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.

JUDGES 9:7KJV
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Judges 9:7 (KJV)

What does Judges 9:7 mean?

Judges 9:7 describes Jotham standing on the top of Mount Gerizim and calling out loudly to the people of Shechem, urging them to listen to him so that God might listen to them. Jotham wants the people to pay attention to his message, suggesting that their response to him will affect how God responds to them.

In this verse, Jotham is addressing the men of Shechem after learning about their actions regarding his brother Abimelech. The setting is significant: Mount Gerizim overlooks Shechem, making it a natural place for a public address. Jotham’s words set up a warning or lesson, connecting the people’s willingness to listen to him with God’s willingness to listen to them, highlighting the seriousness of his message.

The Hebrew behind Judges 9:7

  • The word for "hearken" is שָׁמַע (shamaʿ), which means "to listen" or "to pay attention." Jotham uses this word twice—once for the people listening to him, and once for God listening to them—emphasizing a direct link between their response to his warning and God’s response to their prayers.
  • "Mount" is הַר (har), and "Gerizim" is גְּרִזִים (Gerizim). Naming Mount Gerizim is meaningful because it was historically associated with blessings in Israel’s history, adding weight to Jotham’s speech.
  • "Voice" is קוֹל (qol), which can mean not just the sound but also the proclamation or message. Jotham lifting his voice signals the importance and urgency of what he is about to say.

Why Judges 9:7 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Jotham’s speech is not just a private warning but a public proclamation from a significant location, giving his words authority and visibility.
  • The double use of "hearken" (שָׁמַע, shamaʿ) draws attention to the relationship between human response and divine attention, a theme that runs throughout the Bible.
  • Understanding the setting—Mount Gerizim overlooking Shechem—helps the reader see the dramatic and symbolic nature of Jotham’s address, connecting it to earlier moments in Israel’s story where Mount Gerizim played a role in covenant blessings.

Where else these words appear

“Gerizim” Hebrew H1630 · used in 4 verses

  • Deuteronomy 11:29 And it shall come to pass, when the LORD thy God hath brought thee in unto the land whither thou goest to possess it, that thou shalt put the blessing upon mount Gerizim, and the curse upon mount Ebal.
  • Deuteronomy 27:12 These shall stand upon mount Gerizim to bless the people, when ye are come over Jordan; Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Joseph, and Benjamin:
  • Joshua 8:33 And all Israel, and their elders, and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger, as he that was born among them; half of them over against mount Gerizim, and half of them over against mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded before, that they should bless the people of Israel.

“Jotham” Hebrew H3147 · used in 24 verses

  • Judges 9:5 And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.
  • 2 Kings 15:36 Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
  • 2 Chronicles 27:1 Jotham was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Jerushah, the daughter of Zadok.

“Shechem” Hebrew H7927 · used in 54 verses

  • Genesis 12:6 And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.
  • Joshua 17:7 And the coast of Manasseh was from Asher to Michmethah, that lieth before Shechem; and the border went along on the right hand unto the inhabitants of Entappuah.
  • Judges 9:31 And he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem; and, behold, they fortify the city against thee.

“men” Hebrew H1167 · used in 78 verses

  • Genesis 14:13 And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.
  • Judges 9:20 But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.
  • Proverbs 16:22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.