Judges 9 8

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 9:8 nkjv

"The trees once went forth to anoint a king over them. And they said to the olive tree, 'Reign over us!'

Judges 9:8 niv

One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, 'Be our king.'

Judges 9:8 esv

The trees once went out to anoint a king over them, and they said to the olive tree, 'Reign over us.'

Judges 9:8 nlt

Once upon a time the trees decided to choose a king.
First they said to the olive tree,
'Be our king!'

Judges 9 verses

Judges 9 8 Meaning

Judges 9:8 initiates Jotham's renowned fable, portraying an assembly of trees seeking to anoint a king over them. The verse specifically details their first attempt, approaching the olive tree and requesting it to reign. This symbolic narrative implicitly critiques the foolishness of those who elevate an unworthy ruler and the disinclination of those truly fruitful and beneficial to abandon their essential vocations for the burdens of power. It serves as a warning against illegitimate kingship and the shortsightedness of the populace.

Judges 9 8 Context

Judges 9:8 marks the opening of Jotham's Fable, delivered from the summit of Mount Gerizim as a prophetic condemnation to the citizens of Shechem and Beth-Millo. This addresses their heinous act of making Abimelech king after he murdered his seventy brothers (Jdg 9:5-6), thereby eliminating the legitimate heirs of Gideon. The context is one of a transitionary period in Israel's history, where charismatic judges led tribes in times of crisis, but there was no centralized monarchy. Gideon, Jotham's father, had famously refused to be king (Jdg 8:23). Jotham's fable contrasts valuable and fruitful trees (olive, fig, vine) that reject kingship to continue their useful purposes, with the worthless bramble that eagerly accepts it. This serves as a stark metaphor for the contrast between legitimate, service-oriented leadership and self-serving ambition personified by Abimelech. Historically, Shechem was a significant covenant site, but also a place prone to rebellion and cultic practices (Jdg 8:33). Jotham's message highlights the dangerous consequence of choosing an illegitimate leader for political expediency rather than divine appointment or genuine worth.

Judges 9 8 Word analysis

• The trees (הָעֵצִים - ha-etzim):
  • Original Language: The definite article "Ha-" indicates specific trees. "Etzim" refers to trees in general.
  • Significance: This represents the people of Israel, specifically those of Shechem and their surrounding areas. Trees often symbolize nations, leaders, or individuals in biblical imagery (e.g., Psa 1, Jer 17). Their collective action suggests a conscious choice.
• once went forth (הָלֹךְ הָלְכוּ - halokh halkhu):
  • Original Language: This is a Hebrew infinitive absolute construction, "going, they went." It intensifies the action, emphasizing that the trees actively and deliberately initiated this quest.
  • Significance: This signifies a proactive decision and collective movement, underscoring the will and desire of the populace to establish a form of governance, reflecting Israel's eventual desire for a human king in 1 Samuel.
• to anoint a king (לִמְשֹׁחַ עֲלֵיהֶם מֶלֶךְ - limshokh aleihem melekh):
  • Original Language: "Limshoch" (from mashach) means 'to anoint', which involves pouring oil as a sacred ritual of consecration for kings, priests, or prophets. "Melekh" means 'king'. "Alehem" means 'over them'.
  • Significance: Anointing signifies divine appointment and legitimacy. Here, the act is initiated by the 'trees' (people) themselves, ironically, in contrast to God's ultimate prerogative to choose and anoint. This highlights the inherent problem: they seek to bestow an office that traditionally belongs to divine bestowal, on one chosen by themselves.
• and they said (וַיֹּאמְרוּ - vayomeru):
  • Significance: Implies a collective voice and agreement, indicating the unanimous decision to approach a specific tree. This reflects the unity (or misguided unity) of the people in their endeavor.
• to the olive tree (לַזַּיִת - la-zayit):
  • Original Language: "Zayit" is the Hebrew word for olive tree.
  • Significance: The olive tree is highly esteemed in the Bible, symbolizing fruitfulness, prosperity, anointing (olive oil for lamp, anointing), peace, and richness. Its produce is invaluable. It represents an ideal, genuinely beneficial leader whose contributions are foundational and nourishing. The trees' first choice demonstrates their understanding of desirable qualities in a leader, yet these qualities are often tied to productivity, not rule.
• ‘Reign over us.’ (מָלְכָה עָלֵינוּ - molkha aleinu):
  • Original Language: "Molkha" is a command form of 'to reign' or 'to be king'. "Aleinu" means 'over us'.
  • Significance: This direct request demonstrates the people's desire for a monarchical structure. It shows the transfer of authority, even if only symbolic in this fable, from the people to the chosen 'king'.

• Word Group Analysis:
• "The trees once went forth to anoint a king over them": This phrase establishes the central premise of the fable: the people’s proactive pursuit of kingship. It mirrors Israel's later demand for a king in 1 Samuel, showing a human initiative to establish leadership outside of explicit divine directive. The irony lies in the 'anointing' – a sacred act, now appropriated by nature itself to choose its own leader. This sets up the tension between natural worth/utility and the burdens of rule.
• "and they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’": This represents the trees’ initial, sensible choice of a leader, one who possesses intrinsic value and produces a valuable resource (oil). It symbolizes the people seeking leadership from one who is beneficial, productive, and culturally significant. However, the subsequent refusals highlight the paradox: those most qualified by their usefulness are often least willing to undertake the distracting and demanding tasks of political leadership. This reflects a critique of true merit avoiding positions of power while less worthy entities actively seek it.

Judges 9 8 Bonus section

Jotham's Fable (Judges 9:7-15) stands as one of the few extended fables in the Old Testament, showcasing an advanced literary form used for prophetic denunciation. Unlike parables, which usually hold a deeper, hidden spiritual truth and typically feature humans, fables often use animals or inanimate objects to convey a moral or political lesson in a direct and often satiric manner. Jotham’s fable specifically subverts the traditional understanding of "anointing a king" by having the "anointing" come from the "trees" (the people), highlighting that the Shechemites' act was human-driven and illegitimate in contrast to God's true divine appointment. This also serves as a polemic against the burgeoning idea of monarchy originating from popular demand rather than divine selection, foreshadowing later biblical accounts of Israel's request for a king (1 Sam 8) which God permitted, but with warnings. The rejection by the olive, fig, and vine—all highly valued symbols in ancient Israelite culture (signifying life, blessing, provision)—for the humble yet crucial tasks of "yielding fatness," "sweetness and good fruit," and "new wine," underscores a significant biblical theme: the tension between service/utility and the perceived glamour of political power.

Judges 9 8 Commentary

Judges 9:8 serves as the allegorical beginning of Jotham’s potent critique against the Shechemites’ choice of Abimelech as king. By personifying trees, Jotham frames the concept of leadership and the popular desire for it. The choice of the olive tree first signifies a natural inclination towards seeking a leader with intrinsic worth and beneficial qualities—one who is fruitful and contributes positively to society without actively seeking power. This highlights a fundamental truth: those truly valuable and beneficial in their own right are often uninterested in the administrative burdens and corruptions of power. This sets up the satirical unfolding of the fable, where each subsequent refusal by valuable trees (fig and vine) contrasts with the eager acceptance by the worthless bramble, mirroring Abimelech's character and his illegitimate reign over a people seeking stability after Gideon's leadership. The fable’s underlying message emphasizes that genuine, valuable contributions stem from focused vocations, not necessarily from occupying positions of worldly power.