Judges 9:26

9:26 Gaal son of Ebed ¹  came through Shechem with his brothers. The leaders of Shechem transferred their loyalty to him. ² 

Judges 9:34

9:34 So Abimelech and all his men came up ³  at night and set an ambush outside Shechem – they divided into ⁴  four units.

Judges 9:46

9:46 When all the leaders of the Tower of Shechem ⁵  heard the news, they went to the stronghold ⁶  of the temple of El-Berith. ⁷ 

[9:26]  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.

[9:26]  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).

[9:34]  ³ tn Heb “and all the people who were with him arose.”

[9:34]  ⁴ tn Heb “four heads.” The words “they divided into” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

[9:46]  ⁵ sn Perhaps the Tower of Shechem was a nearby town, distinct from Shechem proper, or a tower within the city.

[9:46]  ⁶ tn Apparently this rare word refers here to the most inaccessible area of the temple, perhaps the inner sanctuary or an underground chamber. It appears only here and in 1 Sam 13:6, where it is paired with “cisterns” and refers to subterranean or cave-like hiding places.

[9:46]  ⁷ sn The name El-Berith means “God of the Covenant.” It is probably a reference to the Canaanite high god El.