King James Version
“Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them.”
Judges 9:38 · KJV
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.
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. middle: Heb. navel Meonenim: or, the regarders of times
Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, wherewith thou saidst, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? is not this the people that thou hast despised? go out, I pray now, and fight with them.
And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech.
And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the gate.
KJV Study — Public Domain
“unto him Where is now”
H645strictly a demonstrative particle, here; but used of time, now or then
“thy mouth”
H6310the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
“Who is Abimelech”
H40abimelek, the name of two philistine kings and of two israelites
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
“that we should serve”
H5647to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
“him is not this the people”
H5971a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
“go out”
H3318to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
“I pray now”
H4994'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
This verse is found in the book of Judges. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Judges 9:38 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Judges 9:38 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge