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Jotham (1)

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

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JOTHAM (judge). The youngest son of Jerubbaal, who, by hiding himself, escaped the massacre of his brethren by Abimelech ( Judges 9:5 ). When Abimelech had been proclaimed king by the Shechemites, Jotham appeared, close to where they were assembled, on Mt. Gerizim, and addressed to them the ‘Parable of the Trees’ ( Judges 9:8-20 ). The parable, which is somewhat incongruous in parts, is intended as an appeal to the conscience of the Shechemites; in case the appeal should turn out to be fruitless (which indeed proved to be the case), Jotham utters a curse ( Judges 9:20 ) against both Abimelech and the Shechemites; this curse is shortly afterwards fulfilled. After his address, Jotham flees to Beer, fearing the vengeance of Abimelech, and we hear of him no more.

W. O. E. Oesterley.