BibleWord.ai› Bible› Judges› Chapter 9› Verse 49

Judges 9:49

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Judges 9:49 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put them to the stronghold, and set the stronghold on fire upon them; so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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

Context — Judges 9

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
46And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard thereof, they entered into the stronghold of the house of Elberith.
47And it was told Abimelech that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together.
48And 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.
49And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put them to the stronghold, and set the stronghold on fire upon them; so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.
50Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.
51But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all they of the city, and shut themselves in, and gat them up to the roof of the tower.
52And Abimelech came unto the tower, and fought against it, and drew near unto the door of the tower to burn it with fire.
← Judges 9:48Judges 9:50 →
← Full Chapter 9 Judges Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And all the people likewise cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, etc.] With their boughs on their shoulders, so that they were men that seemed to be as trees walking: and put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire upon them; upon the men in it, or with them, the boughs of trees; it is probable the hold was made of wood, and so could the more easily be set on fire. Jarchi says it was a wood or forest, where they bent the trees, and divided them round about, and made a fence of them; but they would scarcely have left the tower for such a shelter: so that all the men of the tower of Shechem died also; fire being put to the hold, and they burnt in it; the Vulgate Latin…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“put them: Jdg 9:15, Jdg 9:20; Gal 5:15; Jam 3:16 Judges 9:50”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Judges 9 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification