Judges 9:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

No one is so uneducated as to believe that the tales of Aesop, employed for similar ends, should be regarded as falsehoods. Likewise, the Holy Scriptures contain comparable narratives; for example, in the Book of Judges, the trees seek a king to anoint who would govern them, directing their appeals to the oak, the fig tree, the vine, and the thorns. These illustrations are crafted to help us understand the fundamental truths, as they communicate concepts through fictional events, included solely to convey the authentic meaning rather than a deceptive one.

The vine, fig tree, and olive tree symbolize the presence of the Savior, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit. This concept is elaborated in the book of Judges, where the unfruitful trees convene to appoint a king for themselves and urge the vine, fig tree, and olive tree to take on leadership; however, all three decline the offer and do not desire to govern the barren trees.

It is clear that this passage does not pertain to trees that sprout from the ground. Trees, lacking souls and anchored in the earth, are incapable of gathering to choose a ruler for themselves. Rather, this narrative refers to souls who, prior to the Incarnation of Christ, steeped in sin, fervently cried out to God, asking Him to hear their laments and to govern them with compassion and humility. Scripture illustrates this with the image of an olive tree, for olive oil is beneficial to the body, alleviating pain and illness and providing light. Every flame in the lamps is fueled by the oil that is poured into them; similarly, God’s mercies rescue from death and sin, aid humanity, and nourish the light within our hearts.