Gaal (Heb. Gaal, “beetle” or “contempt”; also occurs in sweat inscriptions.). Son of Ebed and organizer of a Shechemite rebellion against Abimelech. He was defeated in the battle that followed the rebellion (Jdg 9: 26-41). It is not known whether he was an Israelite or a Canaanite, a patriot or an adventurer who aspired to leadership.
Source: Evangelical Bible Dictionary
(Heb., ga†™al, disgust). He was the son of Ebed (Jdg 9: 26-41), who led an unsuccessful rebellion against Abimelech (Jdg 9: 42-45).
Abimelech had murdered all but one of his 70 brothers to become king of Shechem (Jdg 9:1-5). After gaining the trust of Shechem’s men, Gaal drunkenly said that he could defeat Abimelech if he was made leader of Shechem’s. Zebul, governor of Shechem, was jealous of Gaal and secretly passed this information on to Abimelech, who ambushed Shechem by night with four companies. In the morning, when Gaal was at the gate of the city, Abimelech and his army pursued Gaal and his company forcing them into the city, but Zebul denied them entry. Abimelech fought against the rebels, killed them, destroyed the city and planted it with salt (Jdg 9:42-45).
Nothing else is known of Gaal, but it is clear that boasting was his weakness.
Source: Hispanic World Bible Dictionary
(Aversion, abhorrence). Character of times of the Judges. When “God sent an evil spirit between †¢Abimelech and the men of Shechem…. G. son of Ebed came with his brothers and they went over to Shechem † and became their leader. †œZebul governor of the city† warned †¢Abimelech. In the ensuing battle G. was defeated (Judges 9:23-41).
Source: Christian Bible Dictionary
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vet, = “contempt”. Son of Ebed. He joined with the Shechemites when they rebelled against Abimelech the son of Gideon, who angered him and led them into battle; but he was defeated and banned from the city (Judges 9:26-41).
Source: New Illustrated Bible Dictionary
(possibly: Hater; Hated).
Son of Ebed who went to Shechem together with his brothers and got the trust of the landowners of that place. (Jg 9:26) These landowners had previously strengthened Abimelech’s hand to kill the sons of Jerubaal (Gideon) and then proceeded to make him king over them. (Jg 9:1-6) Abimelech apparently made Zebul resident prince of Shechem, while he himself lived in Arumah; but in time an evil spirit arose between Abimelech and the landowners of Shechem. As a result, Gaal and his brothers incited the city to revolt against Abimelech. When Zebul learned of this occurrence, he immediately sent a message to Abimelech with a recommendation as to how to deal with the situation that had arisen. Ultimately, Gaal and those with him were defeated in battle with King Abimelech and fled back to the city. Zebul later drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem. (Jg 9:22-41.)
Source: Dictionary of the Bible
(heb. ga˓al). Son of Ebed; the Iobel of the LXX (b) suggests the Heb. ˓ōḇēḏ = “servant” (cf. Moore, ICC, Judges pp. 256, and Judges 9.28). Leader of a wandering band that came to Shechem during the reign of Abimelech in order to take advantage of the discontent in the city. His activity forced Abimelech to attack Shechem; Gaal and his men were expelled by the governor of Abimelech, but the latter unloaded his revenge on the city for having supported him (Judges 9:22-45).
JPUL
Douglas, J. (2000). New Biblical Dictionary: First Edition. Miami: United Bible Societies.
Source: New Bible Dictionary