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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad13.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/judges/9-12.htm" title="Judges 9:12">◄</a> Judges 9:13 <a href="/judges/9-14.htm" title="Judges 9:14">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a 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 vine answered, &#8216Should I give up my wine, which cheers both gods and humans, 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 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?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/judges/9.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />But the vine said to them, ‘Shall I leave my wine that cheers God and men 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 grapevine replied, ‘Should I stop giving my wine that cheers 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 />And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth 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 vine said to them, ‘Should I cease my new wine, Which cheers <i>both</i> 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 vine said to them, ‘Shall I give up my new wine, which cheers God and mankind, 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 vine said to them, &#8216Shall I leave my new wine, which cheers God and men, 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 vine said to them, ‘Shall I leave my new wine, which cheers God and men, 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 vine said to them, ‘Shall I leave my new wine, which makes God and men glad, 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 />And the vine replied, ‘Should I give up my new wine, which makes God and men happy, 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 grapevine said to them, “Should I stop giving my wine that cheers both God and man, and rule over 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 grapevine said to them,&#8221 Should I stop giving my wine that cheers both God and man, and rule over trees?&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my new wine, which cheereth 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 grape vine replied, "My wine brings cheer to people and gods. I won't stop making wine, 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 />And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth 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 grapevine responded, 'Should I stop producing my wine, which makes gods and humans happy, 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 />But the vine answered, 'In order to govern you, I would have to stop producing my wine, that makes gods and human beings happy.' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But the grape vine asked them, 'Should I leave my new wine, which cheers God and man, 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 grapevine replied, ?Should I stop giving my wine that cheers 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 grapevine said to them, 'I am not going to stop producing my wine, which makes gods and men so happy, 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 />"The vine said to them, 'Should I leave my new wine, which cheers 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 />And the vine said to them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth 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 />“The vine said to them, ‘Should I leave my new wine, which cheers God and man, 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 vine says to them, Have I ceased from my new wine, which is making gods and men glad, 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 vine saith to them, Have I ceased from my new wine, which is rejoicing 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 vine will say to them, Left I my new wine-making, rejoicing 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 them: Can I forsake my wine, that cheereth God and men, and be promoted among the other 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 to them, ‘How could I abandon my wine, which gives joy to God and men, and be promoted among the other trees?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But the vine answered them, ‘Must I give up my wine that cheers gods and human beings, 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 />But the vine said to them, ‘Shall I stop producing my wine that cheers gods and mortals, 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 vine said to them, I am not going to leave my wine which cheers the hearts of gods and men, 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 vine said to them: ‘I will not leave my fruit that cheers the heart of gods and men, and am I going 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 />And the vine said unto them: Should I leave my wine, which cheereth 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 />And the vine said to them, Shall I leave my wine that cheers God and men, and go to be promoted over the trees?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/9-13.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=2736" 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">12</span>Then the trees said to the grapevine, ‘Come and reign over us.’ <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1612.htm" title="1612: hag·ge·p̄en (Art:: N-cs) -- A vine. From an unused root meaning to bend; a vine, especially the grape.">But the grapevine</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wat·tō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- 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/8492.htm" title="8492: tî·rō·wō·šî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Or tiyrosh; from yarash in the sense of expulsion; must or fresh grape-juice; by implication fermented wine.">my wine</a> <a href="/hebrew/8055.htm" title="8055: ham·śam·mê·aḥ (Art:: V-Piel-Prtcpl-ms) -- Rejoice, be glad. A primitive root; probably to brighten up, i.e. be blithe or gleesome.">that cheers</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">14</span>Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘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="/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="/deuteronomy/32-14.htm">Deuteronomy 32:14</a></span><br />with curds from the herd and milk from the flock, with the fat of lambs, with rams from Bashan, and goats, with the choicest grains of wheat. From the juice of the finest grapes you drank the wine.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/65-8.htm">Isaiah 65:8</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “As the new wine is found in a cluster of grapes, and men say, ‘Do not destroy it, for it contains a blessing,’ so I will act on behalf of My servants; I will not destroy them all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/14-7.htm">Hosea 14:7</a></span><br />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.<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="/matthew/26-27.htm">Matthew 26:27-29</a></span><br />Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. / This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. / I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in My Father’s kingdom.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/22-17.htm">Luke 22:17-18</a></span><br />After taking the cup, He gave thanks and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves. / For I tell you that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/11-25.htm">1 Corinthians 11:25-26</a></span><br />In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” / For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/49-11.htm">Genesis 49:11-12</a></span><br />He ties his donkey to the vine, his colt to the choicest branch. He washes his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes. / His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/6-20.htm">Numbers 6:20</a></span><br />The priest shall then wave them as a wave offering before the LORD. This is a holy portion for the priest, in addition to the breast of the wave offering and the thigh that was presented. After that, the Nazirite may drink wine.<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/5-11.htm">Nehemiah 5:11</a></span><br />Please restore to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses, along with the percentage of the money, grain, new wine, and oil that you have been assessing them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/31-12.htm">Jeremiah 31:12</a></span><br />They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will be radiant over the bounty of the LORD—the grain, new wine, and oil, and the young of the flocks and herds. Their life will be like a well-watered garden, and never again will they languish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/27-17.htm">Ezekiel 27:17</a></span><br />Judah and the land of Israel traded with you; they exchanged wheat from Minnith, cakes and honey, oil and balm for your merchandise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-19.htm">Joel 2:19</a></span><br />And the LORD answered His people: “Behold, I will send you grain, new wine, and oil, and by them you will be satisfied. I will never again make you a reproach among the nations.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the vine said to them, Should I leave my wine, which cheers God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?</p><p class="hdg">cheereth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/15-5.htm">Numbers 15:5,7,10</a></b></br> And the fourth <i>part</i> of an hin of wine for a drink offering shalt thou prepare with the burnt offering or sacrifice, for one lamb… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/104-15.htm">Psalm 104:15</a></b></br> And wine <i>that</i> maketh glad the heart of man, <i>and</i> oil to make <i>his</i> face to shine, and bread <i>which</i> strengtheneth man's heart.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/31-6.htm">Proverbs 31:6</a></b></br> Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/9-11.htm">Ceased</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-25.htm">Cheers</a> <a href="/judges/9-11.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/judges/9-11.htm">Leave</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-20.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/judges/5-8.htm">New</a> <a href="/judges/9-11.htm">Promoted</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/27-7.htm">Rejoicing</a> <a href="/judges/9-11.htm">Stagger</a> <a href="/judges/9-11.htm">Sway</a> <a href="/judges/9-12.htm">Trees</a> <a href="/judges/9-12.htm">Vine</a> <a href="/judges/9-11.htm">Wave</a> <a href="/judges/9-11.htm">Waving</a> <a href="/judges/7-25.htm">Wine</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/2-5.htm">Ceased</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-25.htm">Cheers</a> <a href="/judges/9-46.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/ruth/1-16.htm">Leave</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-6.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/judges/15-13.htm">New</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-19.htm">Promoted</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-40.htm">Rejoicing</a> <a href="/job/12-25.htm">Stagger</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-20.htm">Sway</a> <a href="/judges/9-14.htm">Trees</a> <a href="/judges/13-14.htm">Vine</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-11.htm">Wave</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-16.htm">Waving</a> <a href="/judges/13-4.htm">Wine</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 grapevine replied</b><br>In the context of <a href="/judges/9.htm">Judges 9</a>, this phrase is part of Jotham's parable, which he uses to address the men of Shechem. The grapevine, or vine, is personified, symbolizing a refusal to abandon its purpose. The vine is often a symbol of Israel (<a href="/psalms/80-8.htm">Psalm 80:8-16</a>) and represents fruitfulness and blessing. The reply indicates a sense of purpose and contentment in fulfilling its God-given role.<p><b>Should I stop giving my wine</b><br>Wine in biblical times was a staple of the diet and a symbol of joy and celebration (<a href="/psalms/104-15.htm">Psalm 104:15</a>). It was used in religious ceremonies and offerings (<a href="/leviticus/23-13.htm">Leviticus 23:13</a>). The rhetorical question highlights the absurdity of abandoning a beneficial and divinely appointed role. The vine's wine is a metaphor for the blessings and joy that come from fulfilling one's purpose.<p><b>that cheers both God and man</b><br>Wine was used in offerings to God, symbolizing joy and fellowship with Him (<a href="/numbers/15-5.htm">Numbers 15:5-10</a>). It also brought joy to people, being a central part of feasts and celebrations (<a href="/ecclesiastes/10-19.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:19</a>). This dual aspect underscores the vine's importance in both divine and human contexts, suggesting that fulfilling one's role brings joy to both God and humanity.<p><b>to hold sway over the trees?</b><br>The phrase "to hold sway" implies ruling or having authority. The parable contrasts the vine's contentment in its role with the ambition of Abimelech, who seeks power at any cost. The trees represent the people of Shechem and their desire for a king. The vine's refusal to rule highlights the folly of seeking power for its own sake, a theme echoed in Jesus' teachings on servanthood and humility (<a href="/mark/10-42.htm">Mark 10:42-45</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_vine.htm">The Vine</a></b><br>In this parable, the vine represents a character that is offered a position of leadership but declines, valuing its current role and contributions.