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href="/bsb/judges/9.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/judges/9.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220But the olive tree answered, &#8216Should I give up my oil, by which both gods and humans are honored, to hold sway over the trees?&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/judges/9.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But the olive tree refused, saying, ‘Should I quit producing the olive oil that blesses both God and people, just to wave back and forth over the trees?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But the olive tree said to them, ‘Shall I leave my abundance, by which gods and men are honored, and go hold sway over the trees?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/judges/9.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the olive tree replied, ‘Should I stop giving my oil that honors both God and man, to hold sway over the trees?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/judges/9.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/judges/9.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But the olive tree said to them, ‘Should I cease giving my oil, With which they honor God and men, And go to sway over trees?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the olive tree said to them, ‘Shall I give up my fatness with which God and mankind are honored, and go to wave over the trees?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220But the olive tree said to them, &#8216Shall I leave my fatness with which God and men are honored, and go to wave over the trees?&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“But the olive tree said to them, ‘Shall I leave my fatness with which God and men are honored, and go to wave over the trees?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But the olive tree said to them, ‘Shall I leave my fatness, with which God and men are honored, and go to wave over the trees?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But the olive tree said to them, ‘Should I give up my fatness by which God and men are honored, and go to wave over the trees?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the olive tree said to them, “Should I stop giving my oil that people use to honor both God and men, and rule over the trees? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the olive tree said to them,&#8221 Should I stop giving my oil that honors both God and man, and rule over the trees?&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But the olive-tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honor God and man, and go to wave to and fro over the trees?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But the olive tree replied, "My oil brings honor to people and gods. I won't stop making oil, just so my branches can wave above the other trees." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to wave to and fro over the trees?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But the olive tree responded, 'Should I stop producing oil, which people use to honor gods and humans, in order to rule the trees?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The olive tree answered, 'In order to govern you, I would have to stop producing my oil, which is used to honor gods and human beings.' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But the olive tree asked them, 'Should I stop producing my rich oils by which both God and men are honored and go take dominion over trees?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But the olive tree replied, ?Should I stop giving my oil that honors both God and man, to hold sway over the trees??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />But the olive tree said to them, 'I am not going to stop producing my oil, which is used to honor gods and men, just to sway above the other trees!' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"But the olive tree said to them, 'Should I leave my fatness, with which by me they honor God and man, and go to wave back and forth over the trees?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But the olive-tree said to them, Should I leave my fatness, with which by me they honor God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“But the olive tree said to them, ‘Should I stop producing my oil, with which they honor God and man by me, and go to wave back and forth over the trees?’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the olive says to them, Have I ceased from my fatness, by which they honor gods and men, that I have gone to stagger over the trees?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the olive saith to them, Have I ceased from my fatness, by which they honour gods and men, that I have gone to stagger over the trees?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the olive will say to them, Left I my fatness which by me they will honor God and men, and went I to wander about over the trees?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And it answered: Can I leave my fatness, which both gods and men make use of, to come to be promoted among the trees? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And it responded, ‘How could I abandon my fatness, which both gods and men make use of, and depart to be promoted among the trees?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But the olive tree answered them, ‘Must I give up my rich oil, whereby gods and human beings are honored, and go off to hold sway over the trees?’ <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The olive tree answered them, ‘Shall I stop producing my rich oil by which gods and mortals are honored, and go to sway over the trees?’