Boy Old Testament Known
Zebul
a habitation
זְבֻל ze.vul
Zebul (Hebrew: זְבֻל, ze.vul) means “a habitation”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 5 verses across 1 book of the Bible. In United States birth records the name is below the reporting threshold. Appears with Abimelech in Judges 9.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Zebul
son of Gideon
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 5 across 1 book
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- Judges
Using it today
In United States birth records this name is below the reporting threshold. The Social Security Administration does not publish counts under five, so a name given to four children looks the same as one given to none.
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Judges 9:28 |
| Last appears | Judges 9:41 |
| Cross-references | 24 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Abimelech attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Gideon.
- Ebed attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Gideon.
- Jotham attested sibling Attested sibling — both named as children of Gideon.
- Gaal co-occurrence Appears with Gaal in Judges 9.
- Ebed co-occurrence Appears with Ebed 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.
Origin & meaning
A man living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jdg.9.28
§ Zebul = "exalted"
chief man of the city of Shechem at the time of the contest between Abimelech and the native Canaanites
Zebul was the governor of Shechem who served under Abimelech, the son of Gideon, during his reign as king.
The biblical story
Zebul was the governor of the city of Shechem during the reign of Abimelech, the son of Gideon, who had declared himself king over Israel. When Gaal, son of Ebed, came to Shechem and incited the people against Abimelech, Zebul remained loyal to Abimelech and informed him of the rebellion. Acting on Abimelech's instructions, Zebul challenged Gaal to fight against Abimelech's forces. In the ensuing battle, Gaal and his followers were defeated, and Abimelech took control of the city. Zebul then drove out Gaal and his brothers from Shechem. Zebul's actions demonstrate his loyalty to Abimelech and his role in quelling the rebellion and maintaining Abimelech's authority over the city of Shechem. The narrative highlights the political tensions and power struggles that existed during the period of the judges.
Key verses
Zebul appears in 5 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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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 when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.
Judges 9:36 -
Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them.
Judges 9:38 -
And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem.
Judges 9:41
Show all 5 references
Judges (5)
- Judges 9:28
- Judges 9:30
- Judges 9:36
- Judges 9:38
- Judges 9:41