Ebed is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the context of the Book of Judges. The name "Ebed" means "servant" in Hebrew, which is reflective of the roles and positions often held by individuals with this name in biblical narratives.

Biblical References:

1. Ebed, Father of Gaal: The most notable mention of Ebed is in Judges 9:26-41. Ebed is identified as the father of Gaal, who played a significant role in the rebellion against Abimelech, the son of Gideon. Gaal, son of Ebed, arrived in Shechem with his brothers and gained the trust of the Shechemites, who were discontent with Abimelech's rule. Gaal incited the people of Shechem to revolt against Abimelech, leading to a confrontation. The narrative highlights the political instability and the cycle of retribution that characterized the period of the Judges.

· Judges 9:26 : "Now Gaal son of Ebed came with his brothers and crossed into Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem put their confidence in him."

Ebed's mention is brief, and the text does not provide further details about his life or character. His significance is primarily through his son, Gaal, whose actions against Abimelech are recorded in the biblical account.

Historical and Theological Context:

The period of the Judges was marked by a lack of centralized leadership in Israel, leading to frequent cycles of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance. The account of Gaal, son of Ebed, is set against this backdrop of tribal conflict and the struggle for power. The narrative illustrates the consequences of Israel's disobedience to God and the resulting social and political chaos.

Ebed's mention in the Bible, though limited, serves as a reminder of the familial and tribal dynamics that influenced the history of Israel during the time of the Judges. The account of Gaal and the Shechemites' rebellion against Abimelech underscores the themes of loyalty, betrayal, and divine justice that are prevalent throughout the Book of Judges.

Cultural and Linguistic Notes:

The name "Ebed" is derived from the Hebrew root "ʿbd," meaning "to serve" or "servant." This root is common in Semitic languages and is often used in the context of servitude or subordination. The name reflects a common practice in ancient Near Eastern cultures of naming individuals based on their roles or characteristics.

In the broader biblical narrative, the concept of servanthood is significant, as it often denotes a relationship of submission to God or to human authority. While Ebed himself is not a central figure, the implications of his name align with the biblical theme of servitude to God's will and the consequences of deviating from divine commandments.

Conclusion:

Ebed's brief mention in the Bible, through his son Gaal, provides insight into the turbulent period of the Judges and the complex interplay of personal ambition and divine providence. The account serves as a historical and theological reflection on the nature of leadership and the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant.Ebed

a servant; laborer

Ebed

(a servant). (Many MSS. have EBER.)

1. Father of Gaal, who with his brethren assisted the men of Shechem in their revolt against Abimelech. (Judges 9:26,28,30,31,35) (B.C. 1206).
2. Son of Jonathan; one of the Bene-Adin who returned form Babylon with Ezra. (Ezra 8:6)

Slave, the father of Gaal, in whom the men of Shechem "put confidence" in their conspiracy against Abimelech (Judges 9:26, 26, 30, 31). EBED

e'-bed (`ebhedh, "servant"):

(1) Father of Gaal, who rebelled against Abimelech (Judges 9:26-35).

(2) A companion of Ezra in his return (Ezra 8:6) = Obeth (APC 1Esdras 8:32).

5651. Ebed -- "servant," two Israelites
... 5650, 5651. Ebed. 5652 . "servant," two Israelites. Transliteration: Ebed Phonetic
Spelling: (eh'-bed) Short Definition: Ebed. ... NASB Word Usage Ebed (6). Ebed ...
/hebrew/5651.htm - 6k

5663. Ebed Melek -- "servant of a king," an official under King ...
Ebed Melek. 5662, 5663. Ebed Melek. 5664 . "servant of a king," an official
under King Zedekiah. Transliteration: Ebed Melek Phonetic ...
/hebrew/5663.htm - 6k

5650. ebed -- slave, servant
... 5649, 5650. ebed. 5651 . slave, servant. Transliteration: ebed Phonetic Spelling:
(eh'-bed) Short Definition: servants. ... 5649, 5650. ebed. 5651 . ...
/hebrew/5650.htm - 6k

5661. Abdiel -- "servant of God," a Gadite
... Abdiel. From ebed and 'el; servant of God; Abdiel, an Israelite -- Abdiel. Compare
Abd'el. see HEBREW ebed. see HEBREW 'el. see HEBREW Abd'el. 5660, 5661. ...
/hebrew/5661.htm - 6k

5649. abad -- slave, servant
... servants. Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to ebed Definition slave,
servant NASB Word Usage servant (1), servants (6). servant. ...
/hebrew/5649.htm - 6k

