Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version he and all his men went up Mount Zalmon. He took an ax and cut off some branches, which he lifted to his shoulders. He ordered the men with him, “Quick! Do what you have seen me do!” New Living Translation so he led his forces to Mount Zalmon. He took an ax and chopped some branches from a tree, then put them on his shoulder. “Quick, do as I have done!” he told his men. English Standard Version And Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the people who were with him. And Abimelech took an axe in his hand and cut down a bundle of brushwood and took it up and laid it on his shoulder. And he said to the men who were with him, “What you have seen me do, hurry and do as I have done.” Berean Standard Bible he and all his men went up to Mount Zalmon. Abimelech took his axe in his hand and cut a branch from the trees, which he lifted to his shoulder, saying to his men, “Hurry and do what you have seen me do.” King James Bible 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. New King James Version Then Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the people who were with him. And Abimelech took an ax in his hand and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it and laid it on his shoulder; then he said to the people who were with him, “What you have seen me do, make haste and do as I have done.” New American Standard Bible So Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the people who were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand and cut down a branch from the trees, and lifted it and put it on his shoulder. Then he said to the people who were with him, “What you saw me do, hurry and do likewise.” NASB 1995 So Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the people who were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand and cut down a branch from the trees, and lifted it and laid it on his shoulder. Then he said to the people who were with him, “What you have seen me do, hurry and do likewise.” NASB 1977 So Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the people who were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand and cut down a branch from the trees, and lifted it and laid it on his shoulder. Then he said to the people who were with him, “What you have seen me do, hurry and do likewise.” Legacy Standard Bible So Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the people who were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand and cut down a branch from the trees and lifted it and laid it on his shoulder. Then he said to the people who were with him, “What you have seen me do, hurry and do likewise.” Amplified Bible So Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the people with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand and cut down a branch from the trees, picked it up, and laid it on his shoulder. And he said to the people with him, “What you have seen me do, hurry and do just as I have done.” Christian Standard Bible So Abimelech and all the troops who were with him went up to Mount Zalmon. Abimelech took his ax in his hand and cut a branch from the trees. He picked up the branch, put it on his shoulder, and said to the troops who were with him, “Hurry and do what you have seen me do.” Holman Christian Standard Bible So Abimelech and all the people who were with him went up to Mount Zalmon. Abimelech took his ax in his hand and cut a branch from the trees. He picked up the branch, put it on his shoulder, and said to the people who were with him, “Hurry and do what you have seen me do.” American Standard Version 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 up, and laid it on his shoulder: and he said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done. Contemporary English Version He led his troops to Mount Zalmon, where he took an ax and chopped off a tree branch. He lifted the branch onto his shoulder and shouted, "Hurry! Cut off a branch just as I did." English Revised Version 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 up, and laid it on his shoulder: and he said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done. GOD'S WORD® Translation he and all his men went to Mount Zalmon. Abimelech took an ax, cut some brushwood, and carried it on his shoulder. He told his men, "Hurry and do what you've seen me do!" Good News Translation so he went up to Mount Zalmon with his men. There he took an ax, cut a limb off a tree, and put it on his shoulder. He told his men to hurry and do the same thing. International Standard Version So he went up to Mount Zalmon, accompanied by his entire army. Abimelech had an axe in his hand, so he cut down a branch from a tree, lifted it up, and laid it on his shoulder. Then he told the army that had accompanied him, "You've seen what I just did. Hurry up! Do the same thing!" NET Bible He and all his men went up on Mount Zalmon. He took an ax in his hand and cut off a tree branch. He put it on his shoulder and said to his men, "Quickly, do what you have just seen me do!" New Heart English Bible So Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the people who were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a branch from the trees, and took it up, and laid it on his shoulder. And he said to the people who were with him, "What you have seen me do, do quickly, and do as I have done." Webster's Bible Translation And Abimelech ascended mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an ax in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said to the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Biblehe and all his men went up to Mount Zalmon. Abimelech took his axe in his hand and cut a branch from the trees, which he lifted to his shoulder, saying to his men, “Hurry and do what you have seen me do.” World English Bible Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the people who were with him; and Abimelech took an ax in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it up, and laid it on his shoulder. Then he said to the people who were with him, “What you have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done!” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand Abimelech goes up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the people who [are] with him, and Abimelech takes the great axe in his hand, and cuts off a bough of the trees, and lifts it up, and sets [it] on his shoulder, and says to the people who [are] with him, “What you have seen me do—hurry, do as I [have done].” Young's Literal Translation and Abimelech goeth up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people who are with him, and Abimelech taketh the great axe in his hand, and cutteth off a bough of the trees, and lifteth it up, and setteth it on his shoulder, and saith unto the people who are with him, 'What ye have seen I have done -- haste, do ye like it.' Smith's Literal Translation And Abimelech will go up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that with him; and Abimelech will take axes in his hand, and he will cut boughs of the trees, and will lift up and will put upon his shoulder, and he will say to the people which are with him, What ye saw I did, hasten, do like me. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWent up into mount Selmon he and all his people with him: and taking an axe, he cut down the bough of a tree, and laying it on his shoulder and carrying it, he said to his companions: What you see me do, do you out of hand. Catholic Public Domain Version ascended to mount Zalmon, with all his people. And taking an axe, he cut down the branch of a tree. And laying it on his shoulder, and carrying it, he said to his companions, “What you see me do, you must do quickly.” New American Bible So he went up Mount Zalmon with all his soldiers, took his ax in his hand, and cut down some brushwood. This he lifted to his shoulder, then said to the troops with him, “Hurry! Do just as you have seen me do.” New Revised Standard Version So Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the troops that were with him. Abimelech took an ax in his hand, cut down a bundle of brushwood, and took it up and laid it on his shoulder. Then he said to the troops with him, “What you have seen me do, do quickly, as I have done.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Abimeleck went up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimeleck took an axe in his hand and cut down a branch from the trees, and took it and laid it on his shoulder, and said to the people that were with him, What you have seen me do, make haste and do as I have done. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Abimelek came up to the Mountain of Tsalmun and all the people that were with him and Abimelek took the axe in His hand and cut off a branch of a tree and he took it and he placed it on his shoulder and said to the people that were with him: “What you have seen I have done, you do also quickly like me!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Abimelech got 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 up, and laid it on his shoulder; and he said unto the people that were with him: 'What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And Abimelech went up to the mount of Selmon, and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a branch of a tree, and took it, and laid it on his shoulders; and said to the people that were with him, What ye see me doing, do quickly as I. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Fall of Shechem…47And when Abimelech was told that all the leaders in the tower of Shechem were gathered there, 48he and all his men went up to Mount Zalmon. Abimelech took his axe in his hand and cut a branch from the trees, which he lifted to his shoulder, saying to his men, “Hurry and do what you have seen me do.” 49So each man also cut his own branch and followed Abimelech. Then they piled the branches against the inner chamber and set it on fire above them, killing everyone in the tower of Shechem, about a thousand men and women.… Cross References 2 Samuel 18:6-8 So David’s army marched into the field to engage Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim. / There the people of Israel were defeated by David’s servants, and the slaughter was great that day—twenty thousand men. / The battle spread over the whole countryside, and that day the forest devoured more people than the sword. 1 Samuel 14:11-14 So the two of them showed themselves to the outpost of the Philistines, who exclaimed, “Look, the Hebrews are coming out of the holes in which they were hiding!” / So the men of the outpost called out to Jonathan and his armor-bearer, “Come on up, and we will teach you a lesson!” “Follow me,” Jonathan told his armor-bearer, “for the LORD has delivered them into the hand of Israel.” / So Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor-bearer behind him. And the Philistines fell before Jonathan, and his armor-bearer followed and finished them off. ... 