ZEBUL ze’ bəl (זְבֻ֣ל, meaning dominion, habitation, elevation, height, lofty abode, perhaps an abbreviation of “(God’s) dwelling” or (“Baal-Zebul”). Zebul was a pre-Philistine god of Canaan, “the Lord of the earth,” mentioned often in the Ras Shamra (Ugaritic) texts (q.v.). 1. Zebul in the OT was the lieutenant of Abimelech (q.v.), the son of Gideon who was chosen as king by a group of Canaanites in Shechem (Judg 9:28). Zebul is called “officer,” פָּקִיד, H7224, in Judges 9:28, or שַׂר־הָעִ֔יר, in Judges 9:30. There was local opposition to Abimelech and a certain Gaal uttered seditious words during a vintage festival saying that he would remove Abimelech (9:27-29). Zebul informed Abimelech at Arumah (9:41) and advised him to surround Shechem by night. In the morning Gaal, seeing the troops, reported an invasion to Zebul who, recognizing Abimelech’s men, urged Gaal to make good his words. Gaal sallied forth (v. 39), but was quickly routed.

2. The root zbl in Ugaritic means “exalted,” “princely,” or, as a noun, “prince,” and zbl b’l is a name for Baal-Baal the princely one (Baalzebul).

These meanings seem to be required in 1 Kings 8:13, “exalted house”; Isaiah 63:15, “holy and glorious habitation”; Hab 3:11 “their habitation.” In Psalm 49:15 “loftiness” is contrasted with the grave.