Bible Dictionaries
Gaal

Holman Bible Dictionary

(gay' uhl) Personal name meaning, “abhorrence,” “neglect,” or perhaps “dung-beetle.” Man who usurped Abimelech's leadership in Shechem but met sudden defeat from Abimelech and left the city (Judges 9:26-41 ). The early translations spell his name and that of his father in several different ways, showing perhaps that Israelites intentionally distorted his name to shame his reputation.