Boy Old Testament Known
Gaal
contempt; abomination
גַּ֫עַל ga.al
Gaal (Hebrew: גַּ֫עַל, ga.al) means “contempt; abomination”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 9 verses across 1 book of the Bible. In 1957 it was given to 6 children in the United States. Use is long out of use. Appears with Abimelech in Judges 9.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Gaal
son of Ebed
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 9 across 1 book
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Judges
Using it today
Based on 1957 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 1957 | 6 | Long out of use |
| All-time total | 17 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 6 in 1951 | Its highest year on record |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Judges 9:26 |
| Last appears | Judges 9:41 |
| Cross-references | 19 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Ebed co-occurrence Appears with Ebed in Judges 9.
- Zebul co-occurrence Appears with Zebul in Judges 9.
- Abimelech co-occurrence Appears with Abimelech in Judges 9.
- Hamor co-occurrence Appears with Hamor in Judges 9.
- Shechem co-occurrence Appears with Shechem in Judges 9.
- Gideon co-occurrence Appears with Gideon in Judges 9.
- Jotham co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Jotham.
Origin & meaning
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
Gaal, the son of Ebed, led a revolt against Abimelech, the ruler of Shechem, but was defeated and driven out of the city.
The biblical story
Gaal, the son of Ebed, appears in Judges 9 as the leader of a revolt against Abimelech, the ruler of Shechem. After Abimelech had ruled Shechem for three years, Gaal arrived in the city and gained the trust of the people (Jdg.9.26-29). He challenged Abimelech's authority and encouraged the people to follow him instead. When Abimelech was informed of Gaal's actions, he devised a plan to attack the city (Jdg.9.30-33). Gaal and his followers went out to fight against Abimelech but were defeated and driven out of Shechem (Jdg.9.34-41). Abimelech then destroyed the city and scattered salt over it, symbolizing its complete destruction (Jdg.9.45). The story of Gaal's failed revolt illustrates the internal conflicts and power struggles that occurred during the period of the judges in Israel.
Key verses
Gaal appears in 9 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him.
Judges 9:26 -
And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him?
Judges 9:28 -
And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.
Judges 9:30 -
And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee.
Judges 9:31 -
And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait.
Judges 9:35
Show all 9 references
Judges (9)
- Judges 9:26
- Judges 9:28
- Judges 9:30
- Judges 9:31
- Judges 9:35
- Judges 9:36
- Judges 9:37
- Judges 9:39
- Judges 9:41