God’s Word Translation
Judges 9:13
13But the grapevine responded, ‘Should I stop producing my wine, which makes gods and humans happy, in order to rule the trees?’
Judges 9:13 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
- New International Version (NIV)“But the vine answered, ‘Should I give up my wine, which cheers both gods and humans, to hold sway over the trees?’
- English Standard Version (ESV)But the vine said to them, 'Shall I leave my wine that cheers God and men and go hold sway over the trees?'
- New King James Version (NKJV)But the vine said to them, ‘Should I cease my new wine, Which cheers both God and men, And go to sway over trees?’
Context of Judges 9:13
11But the fig tree responded, ‘Should I stop producing my good, sweet fruit in order to rule the trees?’ 12Then the trees said to the grapevine, ‘You come and be our king!’ But the grapevine responded, ‘Should I stop producing my wine, which makes gods and humans happy, in order to rule the trees?’ 14Then all the trees said to the thornbush, ‘You come and be our king!’ 15But the thornbush responded to the trees, ‘If you really want to anoint me to be your king, then come and take shelter in my shade. But if not, fire will come out of the thornbush and burn up the cedars of Lebanon.’
Read all of Judges 9Judges 9:13 word by word
וַתֹּ֤אמֶר לָהֶם֙ הַגֶּ֔פֶן הֶחֳדַ֙לְתִּי֙ אֶת־תִּ֣ירוֹשִׁ֔י הַֽמְשַׂמֵּ֥חַ אֱלֹהִ֖ים וַאֲנָשִׁ֑ים וְהָ֣לַכְתִּ֔י לָנ֖וּעַ עַל־הָעֵצִֽים׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And the vineגֶּ֫פֶןgephen · vineH1612
- saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- unto them, Should I leaveחָדַלchâdal · to ceaseH2308
- my wineתִּירוֹשׁtîyrôsh tîyrôsh · new wineH8492
- which cheerethשָׂמַחώâmach · to rejoiceH8055
- Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
- and manאֱנוֹשׁ'ĕnôsh · humanH582
- and goהָלַךְhâlak · to go: wentH1980
- to be promotedנוּעַnûa‛ · to shakeH5128
- over the treesעֵץ‛êts · treeH6086
Cross-references for Judges 9:13
- Numbers 15:5With each sheep or goat for the burnt offering or any other sacrifice, also give an offering of one quart of wine.
- Psalms 104:15You make wine to cheer human hearts, olive oil to make faces shine, and bread to strengthen human hearts.
- Proverbs 31:6Give liquor to a person who is dying and wine to one who feels resentful.
- Ecclesiastes 10:19A meal is made for laughter, and wine makes life pleasant, but money is the answer for everything.
Commentaries on Judges 9:13
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13Which cheereth God and man - I believe אלהים elohim here is to be taken in the same sense proposed on Judges 9:9. Vast libations of wine, as well as much oil, were used in heathenish sacrifices and offerings; and it was their opinion that the gods actually partook of, and were delighted with, both the wine and oil. The pagan mythology furnishes the most exquisite wines to its gods in heaven, and hence the nectar and ambrosia so much talked of and praised…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8-20Verses 8-20 This fable and that noted in the marginal reference are the only two of the kind found in Scripture. Somewhat different are the parables of the Old Testament, 2 Samuel 12:1-4; 2 Samuel 14:5-11; 1 Kings 20:39-40. Judges 9:9 Honour God and man - Alluding to the constant use of oil in the meat-offerings Exodus 30:24-25. In like manner, the allusion in Judges 9:13 is to the drink-offerings of wine. See Leviticus 23:13; Numbers 15:10. Judges 9:14…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7-21Verses 7-21 There was no occasion for the trees to choose a king, they are all the trees of the Lord which he has planted. Nor was there any occasion for Israel to set a king over them, for the Lord was their King. Those who bear fruit for the public good, are justly respected and honoured by all that are wise, more than those who merely make a figure. All these fruit-trees gave much the same reason for their refusal to be promoted over the trees; or, as…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8-13Olives, figs, and grapes were essential to Canaan's agriculture. They provided important crops and enhanced the landscape's beauty. To wave back and forth over the trees meant being visible and active but achieving nothing.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1313. wine, which cheereth God and man--not certainly in the same manner. God might be said to be "cheered" by it, when the sacrifices were accepted, as He is said also to be honored by oil (Jud 9:9).Read the comment
Topics related to Judges 9:13
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Judges 9
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- Darby Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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