Judges 9:11

Verse

But the fig tree replied, ‘Should I stop giving my sweetness and my good fruit, to hold sway over the trees?’

American Standard Version (1901)

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?

Bible in Basic English

But the fig-tree said to them, Am I to give up my sweet taste and my good fruit and go waving over the trees?

Free Bible Version

But the fig tree replied, ‘Should I stop giving my good sweet fruit just to go and sway to and fro over the trees?’

Geneva Bible 1599

But the fig tree answered them, Should I forsake my sweetenesse, and my good fruite, and goe to aduance me aboue the trees?

King James (Authorized) Version

But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?

Translation for Translators

“But the fig tree replied, ‘No! I do not want to [RHQ] stop producing my good sweet fruit, and rule over you other trees!’

Unlocked Literal Bible

But the fig tree said to them, 'Should I give up my sweetness and my good fruit, just so I could return and sway over the other trees?'

Noah Webster Bible

But the fig-tree said to them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?

World English Bible

“But the fig tree said to them, ‘Should I leave my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to wave back and forth over the trees?’

Young's Literal Translation

And the fig saith to them, Have I ceased from my sweetness, and my good increase, that I have gone to stagger over the trees?

Context

Jotham’s Parable

¹⁰Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and reign over us.’ ¹¹But the fig tree replied, ‘Should I stop giving my sweetness and my good fruit, to hold sway over the trees?’

Sermons

What Happened?

K.P. Yohannan

Summary

In this verse from the book of Judges, Jotham tells a parable about trees choosing a king, symbolizing the selection of Abimelek as king over Israel. The trees approach the olive tree, the fig tree, and the vine, all of which decline the offer to rule over them. This parable serves as a warning about the consequences of seeking power and authority for selfish reasons, as it ultimately leads to destruction and harm. Jotham's message highlights the importance of humility and integrity in leadership, cautioning against the pursuit of power at the expense of others.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And the fig tree said unto them,.... Rejecting the offer made: should I forsake my sweetness and my good fruit; for such the fruit of the fig tree is, sweet and good: so Julian (d) the emperor shows from various authors, Aristophanes, Herodotus, and Homer, that nothing is sweeter than figs, excepting honey, and that no kind of fruit is better, and, where they are, no good is wanting: and go to be promoted over the trees? the same is designed by this as the former. (d) Opera, par. 2. ep. 24. Sarapioni, p. 142.