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jotham.htm">Jotham</a></b><br>The speaker of the parable, Jotham is the youngest son of Gideon (Jerubbaal) who survived the massacre of his brothers by Abimelech. He uses this parable to criticize Abimelech's leadership.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/abimelech.htm">Abimelech</a></b><br>The son of Gideon who killed his brothers to become king. The parable indirectly critiques his illegitimate rule.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/shechem.htm">Shechem</a></b><br>The location where Abimelech was made king and where Jotham delivered his parable from Mount Gerizim.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_trees.htm">The Trees</a></b><br>Symbolic of the people of Shechem seeking a king, representing the search for leadership.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_purpose_and_calling.htm">Understanding Purpose and Calling</a></b><br>The vine's refusal to abandon its purpose teaches us the importance of recognizing and valuing our God-given roles and contributions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_dangers_of_ambition.htm">The Dangers of Ambition</a></b><br>The parable warns against the pursuit of power for its own sake, as seen in Abimelech's destructive ambition.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/contentment_in_service.htm">Contentment in Service</a></b><br>The vine's contentment in its role encourages believers to find joy and fulfillment in serving where God has placed them.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership.htm">The Role of Leadership</a></b><br>True leadership is not about seeking power but about serving others and fulfilling one's God-given purpose.<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/what_foods_are_mentioned_in_the_bible.htm">What foods are mentioned in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_amos_9_13's_prophecy_literal_or_symbolic.htm">Amos 9:13 - Is the prophecy of the plowman overtaking the reaper a literal farming impossibility, and does it conflict with more realistic agricultural references elsewhere in scripture?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/proof_israelites_inherited_cities_vineyards.htm">Joshua 24:13 - Is there any archaeological proof supporting the idea that the Israelites inherited cities and vineyards they did not build or plant?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_nazirite_vow.htm">What is the Nazirite vow?</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>(</span>13<span class= "ital">)</span> <span class= "bld">My wine.</span>--The Hebrew word is <span class= "ital">tirosh </span>which sometimes means merely "grape-cluster."<p><span class= "bld">Which cheereth God and man.</span>--For explanation, see <a href="/exodus/29-40.htm" title="And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil; and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering.">Exodus 29:40</a>; <a href="/numbers/15-7.htm" title="And for a drink offering you shall offer the third part of an hin of wine, for a sweet smell to the LORD.">Numbers 15:7</a>; <a href="/numbers/15-10.htm" title="And you shall bring for a drink offering half an hin of wine, for an offering made by fire, of a sweet smell to the LORD.">Numbers 15:10</a>, &c. If <span class= "ital">Elohim </span>be here understood of God, the expression is, of course, of that simply anthropomorphic character which marks very ancient literature.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Which cheereth God and man</span>. The wine is said to cheer, or make to rejoice, God because the drink offering which accompanied the meat offering consisted of wine (<a href="/numbers/15-7.htm">Numbers 15:7, 10</a>), and God was well pleased with the offerings of his people (cf. <a href="/genesis/8-21.htm">Genesis 8:21</a>; <a href="/philippians/4-18.htm">Philippians 4:18</a>; <a href="/hebrews/13-16.htm">Hebrews 13:16</a>). The idea in this verse, as in vers. 9 and 11, is, that while the olive, the fig, and the vine were occupied in <span class="accented">waving</span> their branches over the other trees, in token of their superiority, they would necessarily be neglecting., their own proper gift and office, which was to produce oil, and figs, and grapes. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/9-13.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 grapevine</span><br /><span class="heb">הַגֶּ֔פֶן</span> <span class="translit">(hag·ge·p̄en)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1612.htm">Strong's 1612: </a> </span><span class="str2">A vine, the grape</span><br /><br /><span class="word">replied,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתֹּ֤אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine 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 wine</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּ֣ירוֹשִׁ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(tî·rō·wō·šî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8492.htm">Strong's 8492: </a> </span><span class="str2">Must, fresh grape-juice, fermented wine</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that cheers</span><br /><span class="heb">הַֽמְשַׂמֵּ֥חַ</span> <span class="translit">(ham·śam·mê·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8055.htm">Strong's 8055: </a> </span><span class="str2">To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome</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/9-13.htm">Judges 9:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/9-13.htm">Judges 9:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/9-13.htm">Judges 9:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/9-13.htm">Judges 9:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/9-13.htm">Judges 9:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/9-13.htm">Judges 9:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/9-13.htm">Judges 9:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/9-13.htm">Judges 9:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/9-13.htm">Judges 9:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/9-13.htm">Judges 9:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/9-13.htm">OT History: Judges 9:13 The vine said to them Should (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/9-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 9:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 9:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/9-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 9:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 9:14" /></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>