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.
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Glossary
- Abimelech Person
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My father a king, or father of a king, a common name of the Philistine kings, as “Pharaoh” was of the Egyptian kings. (1. ) The Philistine king of Gerar in the time of Abraham ( Gen. 20:1-18 ).
- Shechem Place
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Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tell Balatah.
- Ebed Person
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Slave, the father of Gaal, in whom the men of Shechem “put confidence” in their conspiracy against Abimelech ( Judg. 9:26 , 26, 30, 31).
- Gaal Person
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Loathing, the son of Ebed, in whom the Shechemites “placed their confidence” when they became discontented with Abimelech.
- City People
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The earliest mention of city-building is that of Enoch, which was built by Cain ( Gen. 4:17 ). After the confusion of tongues, the descendants of Nimrod founded several cities (10:10-12).
- Arumah Place
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Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Khirbet Urmah.