Zebul זְבֻל
Governor of Shechem under Abimelech
Who is Zebul in the Bible?
Zebul was the governor or deputy of Shechem who served under Abimelech, the son of Gideon, during Abimelech's reign as king over Israel (Judges 9:28-41). When Gaal son of Ebed arrived in Shechem and incited the citizens to rebel against Abimelech, Zebul remained loyal and reported the uprising to his king. Following Abimelech's orders, Zebul confronted Gaal and challenged him to battle, and after Gaal's defeat, Zebul drove him and his supporters from the city. His role in the narrative demonstrates the loyalty of Abimelech's officials and illustrates the political instability and power struggles that characterized the period of the judges in ancient Israel.
Biography
Zebul was the governor of the city of Shechem during the reign of Abimelech, the son of Gideon, who had declared himself king over Israel. When Gaal, son of Ebed, came to Shechem and incited the people against Abimelech, Zebul remained loyal to Abimelech and informed him of the rebellion. Acting on Abimelech's instructions, Zebul challenged Gaal to fight against Abimelech's forces. In the ensuing battle, Gaal and his followers were defeated, and Abimelech took control of the city. Zebul then drove out Gaal and his brothers from Shechem. Zebul's actions demonstrate his loyalty to Abimelech and his role in quelling the rebellion and maintaining Abimelech's authority over the city of Shechem. The narrative highlights the political tensions and power struggles that existed during the period of the judges.
In Scripture
1 biblical bookJudges 5 verses
- Judges 9:28
"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?"
- Judges 9:30
"When Zebul the governor of the city heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed, he burned with anger."
- Judges 9:36
"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.”"
- Judges 9:38
"“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!”"
- Judges 9:41
"Abimelech stayed in Arumah, and Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | זְבֻל |
Encyclopedia Article
ISBE 1915 (Public Domain) Zebul
"Bible:1Kgs.22.26">1Ki 22:26 = 2Ch 18:25; 2Ki 23:8; 2Ch 34:8; he was "commandant of the town" of Shechem. In Jud 9:28 he is referred to as the paqidh, "officer," or, more correctly, "deputy" of Abimelech. This verse is a little difficult, but if we read "served" for "serve ye," it becomes fairly clear in meaning. With Moore (Judges, 255 ff) we may translate it thus: "Who is Abimelech? and who is Shechem, that we should serve him (i.e. Abimelech)? Did not the son of Jerubbaal and Zebul his deputy (formerly) serve the people of Qamor (the father of Shechem)? Why then should we serve him (Abimelech)?" This is also the way Budde (Kurzer Hand-Comm. z. Altes Testament, 75) takes the verse. And further in Jud 9:29 for "and he said" many read with the Septuagint "then would I say."
The position of Zebul is here that of a deputy to Abimelech, who lived in Arumah (Jud 9:41). When Gaal came to Shechem, a newcomer with a band of men, he seized the opportunity at a vintage feast to attack Abimelech and express a desire to lead a revolt against him (Jud 9:26-29). Zebul heard these words and reported the matter to his master, vising him to make s sudden rush upon the city (Jud 9:30-33). This Abimelech does, and Gaal, on noticing the troops, tells Zebul, who turns upon him and bids him make good his bragging words. Gaal is thus forced to go out and fight Abimelech, and is defeated (Jud 9:34-40).
If this be the correct interpretation of the narrative so far, it is fairly simple and clear. Some, however, maintain that the words of Gaal about Zebul in Jud 9:28 are meant as an insult to the governor of the city; this is the view of Wellbausch (Compos., 353 f, note) and Nowack (Handkomm.; compare also his Archdologie, I, 304, 308, for the meaning of sar). Zebul is, according to them, head of the Shechemite community, and Wellhausen and Kittel (History of Hebrew, II, 85) believe him to have had something to do with the revolt of 9:23-25. For the latter view there is no proof; possibly Zebul was the head of the community of Shechem, but as he was a subject of Abimelech, who was the king or prince of Shechem, there could not be much sting in calling him the" deputy" of his master.
The questions that arise from Jud 9:41 ff need only be referred to here. Many critics have seen in 9:22-45 more than one source. Moore groups the verses thus:
(1) 9:22-23,25,42 ff as due to the Elohist (E), with 9:24 from RJE;
(2) 9:26-41 due to J. It is doubtful if the division is as clear as this.
There seem however to be parallels
(1) The plans of Abimelech in 9:34-40 are very similar to those in 9:42 ff.
(2) Jud 9:41 b seems to give in short what we find related in 9:34-40.
(3) Septuagint in 9:31 has suggested to many that we should read there, "and he sent messengers unto Abimelech in Arumah," instead of reading "craftily." We would thus have a parallel to 9:41a.
It may be suggested therefore that if the account be double (and it is strange that Abimelech should again attack the city by almost the same methods as before, when the revolters had been already got rid of), the narratives would be in this order:
Introductory, Jud 9:23-25; then 9:26-29,30 common to both, and so possibly part of 9:31 and 32 f. Then we have two accounts of the event: (a) 9:31 (part),34-40; (b) 9:41-45, followed by 9:46 ff.
David Francis Roberts
zeb`-u-lon-it.
See ZEBULUNITES.
zeb'-u-lun (zebhulun, also written zebuwlun and zebuluwn; the first form occurs only in <ref os