Judges 9:26-35

9:26

brothers <0251> [brethren.]

9:27

celebrated <01974> [merry. or, songs.]

temple <01004> [the house.]

ate <0398> [did eat.]

cursed <07043> [cursed.]

9:28

Abimelech <040> [Who is Abimelech.]

Hamor <02544> [Hamor.]

9:29

men <05971> [would to God.]

The very words and conduct of a sly, hypocritical demagogue.

challenged <0559> [And he said.]

Rather, "and I would say to Abimelech," as the LXX. renders; for as Dr. Wall observes, this was probably not said in the presence of Abimelech; but at an intemperate feast, in his absence, when he boasted he would challenge him.

Muster ... army ..... for battle <07235 06635> [Increase thine army.]

9:30

furious <02734> [kindled. or, hot.]

9:31

Arumah <08649> [privily. Heb. craftily, or, to Tormah. they fortify.]

Under pretence of repairing the walls and towers, they were actually putting the place in a state of defence, intending to seize on the government as soon as they found Abimelech coming against them.

9:32

night <03915> [by night.]

9:33

can <03027 04672> [as thou shalt find. Heb. as thine hand shall find.]

9:35

Gaal <01603> [Gaal.]

Of this person we know no more than is here recorded. He was probably one of the descendants of the Canaanites, who hoped, from the state of the public mind and their disaffection to Abimelech, to cause a revolution, and thus to restore the ancient government as it was under Hamor, the father of Shechem. Josephus says he was a man of authority, who sojourned with them, with his armed men and kinsmen; and that the Shechemites desired that he would allow them a guard during the vintage.

men <05971> [the people.]