And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.

JUDGES 9:15KJV
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Judges 9:15 (KJV)

What does Judges 9:15 mean?

Judges 9:15 describes the bramble telling the trees that if they truly want it as their king, they must come and seek shelter in its shadow, but if not, fire will come from the bramble and consume even the mighty cedars of Lebanon. The verse uses this image to warn about choosing an unworthy or dangerous leader.

In the story, Jotham is speaking a parable to the people of Shechem, using trees to represent leaders and the bramble as a symbol for Abimelech. The bramble (a thornbush) is the least useful and most dangerous plant, yet it threatens the noble cedars if not accepted as king. This highlights the risk and consequences of choosing a harmful ruler out of desperation or poor judgment.

The Hebrew behind Judges 9:15

  • "bramble" (אָטָד, atad): This word refers to a thorny bush, something low and even hazardous, emphasizing the unworthiness of the bramble compared to the other trees.
  • "shadow" (צֵל, tsel): The bramble offers its "shadow" as protection, but in reality, a bramble gives almost no shade, underlining the emptiness of its promise.
  • "cedars" (אֶרֶז, erez) and "Lebanon" (לְבָנוֹן, Levanon): Cedars of Lebanon were famous for their strength and majesty, so the threat that fire from a bramble could destroy them is both ironic and ominous.

Why Judges 9:15 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the bramble’s offer is both empty and dangerous, showing how a bad leader can threaten even the strongest and best people.
  • The parable connects directly to the larger story, where Jotham warns the people about making Abimelech king, hinting at the trouble that will follow.
  • Understanding the imagery of the bramble and the cedars helps the reader see the sharp contrast between true leadership and destructive ambition.

Where else these words appear

“bramble” Hebrew H329 · used in 5 verses

  • Genesis 50:10 And they came to the threshingfloor of Atad, which is beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days.
  • Genesis 50:11 And when the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, saw the mourning in the floor of Atad, they said, This is a grievous mourning to the Egyptians: wherefore the name of it was called Abelmizraim, which is beyond Jordan.
  • Judges 9:14 Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.

“trust” Hebrew H2620 · used in 36 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:37 And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted,
  • Psalms 18:30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
  • Psalms 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

“shadow” Hebrew H6738 · used in 47 verses

  • Genesis 19:8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.
  • Psalms 80:10 The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars.
  • Isaiah 30:3 Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.

“Lebanon” Hebrew H3844 · used in 64 verses

  • Deuteronomy 1:7 Turn you, and take your journey, and go to the mount of the Amorites, and unto all the places nigh thereunto, in the plain, in the hills, and in the vale, and in the south, and by the sea side, to the land of the Canaanites, and unto Lebanon, unto the great river, the river Euphrates.
  • 2 Chronicles 2:16 And we will cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as thou shalt need: and we will bring it to thee in floats by sea to Joppa; and thou shalt carry it up to Jerusalem.
  • Isaiah 33:9 The earth mourneth and languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed and hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off their fruits.