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.

JUDGES 9:48KJV
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Judges 9:48 (KJV)

What does Judges 9:48 mean?

Judges 9:48 describes how Abimelech led his men up Mount Zalmon, cut a branch from a tree with an axe, put it on his shoulder, and told his followers to quickly do the same as he had done. The verse shows Abimelech taking charge and giving clear instructions to his people in the middle of a military action.

Abimelech, who had declared himself king, is leading his troops during a siege against the city of Shechem. By personally cutting down a tree branch and carrying it, Abimelech sets an example for his soldiers, showing them exactly what he wants them to do. This action is part of his strategy to attack those sheltering in a tower, and it highlights his role as both a leader and a participant in the battle.

The Hebrew behind Judges 9:48

  • "Mount Zalmon" (זַלְמוֹן, Zalmon): This is a specific location near Shechem. The name means "shady" or "dark," likely referring to a wooded hill, which fits the context of cutting branches.
  • "Bough" (סֹּעֵף, so‘eph): This word means a large branch or limb. Abimelech is not just gathering sticks, but substantial branches, which would be useful for building or burning.
  • "Make haste" (מַהַר, mahar): This word means to hurry or act quickly. Abimelech is urging his men not to delay but to follow his example immediately, emphasizing urgency in the attack.

Why Judges 9:48 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Abimelech was not a distant commander but led by example, personally showing his men what to do.
  • Understanding the use of tree branches helps explain the following verses, where these branches are used to set fire to the stronghold, revealing Abimelech’s tactical thinking.
  • The setting on Mount Zalmon connects the action to a real geographical place, grounding the story in a specific historical context.

Where else these words appear

“bough” Hebrew H7754 · used in 2 verses

  • Judges 9:49 And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them; so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.

“Zalmon” Hebrew H6756 · used in 3 verses

  • 2 Samuel 23:28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite,
  • Psalms 68:14 When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon.

“axe” Hebrew H7134 · used in 5 verses

  • 1 Samuel 13:20 But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines, to sharpen every man his share, and his coulter, and his axe, and his mattock.
  • 1 Samuel 13:21 Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads.
  • Psalms 74:5 A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees.

“I” Hebrew H3644 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 19:15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.
  • 1 Kings 22:4 And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramothgilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses.
  • Isaiah 26:18 We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.