Jotham's Parable of the bramble

bramble

Hebrew: atad

Rubus ulmifolius

Jotham used a parable to rebuke evil men who set up Abimelech to be their king. Walker identifies this "bramble" as the typical blackberry bush. Its leaves resemble the elm. It is a hearty, prickly plant that has long, arching stems. It grows abundantly in the Middle East and it was hacked down and burned for fuel. Leaves are a rich green. A white felt-type covering is found on the underside of the leaves. The leaf edges are jagged. Its rose-colored flowers grow in groups called panicles.

Fruit on the bramble bush begins as bright red and becomes a rich purple. For thousands of years it has been used for its juice.

According to Celestial Seasonings Tea Company, ancient Greeks called blackberries "goutberries" because they were believed to have helped sufferers with gout. Supposedly the leaves soothe skin and contain astringent properties. Blackberries grow wild in Eastern Europe and the U.S.

Blackberry
(Rubus fruticosus)
Judges 9:8 (KJV) The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.

Judges 9:9 (KJV) But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?

Judges 9:14-15 (KJV) Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us. (15) And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.

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