<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />But the olive tree said to them, Should I leave my fertility, by which gods and men are honored, to be abominated for reigning over the trees?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The olive tree said to them: ‘I am not leaving my oil in me that is honored of gods and men, and would I go to be an abomination for the trees?’<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />But the olive-tree said unto them: Should I leave my fatness, seeing that by me they honour God and man, and go to hold sway over the trees?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But the olives said to them, Shall I leave my fatness, with which men shall glorify God, and go to be promoted over the trees?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/9-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AjzBiIYY2Dc?start=2710" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/judges/9.htm">Jotham's Parable</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>One day the trees set out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’ <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2132.htm" title="2132: haz·za·yiṯ (Art:: N-ms) -- Olive tree, olive. Probably from an unused root; an olive, the tree, the branch or the berry.">But the olive tree</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">replied,</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/2308.htm" title="2308: he·ḥo·ḏal·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To cease. A primitive root; properly, to be flabby, i.e. desist; be lacking or idle.">‘Should I stop giving</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1880.htm" title="1880: diš·nî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Fatness, ashes of fat. From dashen; the fat; abstractly fatness, i.e. abundance; specifically the ashes of sacrifices.">my oil</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/bî (Prep:: 1cs) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3513.htm" title="3513: yə·ḵab·bə·ḏū (V-Piel-Imperf-3mp) -- Or kabed; a primitive root; to be heavy, i.e. In a bad sense or in a good sense (in the same two senses).">honors</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">both God</a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: wa·’ă·nā·šîm (Conj-w:: N-mp) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">and man,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: wə·hā·laḵ·tî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-1cs) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">to hold</a> <a href="/hebrew/5128.htm" title="5128: lā·nū·a‘ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- A primitive root; to waver, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively.">sway</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">over</a> <a href="/hebrew/6086.htm" title="6086: hā·‘ê·ṣîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Tree, trees, wood. From atsah; a tree; hence, wood.">the trees?’</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and reign over us.’…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/8-8.htm">Deuteronomy 8:8</a></span><br />a land of wheat, barley, vines, fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of olive oil and honey;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/104-15.htm">Psalm 104:15</a></span><br />wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil that makes his face to shine, and bread that sustains his heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-1.htm">Isaiah 5:1-2</a></span><br />I will sing for my beloved a song of his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. / He dug it up and cleared the stones and planted the finest vines. He built a watchtower in the middle and dug out a winepress as well. He waited for the vineyard to yield good grapes, but the fruit it produced was sour!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/11-17.htm">Romans 11:17-24</a></span><br />Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root, / do not boast over those branches. If you do, remember this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. / You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/15-1.htm">John 15:1-5</a></span><br />“I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. / He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful. / You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/14-6.htm">Hosea 14:6</a></span><br />His shoots will sprout, and his splendor will be like the olive tree, his fragrance like the cedars of Lebanon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/4-25.htm">1 Kings 4:25</a></span><br />Throughout the days of Solomon, Judah and Israel dwelt securely from Dan to Beersheba, each man under his own vine and his own fig tree.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-25.htm">Nehemiah 9:25</a></span><br />They captured fortified cities and fertile land and took houses full of all goods, wells already dug, vineyards, olive groves, and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled; they grew fat and delighted in Your great goodness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/11-16.htm">Jeremiah 11:16</a></span><br />The LORD once called you a flourishing olive tree, beautiful with well-formed fruit. But with a mighty roar He will set it on fire, and its branches will be consumed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-12.htm">James 3:12</a></span><br />My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/8-11.htm">Genesis 8:11</a></span><br />And behold, the dove returned to him in the evening with a freshly plucked olive leaf in her beak. So Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/10-1.htm">1 Samuel 10:1</a></span><br />Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/6-23.htm">1 Kings 6:23</a></span><br />In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim, each ten cubits high, out of olive wood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/4-11.htm">Zechariah 4:11-14</a></span><br />Then I asked the angel, “What are the two olive trees on the right and left of the lampstand?” / And I questioned him further, “What are the two olive branches beside the two gold pipes from which the golden oil pours?” / “Do you not know what these are?” he inquired. “No, my lord,” I replied. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/21-33.htm">Matthew 21:33-41</a></span><br />Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. Then he rented it out to some tenants and went away on a journey. / When the harvest time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his share of the fruit. / But the tenants seized his servants. They beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But the olive tree said to them, Should I leave my fatness, with which by me they honor God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?</p><p class="hdg">wherewith</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/29-2.htm">Exodus 29:2,7</a></b></br> And unleavened bread, and cakes unleavened tempered with oil, and wafers unleavened anointed with oil: <i>of</i> wheaten flour shalt thou make them… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/35-14.htm">Exodus 35:14</a></b></br> The candlestick also for the light, and his furniture, and his lamps, with the oil for the light,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/2-1.htm">Leviticus 2:1</a></b></br> And when any will offer a meat offering unto the LORD, his offering shall be <i>of</i> fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon:</p><p class="hdg">God.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/1-7.htm">Job 1:7</a></b></br> And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/2-2.htm">Job 2:2</a></b></br> And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/5-7.htm">Ceased</a> <a href="/judges/7-20.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/judges/4-9.htm">Honor</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/28-58.htm">Honored</a> <a href="/judges/4-9.htm">Honour</a> <a href="/judges/6-4.htm">Leave</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-24.htm">Oil</a> <a href="/judges/9-8.htm">Olive</a> <a href="/judges/9-8.htm">Olive-Tree</a> <a href="/daniel/3-30.htm">Promoted</a> <a href="/romans/4-20.htm">Stagger</a> <a href="/romans/8-13.htm">Sway</a> <a href="/judges/9-8.htm">Tree</a> <a href="/judges/9-8.htm">Trees</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/27-5.htm">Wave</a> <a href="/numbers/6-20.htm">Waving</a> <a href="/joshua/22-8.htm">Wealth</a> <a href="/judges/9-4.htm">Wherewith</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/9-11.htm">Ceased</a> <a href="/judges/9-11.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/judges/9-16.htm">Honor</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-14.htm">Honored</a> <a href="/judges/13-17.htm">Honour</a> <a href="/judges/9-11.htm">Leave</a> <a href="/ruth/3-3.htm">Oil</a> <a href="/judges/15-5.htm">Olive</a> <a href="/job/15-33.htm">Olive-Tree</a> <a href="/judges/9-11.htm">Promoted</a> <a href="/judges/9-11.htm">Stagger</a> <a href="/judges/9-11.htm">Sway</a> <a href="/judges/9-10.htm">Tree</a> <a href="/judges/9-10.htm">Trees</a> <a href="/judges/9-11.htm">Wave</a> <a href="/judges/9-11.htm">Waving</a> <a href="/ruth/2-1.htm">Wealth</a> <a href="/judges/9-38.htm">Wherewith</a><div class="vheading2">Judges 9</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-1.htm">Abimelech by conspiracy with the Shechemites, and murder of his brothers, is made king</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-7.htm">Jotham by a parable rebukes them, and foretells their ruin</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-22.htm">Gaal conspires with the Shechemites against him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">30. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-30.htm">Zebul reveals it</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-34.htm">Abimelech overcomes them, and sows the city with salt</a></span><br><span class="reftext">46. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-46.htm">He burns the hold of the god Berith</a></span><br><span class="reftext">50. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-50.htm">At Thebez he is slain by a piece of a millstone</a></span><br><span class="reftext">56. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/judges/9-56.htm">Jotham's curse is fulfilled.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/9.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/judges/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/judges/9.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But the olive tree replied</b><br>The olive tree is a symbol of peace, prosperity, and blessing throughout the Bible. In the context of <a href="/judges/9.htm">Judges 9</a>, the olive tree represents a figure of stability and productivity. The olive tree's response is part of Jotham's parable, which is a critique of Abimelech's kingship. The olive tree's refusal to become king highlights the idea that true leadership should not be self-serving but should focus on serving others.