2 Kings 19:23 Through your servants you have taunted the Lord, and you have said: “With my many chariots I have ascended to the heights of the mountains, to the remote peaks of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars, the finest of its cypresses. I have reached its farthest outposts, the densest of its forests. Isaiah 10:18-19 The splendor of its forests and orchards, both soul and body, it will completely destroy, as a sickness consumes a man. / The remaining trees of its forests will be so few that a child could count them. Isaiah 37:24 Through your servants you have taunted the Lord, and you have said: “With my many chariots I have ascended to the heights of the mountains, to the remote peaks of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars, the finest of its cypresses. I have reached its farthest heights, the densest of its forests. Ezekiel 31:3-14 Look at Assyria, a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches that shaded the forest. It towered on high; its top was among the clouds. / The waters made it grow; the deep springs made it tall, directing their streams all around its base and sending their channels to all the trees of the field. / Therefore it towered higher than all the trees of the field. Its branches multiplied, and its boughs grew long as it spread them out because of the abundant waters. ... Deuteronomy 20:19-20 When you lay siege to a city for an extended time while fighting against it to capture it, you must not destroy its trees by putting an axe to them, because you can eat their fruit. You must not cut them down. Are the trees of the field human, that you should besiege them? / But you may destroy the trees that you know do not produce fruit. Use them to build siege works against the city that is waging war against you, until it falls. Joshua 8:18-19 Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Hold out your battle lance toward Ai, for into your hand I will deliver the city.” So Joshua held out his battle lance toward Ai, / and as soon as he did so, the men in ambush rose quickly from their position. They rushed forward, entered the city, captured it, and immediately set it on fire. 1 Kings 14:23 They also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every green tree. Jeremiah 46:22-23 Egypt will hiss like a fleeing serpent, for the enemy will advance in force; with axes they will come against her like woodsmen cutting down trees. / They will chop down her forest, declares the LORD, dense though it may be, for they are more numerous than locusts; they cannot be counted. Matthew 3:10 The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. Luke 3:9 The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” Mark 11:20-21 As they were walking back in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from its roots. / Peter remembered it and said, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree You cursed has withered.” John 15:6 If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned. Romans 11:17-24 Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root, / do not boast over those branches. If you do, remember this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. / You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” ... Treasury of Scripture And Abimelech got him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an ax in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said to the people that were with him, What you have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done. Zalmon Psalm 68:14 What ye Judges 7:17,18 Proverbs 1:11,12 me do. Jump to Previous Abimelech Ascended Ax Axe Bough Branch Cut Hand Haste Hurry Laid Mount Shoulder Trees ZalmonJump to Next Abimelech Ascended Ax Axe Bough Branch Cut Hand Haste Hurry Laid Mount Shoulder Trees ZalmonJudges 9 1. Abimelech by conspiracy with the Shechemites, and murder of his brothers, is made king7. Jotham by a parable rebukes them, and foretells their ruin 22. Gaal conspires with the Shechemites against him 30. Zebul reveals it 34. Abimelech overcomes them, and sows the city with salt 46. He burns the hold of the god Berith 50. At Thebez he is slain by a piece of a millstone 56. Jotham's curse is fulfilled. he and all his men went up to Mount Zalmon. Mount Zalmon is mentioned only here in the Bible, and its exact location is uncertain, though it is believed to be near Shechem. The ascent to a mountain often signifies a strategic military move, as higher ground provides a tactical advantage. This action reflects Abimelech's leadership and determination to assert control over his enemies. The mountain setting also evokes imagery of other significant biblical events on mountains, such as Moses receiving the Law on Mount Sinai. Abimelech took his axe in his hand and cut a branch from the trees, which he lifted to his shoulder, saying to his men, “Hurry and do what you have seen me do.” Persons / Places / Events 1. AbimelechThe son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal), who declared himself king over Shechem and led a violent campaign to secure his rule. 2. Mount Zalmon A location near Shechem where Abimelech and his men gathered branches to set fire to the tower of Shechem. 3. Shechem An ancient city in the hill country of Ephraim, significant in Israel's history, where Abimelech's violent actions took place. 4. The Men of Abimelech Followers of Abimelech who participated in his campaign and followed his lead in the destruction of Shechem. 