The Crowning of Abimelech
... Abimelech. And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over
to Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their trust in him. ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/iii the crowning of abimelech.htm

Index of Names and Subjects.
... Duhm, Professor, 8, 15, 37, 38, 40, 82, 83, 91, 98, 115, 166, 194, 222, 227, 243,
244, 257, 268, 269, 276, 287, 295, 300, 312, 329, 375, etc. Ebed-Melech, 281. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/index of names and subjects.htm

The Catholic Epistles
... Thus Ebed Jesu, Metropolitan of Nisibis, and the last prelate of the Nestorian
sect who wrote important works in Syriac, died in AD1318. ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xix the catholic epistles.htm

Appendices
... the Assyrians 722. V. THE LETTERS OF EBEB-TOB (OR EBED KHEBA), VASSAL KING
OF JERUSALEM, TO AMENOPHIS IV., KING OF EGYPT. I. "To the ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm

Title and Position.
... This last title also seems applied to Bel and the Dragon in a Nestorian list mentioned
by Churton (on the same page), and in Ebed Jesu's list of Hippolytus ...
/.../daubney/the three additions to daniel a study/title and position 2.htm

Title and Position.
... The title the book of the little Daniel' seems applied to Bel and the Dragon in
a Nestorian list mentioned by Churton (p.389), and seemingly in Ebed Jesus list ...
/.../daubney/the three additions to daniel a study/title and position 3.htm

Index I.
... Donaldson, 172. Driver, Dr., 107, 186, 227. Duchesne, 86. Dyck, van, 172. Ebed Jesu,
104, 183. Edersheim, 145, 219. Eichhorn, 58. Ephrem Syrus, 78, 166, 237. ...
/.../daubney/the three additions to daniel a study/index i.htm

Introduction. I. Sources and Literature.
... Darling:* Cyclop??dia Bibliographica; Authors. Du Pin:* Bibl. Aut Eccl. [1702] III.
ii.183. Ebed-Jesu: Cat. Scr. Eccl 29.. (Assemani: Bibl. Orient. III.141.). ...
/.../introduction i sources and literature.htm

The Siege. (xxi, xxxii-xxxiv, xxxvii, xxxviii. )
... no others seem to have stirred to rescue the Prophet"unless Baruch had a hand in
what he tells and is characteristically silent about it"Ebed-melech, a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/3 the siege xxi xxxii-xxxiv.htm

Canaan
... Ebed-Asherah and his son Aziru governed the Amorites in the north, and the prefect
of Phoenicia sends bitter complaints to the Egyptian court of their ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter ii canaan.htm

Ebed (7 Occurrences)
...EBED. e'-bed (`ebhedh, "servant"): (1) Father of Gaal, who rebelled against Abimelech
(Judges 9:26-35). ... Multi-Version Concordance Ebed (7 Occurrences). ...
/e/ebed.htm - 9k

Joch'ebed (2 Occurrences)
Joch'ebed. Jochebed, Joch'ebed. Jod . Multi-Version Concordance
Joch'ebed (2 Occurrences). Exodus 6:20 And Amram took ...
/j/joch'ebed.htm - 6k

Ebed-melech (6 Occurrences)
Ebed-melech. Ebedmelech, Ebed-melech. E'bed-Mel'ech . Easton's Bible Dictionary ...
39:15-18). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. EBED-MELECH. ...
/e/ebed-melech.htm - 9k

Gaal (10 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Loathing, the son of Ebed, in whom the Shechemites "placed
their confidence" when they became discontented with Abimelech. ...
/g/gaal.htm - 10k

Ebedmelech (6 Occurrences)
...EBED-MELECH. ... For this, the word of Yahweh through Jeremiah promised Ebed-meleeh that
his life should be spared in the fall of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 39:15-18). ...
/e/ebedmelech.htm - 9k

Ga'al (8 Occurrences)
... Ga'al (8 Occurrences). Judges 9:26 And Ga'al the son of Ebed moved into Shechem
with his kinsmen; and the men of Shechem put confidence in him. (DBY RSV). ...
/g/ga'al.htm - 8k

Cushite (15 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 38:7 Now when Ebed-melech the Cushite, one of the eunuchs who was in the
king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then ...
/c/cushite.htm - 14k

Water-hole (25 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 38:7 Now it came to the ears of Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, an unsexed servant
in the king's house, that they had put Jeremiah into the water-hole; the ...
/w/water-hole.htm - 14k

Decayed (7 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 38:11 So Ebed-melech took the men with him, and went into the house of
the king under the treasury, and took thence old cast clouts and old decayed ...
/d/decayed.htm - 8k

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