גַּ֫עַל
ga.al
Gaal
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
Supported# Gaal: A Hebrew Figure of Revolt Gaal (H1603) appears nine times in the Hebrew Bible as a proper noun referring to a specific historical or legendary figure. Based on the limited lexical data provided, this entry identifies the name itself rather than a common word with semantic range. The transliteration "ga.al" preserves the Hebrew pronunciation, indicating this is a personal name rather than a descriptive term. Without additional context from the lexicon data—such as etymological information, narrative passages where Gaal appears, or associated meanings—the available information does not permit deeper analysis of why this figure is significant or what characterized his actions. The small number of occurrences (9) suggests Gaal appears in a confined textual tradition, possibly concentrated in a particular historical narrative within the biblical corpus. To understand Gaal's role and importance in biblical literature, one would need to consult the actual biblical passages where the name appears or additional lexical resources that provide historical and narrative context. The present entry confirms only that this individual was significant enough to be named in biblical texts, but the supplied lexicon data alone cannot explain his deeds or cultural importance.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
9 total occurrences across the text
Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brothers and went over to Shechem; and the men of Shechem put their trust in him.
Judges 9:28Gaal the son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Isn’t he the son of Jerubbaal? Isn’t Zebul his officer? Serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem, but why should we serve him?
Judges 9:30When Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger burned.
Judges 9:31He sent messengers to Abimelech craftily, saying, “Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem; and behold, they incite the city against you.
Judges 9:35Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city. Abimelech rose up, and the people who were with him, from the ambush.
Judges 9:36When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Behold, people are coming down from the tops of the mountains.” Zebul said to him, “You see the shadows of the mountains as if they were men.”
Judges 9:37Gaal 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.”
Judges 9:39Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.
Judges 9:41Abimelech lived at Arumah; and Zebul drove out Gaal and his brothers, that they should not dwell in Shechem.