Bible Encyclopedia: Zebul

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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ZEBUL

ze'-bul (zebhul, perhaps "exalted"; Zeboul): In Judges 9:26;. He is called in 9:30 sar ha-`ir, "the ruler of the city," a phrase translated "the governor of the city" in 1 Kings 22:26 = 2 Chronicles 18:25 2 Kings 23:8; 2 Chronicles 34:8; he was "commandant of the town" of Shechem. In Judges 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;) 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 Judges 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 (Judges 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 (Judges 9:26-29). Zebul heard these words and reported the matter to his master, vising him to make s sudden rush upon the city (Judges 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 (Judges 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 Judges 9:28 are meant as an insult to the governor of the city; this is the view of Wellbausch (Compos., 353, 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 Judges 9:41; 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; 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;.

(2) Judges 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, Judges 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;.

David Francis Roberts

Strong's Hebrew

2083. Zebul -- an officer of Abimelech
... 2082, 2083. Zebul. 2084 . an officer of Abimelech. Transliteration:
Zebul Phonetic Spelling: (zeb-ool') Short Definition: Zebul. ...
/hebrew/2083.htm - 6k

2073. zebul -- elevation, height, lofty abode
zebul or zebul. 2072, 2073. zebul or zebul. 2074 . elevation, height, lofty
abode. Transliteration: zebul or zebul Phonetic Spelling ...
/hebrew/2073.htm - 6k

Library

That the Judges who Succeeded Gideon Made War with the Adjoining ...
... 4. Now there was one Zebul, a magistrate of the Shechemites, that had entertained
Abimelech. ... Then said Zebul, "Didst not thou reproach Abimelech for cowardice? ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 that the judges.htm

The Crowning of Abimelech
... is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? ... And when Zebul the ruler of
the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled. ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/iii the crowning of abimelech.htm

Letter Xcii. The Synodical Letter of Theophilus to the Bishops of ...
... performed. Now, like Zebul (Beelzebub) they go to and fro on the earth.
I have done them no harm; I have even protected them. But ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xcii the synodical letter.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... The presence among them of a certain Zebul, the officer and representative of Abimelech,
restrained them at first from breaking out into rebellion, but they ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Second visit to Nazareth - the Mission of the Twelve.
... For, Zebhul, ({hebrew}) means in Rabbinic language, not any ordinary dwelling, but
specifically the Temple, [3080] [3081] and Beel-Zebul would be the Master of ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxvii second visit to.htm

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

Zebul

a habitation

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Zebul

(habitation), chief man (Authorized Version "ruler") of the city of Shechem at the time of the contest between Abimelech and the native Canaanites. (Judges 9:28,30,36,41) (B.C. 1209.)

ATS Bible Dictionary

Zebul

A governor of the city of Shechem, who labored adroitly to preserve the city for Abimelech his master, the son of Gideon, Jud 9:1- 57.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Habitation, the governor of Shechem under Abimelech (Judges 9:28, 30, 36). He informed his master of the intention of the people of Shechem to transfer their allegiance to the Hivite tribe of Hamor. This led to Abimelech's destroying the city, when he put its entire population to the sword, and sowed the ruins with salt (Judges 9:28-45).

Thesaurus

Zebul (5 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ZEBUL. ... Did not the son of Jerubbaal and Zebul his
deputy (formerly) serve the people of Qamor (the father of Shechem)? ...
/z/zebul.htm - 12k

Baal-zebul (6 Occurrences)
Baal-zebul. Ba'al-ze'bub, Baal-zebul. Baal-zebul's . Multi-Version
Concordance Baal-zebul (6 Occurrences). Matthew 10 ...
/b/baal-zebul.htm - 8k

Be-el'zebul (7 Occurrences)
Be-el'zebul. Beelzebul, Be-el'zebul. Been . Multi-Version
Concordance Be-el'zebul (7 Occurrences). Matthew 10:25 It ...
/b/be-el'zebul.htm - 8k

Baal-zebul's (1 Occurrence)
Baal-zebul's. Baal-zebul, Baal-zebul's. Baalzephon . Multi-Version
Concordance Baal-zebul's (1 Occurrence). Matthew ...
/b/baal-zebul's.htm - 6k

Gaal (10 Occurrences)
... and Zebul his officer? ... Judges 9:30 When Zebul the ruler of the city heard
the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled. ...
/g/gaal.htm - 10k

Ga'al (8 Occurrences)
... (DBY RSV). Judges 9:30 When Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words
of Ga'al the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled. (DBY RSV). ...
/g/ga'al.htm - 8k

Expels (3 Occurrences)
... Expels (3 Occurrences). Matthew 12:24 The Pharisees heard it and said, "This man
only expels demons by the power of Baal-zebul, the Prince of demons." (WEY). ...
/e/expels.htm - 7k

Expel (29 Occurrences)
... Expel (29 Occurrences). Matthew 12:27 And if it is by Baal-zebul's power that
I expel the demons, by whose power do your disciples expel them? ...
/e/expel.htm - 15k

Tops (37 Occurrences)
... Judges 9:36 When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, "Behold, people are coming
down from the tops of the mountains." Zebul said to him, "You see the shadow ...
/t/tops.htm - 18k

Ebed (7 Occurrences)
... and Zebul his officer? ... Judges 9:30 When Zebul the ruler of the city heard
the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled. ...
/e/ebed.htm - 9k

Bible Concordance

Zebul (5 Occurrences)

Judges 9:28 Gaal the son of Ebed said, "Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? Isn't he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? Serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: but why should we serve him?
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 9:30 When Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 9:36 When Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, "Behold, people are coming down from the tops of the mountains." Zebul said to him, "You see the shadow of the mountains as if they were men."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 9:38 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? Go out now, please, and fight with them."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 9:41 Abimelech lived at Arumah: and Zebul drove out Gaal and his brothers, that they should not dwell in Shechem.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Zebul

Zebul: An officer of Abimelech

Related Terms

Baal-zebul (6 Occurrences)

Be-el'zebul (7 Occurrences)

Baal-zebul's (1 Occurrence)

Gaal (10 Occurrences)

Ga'al (8 Occurrences)

Expels (3 Occurrences)

Expel (29 Occurrences)

Tops (37 Occurrences)