Judges 9:21

And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.

And Jotham {H3147} ran away {H1272}, and fled {H5127}, and went {H3212} to Beer {H876}, and dwelt {H3427} there, for fear {H6440} of Abimelech {H40} his brother {H251}.

Then Yotam fled, making his way to Be'er, and he lived there for fear of Avimelekh his brother.

Then Jotham ran away, escaping to Beer, and he lived there for fear of his brother Abimelech.

And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.

Commentary

Judges 9:21 describes the immediate aftermath of Jotham's powerful and prophetic fable delivered from Mount Gerizim. Having publicly denounced the men of Shechem and their choice of Abimelech as king, Jotham wisely takes measures for his own safety, fleeing from his murderous half-brother.

Context of Judges 9:21

This verse is pivotal, marking Jotham's escape following his bold confrontation. Abimelech, the son of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal) by a concubine, had brutally murdered all but one of his seventy half-brothers on one stone in Ophrah, in his ruthless pursuit of power. Jotham, the youngest, had hidden himself and survived this massacre. From a vantage point on Mount Gerizim, Jotham delivered a scathing fable (Judges 9:7-15) comparing Abimelech to a worthless bramble and warning the people of Shechem that their ungodly alliance would lead to mutual destruction. Having delivered his message, his immediate action was self-preservation, recognizing the danger posed by Abimelech's proven cruelty and ambition.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Prudence and Survival: Jotham's flight demonstrates practical wisdom. He spoke truth to power but understood the necessity of protecting himself from the inevitable wrath of a tyrannical ruler. His action is a testament to the fact that courage in speaking truth does not negate the need for strategic self-preservation.
  • Consequences of Tyranny: Abimelech's actions highlight the devastating effects of unbridled ambition and violence. His fear-driven pursuit of power leads to fratricide and, ultimately, his own downfall, as described later in Judges 9:56.
  • The Nature of Fear: Jotham's "fear of Abimelech his brother" is not presented as cowardice but as a rational response to a credible and deadly threat. It compelled him to take decisive action for his safety.

Linguistic Insights

The place Jotham fled to, "Beer" (Hebrew: ื‘ึฐึผืึตืจ, be'er), simply means "well" or "spring." This suggests he sought refuge in a secluded, possibly less populated area, perhaps near a vital water source, making it a practical and strategic location for hiding from his pursuer. It underscores the practical nature of his escape, seeking a place of relative obscurity and sustenance.

Practical Application

Judges 9:21 offers insights into navigating dangerous situations. Sometimes, wisdom dictates withdrawal or escape when facing overwhelming and malicious forces. Jotham delivered his warning and then retreated, understanding that his immediate safety was paramount. This verse reminds us that while we are called to speak truth, we must also exercise discernment regarding our personal safety when confronted with severe threats. It also foreshadows the destructive path of those who seize power through violence and treachery, illustrating that such foundations rarely lead to lasting peace or legitimate rule.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 21:16 (3 votes)

    And from thence [they went] to Beer: that [is] the well whereof the LORD spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water.

  • 2 Samuel 20:14 (2 votes)

    ยถ 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.

  • Joshua 19:8 (2 votes)

    And all the villages that [were] round about these cities to Baalathbeer, Ramath of the south. This [is] the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families.