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Text -- Judges 5:1-11 (NET)
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Cross Reference (TSK)
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Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics
collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
The composer of this song.
Give him the praise who hath done the work.
When neither Deborah nor Barak had any power to compel them.
Wesley: Jdg 5:3 - -- You especially that live near, and have evil designs against Israel, know this for your caution, and terror too, if you presume to molest them.
You especially that live near, and have evil designs against Israel, know this for your caution, and terror too, if you presume to molest them.
Wesley: Jdg 5:3 - -- Who, as you see by this plain instance, is both able and resolved to defend them from all their enemies.
Who, as you see by this plain instance, is both able and resolved to defend them from all their enemies.
Wesley: Jdg 5:4 - -- Seir and Edom are the same place; and these two expressions note the same thing, even God's marching in the head of his people, from Seir or Edom, tow...
Seir and Edom are the same place; and these two expressions note the same thing, even God's marching in the head of his people, from Seir or Edom, towards the land of Canaan: while the Israelites were encompassing mount Seir, there were none of the following effects; but when once they had done that, and got Edom on their backs, then they marched directly forward towards the land of Canaan. The prophetess being to praise God for the present mercies, takes her rise higher, and begins her song with the commemoration of the ancient deliverances afforded by God to his people, the rather because of the great resemblance this had with them, in the miraculous manner of them.
Wesley: Jdg 5:4 - -- God prepared the way for his people, and struck a dread into their enemies, by earth - quakes as well as by other terrible signs.
God prepared the way for his people, and struck a dread into their enemies, by earth - quakes as well as by other terrible signs.
Wesley: Jdg 5:4 - -- That is, thou didst send storms and tempests, thunder and lightning, and other tokens of thy displeasure upon thine enemies.
That is, thou didst send storms and tempests, thunder and lightning, and other tokens of thy displeasure upon thine enemies.
Wesley: Jdg 5:5 - -- Or, flowed, with floods of water powered out of the clouds upon them, and from them flowing down in a mighty stream upon the lower grounds, and carryi...
Or, flowed, with floods of water powered out of the clouds upon them, and from them flowing down in a mighty stream upon the lower grounds, and carrying down part of the mountains with it.
Wesley: Jdg 5:5 - -- She slides into the mention of a more ancient appearance of God for his people in Sinai; it being usual in scripture repetitions of former actions, to...
She slides into the mention of a more ancient appearance of God for his people in Sinai; it being usual in scripture repetitions of former actions, to put divers together in a narrow compass. The sense is, No wonder that the mountains of the Amorites and Canaanites melted and trembled, when thou didst lead thy people toward them; for even Sinai itself could not bear thy presence, but melted in like manner before thee.
Wesley: Jdg 5:6 - -- Jael, though an illustrious woman, effected nothing for the deliverance of God's people, 'till God raised me up.
Jael, though an illustrious woman, effected nothing for the deliverance of God's people, 'till God raised me up.
Wesley: Jdg 5:6 - -- ways - Because of the Philistines and Canaanites, who, besides the public burdens which they laid upon them, waited for all opportunities to do them m...
ways - Because of the Philistines and Canaanites, who, besides the public burdens which they laid upon them, waited for all opportunities to do them mischief secretly; their soldiers watching for travellers in common roads, as is usual with such in times of war; and, because of the robbers even of their own people, who having cast off the fear of God, and there being no king in Israel to punish them, broke forth into acts of injustice and violence, even against their own brethren.
Wesley: Jdg 5:7 - -- The people forsook all their unfortified towns, not being able to protect them from military insolence.
The people forsook all their unfortified towns, not being able to protect them from military insolence.
Wesley: Jdg 5:7 - -- That is, to be to them as a mother, to instruct, and rule, and protect them, which duties a mother owes to her children.
That is, to be to them as a mother, to instruct, and rule, and protect them, which duties a mother owes to her children.
Wesley: Jdg 5:8 - -- They did not only submit to idolatry when they were forced to it by tyrants, but they freely chose it.
They did not only submit to idolatry when they were forced to it by tyrants, but they freely chose it.
Wesley: Jdg 5:8 - -- New to them, and unknown to their fathers, and new in comparison of the true and everlasting God of Israel, being but of yesterday.
New to them, and unknown to their fathers, and new in comparison of the true and everlasting God of Israel, being but of yesterday.
Wesley: Jdg 5:8 - -- That is, in their walled cities, which have gates and bars; gates are often put for cities; then their strong holds fell into the hands of their enemi...
That is, in their walled cities, which have gates and bars; gates are often put for cities; then their strong holds fell into the hands of their enemies.
Wesley: Jdg 5:8 - -- There was not, the meaning is not, that all the Israelites had no arms, but, either they had but few arms among them, being many thousands of them dis...
There was not, the meaning is not, that all the Israelites had no arms, but, either they had but few arms among them, being many thousands of them disarmed by the Canaanites and Philistines, or that they generally neglected the use of arms, as being without all hope of recovering their liberty.
Wesley: Jdg 5:9 - -- I honour and love those, who being the chief of the people in wealth and dignity, did not withdraw themselves from the work, as such usually do; but e...
I honour and love those, who being the chief of the people in wealth and dignity, did not withdraw themselves from the work, as such usually do; but exposed themselves to the same hazards, and joined with their brethren in this noble but dangerous attempt.
Wesley: Jdg 5:9 - -- Who inclined their hearts to this undertaking, and gave them success in it. As she gives instruments their due, so she is careful the sovereign cause ...
Who inclined their hearts to this undertaking, and gave them success in it. As she gives instruments their due, so she is careful the sovereign cause lose not his glory.
Celebrate the praise of our mighty God.
Wesley: Jdg 5:10 - -- That is, you that can safely travel in those high ways, which before you durst neither ride nor walk in: so great and mean persons are jointly excited...
That is, you that can safely travel in those high ways, which before you durst neither ride nor walk in: so great and mean persons are jointly excited to praise God.
Wesley: Jdg 5:11 - -- From the triumphant noise and shout of archers, rejoicing when they meet with their prey.
From the triumphant noise and shout of archers, rejoicing when they meet with their prey.
Wesley: Jdg 5:11 - -- At those pits or springs of water, which were precious in those hot countries, to which the people's necessities forced them to resort, and nigh unto ...
At those pits or springs of water, which were precious in those hot countries, to which the people's necessities forced them to resort, and nigh unto which the archers usually lurked, that they may shoot at them, and kill and spoil them.
Wesley: Jdg 5:11 - -- When they come to those places with freedom and safety, which before they could not, they shall with thankfulness rehearse this righteous and gracious...
When they come to those places with freedom and safety, which before they could not, they shall with thankfulness rehearse this righteous and gracious work of God, in rescuing his people.
Wesley: Jdg 5:11 - -- Whom she mentions, because as their danger was greater, Jdg 5:7, so was their deliverance.
Whom she mentions, because as their danger was greater, Jdg 5:7, so was their deliverance.
Wesley: Jdg 5:11 - -- Of their cities, which were the chief places to which both city and country resorted for public business and matters of justice, from which they they ...
Of their cities, which were the chief places to which both city and country resorted for public business and matters of justice, from which they they had been debarred by their oppressors; but now they had free access and passage, either in or out of the gates, as their occasions required; and they who had been driven from their cities, now returned to them in peace and triumph; so the citizens deliverance is celebrated here, as the country - mens is in the foregoing words.
This noble triumphal ode was evidently the composition of Deborah herself.
The people have willingly offered themselves" [ROBINSON].
JFB: Jdg 5:4-5 - -- Allusion is here made, in general terms, to God's interposition on behalf of His people.
Allusion is here made, in general terms, to God's interposition on behalf of His people.
JFB: Jdg 5:4-5 - -- Represent the mountain range and plain extending along the south from the Dead Sea to the Elanitic Gulf.
Represent the mountain range and plain extending along the south from the Dead Sea to the Elanitic Gulf.
Indicates the storm to have proceeded from the south or southeast.
JFB: Jdg 5:6-8 - -- The song proceeds in these verses to describe the sad condition of the country, the oppression of the people, and the origin of all the national distr...
The song proceeds in these verses to describe the sad condition of the country, the oppression of the people, and the origin of all the national distress in the people's apostasy from God. Idolatry was the cause of foreign invasion and internal inability to resist it.
JFB: Jdg 5:9 - -- Expresses gratitude to the respective leaders of the tribes which participated in the contest; but, above all, to God, who inspired both the patriotic...
Expresses gratitude to the respective leaders of the tribes which participated in the contest; but, above all, to God, who inspired both the patriotic disposition and the strength.
JFB: Jdg 5:10 - -- Those which are purely white are highly prized, and being costly, are possessed only by the wealthy and great.
Those which are purely white are highly prized, and being costly, are possessed only by the wealthy and great.
Has been rendered, "ye that repose on tapestries."
JFB: Jdg 5:11-14 - -- The soldiers of Ephraim who dwelt near the mount of the Amalekites, the small quota of Benjamin; "the governors," valiant leaders "out of Machir," the...
The soldiers of Ephraim who dwelt near the mount of the Amalekites, the small quota of Benjamin; "the governors," valiant leaders "out of Machir," the western Manasseh; out of Zebulun.
Clarke: Jdg 5:1 - -- Then sang Deborah, and Barak - There are many difficulties in this very sublime song; and learned men have toiled much to remove them. That there ar...
Then sang Deborah, and Barak - There are many difficulties in this very sublime song; and learned men have toiled much to remove them. That there are several gross mistakes in our version will be instantly acknowledged by all who can critically examine the original. Dr. Kennicott has distributed it into parts, assigned to Deborah and Barak alternately. But his division is by far too artificial. Dr. Hales has also given a version of it which, perhaps, comes nearer to the simplicity of the original; but it also leaves several difficulties behind. As these are the two best versions I have met with, I shall lay them both in parallel columns before the reader, after introducing the general description of this song, given by each of these learned men. These the reader will find at the conclusion of the chapter.
Clarke: Jdg 5:2 - -- For the avenging of Israel - See the notes, etc., at the end of the chapter, Jdg 5:28 (note).
For the avenging of Israel - See the notes, etc., at the end of the chapter, Jdg 5:28 (note).
Clarke: Jdg 5:4 - -- When thou wentest out of Seir - Here is an allusion to the giving of the law, and the manifestation of God’ s power and glory at that time; and...
When thou wentest out of Seir - Here is an allusion to the giving of the law, and the manifestation of God’ s power and glory at that time; and as this was the most signal display of his majesty and mercy in behalf of their forefathers, Deborah very properly begins her song with a commemoration of this transaction.
Clarke: Jdg 5:6 - -- The highways were unoccupied - The land was full of anarchy and confusion, being everywhere infested with banditti. No public road was safe; and in ...
The highways were unoccupied - The land was full of anarchy and confusion, being everywhere infested with banditti. No public road was safe; and in going from place to place, the people were obliged to use unfrequented paths.
Clarke: Jdg 5:7 - -- The villages ceased - The people were obliged to live together in fortified places; or in great numbers, to protect each other against the incursion...
The villages ceased - The people were obliged to live together in fortified places; or in great numbers, to protect each other against the incursions of bands of spoilers.
Clarke: Jdg 5:8 - -- They chose new gods - This was the cause of all their calamities; they forsook Jehovah, and served other gods; and then was war in their gates - the...
They chose new gods - This was the cause of all their calamities; they forsook Jehovah, and served other gods; and then was war in their gates - they were hemmed up in every place, and besieged in all their fortified cities; and they were defenseless, they had no means of resisting their adversaries; for even among forty thousand men, there was neither spear nor shield to be seen. The Vulgate gives a strange and curious turn to this verse: Nova bella elegit Dominus, et portas hostium ipse subvertit ; "The Lord chose a new species of war, and himself subverted the gates of the enemy."Now, what was this new species of war? A woman signifies her orders to Barak; he takes 10,000 men, wholly unarmed, and retires to Mount Tabor, where they are immediately besieged by a powerful and well-appointed army. On a sudden Barak and his men rush upon them, terror and dismay are spread through the whole Cannanitish army, and the rout is instantaneous and complete. The Israelites immediately arm themselves with the arms of their enemies, and slay all before them; they run, and are pursued in all directions. Sisera, their general, is no longer safe in his chariot; either his horses fail, or the unevenness of the road obliges him to desert it, and fly away on foot; in the end, the whole army is destroyed, and the leader ingloriously slain. This was a new species of war, and was most evidently the Lord’ s doings. Whatever may be said of the version of the Vulgate, (and the Syriac and Arabic are something like it), the above are all facts, and show the wondrous working of the Lord.