5. The Tower of Shechem A stronghold where the people of Shechem sought refuge, which Abimelech set on fire. Teaching Points Leadership and InfluenceAbimelech's actions demonstrate the power of leadership, for good or ill. Leaders must be mindful of their influence and the example they set. Consequences of Ambition Abimelech's account is a cautionary tale about unchecked ambition and the destructive path it can lead to. Ambition should be tempered with humility and a desire to serve others. The Cycle of Violence The events at Shechem illustrate the destructive cycle of violence and retribution. As Christians, we are called to break this cycle through forgiveness and reconciliation. The Importance of Godly Counsel Abimelech's lack of godly counsel and accountability led to his downfall. Surrounding ourselves with wise, godly advisors can help us make righteous decisions. God's Sovereignty and Justice Despite Abimelech's evil actions, God's justice ultimately prevails. We can trust in God's sovereignty and His ability to bring about justice in His timing. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Judges 9Psalm 68:12–14: Is there any archeological evidence that verifies the swift military victories depicted here? Who was Abimelech, son of Gideon, in the Bible? How could Abimelech have murdered seventy of Gideon's sons without immediate opposition (Judges 9:5)? Why would God send an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem (Judges 9:23)?(48) To mount Zalmon.--Evidently the nearest spot where he could get wood for his hideous design. Zalmon means shady. In Psalm 68:14 we find "as white as snow in Zalmon," but whether the same mountain is referred to we cannot tell. It may be any of the hills near Gerizim. An axe.--Literally, the axes--i.e., he took axes for himself and his army. Cut down a bough.--The word for "a bough" is socath, which does not mean "a bundle of logs," as the LXX. render it. Every one will recall the scene in Macbeth where Malcolm says:-- "Let every soldier hew him down a bough, And bear't before him; thereby shall we shadow The numbers of our host, and make discovery Err in report of us."--Acts 5, sc. 4. But Abimelech merely wanted combustible materials. What ye have seen me do.--Comp. what Gideon says in Judges 7:17. . . . Verse 48. - Mount Zalmon, i.e. the shady mount, so called from the thick wood which grows upon it. It was in the neighbourhood of Shechem, and is perhaps the same as that mentioned in Psalm 68:14 as famous for its snow-storms. An axe. The Hebrew has axes. If this is right, the phrase in his hand must be rendered with him, as 1 Samuel 14:34: Each one his ox in his hand, i.e. with him; Jeremiah 38:10: Take thirty men in thy hand, i.e. with thee; and elsewhere.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew heאֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְ (’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 40: Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite name and all וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every his men הָעָ֣ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock went up וַיַּ֨עַל (way·ya·‘al) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively to Mount הַר־ (har-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country Zalmon. צַלְמ֗וֹן (ṣal·mō·wn) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 6756: Zalmon -- a mountain near Shechem Abimelech אֲבִימֶ֨לֶךְ (’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 40: Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite name took וַיִּקַּח֩ (way·yiq·qaḥ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3947: To take his ax הַקַּרְדֻּמּ֜וֹת (haq·qar·dum·mō·wṯ) Article | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 7134: An axe in his hand בְּיָד֗וֹ (bə·yā·ḏōw) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 3027: A hand and cut וַיִּכְרֹת֙ (way·yiḵ·rōṯ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant a branch שׂוֹכַ֣ת (śō·w·ḵaṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 7754: Branch, brushwood from the trees, עֵצִ֔ים (‘ê·ṣîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood which he lifted וַיִּ֨שָּׂאֶ֔הָ (way·yiś·śā·’e·hā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take to עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against his shoulder, שִׁכְמ֑וֹ (šiḵ·mōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 7926: The neck, as the place of burdens, the spur of a, hill saying וַיֹּ֜אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to his men, הָעָ֣ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock ?Hurry מַהֲר֖וּ (ma·hă·rū) Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 4116: To be liquid, flow easily, to hurry, promptly and do עָשִׂ֔יתִי (‘ā·śî·ṯî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 6213: To do, make what מָ֤ה (māh) Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what you have seen רְאִיתֶם֙ (rə·’î·ṯem) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 7200: To see me do.? עֲשׂ֥וּ (‘ă·śū) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural Strong's 6213: To do, make Links Judges 9:48 NIVJudges 9:48 NLT Judges 9:48 ESV Judges 9:48 NASB Judges 9:48 KJV Judges 9:48 BibleApps.com Judges 9:48 Biblia Paralela Judges 9:48 Chinese Bible Judges 9:48 French Bible Judges 9:48 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 9:48 Abimelech got him up to Mount Zalmon (Jd Judg. 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