Judges 9:10

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, [and] reign over us.

Complete Jewish Bible:

So the trees said to the fig tree, 'You, come and rule over us!'

Berean Standard Bible:

Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and reign over us.’

American Standard Version:

And the trees said to the fig-tree, Come thou, and reign over us.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And the trees^{H6086} said^{H559} to the fig tree^{H8384}, Come^{H3212} thou, and reign^{H4427} over us.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Judges 9:10

Judges 9:10 is part of a larger fable found within the Book of Judges, which is set in the historical context of the period following the conquest of Canaan by the Israelites. This period was marked by a cycle of apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance among the Israelite tribes. The book itself is a collection of stories about the leaders, known as judges, who were raised up by God to deliver Israel from various oppressors.

In the specific narrative surrounding verse 10, the people of Israel are seeking a king to rule over them after the death of Gideon, one of the judges. Instead of looking to God for guidance, they seek to anoint a ruler from among themselves. The fable of the trees seeking a king is told by Jotham, the youngest son of Gideon, as a cautionary tale to the men of Shechem who had just appointed Abimelech, another of Gideon's sons, as their king.

In Judges 9:10, the trees decide to ask the fig tree to become their ruler. This verse reflects the theme of leadership and the folly of choosing rulers based on inappropriate criteria, such as desire for prestige or power rather than suitability for the role and willingness to serve. The fig tree, being fruitful and providing sustenance, might symbolize a ruler who is expected to be productive and beneficial to the people. The other trees in the fable, such as the olive and the vine, also represent different qualities that might be sought in a leader.

The historical context of this verse is a time when the Israelites were repeatedly falling into idolatry and disregarding God's law, leading to chaos and the need for strong leadership. The story of Abimelech and the fable of the trees serve as a critique of the dangers of monarchy and the potential for kings to abuse their power, a theme that resonates throughout the Deuteronomistic History (Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings). It underscores the importance of righteous and godly leadership, a lesson that would be pertinent for the later establishment of the monarchy in Israel.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H6086
   There are 288 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֵץ
   Transliteration: ʻêts
   Pronunciation: ates
   Description: from עָצָה; a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks); [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood.
   
2. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
3. Strong's Number: H8384
   There are 35 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תְּאֵן
   Transliteration: tᵉʼên
   Pronunciation: teh-ane'
   Description: or (in the singular, feminine) תְּאֵנָה; perhaps of foreign derivation; the fig (tree or fruit); fig (tree).
   
4. Strong's Number: H3212
   There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָלַךְ
   Transliteration: yâlak
   Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
   Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak.
   
5. Strong's Number: H4427
   There are 284 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָלַךְ
   Transliteration: mâlak
   Pronunciation: maw-lak'
   Description: a primitive root; to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence (by implication) to take counsel; consult, [idiom] indeed, be (make, set a, set up) king, be (make) queen, (begin to, make to) reign(-ing), rule, [idiom] surely.