Bible Commentary

Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, [and] reign over us. 12. the vine ] The old phrase ‘to sit each under his vine and fig-tree,’ denoting peaceful occupation of the land, shews how widely spread and ancient was the cultivation of the vine in Palestine; 1Ki 4:25, Mic 4:4 etc. Fuente: The … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 9:12”

But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees? 11. my sweetness ] The early ripe fig, especially, was and is esteemed for its flavour; see Isa 28:4, Jer 24:2, Hos 9:10, Mic 7:1. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 9:11”

And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, [and] reign over us. 10. fig ] One of the commonest trees in Palestine, and cultivated from very early days; cf. on Jdg 9:12. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges This, as also the vine, Jdg 9:12, signifies the same thing with the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 9:10”

But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honor God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? 9. my fatness ] i.e. the oil from the crushed berry, almost a necessity of life in Palestine, where it takes the place of butter. wherewith by … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 9:9”

The trees went forth [on a time] to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. 8. The trees went forth ] Cf. 2Ki 14:9. Fables of trees that speak and act like human beings spring from the instinct for personification, which is a characteristic of an … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 9:8”

And when they told [it] to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you. 7. the top of mount Gerizim ] is 979 ft. above the town: the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 9:7”

And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that [was] in Shechem. 6. and all the house of Millo ] Follow marg. and all Beth-millo, the name of a place not of a family Jdg 9:20, cf. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 9:6”

And he went unto his father’s house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, [being] threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself. 5. upon one stone ] as if they were sacrificial victims (cf. 1Sa 14:33 f.); perhaps … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 9:5”

And they gave him threescore and ten [pieces] of silver out of the house of Baal-berith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him. 4. the house of Baal-berith ] In Jdg 9:46 El-brth = God of the covenant; see Jdg 8:33 n. Temples in antiquity had their own treasuries into which offerings … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 9:4”

And his mother’s brethren spoke of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, He [is] our brother. The Ephraimite pride revolted from Abi-ezrite rulers, and inclined them to one who was a Shechemite by birth. (Compare the same spirit … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 9:3”