Topical Bible: Grape: Fable of

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Topical Encyclopedia

The fable of the grape is a notable allegory found in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Judges. This fable is part of a larger narrative involving Jotham, the youngest son of Gideon, also known as Jerubbaal. The context of the fable is a political parable delivered by Jotham to the people of Shechem, following the violent rise to power of his half-brother Abimelech.

Biblical Context

The fable is recounted in Judges 9:7-15. After Abimelech, the son of Gideon and a concubine from Shechem, murders his seventy brothers to establish himself as king, Jotham escapes and delivers this fable from Mount Gerizim. The fable serves as a prophetic warning and a moral lesson to the people of Shechem regarding their choice of Abimelech as king.

The Fable

In the fable, the trees seek to anoint a king over themselves. They first approach the olive tree, then the fig tree, and finally the vine (grapevine), asking each to reign over them. Each of these trees declines the offer, valuing their own purpose and contributions over the pursuit of power. The olive tree refuses, citing its production of oil that honors both God and man. The fig tree declines, valuing its sweet fruit. The vine, representing the grape, also refuses, saying, "Should I stop producing my wine that cheers both God and man, to hold sway over the trees?" (Judges 9:13).

Ultimately, the trees turn to the bramble, which accepts the offer but issues a warning of destruction if the trees do not take refuge in its shade. The bramble, a lowly and thorny plant, symbolizes Abimelech's unworthy and destructive rule.

Symbolism and Interpretation

The grapevine in this fable symbolizes contentment and the fulfillment of one's God-given purpose. The vine's refusal to abandon its role in producing wine, which is seen as a source of joy and blessing, underscores the value of remaining true to one's calling rather than seeking power for its own sake. The fable contrasts the noble and productive nature of the vine with the destructive ambition of the bramble, highlighting the folly of choosing a leader who lacks integrity and divine purpose.

From a theological perspective, the fable serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ungodly leadership and the consequences of forsaking divine wisdom. It reflects the biblical theme that true leadership should be rooted in service and righteousness, rather than self-serving ambition.

Historical and Cultural Context

In ancient Israel, vineyards and grape cultivation were significant aspects of daily life and economy. Wine was a staple in the diet and held religious significance, often used in offerings and celebrations. The imagery of the vine and its fruit would have resonated deeply with the original audience, making the fable a powerful and relatable message.

The fable of the grape, as part of Jotham's parable, remains a timeless lesson on the importance of choosing leaders who embody the virtues of humility, service, and adherence to God's will, rather than those who seek power through violence and deceit.

Nave's Topical Index

Judges 9:12,13
Then said the trees to the vine, Come you, and reign over us.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Of the Rituals of False Gods Instituted by the Kings of Greece in ...
... that Minerva was the discoverer of that fruit, as Liber was of the grape. ... the poets
sing, the theatres applaud, and the people celebrate, as empty fable got up ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 12 of the rituals of.htm

Letter xv. --To Adelphius the Lawyer .
... Your Helicon is nothing: the Islands of the Blest are a fable: the Sicyonian ... at this
time even added to their beauty, displaying its grape-clusters wonderful ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/letter xv to adelphius the lawyer.htm

The Tenth Commandment
... people of France, had tasted the sweet wine of the Italian grape, they inquired ... The
hedgehog, in the fable, came to the cony-burrows, in stormy weather, and ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 1 the tenth commandment.htm

Israel Returning
... The old fable tells us that the storm made the traveller wrap his cloak ... expressing
fruitfulness, abundant as the corn and precious as the grape, and fragrance ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/israel returning.htm

A vision of the Latter-Day Glories
... We believe not the fable, but the church of God, verily, is like this living ... even
as the garments of the wine-pressers are stained with the blood of the grape. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/a vision of the latter-day.htm

The Bible and the French Revolution.
... Long rows of captives were mowed down with grape-shot. ... of God's law, he urged them
to regard all religion as a cheat, and the Bible a fable; and casting aside ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /15 the bible and the.htm

The Bible
... culture of a hedgerow of thorns would not succeed in producing one grape. ... the Holy
Ghost), repudiating doctrine and listening to every fable of rationalistic ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/haldeman/christ christianity and the bible/the bible.htm

Book ii.
... the very centuries? We see the grape rot, and the vine come up again: a
graft is inserted and the tree is born again. Is there this ...
//christianbookshelf.org/ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/book ii.htm

Faustus Denies that the Prophets Predicted Christ. Augustin Proves ...
... I believe the absurdities of Manich??us relating a vain and long fable in opposition ...
So it is added, "and His clothes in the blood of the grape." Again, what ...
/.../faustus denies that the prophets.htm

The Water of Life;
... 'Pure blood of the grape' (Deuteronomy 32 ... There is no fraud, nor guile, nor fable
in the business; for though God is pleased to present us with his grace under ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the water of life.htm