Clarke: Jdg 5:10 - -- Ye that ride on white asses - Perhaps אתנות צחרות athonoth tsechoroth should be rendered sleek or well-fed asses; rendered asinos niten...
Ye that ride on white asses - Perhaps
Clarke: Jdg 5:10 - -- Ye that sit in judgment - ישבי על מדין yoshebey al middin ; some have rendered this, ye who dwell in Middin. This was a place in the tri...
Ye that sit in judgment -
Clarke: Jdg 5:10 - -- And walk by the way - Persons who go from place to place for the purposes of traffic.
And walk by the way - Persons who go from place to place for the purposes of traffic.
Clarke: Jdg 5:11 - -- In the places of drawing water - As wells were very scarce in every part of the East, and travelers in such hot countries must have water, robbers a...
In the places of drawing water - As wells were very scarce in every part of the East, and travelers in such hot countries must have water, robbers and banditti generally took their stations near tanks, pools, and springs, in order that they might suddenly fall upon those who came to drink; and when the country was badly governed, annoyances of this kind were very frequent. The victory gained now by the Israelites put the whole country under their own government, and the land was cleansed from such marauders. Dr. Shaw, in his account of the sea-coast of the Mauritania Caesariensis, page 20, mentions a beautiful rill of water that runs into a basin of Roman workmanship, called
Clarke: Jdg 5:11 - -- Go down to the gates - They may go down to the gates to receive judgment and justice as usual. It is well known that the gate was the place of judgm...
Go down to the gates - They may go down to the gates to receive judgment and justice as usual. It is well known that the gate was the place of judgment in the East.
TSK: Jdg 5:1 - -- Sang Deborah : This verse briefly recites the subject of this inspired song, which consists of eight stanzas: The first opens with a devout thanksgiv...
Sang Deborah : This verse briefly recites the subject of this inspired song, which consists of eight stanzas: The first opens with a devout thanksgiving. The second describes the magnificent scenes at Mount Sinai, etc. The third states the apostasy and consequent punishment of the Israelites. The fourth contrasts their present happy state. The fifth censures the recreant tribes of Reuben, Gad, etc. The sixth records the defeat of the confederate kings of Canaan. The seventh contains a panegyric on Jael. And the eight describes the fond anticipations and disappointment of the mother of Sisera. Exo 15:1, Exo 15:21; Num 21:17; 1Sa 2:1; 2Ch 20:21, 2Ch 20:27; Job 38:7; Psa 18:1 *title Isa 12:1-6, Isa 25:1, Isa 26:1; Luk 1:46, Luk 1:67, Luk 1:68; Rev 15:3, Rev 15:4, Rev 19:1-3
TSK: Jdg 5:2 - -- for the avenging : Deu 32:43; 2Sa 22:47, 2Sa 22:48; Psa 18:47, Psa 48:11, Psa 94:1, Psa 97:8, Psa 136:15, Psa 136:19, Psa 136:20; Psa 149:6-9; Rev 16:...
TSK: Jdg 5:3 - -- O ye kings : Deu 32:1, Deu 32:3; Psa 2:10-12, Psa 49:1, Psa 49:2, Psa 119:46, Psa 138:4, Psa 138:5
even I : Jdg 5:7; Gen 6:17, Gen 9:9; Exo 31:6; Lev ...
TSK: Jdg 5:4 - -- Lord : Deu 33:2; Psa 68:7, Psa 68:8; Hab 3:3-6
the earth : 2Sa 22:8; Job 9:6; Psa 18:7-15
dropped : Psa 77:17
TSK: Jdg 5:5 - -- mountains : Deu 4:11; Psa 97:5, Psa 114:4; Isa 64:1-3; Nah 1:5; Hab 3:10
melted : Heb. flowed
that Sinai : Exo 19:18, Exo 20:18; Deu 4:11, Deu 4:12, D...
TSK: Jdg 5:6 - -- Shamgar : Jdg 3:31
Jael : Jdg 4:17, Jdg 4:18
the highways : Lev 26:22; 2Ch 15:5; Isa 33:8; Lam 1:4, Lam 4:18; Mic 3:12
travellers : Heb. walkers of pa...
TSK: Jdg 5:8 - -- new gods : Jdg 2:12, Jdg 2:17; Deu 32:16, Deu 32:17
was there : Jdg 4:3; 1Sa 13:19-22
TSK: Jdg 5:10 - -- Speak : or, Meditate, Psa 105:2, Psa 145:5, Psa 145:11
ride : Jdg 10:4, Jdg 12:14
ye that sit : Psa 107:32; Isa 28:6; Joe 3:12
Speak : or, Meditate, Psa 105:2, Psa 145:5, Psa 145:11
ye that sit : Psa 107:32; Isa 28:6; Joe 3:12
TSK: Jdg 5:11 - -- the noise : Lam 5:4, Lam 5:9
in the places : Dr. Shaw mentions a beautiful rill of water in Barbary, which runs into a large bason, called shrub we k...
in the places : Dr. Shaw mentions a beautiful rill of water in Barbary, which runs into a large bason, called shrub we krub , ""drink and be off,""because of the danger of meeting with robbers and assassins in this place, who fall upon those who come to drink. Gen 26:20-22; Exo 2:17-19; Isa 12:3
righteous acts : Heb. righteousnesses, 1Sa 12:7; Psa 145:7; Mic 6:5
villages : Jdg 5:7
collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes: Jdg 5:1 - -- Deborah, as "a prophetess,"both composed and sang this noble ode, which, for poetic spirit and lyric fire, is not surpassed by any of the sacred son...
Deborah, as "a prophetess,"both composed and sang this noble ode, which, for poetic spirit and lyric fire, is not surpassed by any of the sacred songs in the Bible. And, as Miriam took up the first verse of the song of Moses Exo 15:21, and sang it as an antiphony, so Barak, with the chorus of men, answered the song of Deborah by singing Jdg 5:2, which is also exactly suited for an antiphon, summing up as it does the subject matter of the whole ode. Compare David’ s example 2Sa 6:15.
