Then all the trees said to the bramble …: The trees offered kingship to the three most important trees in Israel, but each one refused. So now they turn to one of the lowest plants, the bramble. Since this tree is the last in the series, the Hebrew waw conjunction rendered Then may be translated “Finally” (Contemporary English Version, New International Version) or “Lastly.” There is a slight change in expression here as all the trees participate. Jotham is making a very big contrast here, as he moves from the valuable plants in Israel, to one of the lowest and unappreciated bushes. Unlike the other trees mentioned here, the bramble or thorn bush is not a useful plant, which produces thorns instead of edible fruit. About the only thing brambles are good for is to burn, and even then, they burn quickly and so are not a good source of firewood. Translators need to find a good equivalent in their language. Good News Translation says “thorn bush.”

Come you, and reign over us: See verse 9.10.

Quoted with permission from Zogbo, Lynell and Ogden, Graham S. A Handbook on Judges. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .