Judges 9:32 - Now therefore, go up by night, you and the people who are with you, and lie in wait in the field.

Generated Verse: Judges 9:32

What does "Judges 9:32" mean?


Judges 9:32 is part of the story of Abimelech's rule and the rebellion against him. This verse specifically directs Gaal, who has led a revolt against Abimelech, to set an ambush. Let's break down what it means:

"Now therefore, go up by night...": This is a command given by Zebul, the ruler of Shechem who is secretly loyal to Abimelech. Zebul is pretending to support Gaal but is actually planning his downfall. "Go up" refers to ascending to a higher position or location where they can lie in wait. "By night" is crucial for secrecy and surprise.

"...you and the people who are with you...": This clarifies that Gaal is to lead his fighting men, those who have joined his rebellion.

"...and lie in wait in the field.": This is the core instruction. "Lie in wait" means to hide in ambush, waiting to attack unexpectedly. "In the field" indicates a specific, open area where they are to conceal themselves. This field is likely near the entrance of Shechem or a place where Abimelech's forces are expected to pass.

In summary: Zebul is instructing Gaal, under the guise of helping him prepare for battle, to take his troops and hide in a field near Shechem overnight, ready to ambush Abimelech's forces when they arrive. The irony is that Zebul is actually setting Gaal up to be defeated, playing a double game to restore Abimelech's control.

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