Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 9:38
Then said Zebul unto him, Where [is] now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who [is] Abimelech, that we should serve him? [is] not this the people that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them.
38. thy mouth ] i.e. thy boastful mockery; cf. Isa 57:4, Psa 35:21, Job 16:10.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Thy mouth, i.e. thy brags. Now thou betrayest thy fears; and therefore now show thyself a man, and fight valiantly for thyself and people.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Then said Zebul unto him,…. Not being able to put him off any longer, and willing to take the opportunity to upbraid him with what he had said:
where is now thy mouth, [wherewith] thou saidst, who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? darest thou say the same thou hast done, and utter the contemptuous language concerning Abimelech, asking who he was, that he should be served? Here he is, speak to his face; what are become of those boasts and brags, and great swelling words, what thou wouldest do if thou hadst the command of this city?
is not this the people thou hast despised? as small and insignificant, bidding Abimelech increase his army, and come out and fight:
go out, I pray thee, now, and fight with them; and show thyself to be a man of courage, and not a mere blusterer, a man that can use his sword as well as his tongue.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Then Zebul declared openly against Gaal, and reproached him with his foolhardy speech, whilst Abimelech was drawing nearer with his troops: “ Where is thy mouth now with which thou saidst, Who is Abimelech? Is not this the people that thou hast despised? Go out now and fight with him! ”
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(38) Where is now thy mouth . . .?Mouth here means boastfulness. This is usually taken as a bitter taunt, as though Zebul could now safely throw off his deceitful acquiescence in Gaals plans. It may be so, for the narrative gives us no further details; but unless Zebul was in some way secured by his own adherents from Gaals immediate vengeance, it seems better to take it as a sort of expostulation against Gaals past rashness.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
38. Thy mouth Zebul now suddenly flings off the mask, and upbraids Gaal for his recent swaggering and his present apparent cowardice, and provokes him to go forth to the battle, in which he is miserably defeated.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ Then Zebul said to him, “Where is now your mouth, that you said, ‘Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him?’ Is not this the people that you have despised? Go out now I pray you, and fight with them.” ’
The approaching forces were now so visible, and their purpose so obvious, that Zebul knew that he could keep up the pretence no longer. So now he challenged Gaal to live up to his boasting. Let him consider what he had said so arrogantly. He had spoken disparagingly of this people. So now let him prove his words and go out and fight them.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Jdg 9:38 Then said Zebul unto him, Where [is] now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who [is] Abimelech, that we should serve him? [is] not this the people that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them.
Ver. 38. Where is now thy mouth? ] Thy bubbles of words, thy thrasonical boastings? Now play the man, and fight the approaching enemy, or thou art shamed for ever.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
now. A special various reading called Sevir has “thou” (emphatic) instead of “now” = I pray thee, thou, &c.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Jdg 9:28, Jdg 9:29, 2Sa 2:26, 2Sa 2:27, 2Ki 14:8-14, Jer 2:28
Reciprocal: Psa 10:5 – he puffeth Psa 78:9 – turned Pro 11:12 – that Isa 19:12 – where are thy Eze 13:12 – Where
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jdg 9:38-40. Then said Zebul, Where is now thy mouth, &c. Now show thyself a man, and fight valiantly for thyself and the people. And he fled Being surprised by the unexpected coming of Abimelech, and probably not fully prepared for the encounter.