Judges 9:15

Translations

Modern

But the thornbush replied, ‘If you really are anointing me as king over you, come and find refuge in my shade. But if not, may fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon.’

Traditional

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.

Literal

And the bramble said to the trees, ‘If in truth you anoint me as king over you, come, take refuge in my shade. But if not, let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’

Latin

Quæ respondit eis: Si vere me regem vobis constituitis, venite, et sub umbra mea requiescite: si autem non vultis, egrediatur ignis de rhamno, et devoret cedros Libani.

Original

Hebrew

English

But the thornbush replied, ‘If you really are anointing me as king over you, come and find refuge in my shade. But if not, may fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon.’

Notes

Judges 9:14–15

The trees, preferring a bad king to having none (compare 1 Samuel 8:18–19), asked the thornbush to be king. Although neither useful nor attractive, the thornbush accepted. The person who agreed to be king had no better work to do.
The thornbush could not provide shade from the hot Middle Eastern sun. Accepting this offer was both pointless and unwise.

Judges 9:7–21

Jotham shared a fable, where plants and animals act like humans, to illustrate the situation (Judges 9:7–15). He then cursed Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem (Judges 9:16–21). If they had acted dishonestly, it would become clear (Judges 9:56–57).

Judges 9:1–57

Abimelech's reign marked a shift from the relative peace of the early judges (Judges 3:7–8:35) to the decline of the later years (10:1–16:31).

Theme notes and profiles

Gideon Preaching to a Tough Crowd Shechem

Events

Usurpation by Abimelech

Related verses

Isaiah 30:2
They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shade.
Hosea 14:7
They will return and dwell in his shade; they will grow grain and blossom like the vine. His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.
Judges 9:20
But if not, may fire come from Abimelech and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo, and may fire come from the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo and consume Abimelech.”
Isaiah 2:13
…against all the cedars of Lebanon, lofty and lifted up, against all the oaks of Bashan,
Daniel 4:12
Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit was abundant, and upon it was food for all. Under it the beasts of the field found shelter, in its branches the birds of the air nested, and from it every creature was fed.
2 Kings 14:9
But Jehoash king of Israel replied to Amaziah king of Judah: “A thistle in Lebanon sent a message to a cedar in Lebanon, saying, ‘Give your daughter to my son in marriage.’ Then a wild beast in Lebanon came along and trampled the thistle.
Numbers 21:28
For a fire went out from Heshbon, a blaze from the city of Sihon. It consumed Ar of Moab, the rulers of Arnon’s heights.
Isaiah 37:24
Through your servants you have taunted the Lord, and you have said: “With my many chariots I have ascended to the heights of the mountains, to the remote peaks of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars, the finest of its cypresses. I have reached its farthest heights, the densest of its forests.
Ezekiel 19:14
Fire has gone out from its main branch and devoured its fruit; on it no strong branch remains fit for a ruler’s scepter.’ This is a lament and shall be used as a lament.”
Psalm 104:16
The trees of the LORD have their fill, the cedars of Lebanon that He planted,
Ezekiel 31:3
Look at Assyria, a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches that shaded the forest. It towered on high; its top was among the clouds.
Isaiah 1:31
The strong man will become tinder and his work will be a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the flames.

Places

Lebanon: A mountainous region known for its cedar trees

Glossary

Arumah Baal-Berith Beth-Millo Boxthorn Curse, Cursed Judges, Book of Lebanon Millo Riddle Shechem (Place) Thistle, Thorn Warfare

Topics

Allegory of the Trees Seeking a King Anointing in Consecration of Kings Bramble: Allegory of Jotham: Son of Gideon: Rebukes the Shechemites with the Parable About the Trees Judge: Abimelech Lebanon: Cedars of Parables of the Trees Parables: Remarkable Parables of the Old Testament Pride: General Scriptures Concerning Sarcasm by Jotham The Cedar: Lebanon Celebrated For

Judges 9:15

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