Judges 9:48 Meaning and Explanation
“And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →On Mount Zalmon Abimelech cuts a tree branch, shoulders it, and tells his men to do the same.
What Does Judges 9:48 Mean?
Abimelech leads his men up Mount Zalmon, takes an axe, cuts a branch from the trees, lays it on his shoulder, and orders them to hurry and do exactly as they have seen him do.
The image grimly recalls Jotham's parable of the trees: now real branches are cut to bring fire upon those who chose the bramble. Abimelech leads by his own deadly example, gathering fuel for the tower. There is dark purpose in his haste. The leader who first taught his men to murder his brothers now teaches them to burn a temple full of people, every act fulfilling the fire foretold from the mountain.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 9:48
What does Judges 9:48 mean?
On Mount Zalmon Abimelech cuts a tree branch, shoulders it, and tells his men to do the same.