Zebul

Zebul is a figure who appears in Judges 9. He was the official who governed the city of Shechem during the rule of Abimelech, the son of Gideon (Jerubbaal). Although his name resembles that of Zebulun, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, he is a different person.

Biblical Account

Zebul appears only in Judges 9:28–41. After Gideon's death, Abimelech gained the support of the people of Shechem, became king, and ruled over Israel for three years (Judges 9:6, 22).

The Korean Revised Version and the New Korean Revised Version call Zebul the bangbaek of the city, which the King James Version renders "the ruler of the city" (Judges 9:30). The Korean term bangbaek (方伯) denotes a chief official who governs a region. Gaal called him Abimelech's "officer" (Judges 9:28).

Gaal the son of Ebed came to Shechem and won the confidence of its people. Then, at a feast, he scorned Abimelech and incited rebellion (Judges 9:26–29). When Zebul heard this, he was angry and secretly sent messengers to Abimelech. He reported the situation and advised Abimelech to come by night with his troops, lie in wait in the field, and attack the city in the morning (Judges 9:30–33).

The next day, Gaal was standing at the entrance of the city gate when he saw troops coming down from the mountains and remarked on it. Zebul replied, "Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men" (Judges 9:36). When the troops drew nearer, Zebul rebuked him: "Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him?" and told him to go out and fight (Judges 9:38). Gaal was defeated and fled. Zebul then drove out Gaal and his brethren so that they could not remain in Shechem (Judges 9:39–41). Scripture does not record what became of Zebul afterward.

Significance in Scripture

Judges 9 begins with Jotham's parable of the bramble. Through this parable Jotham pronounced a curse that Abimelech and the men of Shechem would destroy one another (Judges 9:7–21). The text then records that God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem (Judges 9:23).

Gaal's revolt and its suppression, in which Zebul played a part, form one episode in the process by which Abimelech and Shechem turned against each other. In the end, Shechem fell to Abimelech, and Abimelech himself died at Thebez (Judges 9:45–57). Zebul is not mentioned in the New Testament.

Interpretations and Debated Points

• Assessment of his character: The text neither praises nor condemns Zebul's actions. Some readers regard him as an official loyal to his master. Others note that his words served to put Gaal off his guard and draw him out of the city. His remark about the shadow of the mountains (Judges 9:36) is commonly interpreted as a stalling tactic meant to keep Gaal from preparing.
• Translation of Judges 9:31: Some take the Hebrew word rendered "secretly" in the Korean Revised Version (KJV: "privily") as a place name. Some English translations that follow this view say that Zebul sent messengers "to Abimelech at Arumah." Judges 9:41 states that Abimelech dwelt at Arumah.
• Meaning of the name: Some interpretations connect it with meanings such as "high place" or "dwelling," but this is uncertain.
• The text says nothing about Zebul's origins or his end.

In the Korean Church

Sermons or Sunday school lessons devoted specifically to Zebul are rare. Judges 9 is generally read with a focus on Jotham's parable of the bramble and the downfall of Abimelech. Zebul is usually mentioned only in passing when Gaal's revolt is discussed within that narrative.