Judges 9:28-29

9:28 Gaal son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerub-Baal, and is not Zebul the deputy he appointed? ¹  Serve the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem! But why should we serve Abimelech? ²  9:29 If only these men ³  were under my command, ⁴  I would get rid of Abimelech!” He challenged Abimelech, ⁵  “Muster ⁶  your army and come out for battle!” ⁷ 

¹ tn Heb “and Zebul his appointee.”

² tn Heb “him”; the referent (Abimelech) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

³ tn Heb “people.”

⁴ tn Heb “in my hand.”

⁵ tn Heb “said to Abimelech.” On the other hand, the preposition ל (lamed) prefixed to the proper name may be vocative (see R. G. Boling, Judges [AB], 178). If so, one could translate, “He boasted, ‘Abimelech…’”

⁶ tn Heb “Make numerous.”

⁷ tn The words “for battle” are interpretive.