Zebul (biblical figure)

Gaal (left) points out to Zebul the approach of Abimelech's army.

Zebul (Hebrew: זְבֻל Zəḇul ) is a character in the Hebrew Bible, appearing in Judges 9. He is one of Abimelech's officers, and the governor (or "commandant"[1]) of the city of Shechem. Zebul played an important role in the rebellion and defeat of Gaal, secretly sending messengers to Abimelech and warning him of the situation.

Barry Webb describes him as a loyal friend of Abimelech, and a "shrewd military tactician".[2]

In Handel's oratorio Jephtha, Zebul is depicted as Jephthah's brother.[3]

  1. ^ David Francis Roberts, "Zebul," International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
  2. ^ Barry Webb, The Book of Judges, p. 284.
  3. ^ Händel, Georg Friedrich; Degott, Pierre; Imre, Potharn. "Jephtha". OperaGlass. Stanford Public-Domain Opera Libretti. Retrieved 25 August 2015.