In the bible, Gaal is the name of the son of Ebed whom the men of Shechem trusted (JDG 9:26). Meaning of the name: contempt; abomination. Related names are:
Abimelech,
Shechem,
Ebed (and others ...)
. The translations of Gaal in 22 languages of the Bible are illustrated in the
ichthys
below, from
Ga-Anh in Vietnamese to
خال in Arabic!
And Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and went over to Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him. (JDG 9:26)
And Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech, and who is Shechem, that we should serve him? is not he the son of Jerubbaal? and Zebul his officer? serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him? (JDG 9:28)
And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his anger was kindled. (JDG 9:30)
And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee. (JDG 9:31)
And Gaal the son of Ebed went out, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the people that were with him, from lying in wait. (JDG 9:35)
And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the top of the mountains. And Zebul said unto him, Thou seest the shadow of the mountains as if they were men. (JDG 9:36)
And Gaal spake again and said, See there come people down by the middle of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim. (JDG 9:37)
And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech. (JDG 9:39)
And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren, that they should not dwell in Shechem. (JDG 9:41)