1
Judges 9:1
英文原文
We are not told how soon after the death of Gideon these events happened. There must have been time for the apostacy and establishment of Baal-worship, and for the development of ill-will between Abimelech and his brethren.
2
Judges 9:2
示劍人——原文直譯為「眾主人」。參 Joshua 24:11；1 Samuel 23:11-12。
英文原文
The men of Shechem - literally, "the masters." Compare Joshua 24:11; 1 Samuel 23:11-12.
3
Judges 9:3
以法蓮人的驕傲使他們厭惡亞比以謝人作統治者，轉而傾向一個生為示劍人的人。（可比較大衛與羅波安時代的同一精神，2 Samuel 20:1；1 Kings 12:16。）
英文原文
The Ephraimite pride revolted from Abi-ezrite rulers, and inclined them to one who was a Shechemite by birth. (Compare the same spirit in the time of David and Rehoboam, 2 Samuel 20:1; 1 Kings 12:16.)
5
Judges 9:5
這樣的大規模屠殺，在東方君主國中向來司空見慣，也是多妻制的惡果之一。
英文原文
Such wholesale slaughters have always been common in Eastern monarchies, and are among the fruits of polygamy.
6
Judges 9:6
米羅必是緊鄰示劍但自成一體的一處設防之地，也許就是 Judges 9:46-47 所提到的示劍樓。至於較著名的耶路撒冷米羅，其修築或擴建是所羅門的偉大工程之一（1 Kings 9:15、1 Kings 9:24）。住在米羅的居民雖然人數或許不多，卻因據有堡壘而舉足輕重。他們稱亞比米勒為王，表明示劍深受迦南人的影響。迦南眾首領都稱為王，但這頭銜在以色列中此前從未聽聞。那些要立基甸為世襲統治者的以色列人，也沒有用過這頭銜（Judges 8:22-23）。
平原的柱子……——更宜譯作「在示劍的營寨橡樹」。這棵橡樹大概因附近駐有營寨而稱為「營寨橡樹」。
英文原文
Millo must have been a fortified place close to, but separate from, Shechem, and perhaps the same as the tower of Shechem mentioned in Judges 9:46-47. The building or enlarging of the better-known Millo, at Jerusalem was one of Solomon's great works 1 Kings 9:15, 1 Kings 9:24. The population dwelling in Millo though perhaps numerically small, had great weight from possessing the stronghold. Their giving Abimelech the title of king indicates the strong Canaanite influence at Shechem. All the Canaanite chiefs were called kings, but it was a title hitherto unknown in Israel. This title had not been named by those Israelites who offered to make Gideon their hereditary ruler Judges 8:22-23.
The plain of the pillar ... - Rather "the oak of the garrison which is in Shechem." The oak in question was probably called the "garrison oak," from a garrison being stationed near it.
7
Judges 9:7
基利心山頂——古示劍城大概坐落於此。約坦向他們說話時，示劍的居民大概正在城外守某個公共節期。
英文原文
The top of Mount Gerizim - The ancient Shechem was perhaps situated there. The population of Shechem is supposed to have been keeping some public festival outside the city when Jotham addressed them.
8
Judges 9:8
這則寓言與邊註所記的那則，是聖經中僅有的兩則同類作品。舊約的比喻則略有不同，如 2 Samuel 12:1-4；2 Samuel 14:5-11；1 Kings 20:39-40。
英文原文
This fable and that noted in the marginal reference are the only two of the kind found in Scripture. Somewhat different are the parables of the Old Testament, 2 Samuel 12:1-4; 2 Samuel 14:5-11; 1 Kings 20:39-40.
9
Judges 9:9
榮耀神和人——暗指油在素祭中恆常的使用（Leviticus 2:1-16），以及在聖膏油中的使用（Exodus 30:24-25）。同樣，Judges 9:13 的暗指則是澆奠祭的酒。見 Leviticus 23:13；Numbers 15:10。
英文原文
Honour God and man - Alluding to the constant use of oil in the meat-offerings Leviticus 2:1-16, and in the holy ointment Exodus 30:24-25. In like manner, the allusion in Judges 9:13 is to the drink-offerings of wine. See Leviticus 23:13; Numbers 15:10.
14
Judges 9:14
荊棘——據說即林奈（Linnaeus）所稱的 Rhamnus Paliurus，又名 Spina-Christi，即「基督的荊棘」，為一種具尖刺的灌木。其應用至為明顯。高貴的基甸和他的賢能眾子謝絕了所提出的王位；卑劣而出身卑微的亞比米勒卻接受了它，而他的作為終必成為他自己與其臣民共同的毀滅。
英文原文
The bramble - Said to be the Rhamnus Paliurus of Linnaeus, otherwise called Spina-Christi, or Christ's Thorn, a shrub with sharp thorns. The application is obvious. The noble Gideon and his worthy sons had declined the proffered kingdom. The vile, base-born Abimelech had accepted it, and his act would turn out to the mutual ruin of himself and his subjects.
15
Judges 9:15
你們若誠誠實實地——意即：與真理、榮譽和正直相合，正如 Judges 9:16、Judges 9:19 的解釋所說明的。
願火從……出來——這比喻的貼切性得到了嚴格的保存，因為連那毫無價值的荊棘，其刺也能點燃火焰，把巍峨的香柏樹燒毀淨盡。見 Psalm 58:9。
英文原文
If in truth - i. e. consistently with truth, honor, and uprightness, as explained in the interpretation in Judges 9:16, Judges 9:19.
