Judges 9:13
◄  Judges 9:13  ►
New International Version (©2011)
"But the vine answered, 'Should I give up my wine, which cheers both gods and humans, to hold sway over the trees?'

New Living Translation (©2007)
But the grapevine also refused, saying, 'Should I quit producing the wine that cheers both God and people, just to wave back and forth over the trees?'

English Standard Version (©2001)
But the vine said to them, ‘Shall I leave my wine that cheers God and men and go hold sway over the trees?’

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
"But the vine said to them, 'Shall I leave my new wine, which cheers God and men, and go to wave over the trees?'

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
But the grapevine said to them," Should I stop giving my wine that cheers both God and man, and rule over trees?"

International Standard Version (©2012)
But the grape vine asked them, 'Should I leave my new wine, which cheers God and man, and go take dominion over trees?'

NET Bible (©2006)
But the grapevine said to them, 'I am not going to stop producing my wine, which makes gods and men so happy, just to sway above the other trees!'

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
But the grapevine responded, 'Should I stop producing my wine, which makes gods and humans happy, in order to rule the trees?'

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheers God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?

American King James Version
And the vine said to them, Should I leave my wine, which cheers God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?

American Standard Version
And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my new wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to wave to and fro over the trees?

Douay-Rheims Bible
And it answered them: Can I forsake my wine, that cheereth God and men, and be promoted among the other trees?

Darby Bible Translation
But the vine said to them, 'Shall I leave my wine which cheers gods and men, and go to sway over the trees?'

English Revised Version
And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to wave to and fro over the trees?

Webster's Bible Translation
And the vine said to them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?

World English Bible
"The vine said to them, 'Should I leave my new wine, which cheers God and man, and go to wave back and forth over the trees?'

Young's Literal Translation
And the vine saith to them, Have I ceased from my new wine, which is rejoicing gods and men, that I have gone to stagger over the trees?

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

9:7-21 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 the margin reads it, to go up and down for the trees. To rule, involves a man in a great deal both of toil and care. Those who are preferred to public trust and power, must forego all private interests and advantages, for the good of others. And those advanced to honour and dignity, are in great danger of losing their fruitfulness. For which reason, they that desire to do good, are afraid of being too great. Jotham compares Abimelech to the bramble or thistle, a worthless plant, whose end is to be burned. Such a one was Abimelech.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 13. - Which cheereth God and man. The wine is said to cheer, or make to rejoice, God because the drink offering which accompanied the meat offering consisted of wine (Numbers 15:7, 10), and God was well pleased with the offerings of his people (cf. Genesis 8:21; Philippians 4:18; Hebrews 13:16). The idea in this verse, as in vers. 9 and 11, is, that while the olive, the fig, and the vine were occupied in waving their branches over the other trees, in token of their superiority, they would necessarily be neglecting., their own proper gift and office, which was to produce oil, and figs, and grapes.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And the vine said unto them,.... By way of denial and refusal, as the other two:

shall I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man; which being used in the drink offerings was acceptable to God, and of a sweet savour to him, Numbers 15:7 and being drank by than, revives, refreshes, and makes glad, when before sorrowful, drooping, faint, and weary, Psalm 104:15 though some by Elohim, rendered God, understand great personages, as men of quality, magistrates, &c. and by man the common people, and so in Judges 9:9.

and go to be promoted over the trees? all speak the same language, being of the same sentiment.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

13. 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).

Judges 9:13 Parallel Commentaries

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Jotham's Parable
…12Then said the trees to the vine, Come you, and reign over us. 13And the vine said to them, Should I leave my wine, which cheers God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? 14Then said all the trees to the bramble, Come you, and reign over us. …

Judges 9:12 "Then the trees said to the vine, 'Come and be our king.'
Judges 9:14 "Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, 'Come and be our king.'
Psalm 104:15 wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts.
Ecclesiastes 2:3 I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly--my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives.
Ecclesiastes 10:19 A feast is made for laughter, wine makes life merry, and money is the answer for everything.