<p><b>Should I stop giving my oil</b><br>Olive oil was a valuable commodity in ancient Israel, used for anointing, cooking, lighting lamps, and religious offerings. The rhetorical question emphasizes the olive tree's essential role and the importance of its contributions. This reflects the biblical principle that each person has unique gifts and roles that should not be abandoned for personal ambition.<p><b>that honors both God and man</b><br>Olive oil was used in religious ceremonies, symbolizing the presence and blessing of God. It was also used in everyday life, providing light and sustenance. This dual purpose underscores the idea that true service honors both divine and human needs. The olive tree's oil is a metaphor for actions that glorify God and benefit others, aligning with the biblical call to love God and love one's neighbor.<p><b>to hold sway over the trees?</b><br>The phrase "to hold sway" suggests authority and control. The olive tree's refusal to rule over the other trees illustrates the biblical theme that leadership should not be about power or dominance. This echoes Jesus' teaching in the New Testament that the greatest leaders are those who serve others (<a href="/mark/10-42.htm">Mark 10:42-45</a>). The parable critiques the desire for power that characterized Abimelech's rule, contrasting it with the selfless service exemplified by Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/o/olive_tree.htm">Olive Tree</a></b><br>Represents a character in Jotham's parable, symbolizing those who are productive and have a significant role in God's creation.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jotham.htm">Jotham</a></b><br>The youngest son of Gideon, who delivers a parable to the people of Shechem to warn them about the consequences of their actions.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/shechem.htm">Shechem</a></b><br>A city in ancient Israel where the events of <a href="/bsb/judges/9.htm">Judges 9</a> unfold, including the crowning of Abimelech as king.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/a/abimelech.htm">Abimelech</a></b><br>The son of Gideon who seeks power and is made king by the people of Shechem, leading to conflict and destruction.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/parable_of_the_trees.htm">Parable of the Trees</a></b><br>A account told by Jotham to illustrate the folly of choosing a leader who is not fit to rule, using trees as metaphors for different types of leaders.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/v/value_of_purpose.htm">Value of Purpose</a></b><br>The olive tree's refusal to abandon its purpose teaches us the importance of recognizing and valuing the roles and gifts God has given us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/honoring_god_and_man.htm">Honoring God and Man</a></b><br>The olive tree's oil honors both God and man, reminding us that our actions and contributions should glorify God and benefit others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_leadership.htm">Discernment in Leadership</a></b><br>Jotham's parable warns against choosing leaders based on ambition rather than character and capability.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_calling.htm">Faithfulness in Calling</a></b><br>Like the olive tree, we are called to remain faithful to our God-given purposes, even when tempted by other opportunities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_poor_choices.htm">Consequences of Poor Choices</a></b><br>The events in Shechem illustrate the destructive outcomes of choosing leaders who do not align with God's will.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_judges_9.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Judges 9</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_abimelech,_gideon's_son.htm">Who was Abimelech, son of Gideon, in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_judges_4_9_a_later_editorial_addition.htm">Judges 4:9 features a prophecy about Sisera's defeat by a woman--could this be a later editorial addition that conflicts with the main story?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_abimelech's_rule_conflict_with_ot.htm">Does the account of Abimelech's violent rule conflict with other Old Testament portrayals of just leadership (Judges 9:22-24)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_shechem's_destruction.htm">Is there any archaeological evidence supporting the destruction of Shechem as described (Judges 9)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) <span class= "bld">Wherewith by me they honour God and man.</span>--The words may also mean, <span class= "ital">which gods and men honour in me </span>(Vulg., <span class= "ital">qua et dii utuntur et homines; </span>Luther, <span class= "ital">meine Fettigheit, die beide G?tter und menschen an mir preisen; </span>and so some MSS. of the LXX.). In either case the mention of gods or God (Elohim) refers to the use of oil in sacrifices, offerings, consecrations, &c. (<a href="/genesis/28-18.htm" title="And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil on the top of it.">Genesis 28:18</a>; <a href="/exodus/30-24.htm" title="And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin:">Exodus 30:24</a>; <a href="/context/leviticus/3-1.htm" title="And if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offer it of the herd; whether it be a male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the LORD.">Leviticus 3:1-16</a>). Oil is used in the East as one of the greatest luxuries, and also as possessing valuable medicinal properties (<a href="/james/5-15.htm" title="And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.">James 5:15</a>; <a href="/luke/10-34.htm" title="And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.">Luke 10:34</a>).<p><span class= "bld">Go to be promoted over the trees.