Bible Strands
Judges 9:7
When this was reported to Jotham, he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim, raised his voice, and cried out: “Listen to me, O leaders of Shechem, and may God listen to you.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jotham addresses the leaders of Shechem immediately after they gather at the pillar to crown Abimelech king. He positions himself at the top of Mount Gerizim to deliver his public declaration.
The words — וַ/יִּשָּׂ֥א (va/i.yi.Sa') translates literally as "and he lifted up," describing Jotham raising his voice for public proclamation. בְּ/רֹ֣אשׁ (be./Rosh) means "on the top of," specifying his elevated physical location on Mount Gerizim.
The thread — The location echoes Deuteronomy 11:29 and Deuteronomy 27:12, where Mount Gerizim is designated for proclaiming covenant blessings. The call for divine attention parallels the warning in Proverbs 28:9 regarding God's refusal to hear those who turn away from His law.
Why it lands — The text demands that readers recognize the immediate historical consequence of establishing a human king outside covenant boundaries. It requires a sober assessment of whether leadership seeks accountability to God or merely consolidates human approval.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
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.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 11:29 When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess, you are to proclaim the blessing on Mount Gerizim and the curse on Mount Ebal.
- Deuteronomy 27:12 “When you have crossed the Jordan, these tribes shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.
- Proverbs 28:9 Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable.
- Isaiah 1:15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.
- John 4:20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place where one must worship is in Jerusalem.”
- Joshua 8:33 All Israel, foreigners and citizens alike, with their elders, officers, and judges, stood on both sides of the ark of the covenant of the LORD facing the Levitical priests who carried it. Half of the people stood in front of Mount Gerizim and half of them in front of Mount Ebal, as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded earlier, to bless the people of Israel.
- Psalms 50:15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.”
- Proverbs 1:28 Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me.
- Proverbs 21:13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.
- Psalms 18:40 You have made my enemies retreat before me; I destroyed those who hated me.