Keraia
Judges 9

Judges 9:19

Jotham’s Parable · Judges 9:7–21
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Translations

Modern
…if you have acted faithfully and honestly toward Jerubbaal and his house this day, then may you rejoice in Abimelech, and he in you.
Traditional
If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you:
Literal
…and if then in truth and sincerity you have acted with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice in Abimelech and let him rejoice also in you.
Latin
…si ergo recte et absque vitio egistis cum Jerobaal et domo ejus, hodie lætamini in Abimelech, et ille lætetur in vobis.

Original

Hebrew
English
…if you have acted faithfully and honestly toward Jerubbaal and his house this day, then may you rejoice in Abimelech, and he in you.

Notes

Judges 9:19–20

The Shechemites were asked to decide if their actions deserved blessing or cursing. It implied they acted in bad faith, leading to mutual destruction with Abimelech. The Lord is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29), and those who act unfaithfully show his justice.

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

People

Abimelech: Son of Gideon, self-proclaimed king of Shechem Gideon: Judge of Israel; defeated Midianites; tested and reassured by God

Glossary

Arumah Baal-Berith Beth-Millo Curse, Cursed Judges, Book of Millo Shechem (Place) Warfare

Topics

Fatherless: Jotham Jotham: Son of Gideon: Rebukes the Shechemites with the Parable About the Trees Judge: Abimelech Orphan: Jotham Sarcasm by Jotham