6:33 All the Midianites, Amalekites, and the people from the east 1 assembled. They crossed the Jordan River 2 and camped in the Jezreel Valley.
9:26 Gaal son of Ebed 3 came through Shechem with his brothers. The leaders of Shechem transferred their loyalty to him. 4
1 tn Heb “Midian, Amalek, and the sons of the east.”
2 tn The words “the Jordan River” are not in the Hebrew text, but are supplied in the translation for clarification.
1 sn The name Gaal derives from, or at least sounds like, a Hebrew verb meaning “to abhor, loathe.” His father’s name, Ebed, means “servant.” Perhaps then this could be translated, “loathsome one, son of a servant.” This individual’s very name (which may be the narrator’s nickname for him, not his actual name) seems to hint at his immoral character and lowly social status.
2 tn Heb “trusted in him.” Here the verb probably describes more than a mental attitude. It is likely that the Shechemites made an alliance with Gaal and were now trusting him for protection in return for their loyalty (and probably tribute).
1 tn Heb “and they passed by and went.”
2 tn Heb “which belongs to Benjamin.”
1 tn Heb “the house of Ephraim.”
2 tn Or “Israel experienced great distress.” Perhaps here the verb has the nuance “hemmed in.”