Judges 9:7

Authorized King James Version

And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיַּגִּ֣דוּ

H5046

And when they told

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

לְיוֹתָ֗ם

H3147

it to Jotham

jotham, the name of three israelites

וַיֵּ֙לֶךְ֙

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וַֽיַּעֲמֹד֙

H5975

and stood

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

בְּרֹ֣אשׁ

H7218

in the top

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

הַר

H2022

of mount

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

גְּרִזִ֔ים

H1630

Gerizim

gerizim, a mountain of palestine

וַיִּשָּׂ֥א

H5375

and lifted up

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

קוֹל֖וֹ

H6963

his voice

a voice or sound

#10

וַיִּקְרָ֑א

H7121

and cried

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

#11

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר

H559

and said

to say (used with great latitude)

#12

לָהֶ֗ם

#13

וְיִשְׁמַ֥ע

H8085

may hearken

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

#14

אֵלַי֙

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#15

בַּֽעֲלֵ֣י

H1167

unto me ye men

a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)

#16

שְׁכֶ֔ם

H7927

of Shechem

shekem, a place in palestine

#17

וְיִשְׁמַ֥ע

H8085

may hearken

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

#18

אֲלֵיכֶ֖ם

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#19

אֱלֹהִֽים׃

H430

that God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Judges. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Judges Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?

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