Zebul sends messengers to warn Abimelech of Gaal’s attempt to take control of Shechem.

And he sent messengers to Abimelech at Arumah, saying: Sent renders the Hebrew verb shalach, which is used often in the judges’ stories. Here it has its normal sense of sending people on a mission. Gaal sends some messengers with a message for Abimelech. In some languages it may be easier to begin this verse with “Then he sent a message to Abimelech…,” but this rendering does not show that there were several messengers. Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation say that the messengers went to find Abimelech at Arumah. They change the text for this reading, basing it on verse 9.41, which mentions this town. Another possibility is to follow the Hebrew text by saying “at Tormah” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), which refers to another place. It is also possible that the Hebrew phrase here means “under cover,” “secretly” or “by a ruse.” This interpretation is followed by Hebrew Old Testament Text Project, Contemporary English Version, New International Version, Revised English Bible, and the New English Bible (New English Bible). Translators will have to choose an interpretation and may put the alternative readings in a footnote if they feel this is necessary.

Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his kinsmen have come to Shechem …: The suspense mounts as this episode moves toward its climax. The Hebrew discourse marker rendered Behold (hinneh) actually occurs twice in this verse, once before this clause and once before the next one. In this context hinneh conveys a sense of urgency and concern. Unfortunately many versions omit this word (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New International Version). While it is not recommended to translate it literally in a stilted way (for example, “Look” in New Revised Standard Version and Voici in Traduction œcuménique de la Bible), appropriate expressions may be used, such as “Beware!” or “Watch out!” In Hebrew the word for Behold is often accompanied by participles, which is true here for the verbs rendered have come and are stirring up. They describe present activity, so they help to express Zebul’s sense of urgency. By using the perfect verb have come, Revised Standard Version tries to show that this event has already happened and has direct consequences for Abimelech. For Gaal the son of Ebed and his kinsmen, see the comments on verse 9.26.

And they are stirring up the city against you: As noted above, this clause also begins with the attention-getter hinneh followed by a participle. Revised Standard Version changes the Hebrew verb here for its reading. The verb in Hebrew can mean “besiege” or “cause hostility.” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project follows the Hebrew text with an {A} rating, preferring the sense of inciting hostility. Translators will have to choose which interpretation best fits the context. Certainly the verb in Hebrew was chosen because it sounds like the word for city, thus creating a wordplay here. The city refers to the inhabitants of Shechem, rather than to the city itself. The pronoun you is singular in Hebrew, referring to Abimelech, though his men may be understood as well. Revised English Bible renders this whole clause as “and are turning the city against you,” and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “and they are inciting the city against you.”

A translation model for this verse is:

• Then Zebul secretly sent messengers to Abimelech and said to him: “Watch out! Gaal and his men have arrived at Shechem and they are turning all the inhabitants of the city against you!*
* Some take the Hebrew to mean “are besieging the city.”

Quoted with permission from Zogbo, Lynell and Ogden, Graham S. A Handbook on Judges. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .