Judges 9 13

Judges 9:13 kjv

And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?

Judges 9:13 nkjv

But the vine said to them, 'Should I cease my new wine, Which cheers both God and men, And go to sway over trees?'

Judges 9:13 niv

"But the vine answered, 'Should I give up my wine, which cheers both gods and humans, to hold sway over the trees?'

Judges 9:13 esv

But the vine said to them, 'Shall I leave my wine that cheers God and men and go hold sway over the trees?'

Judges 9:13 nlt

But the grapevine also refused, saying,
'Should I quit producing the wine
that cheers both God and people,
just to wave back and forth over the trees?'

Judges 9 verses

Judges 9 13 Meaning

Judges 9:13 is a crucial part of Jotham's Fable, where the vine, symbolizing a beneficial and productive entity, rejects the offer to rule over the other trees. The vine states its unwillingness to abandon its "new wine, which cheers God and men," for the sake of merely swaying or ruling over the trees. This declaration conveys that true worth and divine blessing stem from fulfilling one's intrinsic purpose of yielding beneficial fruit and bringing joy and sustenance, rather than from seeking worldly power and dominion. The vine views such a pursuit of power as a distraction from its divinely ordained role of contribution and blessing. The passage implies that a genuinely valuable and God-blessed individual or community contributes effectively and bountifully rather than merely aspiring to govern without inherent capacity for providing true spiritual or physical nourishment.

Judges 9 13 Context

Judges chapter 9 recounts Jotham’s prophetic parable, delivered from the heights of Mount Gerizim as a scathing indictment of the people of Shechem. Following the death of the renowned judge Gideon (Jerubbaal), his ambitious son Abimelech orchestrated the massacre of seventy of his brothers, preserving only the youngest, Jotham, who escaped. Abimelech then deceitfully manipulated the people of Shechem into making him their king. Jotham’s fable serves as a powerful critique, contrasting the valuable, life-giving plants (olive, fig, and vine) with a useless, thorny, and ultimately destructive thornbush. Each noble plant declines the offer of kingship because they are occupied with fulfilling their essential, productive roles: yielding oil, figs, and wine—substances that bring blessing to both God and humanity. In stark contrast, the worthless thornbush readily accepts the rule, symbolizing Abimelech's character: unproductive, dangerous, and incapable of providing true shelter or leadership. The parable functions as a direct polemic against a human-established monarchy rooted in violence and deceit, illustrating it as a profound deviation from the divine order where true blessing and leadership derive from faithful service and spiritual fruitfulness rather than brute force or ambition. The historical backdrop for this account highlights Israel’s transitional period from divinely appointed judges to an increasing, often misguided, desire for earthly kingship, frequently imitating pagan nations rather than trusting in God's unique covenantal governance, leading to tragic outcomes like Abimelech's ruinous reign.

Judges 9 13 Word analysis

• And the vine (וְהַגֶּפֶן, wəhaggɛp̄en): Symbolizes productivity, sustenance, and joy. It is presented as a plant of high value due to its contribution of wine, which is indispensable for worship and celebration. Its refusal to rule underscores the principle that intrinsic worth lies in bearing beneficial fruit rather than pursuing a position of power.
• said to them, (אָֽמְרָה לָהֶם, 'āmərâ lāhem): This anthropomorphism attributes deliberative thought and a clear rationale to the vine, emphasizing its conscious choice based on a perceived hierarchy of values.
• ‘Shall I leave my new wine, (הֶחֳדַלְתִּי אֶת־תִּירוֹשִׁי, hechodaltî ’et-tîrôšî):
  • הֶחֳדַלְתִּי (hechodaltî): From the verb meaning "to cease, to leave off, to abandon." It suggests a discontinuation of its vital function. The rhetorical question implies that such a cessation would be unthinkable, highlighting the supreme importance of its output.
  • תִּירוֹשׁ (tîrôš): Refers to "new wine," typically fresh, unfermented grape juice, representing the vibrant, fruitful essence of the vine. It's often associated with divine blessing and abundance, highlighting the quality and life-giving nature of its product, which is directly linked to God's favor.
• which cheers (אֲשֶׁר תְּשַׂמַּח, 'ăšer təśammach):
  • תְּשַׂמַּח (təśammach): Derived from שָׂמַח (samach), meaning "to make joyful, to gladden, to cheer." This word underscores the fundamental effect of wine: to bring joy and lift the spirit, whether in worship or daily life.
• God and men, (אֱלֹהִים וַאֲנָשִׁים, 'elōhîm wa'ănāšîm): This phrase is profoundly significant, representing a holistic blessing.
  • אֱלֹהִים ('elōhîm): Refers to God. Wine was central to Israel's worship in drink offerings (libations) which were poured out "to the Lord" and were considered "a soothing aroma to the Lord" (Num 15:7, Lev 23:13). In this sense, wine "cheered God" by being an acceptable, pleasing act of worship, demonstrating the reverence and obedience of His people.
  • וַאֲנָשִׁים (wa'ănāšîm): Refers to humankind. Wine brings joy, refreshment, and is part of festive celebrations for people (Ps 104:15).
  • Collectively, this phrase highlights wine's comprehensive benefit, encompassing both the sacred realm (acceptable worship to God) and the mundane (gladness for people), asserting its divine origin as a universal blessing.
• and go to wave over the trees?’ (וְהָלַכְתִּי לָנוּעַ עַל־הָעֵצִים, wəhālakhtî lānûaʿ ‘al-hāʿēṣîm):
  • לָנוּעַ (lānûaʿ): This verb means "to wave, to sway, to totter." In the context of ruling, it signifies the act of governing or presiding over, perhaps like a flag waving or a scepter being brandished. The term itself could carry a subtle implication of instability or aimless motion when contrasted with the vine's tangible productivity.
  • עַל־הָעֵצִים (‘al-hāʿēṣîm): "Over the trees," meaning to rule or dominate them. The vine views this activity as inferior or extraneous compared to its life-giving function.

