Judges 9:31
"And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily,.... In a secret manner, unknown to Gaal and the men of Shechem; or "craftily", as Jarchi and Kimchi interpret it, still dissembling, notwithstanding his anger, to be in the interest of Gaal, and the men of Shechem, as appears indeed

afterwards by a show of friendliness with Gaal, Jdg 9:36 though, according to Joseph Kimchi and Ben Gersom, Thormah is the name of the place where Abimelech was, the same with Arumah, Jdg 9:41 and the sense is, that he sent messengers to Abimelech at Thormah or Arumah: saying, Gaal the son of Ebal, and his brethren, be come to Shechem; a family that Abimelech well knew, and if they were of the race of the old Canaanites, he would easily perceive their design: and, behold, they fortify the city against thee; by repairing its fortifications, or adding new works; or "besiege" (i) it, which, as that is done by placing an army around it without, that none can come out of it, so by setting a watch within, and upon the walls, and at the gates of it, that none can come in, which is here meant; though some interpret it of their design to besiege the city Thormah, where Abimelech was, of which he gives him notice; or rather they set the city against thee, make the inhabitants thine enemies. (i) "obsident", Pagninus, Munster, Drusius; "obsidere cogitant", Piscator.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (18 words)

H7971 שָׁלַח
Definition:

18 +; Aramaicשְׁלַךְ,, SoBuhlBaEs 41compare Arabic(r = l),send forth, drivecattle to pasture,send messenger, etc., but then different √ for I.שֶׁלַךְ, Arabic,weapon; Assyrian probablyšalû(send, hurl?) 18 +; Aramaicשְׁלַךְ,, SoBuhlBaEs 41compare Arabic(r = l),send forth, drivecattle to pasture,send messenger, etc., but then different √ for I.שֶׁלַךְ, Arabic,weapon; Assyrian probablyšalû(send, hurl?)

H4397 מֲלְאָךְ
Definition:

2048t.; constructמַלְאַךְGenesis 16:769t.; suffixesמַלְאָכִיExodus 23:233t.;מַלְאָכוֺGenesis 24:7,40; pluralמַלְאָכִיםGenesis 32:463t. +מלאכים2 Samuel 11:1Kt ( Qrמלכים); constructמַלְאֲכֵיGenesis 28:1 2048t.; constructמַלְאַךְGenesis 16:769t.; suffixesמַלְאָכִיExodus 23:233t.;מַלְאָכוֺGenesis 24:7,40; pluralמַלְאָכִיםGenesis 32:463t. +מלאכים2 Samuel 11:1Kt ( Qrמלכים); constructמַלְאֲכֵיGenesis 28:1

Possible Meanings:
  • angel (semantic_range)
H0413 אֶל
Definition:

22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE 22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE

Possible Meanings:
  • these (semantic_range)
H0040 אֲבִימֶלֶךְ
Definition:

18#NAME?1king of GerarGenesis 20:2,3,4 +,Genesis 21:22,25 (twice in verse) +,Genesis 26:1,8 + (24 t. Genesis).2king of Gath PsalmGenesis 34:1error forאָכִישׁ, compare1 Samuel 21:11f; — a better known 18#NAME?1king of GerarGenesis 20:2,3,4 +,Genesis 21:22,25 (twice in verse) +,Genesis 26:1,8 + (24 t. Genesis).2king of Gath PsalmGenesis 34:1error forאָכִישׁ, compare1 Samuel 21:11f; — a better known

Possible Meanings:
  • Melek (semantic_range)
  • is father (semantic_range)
H8649 תָּרְמָה
Definition:

And tarmuwth {tar-mooth'}; or tarmiyth {tar-meeth'}; fromramah; fraud -- deceit(-ful), privily.see HEBREWramahBrown-Driver-Briggsתָּרְמָהin׳בְּתJudges 9:31si vera lectioin treachery, treacherously, bu And tarmuwth {tar-mooth'}; or tarmiyth {tar-meeth'}; fromramah; fraud -- deceit(-ful), privily.see HEBREWramahBrown-Driver-Briggsתָּרְמָהin׳בְּתJudges 9:31si vera lectioin treachery, treacherously, bu

