3381.htm">Strong's 3381: </a> To come or go down, descend from מֵעִ֖ם (mê·‘im) Preposition-m <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> With, equally with the center טַבּ֣וּר (ṭab·būr) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2872.htm">Strong's 2872: </a> Accumulated, a summit of the land, הָאָ֑רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> Earth, land and one אֶחָ֣ד (’e·ḥāḏ) Number - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> United, one, first company וְרֹאשׁ־ (wə·rōš-) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> The head is coming בָּ֔א (bā) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go by way of מִדֶּ֖רֶךְ (mid·de·reḵ) Preposition-m | Noun - common singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> A road, a course of life, mode of action the Diviners’ מְעוֹנְנִֽים׃ (mə·‘ō·wn·nîm) Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6049.htm">Strong's 6049: </a> To act covertly, practise magic Oak.” אֵל֥וֹן (’ê·lō·wn) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_436.htm">Strong's 436: </a> An oak, other strong tree <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/9-37.htm">Judges 9:37 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/judges/9-37.htm">Judges 9:37 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/judges/9-37.htm">Judges 9:37 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/judges/9-37.htm">Judges 9:37 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/judges/9-37.htm">Judges 9:37 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/9-37.htm">Judges 9:37 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/9-37.htm">Judges 9:37 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/9-37.htm">Judges 9:37 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/judges/9-37.htm">Judges 9:37 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/judges/9-37.htm">Judges 9:37 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/judges/9-37.htm">OT History: Judges 9:37 Gaal spoke again and said Behold there (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/9-36.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 9:36"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 9:36" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/9-38.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 9:38"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 9:38" /></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>