Judges 9:8
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said to the olive tree, Reign you over us.
American King James Version (AKJV)
The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said to the olive tree, Reign you over us.
American Standard Version (ASV)
The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive-tree, Reign thou over us.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
One day the trees went out to make a king for themselves; and they said to the olive-tree, Be king over us.
Webster's Revision
The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said to the olive-tree, Reign thou over us.
World English Bible
The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said to the olive tree, 'Reign over us.'
English Revised Version (ERV)
The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.
Definitions for Judges 9:8
Clarke's Judges 9:8 Bible Commentary
The trees went forth on a time - This is the oldest, and without exception the best fable or apologue in the world. See the observations at the end of this chapter, Judges 9:56 (note). It is not to be supposed that a fable, if well formed, requires much illustration; every part of this, a few expressions excepted, illustrates itself, and tells its own meaning.
To anoint a king - Hence it appears that anointing was usual in the installation of kings, long before there was any king in Israel; for there is much evidence that the book of Judges was written before the days of Saul and David.
The olive tree - The olive was the most useful of all the trees in the field or forest, as the bramble was the meanest and the most worthless.
Barnes's Judges 9:8 Bible Commentary
This fable and that noted in the marginal reference are the only two of the kind found in Scripture. Somewhat different are the parables of the Old Testament, 2 Samuel 12:1-4; 2 Samuel 14:5-11; 1 Kings 20:39-40.
Wesley's Judges 9:8 Bible Commentary
9:8 The trees, &c. - A parabolical discourse, usual among the ancients, especially in the eastern parts. To anoint - To make a king, which was done among the Israelites, and some others, with the ceremony of anointing. Olive - tree - By which he understands Gideon.