Barnes: Jdg 5:2 - -- Render "For the leading of the leaders in Israel (the princes), for the willingness of the people (to follow them) bless ye the Lord."See Deu 32:42 ...
Barnes: Jdg 5:4 - -- Compare Psa 68:7-9, and Hab 3:3-16. The three passages relate to the same events, and mutually explain each other. The subject of them is the triump...
Compare Psa 68:7-9, and Hab 3:3-16. The three passages relate to the same events, and mutually explain each other. The subject of them is the triumphant march of Israel, with the Lord at their head, to take possession of Canaan, and the overthrow of Sihon, Og, and the Midianites. This march commenced from Kadesh, in the immediate neighborhood of Self, and the victories which followed were an exact parallel to the victory of Deborah and Barak, accompanied as it had been with the storm which made Kishon to overflow his banks.
Barnes: Jdg 5:6 - -- Words dcscriptive of a state of weakness and fear, so that Israel could not frequent the highways. It is a graphic description of a country occupied...
Words dcscriptive of a state of weakness and fear, so that Israel could not frequent the highways. It is a graphic description of a country occupied by an enemy.
Barnes: Jdg 5:7 - -- Render the word "villages"(here and in Jdg 5:11) judgment, rule, or judges, rulers. The sense is "The princes (or magistrates) ceased in Israel,"i. ...
Render the word "villages"(here and in Jdg 5:11) judgment, rule, or judges, rulers. The sense is "The princes (or magistrates) ceased in Israel,"i. e. there was no one to do justice in the gate, or defend men from their oppressors.
Barnes: Jdg 5:8 - -- The "war in the gates"describes the hostile attacks of the Canaanites, which were the punishment of the idolatry of the Israelites (compare the marg...
The "war in the gates"describes the hostile attacks of the Canaanites, which were the punishment of the idolatry of the Israelites (compare the marginal references), and the reduction of Israel to an unarmed and unresisting state under the Philistine dominion. See Jdg 3:31 note.
Barnes: Jdg 5:9 - -- My heart ... - In this deplorable weakness of Israel how noble was the conduct of the governors who volunteered to lead the people against thei...
My heart ... - In this deplorable weakness of Israel how noble was the conduct of the governors who volunteered to lead the people against their oppressors. Deborah’ s heart was filled with admiration as she thought of their patriotic devotion, and broke out into thanksgiving to Yahweh.
Barnes: Jdg 5:10 - -- Ye that ride on white donkeys ... - i. e. nobles or magistrates. Deborah appeals to the classes mentioned in Jdg 5:6-7, to bear witness to the ...
Ye that ride on white donkeys ... - i. e. nobles or magistrates. Deborah appeals to the classes mentioned in Jdg 5:6-7, to bear witness to the happy change that had followed the overthrow of Jabin.
That sit in judgment - Rather "that sit on saddles, or horse-cloths,"a further description of those who ride on asses.
Barnes: Jdg 5:11 - -- The sense of the King James Version is that, whereas formerly they could not go in safety to draw water from their wells, but were shot at by the ar...
The sense of the King James Version is that, whereas formerly they could not go in safety to draw water from their wells, but were shot at by the archers of the enemy, now they were delivered from such tumults; and standing round the wells in security rehearsed the righteous acts of the Lord in delivering them, and "the righteous acts of His government in Israel."(See Jdg 5:7).
Then shall the people of the Lord go down to the gates - Israelites, who had hid themselves in caves and deserts, could return in security to the gates of their own cities for justice, or commerce, or to dwell there, now that the Canaanite was subdued.
Deborah was the composer of this song as may be gathered from Jud 5:7 .
Poole: Jdg 5:2 - -- Praise ye the Lord give him the praise who hath done the work.
For the avenging of Israel or, for taking vengeance , to wit, upon his and their en...
Praise ye the Lord give him the praise who hath done the work.
For the avenging of Israel or, for taking vengeance , to wit, upon his and their enemies, by Israel , or for Israel , for Israel’ s benefit, or for the injuries and violences offered by them to Israel. The people ; chiefly Zebulun and Naphtali, below, Jud 5:18 4:6 , and others hereafter mentioned.
Willingly offered themselves when neither Deborah nor Barak had any power to compel them.
Poole: Jdg 5:3 - -- You especially that live near to Israel, and have evil minds and designs against Israel, know this for your instruction, and caution, and terror too...
You especially that live near to Israel, and have evil minds and designs against Israel, know this for your instruction, and caution, and terror too, if you shall presume to molest them.
To the Lord God of Israel who, as you see by this plain instance, is both able and resolved to defend them from all their enemies.
Poole: Jdg 5:4 - -- Seir and
Edom are the same place; and these two expressions note the same thing, even God’ s marching in the head of his people from Seir or E...
Seir and
Edom are the same place; and these two expressions note the same thing, even God’ s marching in the head of his people from Seir or Edom towards the land of Canaan. Whilst the Israelites were encompassing Mount Seir, there were none of the following effects; but when once they had done that, and got Edom on their backs, then they marched directly forwards towards the land of Canaan. The prophetess being to praise God for the present mercy, takes her rise higher, and begins her song with the commemoration of the former and ancient deliverances afforded by God to his people, the rather because of the great resemblance this had with them, in the extraordinary and miraculous manner of them.
The earth either,
1. The inhabitants of the earth or land; or,
2. The earth, properly taken, as the following passages are; God prepared the way for his people, and struck a dread into their enemies by earthquakes, as well as by other terrible signs.
The clouds also dropped water i.e. thou didst send most dreadful showers of rain, storms and tempests, thunder and lightning, and other tokens of thy displeasure, upon thine enemies; as may appear by comparing this with other parallel texts.
Poole: Jdg 5:5 - -- Melted or flowed , with floods of water poured out of the clouds upon them, and from them flowing down in a mighty stream upon the lower grounds, an...
Melted or flowed , with floods of water poured out of the clouds upon them, and from them flowing down in a mighty stream upon the lower grounds, and carrying down some part of the mountain with it, as is usual in excessive showers.