Let fire come out ... - The propriety of the image is strictly preserved, for even the thorns of the worthless bramble might kindle a flame which would burn the stately cedars to the ground. See Psalm 58:9.
16
Judges 9:16
這幾節經文包含這則寓言的解釋。約坦在其中指出，百姓在基甸家室的廢墟上立亞比米勒，是何等卑劣的忘恩負義，並預言報應必臨到雙方。
英文原文
These verses contain the interpretation of the fable. In them Jotham points out the base ingratitude of the people in raising Abimelech upon the ruin of Gideon's house, and foretells the retribution which would fall upon both parties.
22
Judges 9:22
管理了——更宜譯作「管轄了」。這不是 Judges 9:6 所用的措辭。看來惟有示劍人立他為王，以色列其餘的人雖服於他的統治之下，卻始終沒有承認他王的名號。
英文原文
Had reigned - Rather, "had ruled." It is not the phrase used in Judges 9:6. It looks as if the Shechemites alone had made him king, and the rest of Israel had submitted to his dominion, without allowing his title of king.
26
翻譯準備中 · 英文原文Judges 9:26
It does not appear who Gaal, son of Ebed, was; he may have been an officer sent by Abimelech with a force to bring the men of Shechem back to their allegiance, but who tried to turn the rebellion to his own account. He got into Shechem with a band of men, "his brethren," unopposed by Zebul, Abimelech's officer, and soon gained the confidence of the Shechemites,
27
翻譯準備中 · 英文原文Judges 9:27
Seditious and lawless acts Jdg 9:25-26 now broke out into open rebellion. It was at an idolatrous feast in the house of Baal-berith, on occasion of the vintage, and when they were excited with wine, that the rebellion was matured. Those present began to "curse Abimelech," to speak insultingly of him, and to revile him (compare Leviticus 20:9; 2 Samuel 19:21; Isaiah 8:21). Gaal, the son of Ebed, who was watching the opportunity, immediately incited them to revolt from the dominion of Abimelech, offering himself to be their captain; adding a message of defiance to Abimelech, addressed, probably, to Zebul, who was present but too weak to resent it on the spot.
Judges 9:27
Made merry - The word translated "merry" occurs only here and in Leviticus 19:24. Its etymology gives the sense of "praises", "thanksgivings"; and its use in these two passages rather indicates that the fruits themselves which were brought to the House of God with songs of praise, and eaten or drunken with religious service, were so called. The thank-offerings would be a portion of the new wine of the vintage which they had just gathered in.
28
翻譯準備中 · 英文原文Judges 9:28
Shechem is another designation of Abimelech. Sheehem means the son and heir of Sheehem, Abimelech's mother being a Canaanite Judges 9:18.
31
翻譯準備中 · 英文原文Judges 9:31
Privily - See the margin. The word is probably the name of a place in "Tormah", some think the same as "Arumah" Judges 9:41. Zebul was faithful to Abimelech, but dissembled his sentiments, from being too weak to oppose Gaal, until Abimelech came with his army Judges 9:38.
37
翻譯準備中 · 英文原文Judges 9:37
The plain of Meonenim - Translate "the oak of the soothsayers" (see the margin). Some well-known oak, so called, but which is not mentioned elsewhere.
42
翻譯準備中 · 英文原文Judges 9:42
After Gaal's expulsion, "the people went out into the field," either to complete the vintage, or for some other agricultural operation. "They" (Zebul and his party) sent word of this to Abimelech.
44
翻譯準備中 · 英文原文Judges 9:44
This verse explains the purpose of both the present and the former division of Abimelech's forces into several companies, namely, that while some of the companies attacked the men of Shechem in the field, another company, starting from their ambush, might occupy the approach to the city gate, and so cut off their retreat.
45
翻譯準備中 · 英文原文Judges 9:45
Sowed it with salt - Expressing by this action his hatred, and his wish, that when utterly destroyed as a city, it might not even be a fruitful field. Salt is the emblem of barrenness (see the marginal references).
46
翻譯準備中 · 英文原文Judges 9:46
An hold of the house of the god Berith - As combining the advantages of a "sanctuary" (compare 1 Kings 2:28) and a fortress. The word rendered "hold" occurs elsewhere only in 1 Samuel 13:6, where it is rendered "high-place." Its exact signification is uncertain.
48
翻譯準備中 · 英文原文Judges 9:48
Zalmon - A lofty and thickly-wooded hill, as the etymology of the name ("shady") implies, in the immediate neighborhood of Shechem: perhaps the same as Ebal. The setting fire to the hold, where the men of Shechem were all crowded together, with their wives and children, was the literal fulfillment of Jotham's curse in Judges 9:20.
50
翻譯準備中 · 英文原文Judges 9:50
The men of Thebez (modern Tubas) had, doubtless, joined the Shechemites in their rebellion against Abimelech.
52
翻譯準備中 · 英文原文Judges 9:52
Went hard unto the door ... - i. e. went close to the door. An act of manifest danger, seeing the roof was covered with persons who would be likely to throw down missiles of all sorts on the heads of their assailants. But the hatred of Abimelech, and his thirst for revenge, made him despise danger.
53
翻譯準備中 · 英文原文Judges 9:53
The phrase "all" to is now obsolete, and means "quite," "entirely," as in Chaucer, Spenser, and Milton.
聖經沒有告訴我們這些事件發生在基甸死後多久。其間必須有足夠的時間，讓背道的情形與巴力崇拜得以確立，也讓亞比米勒與他眾弟兄之間的嫌隙得以滋長。