Jotham
maleJudgesMeaning: “The LORD is perfect”
The youngest son of Gideon, sole survivor of Abimelech’s massacre, who pronounced the Bible’s first parable — the trees seeking a king.
Biography
Jotham was the youngest of Gideon's seventy sons and the only one to escape when his half-brother Abimelech murdered the rest to seize power (Judges 9:5).
The parable of the trees
Standing on Mount Gerizim above Shechem, Jotham shouted down the Bible's first recorded parable: the trees went out to anoint a king, but the useful trees — the olive, fig, and vine — refused, leaving only the worthless bramble to reign (Judges 9:7–15). The fable was a stinging rebuke of Shechem for crowning the worthless Abimelech.
His curse fulfilled
Jotham warned that fire would come out from Abimelech and Shechem to devour each other — then fled for his life (Judges 9:20–21). Within three years, the prophecy and curse came true as Abimelech and Shechem destroyed one another (Judges 9:56–57).
Life Timeline
Proclaims the parable of the trees against Abimelech
On the Bible timeline
Jotham belongs to the Conquest & the Judges era (c. 1400 – 1050 BC).
- c. 1375 – 1050 BCThe Age of the Judges
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Jotham
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Jotham appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
4 verses in 1 bookJudges4 verses
Judges 9:5
And he went unto his father's house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.
Judges 9:7
And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.
Judges 9:21
And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.
Judges 9:57
And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal.
Frequently asked about Jotham
Who was Jotham in the Bible?
The youngest son of Gideon, sole survivor of Abimelech’s massacre, who pronounced the Bible’s first parable — the trees seeking a king.
What does the name Jotham mean?
The name Jotham means “The LORD is perfect”.
Who were Jotham's parents?
Jotham was the child of Gideon.
Where does Jotham appear in the Bible?
Jotham is mentioned 4 times across 1 book: Judges.
What can we learn from Jotham?
The story of Jotham touches on themes of fatherless, judgments, mountains, murder — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Jotham's life.
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