She slides into the mention of another and a more ancient appearance of God for his people, to wit, in Sinai; it being usual in Scripture repetitions of former actions to put divers together into a narrow compass, and in few words. The sense is, No wonder that the mountains of the Amorites and Canaanites melted and trembled when thou didst lead thy people towards them; for even Sinai itself could not bear thy presence, but melted in like manner before thee. Or, as that Sinai did upon a like manifestation of thyself; so there is only a defect of the particle as , which I have showed to be frequent.
Poole: Jdg 5:6 - -- In the days of Shamgar whilst Shamgar lived, who was, if not a judge, yet an eminent person for strength and valour, Jud 3:31 .
In the days of Jael:...
In the days of Shamgar whilst Shamgar lived, who was, if not a judge, yet an eminent person for strength and valour, Jud 3:31 .
In the days of Jael: Jael, though an illustrious woman, and of great authority and influence upon the people, did effect nothing for the deliverance of God’ s people till God raised me up, &c.
Through by-ways partly because of the Canaanites, who, besides the public burdens and tributes which they laid upon them, waited for all opportunities of doing them mischief secretly; their soldiers watching for travellers in common roads, as is usual with such in times of war; and partly because of the robbers even of their own people, who having cast off the fear and worship of God, and there being no king or ruler in Israel to restrain or punish them, and being also many of them reduced to great want, through the oppression of the Canaanites, it is not strange, if, in those times of public disorder and ataxy, divers of the Israelites themselves did break forth into acts of injustice and violence, even against their own brethren, whom they could meet with in convenient places, which made travellers seek for by-paths.
Poole: Jdg 5:7 - -- The villages ceased the people forsook all their unfortified towns, as not being able to protect them from military insolence.
A mother i.e. to be ...
The villages ceased the people forsook all their unfortified towns, as not being able to protect them from military insolence.
A mother i.e. to be to them as a mother, to instruct, and rule, and protect them, which duties a mother oweth to her children as far as she is able.
Poole: Jdg 5:8 - -- They did not only submit to idolatry when they were forced to it by tyrants, but they freely chose new gods ; new to them, and unknown to their fat...
They did not only submit to idolatry when they were forced to it by tyrants, but they freely chose new gods ; new to them, and unknown to their fathers, and new in comparison of the true and everlasting God of Israel, being but upstarts, and of yesterday.
In the gates i.e. in their walled cities, which have gates and bars; gates are oft put for cities, as Gen 22:17 Deu 17:2 Oba 1:11 . Then their strongest holds fell into the hands of their enemies.
Was there i.e. there was not; the meaning is not that all the Israelites had no arms, for here is mention made only of shields or spears; so they might have swords, and bows, and arrows to offend their enemies; but either that they had but few arms among them, being many thousands of them disarmed by the Canaanites; or that they generally neglected the use of arms, as being utterly dispirited, and without all hope of recovering their lost liberty, and being necessitated to other employments for subsistence.
Poole: Jdg 5:9 - -- I greatly honour and love those, who being the chief of the people in wealth and dignity, did not withdraw themselves from the work, as such usually...
I greatly honour and love those, who being the chief of the people in wealth and dignity, did not withdraw themselves from the work, as such usually do; but did expose themselves to the same hazards, and joined with their meaner brethren in this noble but dangerous attempt, and by their examples and countenance engaged others in it.
Bless ye the Lord who inclined their hearts to this undertaking, and gave them success in it. As she gives instruments their due, so she is careful the sovereign Cause and Lord of all lose not his glory.
Poole: Jdg 5:10 - -- Speak celebrate the praises of our mighty God, whose hand hath done this.
Ye that ride on white asses i.e. magistrates and nobles, who used to do s...
Speak celebrate the praises of our mighty God, whose hand hath done this.
Ye that ride on white asses i.e. magistrates and nobles, who used to do so, Jud 10:4 12:14 ; horses being in a manner forbidden there, Deu 17:16 .
Ye that walk by the way i.e. you that now can safely travel about your business in those highways, which before you durst neither ride nor walk in. So great and mean persons are jointly excited to praise God.
Poole: Jdg 5:11 - -- From the noise of archers either,
1. From the noise or sound, and consequently the force of those arrows which are shot at them; but she names the ...
From the noise of archers either,
1. From the noise or sound, and consequently the force of those arrows which are shot at them; but she names the noise , because this epithet is frequently given to bows and arrows in poetical writings. Or,
2. From the triumphant noise and shout of archers rejoicing when they meet with their prey.
In the places of drawing water at those pits or springs of water, which were scarce and precious in those hot countries, to which the people’ s necessities forced them oft to resort, and nigh unto which the archers did usually lurk in woods, or thickets, or hedges, that from thence they might shoot at them, and kill and spoil them. When they come to those places with freedom and safety, which before they could not, they shall with thankfulness rehearse this righteous, and faithful, and gracious work of God, in rescuing his people, and punishing his enemies. He mentions the inhabitants of his villages , because as their danger was greater, Jud 5:7 , so was their deliverance, and their obligation to praise God.
To the gates to wit, of their cities, which were the chief places to which both city and country resorted for public business and matters of justice, from which they had been debarred by their oppressors; but now they had free access and passage, either in or out of the gates, as their occasions required; and they who had been driven from their cities, now returned to them in peace and triumph; so the citizens’ deliverance is celebrated here, as the countrymen’ s is in the foregoing words.
Haydock: Jdg 5:1 - -- Meroz. Where this land of Meroz was, which is here laid under a curse, we cannot find: nor is there mention of it any where else in holy writ. In t...
Meroz. Where this land of Meroz was, which is here laid under a curse, we cannot find: nor is there mention of it any where else in holy writ. In the spiritual sense, they are cursed who refuse to assist the people of God in their warfare against their spiritual enemies. (Challoner) ---
Eusebius seems to have thought that Merom, a body of water, and the village of Meroz (Haydock) were the same place, 12 miles from Sebaste. The inhabitants were surely under an obligation of assisting their brethren; and these, it appears, lived in the vicinity, and neglected their duty. Septuagint (Alexandrian) reads Mazor. Some stars are styled Mazzaroth, Job xxxviii. 32. ---
Angel, Michael; or the high priest, or Barac, Debbora, &c. See chap. ii. 1. (Calmet) ---
Protestants, "Curse ye Meroz, (said the angel of the Lord) course ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof." ---
To help. Protestants, "to the help of the Lord against the mighty." Septuagint, "our helper is the Lord in the mighty warriors." He assists their endeavours, which would otherwise prove unsuccessful. (Haydock) ---
The Jews thin that Barac cursed Meroz, the star or the angel of the Chanaanites, who protected Sisara. (Chaldean) See Serarius, q. 15. Others say that he was an ally of the general, who was excommunicated by Barac, at the sound of 400 trumpets. But these opinions only deserve contempt. (Calmet)
Haydock: Jdg 5:1 - -- Debbora probably composed this most flowery and animated canticle, ver. 3, 7. (Calmet)
Debbora probably composed this most flowery and animated canticle, ver. 3, 7. (Calmet)
Haydock: Jdg 5:2 - -- Lord. Hebrew may have different senses: "bless the Lord for having avenged Israel, the people willingly exposing themselves, or shewing their conc...
