Judges 9:48

Authorized King James 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, 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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיַּ֨עַל

H5927

gat him up

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

אֲבִימֶ֨לֶךְ

H40

And Abimelech

abimelek, the name of two philistine kings and of two israelites

הַר

H2022

to mount

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

צַלְמ֗וֹן

H6756

Zalmon

tsalmon, the name of an israelite

הוּא֮

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וְכָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָעָ֣ם

H5971

he and all the people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אֲשֶׁר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אִתּוֹ֒

H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

#10

וַיִּקַּח֩

H3947

took

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

#11

אֲבִימֶ֨לֶךְ

H40

And Abimelech

abimelek, the name of two philistine kings and of two israelites

#12

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#13

הַקַּרְדֻּמּ֜וֹת

H7134

an axe

#14

בְּיָד֗וֹ

H3027

in his hand

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

#15

וַיִּכְרֹת֙

H3772

and cut down

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

#16

שׂוֹכַ֣ת

H7754

a bough

a branch (as interleaved)

#17

עֵצִ֔ים

H6086

from the trees

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

#18

וַיִּ֨שָּׂאֶ֔הָ

H5375

and took

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

#19

וַיָּ֖שֶׂם

H7760

it and laid

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

#20

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#21

שִׁכְמ֑וֹ

H7926

it on his shoulder

the neck (between the shoulders) as the place of burdens; figuratively, the spur of a hill

#22

וַיֹּ֜אמֶר

H559

and said

to say (used with great latitude)

#23

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#24

הָעָ֣ם

H5971

he and all the people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

#25

אֲשֶׁר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#26

עִמּ֗וֹ

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

#27

מָ֤ה

H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

#28

רְאִיתֶם֙

H7200

that were with him What ye have seen

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

#29

עֲשׂ֥וּ

H6213

and do

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#30

מַֽהֲר֖וּ

H4116

make haste

properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e., (by implication)

#31

עֲשׂ֥וּ

H6213

and do

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

#32

כָמֽוֹנִי׃

H3644

as I

as, thus, so

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing covenant community contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Judges Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How does this verse's literary context within Judges chapter 9 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?

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