</span>--The English Version here follows the Vulg. (<span class= "ital">ut inter ligna promovear</span>)<span class= "ital">; </span>but the verb in the original is much finer and more picturesque, for it expresses the utter scorn of the olive for the proffered honour. The margin renders it, <span class= "ital">go up and down for other trees, </span>but it means rather "float about" (LXX., <span class= "ital">kineisthai; </span>Vulg., <span class= "ital">agitari</span>)<span class= "ital">; </span>as Luther admirably renders it, <span class= "ital">dass ich uber den Bamen Schwebe. </span>(Comp. <a href="/isaiah/19-1.htm" title="The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the middle of it.">Isaiah 19:1</a> (be moved), <a href="/isaiah/29-9.htm" title="Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry you out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.">Isaiah 29:9</a> (stagger); <a href="/lamentations/4-14.htm" title="They have wandered as blind men in the streets, they have polluted themselves with blood, so that men could not touch their garments.">Lamentations 4:14</a> (wander), &c.) When, in 1868, the crown of Spain was offered to Ferdinand of Portugal, he is reported to have answered, <span class= "ital">Pour moi pas si imbecile.</span> . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">They honour God and man</span>: God, by the frequent offerings of oil with the meat offerings (<a href="/leviticus/2-1.htm">Leviticus 2:1-16</a>, etc.); and man, <span class="accented">e.g.</span>, by the solemn anointing with oil of kings, priests, and prophets (<a href="/1_samuel/16-12.htm">1 Samuel 16:12, 13</a>; <a href="/1_kings/19-16.htm">1 Kings 19:16</a>; <a href="/psalms/89-21.htm">Psalm 89:21</a>). <span class="cmt_word">To be promoted</span>, literally, to <span class="accented">wave</span>, or <span class="accented">move</span>, <span class="accented">over</span>, <span class="accented">i.e.</span> to rule, in the case of a tree. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/9-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">But the olive tree</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזַּ֔יִת</span> <span class="translit">(haz·za·yiṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2132.htm">Strong's 2132: </a> </span><span class="str2">An olive, the tree, the branch, the berry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">replied,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֤אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘Should I stop giving</span><br /><span class="heb">הֶחֳדַ֙לְתִּי֙</span> <span class="translit">(he·ḥo·ḏal·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2308.htm">Strong's 2308: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be flabby, desist, be lacking, idle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">my oil</span><br /><span class="heb">דִּשְׁנִ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(diš·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1880.htm">Strong's 1880: </a> </span><span class="str2">The fat, fatness, abundance, the, ashes of sacrifices</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁר־</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">honors</span><br /><span class="heb">יְכַבְּד֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yə·ḵab·bə·ḏū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3513.htm">Strong's 3513: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be heavy, weighty, or burdensome</span><br /><br /><span class="word">both God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and man,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַאֲנָשִׁ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(wa·’ă·nā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to hold</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·laḵ·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sway</span><br /><span class="heb">לָנ֖וּעַ</span> <span class="translit">(lā·nū·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5128.htm">Strong's 5128: </a> </span><span class="str2">To quiver, wave, waver, tremble, totter</span><br /><br /><span class="word">over</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the trees?’</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעֵצִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ê·ṣîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6086.htm">Strong's 6086: </a> </span><span class="str2">Tree, trees, wood</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/9-9.htm">Judges 9:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/9-9.htm">Judges 9:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/9-9.htm">Judges 9:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/9-9.htm">Judges 9:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/9-9.htm">Judges 9:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/9-9.htm">Judges 9:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/9-9.htm">Judges 9:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/9-9.htm">Judges 9:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/9-9.htm">Judges 9:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/9-9.htm">Judges 9:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/9-9.htm">OT History: Judges 9:9 But the olive tree said to them (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/9-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 9:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 9:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/9-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 9:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 9:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>