Lord. Hebrew may have different senses: "bless the Lord for having avenged Israel, the people willingly exposing themselves, or shewing their concurrence." Roman Septuagint, "What was hidden has been disclosed in Israel, when the people shewed their good will, bless the Lord." Pora, which the Vulgate has not expressed, commonly means to disclose, liberate, &c.; ethondob signifies to give freely, to expose one's self, &c. Septuagint and Theodotion together, (Calmet) and the Alexandrian copy have, "bless the Lord, for that leaders have risen up in Israel, and the people have shewn their good will." These two things were to be greatly desired, as a general can do but little without an obedient army, and the latter is, in a manner, useless, without a head. Both had been wanting in Israel for some time, and even still, some of the tribes seem to be blamed for not co-operating with zeal, ver. 15, &c. This verse is repeated as a kind of chorus, ver. 9. The zeal and concord of the little troop, which had met the formidable army of Sisara, deserved the highest applause. (Haydock) ---
Men bless God when they give him thanks; superiors bless by imparting some spiritual benefit. (Worthington)
Haydock: Jdg 5:3 - -- Kings. She invites all who have authority, whether in or out of Israel, to attend unto the dispensations of Providence. God alternatively cherishes...
Kings. She invites all who have authority, whether in or out of Israel, to attend unto the dispensations of Providence. God alternatively cherishes and corrects his people. David makes a similar appeal to all kings and judges, Psalm ii. 10. ---
It is I. She dwells with a degree of rapture on the thought that God had shewn his power so wonderfully, and had effected his gracious purpose by the hand of a woman! (Haydock) ---
She directed Barac. (Worthington)
Haydock: Jdg 5:4 - -- Edom. Sinai, where God gave his law amid thunder and lightning, was situated in Idumea. (Calmet) ---
God displayed his glory on this mountain, and...
Edom. Sinai, where God gave his law amid thunder and lightning, was situated in Idumea. (Calmet) ---
God displayed his glory on this mountain, and also on Mount Seir, Deuteronomy xxxiii. 2. Some believe that Debbora compares the wonders which attended the late victory, with those which God wrought when he led his victorious bands though the desert, and conquered the countries of Sehon, &c. (Haydock) ---
He provided for the wants of his people, even in the most desolate regions, giving them water out of the hard (Calmet) rock of Horeb or Sinai, (Haydock) and causing all nature to change her appearance at his approach, Psalm lxvii. 8., and Exodus xix. 18. (Calmet)
Haydock: Jdg 5:6 - -- The paths rested. The ways to the sanctuary of God were unfrequented; and men walked in the bye-ways of error and sin. (Challoner) ---
Though Samg...
The paths rested. The ways to the sanctuary of God were unfrequented; and men walked in the bye-ways of error and sin. (Challoner) ---
Though Samgar and Jehel were so remarkable for their valour, as they had manifested on a late occasion, yet they did not prevent the incursions of the enemy both on the south and north. (Haydock) ---
The merchants durst not travel, as usual, through the country. (Drusius) ---
God had threatened the faithless Israel with this punishment, Leviticus xxvi. 22., and Lamentations i. 4., and Isaias xxiii. 8. (Calmet) ---
They that went by them formerly without apprehension, are now forced to seek out bye-ways. (Haydock) ---
Thus was justly punished the negligence of those who observed not the festivals of the Lord, nor frequented his tabernacle. (Menochius)
Haydock: Jdg 5:7 - -- Valiant. Hebrew is also translated, "the villages ceased," as no one thought himself in safety out of the strong cities. ---
Until. Hebrew, "unti...
Valiant. Hebrew is also translated, "the villages ceased," as no one thought himself in safety out of the strong cities. ---
Until. Hebrew, "until I, Debbora, arose, that I arose, a mother," &c. The Holy Ghost obliges her to declare her own praises. She deserved the glorious title of "mother of her country." ---
Mother denotes an authority, mixed with sweetness: such had been exercised by Debbora, in deciding the controversies of the people, (Calmet) and in directing them to follow the right path. (Haydock)
Haydock: Jdg 5:8 - -- Israel. What could be more astonishing and new, than this method of warfare, in which a few unarmed Israelites gain the victory over an immense ar...
Israel. What could be more astonishing and new, than this method of warfare, in which a few unarmed Israelites gain the victory over an immense army, and oblige the general, to leap from his chariot, that he may escape observation? A woman calls to battle. Hebrew is rather different, "They chose new gods:" some copies of the Septuagint have "vain gods, (Calmet) as barley bread." Others agree with the Hebrew, "Then war was in the gates." Jabin would not allow any arms in the country, and hence Samgar was forced to use the implements of husbandry. So the Philistines afterwards would not suffer the Hebrews to have a smith among them, lest they should make arms, 1 Kings xiii. 19, 22.
Haydock: Jdg 5:9 - -- Princes. Hebrew, "legislators," governors, judges. I cannot refuse them due praise, and I invite them earnestly to bless the Lord, ver. 2.
Princes. Hebrew, "legislators," governors, judges. I cannot refuse them due praise, and I invite them earnestly to bless the Lord, ver. 2.
Haydock: Jdg 5:10 - -- Fair asses. Hebrew, "shining, white, or of divers colours, particularly red and white, with which the people were accustomed to paint their asses. ...