Words-group analysis:

• ‘Shall I leave my new wine, which cheers God and men’: This entire clause encapsulates the core value proposition of the vine. It foregrounds its identity as a producer of something universally valuable and divinely esteemed. To abandon this fundamental purpose for the sake of mere governance is presented as an unthinkable act of folly. It articulates a wisdom that values being a source of sustenance and blessing above being a wielder of authority, reflecting God's economy of purpose over position.
• ‘and go to wave over the trees?’: This rhetorical question derides the ambition for superficial power. The act of "waving over" is portrayed as an inferior alternative to the active production of fruit. It suggests that leadership for its own sake, devoid of inherent productive contribution, is seen as a petty and less noble pursuit for those who have a higher calling rooted in true generosity and beneficence. The metaphor implies that genuine leaders should have a track record of producing beneficial results for others, rather than simply seeking to control them.

Judges 9 13 Bonus section

The seemingly unusual phrase "cheers God" often prompts scholarly discussion. While 'elohim can sometimes refer to rulers or judges in a broad sense, in this context, and especially in the legal and cultic language of the Pentateuch, it unequivocally points to the God of Israel. The act of "cheering" God through wine explicitly refers to the drink offerings (libations) where wine was poured out "to the Lord" as a pleasing aroma, an act of acceptable worship (e.g., Num 15:5). Thus, the wine from the vine provided a means for the covenant people to express devotion and honor, finding favor in the eyes of their Creator. This elevates the vine's purpose to a sacred dimension, distinguishing it from any mere earthly utility. The fable powerfully sets forth a theocentric standard for true greatness: it is not found in wielding temporal authority but in fulfilling a purpose that blesses God and serves humanity through fruitfulness. This truth echoes throughout the Scriptures, reminding that God delights in service, humility, and faithfulness in one's given sphere, contrasting sharply with the ambition, pride, and self-serving dominion exhibited by figures like Abimelech and, indeed, many throughout human history who grasp for power without a genuine contribution to make.

Judges 9 13 Commentary

Judges 9:13 is a powerful, concise statement within Jotham's Fable, designed to expose the true nature of leadership and the folly of choosing ambition over divinely ordained service. The vine, along with the olive and fig trees, embodies true value: their existence is inherently productive, bringing joy and sustenance through their specific gifts. The "new wine," vital for both worship (cheering God through offerings) and human celebration (gladdening hearts), represents an irreplaceable, life-giving output. The vine's resolute refusal to relinquish this deeply beneficial and sacred function for the abstract, less substantive task of merely "waving over" (ruling) highlights a profound biblical principle: genuine blessing and divine favor rest upon those who faithfully bear fruit in their appointed callings, providing life and joy, rather than those who prioritize external power and position for their own sake. This parable, delivered in response to Abimelech's tyrannical, unproductive, and violent self-appointment as king, starkly contrasts productive service with power-hungry dominance. It emphasizes that true kingship and blessed leadership should flow from a character that nurtures and provides, rather than one that merely commands or destroys. The passage acts as an enduring warning against pursuing empty authority instead of embracing fruitful, God-honoring contribution.

Examples:

• A person with a specific vocational calling, like a nurse or a teacher, recognizing the unique, life-giving impact of their profession and declining a management position that would distance them from their primary work.
• A believer choosing to deepen their walk with God and serve in areas of tangible spiritual fruitfulness within their local community, rather than striving for recognition or status in religious hierarchy.