King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?
Complete Jewish Bible:
But the fig tree replied, 'Am I supposed to leave my sweetness and my good fruit just to go and hold sway over the trees?'
Berean Standard Bible:
But the fig tree replied, ‘Should I stop giving my sweetness and my good fruit, to hold sway over the trees?’
American Standard Version:
But the fig-tree said unto them, Should I leave my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to wave to and fro over the trees?
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
But the fig tree{H8384} said{H559} unto them, Should I forsake{H2308} my sweetness{H4987}, and my good{H2896} fruit{H8570}, and go{H1980} to be promoted{H5128} over the trees{H6086}?
Cross-References (KJV):
Luke 13:6
- ¶ He spake also this parable; A certain [man] had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.
Luke 13:7
- Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Judges 9:11
Judges 9:11 is part of a larger narrative found in Judges 9:7-15, which tells the allegorical story of the trees seeking a king to rule over them. This parable is set within the historical context of the period of the Judges, a time marked by cycles of apostasy, oppression, and deliverance among the Israelites. The verse itself is a personification of the fig tree, which is asked to become a ruler over the other trees.
In the verse, the fig tree is portrayed as content with its current state, producing sweet fruit and not interested in abandoning its purpose to reign over the other trees. The fig tree's response highlights themes of humility, the satisfaction of fulfilling one's intended role, and the potential folly of seeking power for its own sake. The fig tree's refusal to give up its fruitfulness for a position of authority reflects a wisdom that values productivity and service over status and dominion.
This passage is often interpreted as a critique of the desire for power and the dangers of kingship, which is a recurring theme in the book of Judges. It serves as a commentary on the nature of leadership and governance, suggesting that those who are best suited to lead are not necessarily those who seek power, but rather those who demonstrate the ability to produce positive results and serve the common good. In the broader context of the chapter, the story is an allegory for the rise and fall of Abimelech, who forcefully sought kingship over the people of Shechem, an act that ultimately led to his downfall and the destruction of the city. Thus, Judges 9:11 encapsulates the idea that true leadership is about stewardship and contribution, not merely the acquisition of power.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- 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). - 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. - Strong's Number: H2308
There are 56 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָדַל
Transliteration: châdal
Pronunciation: khaw-dal'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to be flabby, i.e. (by implication) desist; (figuratively) be lacking or idle; cease, end, fall, forbear, forsake, leave (off), let alone, rest, be unoccupied, want. - Strong's Number: H4987
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֹתֶק
Transliteration: môtheq
Pronunciation: mo'-thek
Description: from מָתַק; sweetness; sweetness. - Strong's Number: H2896
There are 517 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: טוֹב
Transliteration: ṭôwb
Pronunciation: tobe
Description: from טוֹב; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well); beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). - Strong's Number: H8570
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תְּנוּבָה
Transliteration: tᵉnûwbâh
Pronunciation: ten-oo-baw'
Description: from נוּב; produce; fruit, increase. - Strong's Number: H1980
There are 468 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הָלַךְ
Transliteration: hâlak
Pronunciation: haw-lak'
Description: akin to יָלַךְ; a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively); (all) along, apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant, depart, [phrase] be eased, enter, exercise (self), [phrase] follow, forth, forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on, out, up and down), [phrase] greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead, march, [idiom] more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away), be at the point, quite, run (along), [phrase] send, speedily, spread, still, surely, [phrase] tale-bearer, [phrase] travel(-ler), walk (abroad, on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax, (way-) faring man, [idiom] be weak, whirl. - Strong's Number: H5128
There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נוּעַ
Transliteration: nûwaʻ
Pronunciation: noo'-ah
Description: a primitive root; to waver, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (as subjoined); continually, fugitive, [idiom] make, to (go) up and down, be gone away, (be) move(-able, -d), be promoted, reel, remove, scatter, set, shake, sift, stagger, to and fro, be vagabond, wag, (make) wander (up and down). - 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.