Fair asses. Hebrew, "shining, white, or of divers colours, particularly red and white, with which the people were accustomed to paint their asses. (Bochart) ---
The rich Arabians paint the back part red. (Tavernier iii. 5.) ---
The Persians also give a yellowish hue to their horses as well as to themselves, with henna. (Chardin.) ---
Asses and mules were formerly much more in use than horses, Numbers xxii. 21., Matthew xi. 25., and 3 Kings i. 33. (Calmet) ---
Way. You who can now proceed on your journey without molestation, join the judges of the land in sounding forth God's praises, ver. 6. (Haydock) ---
Those who bring the flesh into subjection to the spirit, ride upon fair asses, (Origen, hom. vi.; Worthington) and they may preach to others with more authority. (Haydock)
Haydock: Jdg 5:11 - -- Choaked in the waters of the Cison, and of Mageddo, ver. 19, 21. Hebrew is very obscure: "from the noise of archers, in the places of drawing wate...
Choaked in the waters of the Cison, and of Mageddo, ver. 19, 21. Hebrew is very obscure: "from the noise of archers, in the places of drawing water, there shall they relate the justices of the Lord, the righteous acts of his villages, ( or brave men) then shall the people of the Lord go down to the gates," where the courts of judicature are held. The peaceful inhabitants shall be no more disturbed with the shouts of archers, but rehearsing what obligations they are under to the Lord, the warriors of Barac, they shall pursue their usual employments without fear. (Haydock) ---
Septuagint, You shall make your voices heard, playing on instruments, Calmet. ( anacrouomenon, pulsantium. ) ---
Among those who rejoice, there shall they give righteous deeds to the Lord: they have wrought justice in Israel, &c. (Haydock) ---
If we neglect the points, we may render the Hebrew more agreeably to the Vulgate. "At the voice of those who are pierced with arrows in the midst of those who draw water (or are drowned) there they shall publish," &c. (Calmet) ---
And obtained. This is not in Hebrew expressly; but it is added to shew that the people could now act as a free nation, having cleared their country of its enemies. (Haydock)
Gill: Jdg 5:1 - -- Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam,.... Deborah is first mentioned, because she was, as Kimchi says, the root or foundation of the work, t...
Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam,.... Deborah is first mentioned, because she was, as Kimchi says, the root or foundation of the work, the chief person in it, both in the direction of the war, and in the composition of this song; and indeed, as Ben Gersom observes, she alone composed it, see Jdg 5:7; and the verb is singular: "then sang Deborah"; and after her, and in her words, sung also Barak; he joined with her, not in making the song, but in singing it; and so likewise the people of Israel joined with her in singing it, as they did with Moses at the Red sea; and this song was sung
on that day; not on the precise day on which the victory was obtained over Sisera and his army, but on occasion of that memorable day, and what followed upon it:
saying; the following divine hymn or song, penned by Deborah, under divine inspiration, as the sublimity of the style, the fine and noble thoughts and sentiments that are in it, the beautiful and elegant phrases in which they are expressed, abundantly show; no Sappho, or any Grecian poetess, nor indeed any poet whatever, uninspired, being equal to the writer of this poem.
Gill: Jdg 5:2 - -- Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel,.... The injuries done to Israel by any of their enemies, and particularly what wrongs had been done the...
Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel,.... The injuries done to Israel by any of their enemies, and particularly what wrongs had been done them by Jabin, king of Canaan, for twenty years past; though some understand it of the vengeance God took on Israel for their sins; and though praise is not given directly for that, yet inasmuch as, when that was the case, there were some whose spirits were stirred up to engage voluntarily in the deliverance of them from the oppression of their enemies, it was matter of praise:
when the people willingly offered themselves: to go and fight for Israel against their enemies, particularly those of the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali, Jdg 5:18; though not excluding others that joined, who could not have been forced to it, had they not freely offered themselves; and which was owing to the secret influence of divine Providence on their hearts, moving and drawing them to this service; and therefore praise was due to the Lord on this account, who works in the hearts of men both to will and to do, as in things spiritual and religious, so in things natural and civil.
Gill: Jdg 5:3 - -- Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes,.... Not only the neighbouring ones, but all the kings and princes of the earth, far and near, then and in su...
Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes,.... Not only the neighbouring ones, but all the kings and princes of the earth, far and near, then and in succeeding ages; Deborah desires and wishes that all potentates might hear of the wonderful works of God done for his people, that they might learn to know there is one that is higher than they, to whom all the amazing things done in the world are to be ascribed; and be cautious how they oppressed the people of God, since sooner or later he would avenge them on them. The Targum restrains this to the kings that came with Sisera and the governors with Jabin; but if there were any such, as it is not improbable there were, see Jdg 5:19; yet it is most likely that they were slain with them: there are some, as Kimchi observes, who think this respects the people of Israel, who were all the sons of kings; but the first sense is best:
I, even I, will sing unto the Lord, I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel: which are the words of Deborah particularly, and the repetitions serve to express how cordial, earnest, and vehement she was in her praise and thankfulness to God; thereby setting an example to others, encouraging them to the same practice, and directing persons of every rank and quality to give praise only to Jehovah, the self-existing, everlasting, and unchangeable Being; to him who is the Lord and God of Israel in a peculiar manner, and not to any of the gods of the Gentiles.
Gill: Jdg 5:4 - -- Lord, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the fields of Edom,.... Here properly begins the song, what goes before being but a pr...
Lord, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the fields of Edom,.... Here properly begins the song, what goes before being but a preface to it; and it begins with an apostrophe to the Lord, taking notice of some ancient appearances of God for his people, which were always matter of praise and thankfulness; and the rather are they taken notice of here, because of some likeness between them and what God had now wrought; and this passage refers either to the giving of the law on Sinai, as the Targum and Jarchi; see Deu 33:2; or rather, as Aben Ezra, Kimchi, and others, to the Lord's going before Israel, after they had encompassed the land of Edom, and marched from thence towards the land of Canaan, when they fought with Sihon and Og, kings of the Amorites, and conquered them; which struck terror into all the nations round about them, and the prophecies of Moses in his song began to be fulfilled, Exo 15:14; and which dread and terror are expressed in the following figurative phrases:
the earth trembled; and the like figure Homer a uses at the approach of Neptune, whom he calls the shaker of the earth, perhaps borrowed from hence; it may design the inhabitants of it, the Amorites, Moabites, Edomites, Philistines, Canaanites, and others:
and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water; which, as it may literally refer to the storm and tempest of rain that might be then as now, see Jdg 4:15, so may figuratively express the panic great personages, comparable to the heavens and the clouds in them were thrown into, when their hearts melted like water, or were like clouds dissolved into it.
