Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 9:30
And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.
30. Zebul the ruler of the city ] He ruled as the representative of Abimelech; cf. for the title ( sar) 1Ki 22:26, 2Ki 23:8. He had no force at his disposal; all he could do was to warn his master of Gaal’s treason and advise an immediate attack.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
It seems he had temporized and complied with the peoples humour and plot against Abimelech, either in dissimulation and design, and by Abimelechs connivance or advice, or really; but when he heard Gaals words, and himself traduced and struck at by them, he changed his mind, repented of his defection from Abimelech, and intended to return himself, and to bring the people again to the obedience of their lord and king.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And when Zebul the ruler of the city,…. Whom Abimelech had placed there under him: heard
the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled; because he spoke slightly of him, and wished to have his place; perhaps before Zebul was inclined to be on the side of the Shechemites against Abimelech, or at least dissembled that he was; but now, being incensed at the words of Gaal, determined to take the side of Abimelech, and let him know how things were carrying on against him.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
This rebellious speech of Gaal was reported to Abimelech by the town-prefect Zebul, who sent messengers to him , either with deceit ( from ), i.e., employing deceit, inasmuch as he had listened to the speech quietly and with apparent assent, or “ in Tormah,” the name of a place, being a misspelling for = (Jdg 9:41). The Sept. and Chaldee take the word as an appellative = , secretly; so also do Rashi and most of the earlier commentators, whilst R. Kimchi the elder has decided in favour of the second rendering as a proper name. As the word only occurs here, it is impossible to decide with certainty in favour of either view. , behold they stir up the city against thee ( from in the sense of ).
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(30) The ruler of the city.The word sar seems to imply that he was the military commandant.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘ And when Zebul, the prince of the city, heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.’
Zebul, Abimelech’s deputy, learned of what Gaal had said and grew angry. If he was in the city representing Abimelech we would expect him to be. What it means is that he heard what was being said, possibly through a spy, and reacted accordingly.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Jdg 9:30 And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled.
Ver. 30. His anger was kindled, ] sc., To hear his lord and himself so slighted and debased: there being nothing that man’s nature is more impatient of than contempt; for a reproachful scorn showeth an utter disrespect, which issueth from the very superfluity of malice.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
kindled: or, hot, Jdg 9:30
Reciprocal: Jdg 9:41 – Zebul