MENGUNGKAP MAKNA SINDIRAN PERUMPAMAAN YOTAM TAFSIRN HISTORIS HAKIM-HAKIM 9:7–15 DALAM KONTEKS KEPEMIMPINAN ABIMELEKH
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19992454Keywords:
Parable of Jotham, Historical Interpretation, Judges 9:7–15, Leadership of Abimelech, Biblical Allusion, Tree Symbolism, Socio-Political Criticism, Theology of LeadershipAbstract
This study aims to uncover the satirical meaning of Jotham's parable (Judges 9:7–15) through a historical interpretation approach in the context of Abimelech's leadership. The method used is qualitative with a literature review (biblical exegesis), integrating historical-critical and thematic analysis of the text and related literature. The results show that Jotham's parable is a form of socio-political criticism conveyed symbolically through the fable of the trees. The olive, fig, and vine trees symbolize ideal, productive leadership oriented toward the welfare of the community, while the thornbush represents Abimelech's selfish, unproductive, and destructive leadership. The satire in the text is conveyed indirectly through figurative language, irony, and repetitive structures that reinforce its rhetorical message. In a historical context, this parable emerged as a response to Abimelech's power, which was obtained through violence and manipulation, thus lacking moral and theological legitimacy. These findings emphasize that leadership not rooted in divine values and social responsibility will lead to destruction. Thus, the parable of Jotham not only has historical significance, but also theological relevance as a critique of deviant leadership and as a basis for reflection for contemporary Christian leadership.
Downloads
References
Andrew Gosler, Shonil Bhagwat, Stuart Harrop, Mark Bonta, & Sonia Tidemann. (2013). Leadership and listening: Inspiration for conservation mission and advocacy. In David W. Macdonald & Katherine J. Willis (Eds.), Key Topics in Conservation Biology 2 (1st ed., pp. 92–109). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118520178.ch6
Anthony, J. (2024). Manfaat Minyak Urapan Dalam Doa Kesembuhan Menurut Yakobus 5:13-14. Jurnal Teologi Biblika, 9(2), 103–109. https://doi.org/10.48125/jtb.v9i2.234
Assis, E. (2020). THE FUNCTION OF REPETITION AND CONTRADICTION IN THE PARADIGM OF THE JUDGES (2:11–19). Scriptura, 119(2). https://doi.org/10.7833/119-2-1794
Brownsmith, E. (2024). Metaphors Realized in Narrative: A New Direction for Biblical Metaphor. Religion Compass, 18(10), e70005. https://doi.org/10.1111/rec3.70005
Duckett, S. (2022). The Role of Abimelech’s Arms Bearer: A Biblical Acceptance of Assisted Dying? Scandinavian Journal of the Old Testament, 36(1), 93–111. https://doi.org/10.1080/09018328.2022.2085903
Lola, J. A., Hutahaean, H., & Marriba, N. L. (2022). Kepemimpinan Yang Berasal Dari Allah: Elaborasi Narasi Fabel Yotam Dalam Hakim-Hakim 9. BIA’: Jurnal Teologi Dan Pendidikan Kristen Kontekstual, 5(2), 228–246. https://doi.org/10.34307/b.v5i2.371
Mira Fauziah. (2025). Prophetic Ethics and the Foundations of Islamic Leadership. El-Sunan: Journal of Hadith and Religious Studies, 3(1), 51–60. https://doi.org/10.22373/el-sunan.v3i1.7679
Murphy, R. E. (1981). Wisdom Literature: Job, Proverbs, Ruth, Canticles, Ecclesiastes, and Esther. Eerdmans.
Oeste, G. (2011). Butchered Brothers and Betrayed Families: Degenerating Kinship Structures in the Book of Judges. Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 35(3), 295–316. https://doi.org/10.1177/0309089211398709
Pattinaja, A. A., & Lesnussa, J. (2024). Gideon’s Leadership Cohesion and the Negative Side of His Power Based on Judges 8:22-35. PASCA : Jurnal Teologi Dan Pendidikan Agama Kristen, 20(1), 42–54. https://doi.org/10.46494/psc.v20i1.333
Rumbay, C. A. (2021). Portraying the Spirit’s Personality to Minahasan Christian with its Ancestral Spirits Tradition Hues. Religió: Jurnal Studi Agama-Agama, 11(1), 114–130. https://doi.org/10.15642/religio.v11i1.1610
Schultz, P. W., Shriver, C., Tabanico, J. J., & Khazian, A. M. (2004). Implicit connections with nature. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 24(1), 31–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0272-4944(03)00022-7
Shively T. J. Smith. (2022). Historical Criticism: Methods. In Ian Boxall & Bradley C. Gregory (Eds.), The New Cambridge Companion to Biblical Interpretation (1st ed., pp. 37–54). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108859226.004
Sihura, S., Santoso, A., & Lumingkewas, M. S. (2022). Implikasi Kepemimpinan Kristen Berdasarkan Kitab Hakim-Hakim 19:1-30. EPIGRAPHE: Jurnal Teologi Dan Pelayanan Kristiani, 6(2), 327–338. https://doi.org/10.33991/epigraphe.v6i2.395
Ven, J. A. V. D. (2020). Religious Forms of Government. In J. A. V. D. Ven, Religion in Process (Vol. 6, pp. 49–101). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-58391-0_2
Whitman, J. (2020). Fable and Fact: Judging the Language of Scripture (Judges 9:8–15) from Antiquity to Modernity. Harvard Theological Review, 113(2), 149–185. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0017816020000036
