Introduction:
Zebul is a biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Judges, specifically in the narrative concerning Abimelech, the son of Gideon. Zebul's role is primarily political, serving as a key figure in the governance of Shechem during Abimelech's tumultuous reign. His actions and decisions are pivotal in the unfolding events that lead to the downfall of Abimelech.

Biblical References:
Zebul is prominently featured in Judges 9, where he is described as the "ruler of the city" of Shechem under Abimelech's authority. His interactions with Gaal, son of Ebed, and his subsequent loyalty to Abimelech are central to the narrative.

Role and Actions:
Zebul's primary role is as a governor or official in Shechem, acting under the authority of Abimelech. His political acumen and loyalty to Abimelech are evident in his handling of the insurrection led by Gaal. When Gaal arrives in Shechem and begins to incite the people against Abimelech, Zebul initially conceals his allegiance to Abimelech, allowing him to gather intelligence on Gaal's plans.

In Judges 9:28-29 , Gaal challenges Abimelech's authority, saying, "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? Serve the men of Hamor, the father of Shechem! But why should we serve him?" This statement highlights the tension and division within Shechem, as well as Zebul's position as a representative of Abimelech's rule.

Strategic Maneuvering:
Zebul's strategic mind is further demonstrated when he informs Abimelech of Gaal's rebellion. In Judges 9:31 , Zebul sends messengers to Abimelech, saying, "Look, Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers have come to Shechem and are stirring up the city against you." Zebul's covert support for Abimelech is crucial in quelling the uprising.

Zebul's cunning is also evident in his interaction with Gaal. In Judges 9:36-38 , when Gaal sees Abimelech's forces approaching, Zebul deceives him by downplaying the threat, saying, "You are seeing the shadows of the mountains as if they were men." This deception buys time for Abimelech to position his forces strategically.

Outcome and Legacy:
Zebul's loyalty to Abimelech and his strategic actions contribute significantly to the defeat of Gaal and the suppression of the rebellion in Shechem. However, the broader narrative of Judges 9 reveals the eventual downfall of Abimelech, fulfilling the curse of Jotham, the son of Gideon, upon the men of Shechem and Abimelech for their treachery.

Zebul's role, while not extensively detailed, is a testament to the complex political dynamics and the often-volatile nature of leadership and loyalty in the period of the Judges. His actions serve as a reminder of the intricate interplay between power, allegiance, and divine justice as depicted in the biblical narrative.Zebul

a habitation

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.)

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.

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). 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

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

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

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

Who was Beelzebub? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus