Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 9:36
And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as [if they were] men.
Zebul concealed the anger which he had conceived, Jdg 9:30, and pretended compliance with him in this expedition, that he might draw him forth into the field, where Abimelech might have the opportunity of lighting with him, and overthrowing him.
Thou seest the shadow of the mountains; for in the morning, as this was, and in the evening, the shadows are longest, and move most quickly. He intimates that he was afraid of shadows.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul,…. Who was up as early, and came to the gate of the city, to see how things went, and whether there was any appearance of Abimelech and his forces, and whether any opportunity offered to let him into the city; and it seems as if he came and stood by Gaul, and appeared friendly with him:
behold, there come people down from the tops of the mountains; the mountains of Ebal and Gerizim, which were near to Shechem:
and Zebul said unto him, thou seest the shadow of the mountains, as [if they were] men; either deriding him, as being just out of his bed, and his eyes scarce open, that he could not discern shadows from men; or rather as being of such a timorous spirit, that he was afraid of shadows; or else he said this, putting on an air of seriousness, as if he really believed this to be the case, on purpose to deceive him, and keep him from talking about them, while Abimelech and his men made further advances before Gaul could make any preparation to meet them.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(36) He said to Zebul.The narrative is too brief to enable us to understand clearly the somewhat anomalous position of Zebul. He seems to have been deposed from his office, and yet to have retained the confidence of Gaal and the Shechemites.
Thou seest the shadow of the mountains.The shadow advancing as the sun rose. It was, of course, Zebuls object to keep Gaal deceived as long as possible. But it is evident that Gaals suspicions were by no means lulled. Zebul treats him almost as if he were still suffering from the intoxication of his vaunting feast.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
36. Shadow of the mountains Zebul speaks to him in deceit; that is, for the purpose of deceiving him, just as he had sent to Abimelech. Jdg 9:31. He wishes to gain time for Abimelech, and pretends that the advancing forces are but the moving shadows of the heights of Ebal, which in the early morning always spread themselves upon the landscape of Shechem.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Look, there are people coming down from the mountain heights.” And Zebul said to him, “You are seeing the shadow of the mountains, as if they were men.” ’ ’
Gaal was accompanied by Zebul, probably not suspecting that he knew of the proposed insurrection, (he had not been at the feast), and as he looked towards the mountains he thought he spotted a company of men coming down towards the city. So he pointed them out to Zebul to ask him what he thought it was. Shechem was situated between two mountains, Ebal and Gerizim, which towered over it.
“And Zebul said to him, “You are seeing the shadow of the mountains, as if they were men.” ” Zebul had his wits about him and replied calmly that Gaal was deceiving himself. What he was actually seeing was moving shadows on the mountains which simply gave the appearance of being men. All this gave Abimelech time to get nearer.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
“Handfuls of Purpose”
For All Gleaners
“Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.” Jdg 9:36 .
This text may be used as showing how possible it is to be magnifying dangers, or creating illusory enemies. Whilst this is historically true, it is spiritually indisputable. There is a tendency in the spiritual life to magnify all difficulties, and so to discourage the soul. Who has not been frightened by shadows? Who has not shrunk from the conclusions of his own just reasoning? The hill always looks to be highest when viewed from a distance. When approached it subsides and becomes really easy of ascent. We may turn some men into enemies by looking upon them from a great distance, or seeing them under unfavourable circumstances. We must come near them, and estimate them at their proper strength. Approach is sometimes the best solution of difficulties. Boldness often dissolves the mystery which it has feared. The Christian should set it down as an article of his faith that they can be only shadows which are arrayed against the Lord and against his anointed. Even Pharaoh, king of Egypt, was “but a noise.” The mightiest men who set themselves against Christ are not so much men as shadows. All this has been proved again and again in history, and the proof should be taken as an inspiration and an encouragement by the age now living and by all the ages to come. All clever arguments, all elaborated scepticisms, all new heterodoxies are but so many shadows, and are on no account to be feared by the soldiers of Christ. Remember that shadows are not to be destroyed by swords and guns, or by violence of any kind; the shadows can only be chased away by light: “Ye are the light of the world.” If we were more radiant we should see fewer shadows, or the shadows would flee away before the approaching glory. Pray for an increase of luminous-ness, that the whole character may be as a sun, shining in his strength, and dissolving and dispersing every shadow.
Fuente: The People’s Bible by Joseph Parker
Jdg 9:36 And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as [if they were] men.
Ver. 36. He said to Zebul. ] Who had hitherto played on both hands, and seemed to side with Gaal, that he might bring him into the hands of Abimelech’s ambuscado. Huiusmodi homines instructi arte Pelasga, &c. Fair words make fools fain.
Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men.
“ Pessimus in dubiis augur timor. ” – Statius Theb., lib. iii.
The Burgundians, once expecting a battle, thought long thistles were lances. So saith Zebul here, in a jeer, thou takest mountains for men, shadows for substances.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
seest the shadow: Doubdan states, that in some parts of the Holy Land there are many detached rocks scattered up and down, some growing out of the ground, and others fragments broken off from rocky precipices, the shadow of which, it appears, Josephus thought might be most naturally imagined to look like troops of men at a distance, rather than that of the mountains; for he represents Zebul as saying to Gaal, that he mistook the shadow of the rocks for men. Eze 7:7, Mar 8:24
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
9:36 And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou seest the {l} shadow of the mountains as [if they were] men.
(l) You are afraid of a shadow.