Judges 9:29

Would to God. Heb. mi, literally, “who,” an idiomatic exclamation, meaning, “O that I might have.” Actually the word “God” is not in the Hebrew. The KJV translates the clause into idiomatic English. A further example of idiomatic translation introducing the name of God is found in the NT expression “God forbid” (Rom. 3:31; etc.). The original simply has “may it not become.”

As to Gaal’s methods, compare the similar method Absalom used to undermine David’s position (2 Sam. 15:4). The statement is directed against Zebul. Gaal infers that if he were the governor of the city in the place of Zebul, he would make short work of Abimelech.

He said. The LXX reads “I would say.” According to the context, this is probably the correct reading. In the Hebrew the two forms are very similar, and it is possible that a copyist mistook one for the other. Verse 31 suggests that Zebul sent word secretly to Abimelech notifying him concerning what was taking place. If Gaal had openly challenged Abimelech face to face, there would have been no need for a secret mission. If the translation “and he said” is retained, it can be interpreted to mean that Gaal spoke to Abimelech in animated, imaginary, oratorical dialogue. If this be so, then the applause of the Shechemites emboldened the wine-heated orator to the extent that he turned, as if addressing Abimelech, and boastingly said, “Increase thine army, and come out.”