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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Judges 9:21 Then Jotham ran away, escaping to Beer, and he lived there for fear of his brother Abimelech.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/judges/9-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/07_Jdg_09_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Judges 9:21 - Jotham's Parable" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then Jotham ran away, escaping to Beer, and he lived there for fear of his brother Abimelech." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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and he went to Beer and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/judges/9.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Jotham escaped and fled, and went to Beer; and he stayed there because of his brother Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/judges/9.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then Jotham escaped and fled, and went to Beer and remained there because of Abimelech his brother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/judges/9.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then Jotham escaped and fled, and went to Beer and remained there because of Abimelech his brother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/judges/9.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Jotham escaped and fled and went to Beer and remained there because of Abimelech his brother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/judges/9.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then Jotham escaped and fled, and went to Beer and lived there because of Abimelech his brother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/judges/9.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Jotham fled, escaping to Beer, and lived there because of his brother Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/judges/9.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Jotham fled, escaping to Beer, and lived there because of his brother Abimelech. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/judges/9.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/judges/9.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Jotham ran off and went to live in the town of Beer, where he could be safe from his brother Abimelech. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/judges/9.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/judges/9.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then Jotham ran away quickly. He went to Beerah and lived there [to avoid] his brother Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/judges/9.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then because he was afraid of his brother Abimelech, Jotham ran away and went to live at Beer. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/judges/9.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Jotham escaped by running away. He went to Beer and remained there because of his brother Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/judges/9.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Jotham ran away, escaping to Beer, and he lived there for fear of his brother Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/judges/9.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then Jotham ran away to Beer and lived there to escape from Abimelech his half-brother. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/judges/9.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And Jotham escaped and fled and went to Beer and lived there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/judges/9.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/judges/9.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Jotham ran away and fled, and went to Beer and lived there, for fear of Abimelech his brother. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/judges/9.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Jotham hurries, and flees, and goes to Beer, and dwells there, from the face of his brother Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/judges/9.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Jotham hasteth, and fleeth, and goeth to Beer, and dwelleth there, from the face of Abimelech his brother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/judges/9.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Jotham will flee, and break away, and he will go to the well and will dwell there from the face of Abimelech his brother.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/judges/9.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And when he had said thus he fled, and went into Bera: and dwelt there for fear of Abimelech his brother. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/judges/9.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And when he had said these things, he fled and went away to Beer. And he lived in that place, out of fear of Abimelech, his brother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/judges/9.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then Jotham fled and escaped to Beer, where he remained for fear of his brother Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/judges/9.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Jotham ran away and fled, going to Beer, where he remained for fear of his brother Abimelech.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/judges/9.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Jotham ran away and escaped, and went to Debir, and dwelt there, the place where Abimeleck had lived before.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/judges/9.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Yutham fled and he escaped and he went to Debir and dwelt there, where Abimelek was dwelling from former time<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/judges/9.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/judges/9.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Joatham fled, and ran away, and went as far as Baeer, and dwelt there out of the way of his brother Abimelech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/judges/9-21.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=2823" 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">20</span>But if not, may fire come from Abimelech and consume the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo, and may fire come from the leaders of Shechem and Beth-millo and consume Abimelech.” <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3147.htm" title="3147: yō·w·ṯām (N-proper-ms) -- The LORD is perfect, three Isr. From Yhovah and tam; Jehovah perfect; Jotham, the name of three Israelites.">Then Jotham</a> <a href="/hebrew/5127.htm" title="5127: way·yā·nās (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To flee, escape. A primitive root; to flit, i.e. Vanish away.">ran away,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1272.htm" title="1272: way·yiḇ·raḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To go through, flee. A primitive root; to bolt, i.e. Figuratively, to flee suddenly.">escaping</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: way·yê·leḵ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk."></a> <a href="/hebrew/876.htm" title="876: bə·’ê·rāh (N-proper-fs:: 3fs) -- Well, a place in the desert, also one in Pal. The same as 'er; Beer, a place in the Desert, also one in Palestine.">to Beer,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: way·yê·šeḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">and he lived</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām (Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence.">there</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: mip·pə·nê (Prep-m:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">for fear</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’ā·ḥîw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">of his brother</a> <a href="/hebrew/40.htm" title="40: ’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ (N-proper-ms) -- From 'ab and melek; father of king; Abimelek, the name of two Philistine kings and of two Israelites.">Abimelech.</a> </span><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="/genesis/19-17.htm">Genesis 19:17</a></span><br />As soon as the men had brought them out, one of them said, “Run for your lives! Do not look back, and do not stop anywhere on the plain! Flee to the mountains, or you will be swept away!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/19-12.htm">1 Samuel 19:12</a></span><br />So Michal lowered David from the window, and he ran away and escaped.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/19-3.htm">1 Kings 19:3</a></span><br />And Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/2-13.htm">Matthew 2:13</a></span><br />When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/9-25.htm">Acts 9:25</a></span><br />One night, however, his disciples took him and lowered him in a basket through a window in the wall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/15-14.htm">2 Samuel 15:14</a></span><br />And David said to all the servants with him in Jerusalem, “Arise and let us flee, or we will not escape from Absalom! We must leave quickly, or he will soon overtake us, heap disaster on us, and put the city to the sword.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/26-21.htm">Jeremiah 26:21</a></span><br />King Jehoiakim and all his mighty men and officials heard his words, and the king sought to put him to death. But when Uriah found out about it, he fled in fear and went to Egypt.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-23.htm">Matthew 10:23</a></span><br />When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/14-6.htm">Acts 14:6</a></span><br />they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding region,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/2-15.htm">Exodus 2:15</a></span><br />When Pharaoh heard about this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian, where he sat down beside a well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/20-42.htm">1 Samuel 20:42</a></span><br />And Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for the two of us have sworn in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘May the LORD be a witness between you and me, and between your descendants and mine forever.’” Then David got up and departed, and Jonathan went back into the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/11-3.htm">2 Kings 11:3</a></span><br />And Joash remained hidden with his nurse in the house of the LORD for six years while Athaliah ruled the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-14.htm">Matthew 12:14-15</a></span><br />But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus. / Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Large crowds followed Him, and He healed them all,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-39.htm">John 10:39-40</a></span><br />At this, they tried again to seize Him, but He escaped their grasp. / Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had first been baptizing, and He stayed there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-10.htm">Acts 17:10</a></span><br />As soon as night had fallen, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went into the Jewish synagogue.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelled there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.</p><p class="hdg">Beer.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/21-16.htm">Numbers 21:16</a></b></br> And from thence <i>they went</i> to Beer: that <i>is</i> the well whereof the LORD spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/19-8.htm">Joshua 19:8</a></b></br> And all the villages that <i>were</i> round about these cities to Baalathbeer, Ramath of the south. This <i>is</i> the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/20-14.htm">2 Samuel 20:14</a></b></br> And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and to Bethmaachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went also after him.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/9-20.htm">Abimelech</a> <a href="/judges/9-20.htm">Abim'elech</a> <a href="/judges/8-20.htm">Afraid</a> <a href="/joshua/19-8.htm">Beer</a> <a href="/judges/8-29.htm">Dwelleth</a> <a href="/judges/8-29.htm">Dwelt</a> <a href="/judges/3-29.htm">Escaped</a> <a href="/genesis/14-13.htm">Escaping</a> <a href="/exodus/34-8.htm">Hasteth</a> <a href="/judges/9-7.htm">Jotham</a> <a href="/judges/7-21.htm">Ran</a> <a href="/joshua/8-19.htm">Straight</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/9-22.htm">Abimelech</a> <a href="/judges/9-22.htm">Abim'elech</a> <a href="/ruth/3-8.htm">Afraid</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-1.htm">Beer</a> <a href="/judges/11-3.htm">Dwelleth</a> <a href="/judges/9-41.htm">Dwelt</a> <a href="/judges/12-5.htm">Escaped</a> <a href="/ezra/9-14.htm">Escaping</a> <a href="/judges/13-10.htm">Hasteth</a> <a href="/judges/9-57.htm">Jotham</a> <a href="/judges/9-44.htm">Ran</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-12.htm">Straight</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>Then Jotham ran away</b><br>Jotham's flight is a direct response to the threat posed by his brother Abimelech, who had just orchestrated the murder of their seventy brothers to secure his rule over Shechem. This act of running away is a common biblical motif where individuals flee from danger, as seen with David fleeing from Saul (<a href="/1_samuel/19-10.htm">1 Samuel 19:10</a>) and Moses fleeing from Pharaoh (<a href="/exodus/2-15.htm">Exodus 2:15</a>). It highlights the immediate danger and the need for self-preservation.<p><b>escaping to Beer</b><br>Beer is a location mentioned in the Old Testament, though its exact location is not definitively known today. It is thought to be a place of refuge, possibly in the territory of Judah or Benjamin. The name "Beer" means "well" in Hebrew, suggesting it was a place with a water source, which would be essential for survival. This move to Beer indicates Jotham's strategic choice to find a safe haven away from Abimelech's reach.<p><b>and he lived there</b><br>Jotham's decision to reside in Beer suggests a period of waiting and watching, possibly hoping for divine justice or a change in circumstances. This mirrors other biblical figures who lived in exile or in hiding, such as Elijah during the drought (<a href="/1_kings/17-3.htm">1 Kings 17:3-5</a>) and the Israelites in Babylonian captivity. It reflects a time of uncertainty and reliance on God's protection.<p><b>for fear of his brother Abimelech</b><br>The fear of Abimelech is well-founded, given Abimelech's ruthless ambition and willingness to kill his own family to gain power. This fear underscores the theme of familial betrayal and the destructive nature of unchecked ambition. It also serves as a reminder of the consequences of Gideon's legacy, as Abimelech is the son of Gideon, and his actions are a direct result of Gideon's failure to establish a godly legacy. This fear and resulting action by Jotham can be seen as a precursor to the eventual downfall of Abimelech, fulfilling the curse Jotham pronounced earlier in <a href="/judges/9-7.htm">Judges 9:7-20</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jotham.htm">Jotham</a></b><br>The youngest son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal), who survived the massacre of his brothers by Abimelech. He is known for his parable of the trees, which he delivered from Mount Gerizim.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/abimelech.htm">Abimelech</a></b><br>The son of Gideon and a concubine from Shechem, who killed his seventy brothers to become king. His rule is marked by treachery and violence.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/beer.htm">Beer</a></b><br>A location where Jotham fled to escape Abimelech. The name "Beer" means "well" in Hebrew, indicating a place with a water source, possibly a refuge or a place of safety.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_gerizim.htm">Mount Gerizim</a></b><br>The mountain from which Jotham delivered his parable. It holds historical and religious significance in Israelite history.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/shechem.htm">Shechem</a></b><br>A city of great historical importance, where Abimelech was made king. It is a central location in the account of <a href="/bsb/judges/9.htm">Judges 9</a>.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_ambition.htm">The Consequences of Ambition</a></b><br>Abimelech's account warns against unchecked ambition and the lengths to which people might go to achieve power. It serves as a reminder to seek God's will rather than personal gain.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_words.htm">The Power of Words</a></b><br>Jotham's parable is a powerful example of using words to convey truth and warn others. Believers are encouraged to speak truth courageously, even in the face of danger.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_refuge_in_god.htm">Seeking Refuge in God</a></b><br>Jotham's flight to Beer symbolizes seeking refuge and safety. In times of trouble, believers are reminded to find their refuge in God, who is our ultimate protector.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_righteous_leadership.htm">The Importance of Righteous Leadership</a></b><br>The account highlights the need for leaders who are righteous and just. It challenges believers to pray for and support godly leadership in their communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_justice_prevails.htm">God's Justice Prevails</a></b><br>Despite the temporary success of the wicked, God's justice ultimately prevails. This encourages believers to trust in God's timing and justice.<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_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Abimelech in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_opposition_to_abimelech's_act.htm">How could Abimelech have murdered seventy of Gideon's sons without immediate opposition (Judges 9:5)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_send_an_evil_spirit_in_judges_9_23.htm">Why would God send an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem (Judges 9:23)?</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><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/judges/9.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) <span class= "bld">Went to Beer.</span>--Since Beer means a "well," it. was naturally a very common name in Palestine. There is nothing to show with certainty whether this Beer is Beeroth in Benjamin (<a href="/joshua/9-17.htm" title="And the children of Israel journeyed, and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim.">Joshua 9:17</a>), now <span class= "ital">el Bireh, </span>about. six miles north of Jerusalem (see my <span class= "ital">Life of Christ, </span>i. 73), or the <span class= "ital">el Bireh </span>which lies on the road from Shechem to Askalon, or the <span class= "ital">el Bireh </span>near Endor. Probably Jotham would be safe anywhere in the territories of Judah or Benjamin, without going, as Ewald supposes, to the Beer of <a href="/numbers/21-16.htm" title="And from there they went to Beer: that is the well whereof the LORD spoke to Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water.">Numbers 21:16</a>, on the frontiers of Moab, an ancient sanctuary on the other side of the Jordan, possibly the Beer-elim (palm-well) of <a href="/isaiah/15-8.htm" title="For the cry is gone round about the borders of Moab; the howling thereof to Eglaim, and the howling thereof to Beerelim.">Isaiah 15:8</a>.<p><span class= "bld">For fear of Abimelech.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">from the face of Abimelech.</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/judges/9.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Jotham ran away</span>. Being close to the top of Gerizim, Jotham had the open country before him. It would take the men of Shechem twenty minutes to ascend the hill, by which time Jotham would be out of sight, and two or three miles on his way. <span class="cmt_word">Beer</span>, to which he fled, is thought to be either the same as <span class="accented">Beeroth</span>, among the heights of the tribe of Benjamin (<a href="/joshua/9-17.htm">Joshua 9:17</a>), now <span class="accented">El-Birch</span>, "the first halting-place for caravans on the northern road from Jerusalem" ('Sinai and Palestine,' p. 210); or a place called by Eusebius <span class="accented">Beta</span>, now <span class="accented">El-Birch</span>, eight Roman miles from Eleutheropolis (now <span class="accented">Beit Jibrin</span>), and possibly the same as the place of the same name described by Maundrell as four hours from Jerusalem, and two hours west of Bethel; or, as Ewald thinks, Beer beyond Jordan (<a href="/numbers/21-16.htm">Numbers 21:16</a>). It is impossible to decide which, or whether any, of these is the place designated as Jotham s place of refuge. <p> CHAPTER 9:22-57 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/judges/9-21.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">Then Jotham</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹתָ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(yō·w·ṯām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3147.htm">Strong's 3147: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jotham -- 'the LORD is perfect', three Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">ran away,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּ֣נָס</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·nās)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5127.htm">Strong's 5127: </a> </span><span class="str2">To flit, vanish away</span><br /><br /><span class="word">escaping</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּבְרַ֖ח</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiḇ·raḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1272.htm">Strong's 1272: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bolt, to flee suddenly</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Beer,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּאֵ֑רָה</span> <span class="translit">(bə·’ê·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_876.htm">Strong's 876: </a> </span><span class="str2">Beer -- 'well', a place in the desert, also one in Palestine</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and he lived</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּ֣שֶׁב</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·šeḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">there</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(šām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8033.htm">Strong's 8033: </a> </span><span class="str2">There, then, thither</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for fear</span><br /><span class="heb">מִפְּנֵ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(mip·pə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of his brother</span><br /><span class="heb">אָחִֽיו׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḥîw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> </span><span class="str2">A brother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Abimelech.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲבִימֶ֥לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_40.htm">Strong's 40: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite name</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/judges/9-21.htm">Judges 9:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/judges/9-21.htm">Judges 9:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/judges/9-21.htm">Judges 9:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/judges/9-21.htm">Judges 9:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/judges/9-21.htm">Judges 9:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/judges/9-21.htm">Judges 9:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/judges/9-21.htm">Judges 9:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/judges/9-21.htm">Judges 9:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/judges/9-21.htm">Judges 9:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/judges/9-21.htm">Judges 9:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/judges/9-21.htm">OT History: Judges 9:21 Jotham ran away and fled and went (Jd Judg. Jdg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/judges/9-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Judges 9:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Judges 9:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/judges/9-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Judges 9:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Judges 9:22" /></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>