And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?

And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my new wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to wave to and fro over the trees?

And it answered them: Can I forsake my wine, that cheereth God and men, and be promoted among the other trees?

But the vine said to them, 'Shall I leave my wine which cheers gods and men, and go to sway over the trees?'

And the vine saith to them, Have I ceased from my new wine, which is rejoicing gods and men, that I have gone to stagger over the trees?

And the vine said to them, Should I leave my wine, which cheers God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?

But the vine said to them, Am I to give up my wine, which makes glad God and men, to go waving over the trees?

And the vine said unto them: Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to hold sway over the trees?

And it responded to them, 'How could I abandon my wine, which gives joy to God and men, and be promoted among the other trees?'

Which cheereth God and man - I believe אלהים elohim here is to be taken in the same sense proposed on Judges 9:9. Vast libations of wine, as well as much oil, were used in heathenish sacrifices and offerings; and it was their opinion that the gods actually partook of, and were delighted with, both the wine and oil. The pagan mythology furnishes the most exquisite wines to its gods in heaven, and hence the nectar and ambrosia so much talked of and praised by the ancients. It is not reasonable to suppose that Jotham makes any reference here to the sacrifices, oblations, and perfumes offered to the true God. This language the idolatrous Shechemites could scarcely understand. What could the worshippers of Baal-berith know of the worship of the God who gave his law to Moses? And it is not very likely that Jotham himself was well acquainted with the sacred rites of the Mosaic religion, as they had been little preached in his time.

And the vine said unto them,.... By way of denial and refusal, as the other two:
shall I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man; which being used in the drink offerings was acceptable to God, and of a sweet savour to him, Numbers 15:7 and being drank by than, revives, refreshes, and makes glad, when before sorrowful, drooping, faint, and weary, Psalm 104:15 though some by Elohim, rendered God, understand great personages, as men of quality, magistrates, &c. and by man the common people, and so in Judges 9:9.
and go to be promoted over the trees? all speak the same language, being of the same sentiment.

wine, which cheereth God and man--not certainly in the same manner. God might be said to be "cheered" by it, when the sacrifices were accepted, as He is said also to be honored by oil (Judges 9:9).

Cheareth God - Wherewith God is well pleased, because it was offered to God.