H0559 אָמַר
Definition:

1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe 1+, etc.;ImperfectיאֹמַרGenesis 31:8+;וַיּאֹ֫מֶרGenesis 1:3+;וַיּאֹמַ֑רGenesis 14:19+; in Job alwaysוַיּאֹ֑מַרJob 3:2+; 3 feminine singularתּאֹמַרGenesis 21:12+;תּאֹמֵר֑Proverbs 1:21; 1singularאֹמַרGe

Possible Meanings:
  • lamb (semantic_range)
H2009 הִנֵּה
Definition:

2,demonstrative particlelo! behold!(certainly, surely, literallylo !), with suffix (the pronoun being conceived as accusative, Ew§ 262 c.; compare,, which takes an accusative, whether of a noun or pro 2,demonstrative particlelo! behold!(certainly, surely, literallylo !), with suffix (the pronoun being conceived as accusative, Ew§ 262 c.; compare,, which takes an accusative, whether of a noun or pro

Possible Meanings:
  • hither (semantic_range)
H1603 גַּעַל
Definition:

26,28,30,31,35,36,37,39,41.Topical LexiconIdentity within the Book of JudgesGaal son of Ebed appears only inJudges 9, a chapter that records the turbulent aftermath of Gideon’s judgeship and the brief 26,28,30,31,35,36,37,39,41.Topical LexiconIdentity within the Book of JudgesGaal son of Ebed appears only inJudges 9, a chapter that records the turbulent aftermath of Gideon’s judgeship and the brief

Possible Meanings:
  • loathing (semantic_range)
H1121 בֵּן
Definition:

25+;ֵ˜בּןֿEzekiel 18:10; constructבֵּןGenesis 49:22(twice in verse);בֶּןֿGenesis 5:32+;בֶּןEsther 2:5;Nehemiah 6:18, & with prefixGenesis 17:17;Numbers 8:25;1 Chronicles 27:23; 2Chronicles 25:5; 31:16 25+;ֵ˜בּןֿEzekiel 18:10; constructבֵּןGenesis 49:22(twice in verse);בֶּןֿGenesis 5:32+;בֶּןEsther 2:5;Nehemiah 6:18, & with prefixGenesis 17:17;Numbers 8:25;1 Chronicles 27:23; 2Chronicles 25:5; 31:16

Possible Meanings:
  • son (semantic_range)
  • son (semantic_range)
  • children (semantic_range)
  • youth (semantic_range)
  • young men (semantic_range)
H5651 עֶבֶד
Definition:

26,28,30,31,35 (GFM, after HollenbThLz 1891, 371[compare BuIb. 1892, 63]עֹבֵד, asᵐ5L; see also GrayProp. N. 184, 272);ᵐ5Ιωβηλ, Aᵐ5LΑβεδ.2a companion of EzraEzra 8:6;ᵐ5Ωβηθ,ᵐ5LΑμιναδαβ. — For list of A 26,28,30,31,35 (GFM, after HollenbThLz 1891, 371[compare BuIb. 1892, 63]עֹבֵד, asᵐ5L; see also GrayProp. N. 184, 272);ᵐ5Ιωβηλ, Aᵐ5LΑβεδ.2a companion of EzraEzra 8:6;ᵐ5Ωβηθ,ᵐ5LΑμιναδαβ. — For list of A

Possible Meanings:
  • slave (semantic_range)
  • servant (semantic_range)
H0251 אָח
Definition:

29+ (Ezekiel 18:10 strike out Co compareᵐ5ᵑ6ᵑ9; Ew Smאַח; Dl BaEz xdefends as =onecompare Assyriana—u) never with article; cstrאֲחִיGenesis 10:21+; suffixאָחִיGenesis 4:9+;אָחִיךָGenesis 4:9+;אָחִיוGe 29+ (Ezekiel 18:10 strike out Co compareᵐ5ᵑ6ᵑ9; Ew Smאַח; Dl BaEz xdefends as =onecompare Assyriana—u) never with article; cstrאֲחִיGenesis 10:21+; suffixאָחִיGenesis 4:9+;אָחִיךָGenesis 4:9+;אָחִיוGe

Possible Meanings:
  • brother (semantic_range)
H0935 בּוֹא
Definition:

13+; 3 feminine singularבָּ֫אָהGenesis 15:17+; suffixבָּאַתְנוּPsalm 44:18; 2masculine singularבָּ֫אתָJoshua 13:1+,בָּ֫אתָה2 Samuel 3:7; 2feminine singularבָּאתְGenesis 16:8;Ruth 2:12,וּבָאתְconsecuti 13+; 3 feminine singularבָּ֫אָהGenesis 15:17+; suffixבָּאַתְנוּPsalm 44:18; 2masculine singularבָּ֫אתָJoshua 13:1+,בָּ֫אתָה2 Samuel 3:7; 2feminine singularבָּאתְGenesis 16:8;Ruth 2:12,וּבָאתְconsecuti

Possible Meanings:
  • come in (semantic_range)
  • come (semantic_range)
  • go in (semantic_range)
  • go (semantic_range)
  • come in (semantic_range)
H7927 שְׁכֶם
Definition:

1district in Northern Palestine(probablyshoulder(saddle ?) of mountain); —׳מְקוֺם שׁGenesis 12:6,שְׁכֶ֑מָךְGenesis 37:14; = city (שְׁכֶ֑מָה שְֶׁכֶם,Hosea 6:9שֶׁ֑כְמָךְ)Joshua 24:1;׳עִיר שׁGenesis 33:1 1district in Northern Palestine(probablyshoulder(saddle ?) of mountain); —׳מְקוֺם שׁGenesis 12:6,שְׁכֶ֑מָךְGenesis 37:14; = city (שְׁכֶ֑מָה שְֶׁכֶם,Hosea 6:9שֶׁ֑כְמָךְ)Joshua 24:1;׳עִיר שׁGenesis 33:1

Possible Meanings:
  • start (semantic_range)
  • rise (semantic_range)
  • early (semantic_range)
H2009 הִנֵּה
Definition:

2,demonstrative particlelo! behold!(certainly, surely, literallylo !), with suffix (the pronoun being conceived as accusative, Ew§ 262 c.; compare,, which takes an accusative, whether of a noun or pro 2,demonstrative particlelo! behold!(certainly, surely, literallylo !), with suffix (the pronoun being conceived as accusative, Ew§ 262 c.; compare,, which takes an accusative, whether of a noun or pro

Possible Meanings:
  • hither (semantic_range)
H6696 צוּר
Definition:

A primitive root; to cramp, i.e. Confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or hostile) -- adversary, assault, beset, besiege, bind (up), cast, distress, fashion, fortify, in A primitive root; to cramp, i.e. Confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or hostile) -- adversary, assault, beset, besiege, bind (up), cast, distress, fashion, fortify, in

Possible Meanings:
  • Rock (semantic_range)
H0853 אֵת
Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (semantic_range)
H5892 עִיר
Definition:

Or (in the plural) par {awr}; or ayar (Judges 10:4) {aw-yar'}; fromuwra city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post) -- Ai (from margin), city, c Or (in the plural) par {awr}; or ayar (Judges 10:4) {aw-yar'}; fromuwra city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post) -- Ai (from margin), city, c

Possible Meanings:
  • wakeful (semantic_range)
  • one (semantic_range)
  • angel (semantic_range)
H5921 עַל
Definition:

“The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the “The Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). From the opening verses, עַל marks God’s sovereignty above the chaotic deep, foreshadowing His orderly governance of the

Possible Meanings:
  • upon (semantic_range)
  • on account of (semantic_range)
  • to (semantic_range)

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