3:31 After Ehud 1 came 2 Shamgar son of Anath; he killed six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad and, like Ehud, 3 delivered Israel.
9:26 Gaal son of Ebed 4 came through Shechem with his brothers. The leaders of Shechem transferred their loyalty to him. 5
1 tn Heb “him”; the referent (Ehud) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
2 tn Heb “was.”
3 tn Heb “also he”; the referent (Ehud) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
4 sn The name Gaal derives from, or at least sounds like, a Hebrew verb meaning “to abhor, loathe.” His father’s name, Ebed, means “servant.” Perhaps then this could be translated, “loathsome one, son of a servant.” This individual’s very name (which may be the narrator’s nickname for him, not his actual name) seems to hint at his immoral character and lowly social status.
5 tn Heb “trusted in him.” Here the verb probably describes more than a mental attitude. It is likely that the Shechemites made an alliance with Gaal and were now trusting him for protection in return for their loyalty (and probably tribute).
6 tn Heb “the young man became like one of his sons.”