Bible Compass
Log inGet started
Back to the chapter

Judges 9:38

AbimelechZebul

36 When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Look, people are coming down from the mountains!” But Zebul replied, “The shadows of the mountains look like men to you.”

37 Then Gaal spoke up again, “Look, people are coming down from the center of the land, and one company is coming by way of the Diviners’ Oak.”

“Where is your gloating now?” Zebul replied. “You said, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Are these not the people you ridiculed? Go out now and fight them!”

39 So Gaal went out before the leaders of Shechem and fought against Abimelech,

40 but Abimelech pursued him, and Gaal fled before him. And many Shechemites fell wounded all the way to the entrance of the gate.

Read the whole chapter

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
“Where is your gloating now?” Zebul replied. “You said, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Are these not the people you ridiculed? Go out now and fight them!”
KJV
Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them.
WEB
Then Zebul said to him, “Now where is your mouth, that you said, ‘Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him?’ Isn’t this the people that you have despised? Please go out now and fight with them.”
ASV
Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, that thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that thou hast despised? go out now, I pray, and fight with them.
DARBY
Then said Zebul to him, Where is now thy mouth, thou that saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that thou hast despised? go out now, I pray, and fight against them.
BLB
And Zebul said to him, “Where now is your mouth, with which you said, ‘Who [is] Abimelech, that we should serve him?’ [Is] this not the people whom you have despised? Go out, please, now, and fight against it.”
ÅB
Da sa Sebul til ham: Hvor er nå dine store ord, du som sa: Hvem er Abimelek, at vi skulle tjene ham? Der er jo de folk du foraktet! Gå nå ut og strid imot dem!
OTB
Da sa Sebul til ham: "Hvor er din skryt nå, du som sa: 'Hvem er Abimelek at vi skulle tjene ham?' Er dette ikke folket du hånte? Gå ut og kjemp mot dem!"
B1930
Da sa Sebul til ham: Hvor er nu dine store ord, du som sa: Hvem er Abimelek, at vi skulde tjene ham? Der er jo de folk du foraktet! Gå nu ut og strid imot dem!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Judges 9:28–29

    Then Gaal son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, and is not Zebul his officer? You are to serve the men of Hamor, the father of Shechem. Why should we serve Abimelech?

    Read in context

  • Jeremiah 2:28

    But where are the gods you made for yourselves? Let them rise up in your time of trouble and save you if they can; for your gods are as numerous as your cities, O Judah.

    Read in context

  • 2 Kings 14:8–14

    Then Amaziah sent messengers to the king of Israel Jehoash son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu. “Come, let us meet face to face,” he said.

    Read in context

  • 2 Samuel 2:26–27

    Then Abner called out to Joab: “Must the sword devour forever? Do you not realize that this will only end in bitterness? How long before you tell the troops to stop pursuing their brothers?”

    Read in context