Judges 9:39
New International Version
So Gaal led out the citizens of Shechem and fought Abimelek.

New Living Translation
So Gaal led the leading citizens of Shechem into battle against Abimelech.

English Standard Version
And Gaal went out at the head of the leaders of Shechem and fought with Abimelech.

Berean Standard Bible
So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought against Abimelech,

King James Bible
And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.

New King James Version
So Gaal went out, leading the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.

New American Standard Bible
So Gaal went out in the sight of the leaders of Shechem and fought Abimelech.

NASB 1995
So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought with Abimelech.

NASB 1977
So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought with Abimelech.

Legacy Standard Bible
So Gaal went out before the lords of Shechem and fought with Abimelech.

Amplified Bible
So Gaal went out ahead of the leaders of Shechem and fought with Abimelech.

Christian Standard Bible
So Gaal went out leading the citizens of Shechem and fought against Abimelech,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So Gaal went out leading the lords of Shechem and fought against Abimelech,

American Standard Version
And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.

Contemporary English Version
Gaal and the leaders of Shechem went out and fought Abimelech.

English Revised Version
And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Gaal led citizens of Shechem out to fight Abimelech.

Good News Translation
Gaal led the men of Shechem out and fought Abimelech.

International Standard Version
So Gaal went out in full view of the "lords" of Shechem and fought Abimelech.

Majority Standard Bible
So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought against Abimelech,

NET Bible
So Gaal led the leaders of Shechem out and fought Abimelech.

New Heart English Bible
And Gaal went out before the lords of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.

World English Bible
Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Gaal goes out before the masters of Shechem, and fights against Abimelech,

Young's Literal Translation
And Gaal goeth out before the masters of Shechem, and fighteth against Abimelech,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Gaal will go forth before the lords of Shechem, and he will fight against Abimelech.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
So Gaal went out in the sight of the people of Sichem, and fought against Abimelech,

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, Gaal went out, with the people of Shechem watching, and he fought against Abimelech,

New American Bible
So Gaal went out at the head of the lords of Shechem to fight against Abimelech;

New Revised Standard Version
So Gaal went out at the head of the lords of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Gaal went out before the lords of Shechem and fought with Abimeleck.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Gael went out before the Lords of the city and fought with Abimelek
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Gaal went forth before the men of Sychem, and set the battle in array against Abimelech.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Fall of Shechem
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.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 17:48
As the Philistine started forward to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.

1 Samuel 14:13
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.

2 Samuel 2:28
So Joab blew the ram’s horn, and all the troops stopped; they no longer pursued Israel or continued to fight.

2 Samuel 10:9-10
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.

2 Kings 3:24
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.

1 Chronicles 19:14
So Joab and his troops advanced to fight the Arameans, who fled before him.

2 Chronicles 13:15-16
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.

Joshua 8:14
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.

Joshua 10:24-25
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.”

1 Samuel 17:40-51
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. ...

2 Samuel 22:30
For in You I can charge an army; with my God I can scale a wall.

Isaiah 41:11-12
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.

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Ephesians 6:10-17
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. ...

Philippians 1:28
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.


Treasury of Scripture

And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.

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Abimelech Abim'elech Citizens Head Leaders Masters Shechem Townsmen War
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Abimelech Abim'elech Citizens Head Leaders Masters Shechem Townsmen War
Judges 9
1. Abimelech by conspiracy with the Shechemites, and murder of his brothers, is made king
7. Jotham by a parable rebukes them, and foretells their ruin
22. Gaal conspires with the Shechemites against him
30. Zebul reveals it
34. Abimelech overcomes them, and sows the city with salt
46. He burns the hold of the god Berith
50. At Thebez he is slain by a piece of a millstone
56. Jotham's curse is fulfilled.














So Gaal went out
The phrase "Gaal went out" indicates a decisive action taken by Gaal, the son of Ebed. The Hebrew root for "went out" is יָצָא (yatsa), which often implies a purposeful departure or going forth. In the context of ancient Israel, this action signifies a bold move, as Gaal steps out to confront Abimelech, a self-proclaimed king. This reflects a moment of courage and defiance, as Gaal positions himself as a leader willing to challenge tyranny. Historically, this act of going out to battle was a common motif in the narratives of the Judges, where leaders would rise to deliver Israel from oppression.

before the leaders of Shechem
The "leaders of Shechem" refers to the men of influence and authority within the city of Shechem. The Hebrew term for "leaders" is שָׂרִים (sarim), which can denote princes, officials, or rulers. Shechem was a significant city in the central hill country of Canaan, with a rich history dating back to the time of the patriarchs. It was a place of covenant renewal and political importance. The leaders of Shechem had previously supported Abimelech, but Gaal's challenge suggests a shift in allegiance or at least a division among the city's leadership. This highlights the political instability and the complex dynamics of loyalty and power during the period of the Judges.

and fought against Abimelech
The act of fighting "against Abimelech" is central to the narrative. The Hebrew root for "fought" is לָחַם (lacham), which conveys engaging in battle or warfare. Abimelech, the son of Gideon (Jerubbaal), had seized power through violence and treachery, killing his seventy brothers to establish his rule. Gaal's opposition to Abimelech is not just a personal vendetta but a stand against illegitimate authority and tyranny. This confrontation is emblematic of the recurring theme in Judges of God raising up individuals to challenge oppressive rulers. It serves as a reminder of the divine justice that ultimately prevails over human ambition and corruption. The historical context of tribal conflicts and the struggle for power in ancient Israel underscores the significance of this battle as part of God's unfolding plan for His people.

(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.)

Verse 39. - Before the men of Shechem, i.e. at their head, as their leader, as the phrase not uncommonly means (Genesis 33:3; Exodus 13:21).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So Gaal
גַ֔עַל (ḡa·‘al)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1603: Gaal -- probably a Canaanite

went out
וַיֵּ֣צֵא (way·yê·ṣê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

before
לִפְנֵ֖י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the leaders
בַּעֲלֵ֣י (ba·‘ă·lê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1167: A master, a husband, owner

of Shechem
שְׁכֶ֑ם (šə·ḵem)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7927: Shechem -- 'ridge', a district in Northern Palestine, also a son of Hamor

and fought
וַיִּלָּ֖חֶם (way·yil·lā·ḥem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3898: To feed on, to consume, to battle

against Abimelech,
בַּאֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ׃ (ba·’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 40: Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite name


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OT History: Judges 9:39 Gaal went out before the men (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 9:38
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