Gill: Jdg 5:5 - -- The mountains melted from before the Lord,.... The inhabitants of them, through fear, the Lord going before Israel in a pillar of cloud and fire, and ...
The mountains melted from before the Lord,.... The inhabitants of them, through fear, the Lord going before Israel in a pillar of cloud and fire, and delivering mighty kings and their kingdoms into their hand:
even that Sinai from before the Lord God of Israel; or, "as that Sinai", the note of similitude being wanting; and the sense is, the mountains melted, just as the famous mountain Sinai in a literal sense did, when it trembled and quaked at the presence of God on it; the tokens of it, the fire and smoke, thunders, lightnings, and tempests there seen and heard; and which being observed, would call to mind the benefit Israel then received, which required praise and thankfulness, as well as would serve to express the awe and reverence of God due unto him.
Gill: Jdg 5:6 - -- In the days of Shamgar, the son of Anath,.... Of whom see Jdg 3:31; who succeeded Ehud as a judge, but lived not long, and did not much; at least wrou...
In the days of Shamgar, the son of Anath,.... Of whom see Jdg 3:31; who succeeded Ehud as a judge, but lived not long, and did not much; at least wrought not a perfect deliverance of the children of Israel; but during his time till now, quite through the twenty years of Jabin's oppression, things were as they are after described:
in the days of Jael; the wife of Heber the Kenite, spoken of in the preceding chapter, Jdg 4:17, who appears to be a woman of masculine spirit, and endeavoured to do what good she could to Israel, though not a judge among them, as Jarchi suggests; and who before this affair of Sisera had signalized herself by some deeds of hers in favour of Israel, and against their enemies; yet far from putting a stop to the outrages committed; for in the times of both these persons:
the highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through byways; the public roads were so infested with thieves and robbers, who stopped all they met with, and robbed them of what they had, that travellers and merchants with their carriages were obliged either to quit their employments, and not travel at all; or, if they did, were obliged to go in private roads, and roundabout ways, to keep clear of those rapparees the highways and public roads abounded with.
Gill: Jdg 5:7 - -- The inhabitants of the villages ceased,.... Not only did those Canaanitish robbers go upon the highway, and robbed all they met with, which made trave...
The inhabitants of the villages ceased,.... Not only did those Canaanitish robbers go upon the highway, and robbed all they met with, which made travelling difficult and dangerous; but entered into the villages and unwalled towns, and broke into houses and plundered them; so that the inhabitants of them were obliged to quit their dwellings, and go into the fortified cities for security; by which means the villages were left empty, and in time fell to ruin, and ceased:
they ceased in Israel: for they were the villages which belonged to the Israelites that were plundered, and not those that belonged to any of the Canaanites; and these were the unhappy circumstances Israel were under
until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel; until it pleased God to raise her up, and endow her in a very wonderful and extraordinary manner with gifts qualifying her to be a nursing mother to Israel, to teach and instruct them in the mind and will of God, to administer judgement and justice to them, to protect and defend them, and in all which she discovered a maternal affection for them; and as a good judge and ruler of a people may be called the father of them, so she, being a woman, is with propriety called a mother in Israel, having an affectionate concern for them as her children: now, till she arose, there was no perfect salvation and deliverance wrought for them, since the death of Ehud, even throughout the days of Shamgar and Jael; which is observed to excite praise and thankfulness on the present occasion, which hereby became the more illustrious.
Gill: Jdg 5:8 - -- They chose new gods,.... That is, Israel, as most of the Jewish commentators interpret it; for the verb is singular, and Israel agrees well with it: t...
They chose new gods,.... That is, Israel, as most of the Jewish commentators interpret it; for the verb is singular, and Israel agrees well with it: this they did after the death of Joshua; it refers to their first idolatry, begun by Micah, Jdg 17:1 they chose other gods than the true God; Baalim and Ashtaroth they are said to serve, Jdg 2:11, and besides the gods of the Canaanites and Phoenicians, they sought after and introduced new ones from other places, or the same may be meant; since all besides the true God, the eternal Jehovah, the Ancient of days, and everlasting King, are new gods that lately sprung up: the Arabic and Syriac versions are,"God chose a new king;''so Ben Gersom; to perfect this wonder; for not only Sisera and his army were drawn to the gates of Israel to a proper place to fall in, but the victory was not obtained by Israel by their own force and strength; for they had no weapons of war, not a shield nor a spear, but for a very few men, but it was the Lord that fought for them in a new way; the former sense seems best, and agrees with what follows:
then was war in the gates; when they fell into idolatry, then God suffered the judgment of war to come upon them, even into the gates of their fortified cities, which were the security of them, and where were their courts of judicature, but by war disturbed and made to cease:
was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel? though the number of the Israelites were several hundred thousands, yet there were not to be seen among them shields and spears sufficient for 40,000; or not one among 40,000 was armed; which was owing either to their negligence and sloth in not providing themselves with arms, or not taking care of them in a time of peace; so that when war came into their gates, they had nothing to defend themselves with, or annoy their enemies; or to their cowardice, not daring to take up a shield or spear in their own defence; or to the enemy, Jabin king of Canaan, having disarmed them, that they might not be able to make a revolt, from him, and recover their liberties. Ben Gersom refers it to the times of Joshua, when there was no need of a shield and spear among the 40,000 of the children of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh, that came over Jordan with them, since God fought for them; and the Targum seems to understand it of Sisera's army, that came against Israel with shields, spears, and swords; and makes the number of them to be in all 300,000, which is just the number of foot soldiers Josephus makes his army to consist of; and yet, though so numerous and so well armed, could not stand before Barak with 10,000 men only; See Gill on Jdg 4:17, the words rather refer to the cival war of the Benjamites with the Israelites, when 40,000 of the latter were killed, which was before the times of Deborah, Jdg 20:21.
Gill: Jdg 5:9 - -- My heart is towards the governors of Israel,.... Most of the Jewish commentators interpret this of their wise men and Scribes, who were willing to tea...
My heart is towards the governors of Israel,.... Most of the Jewish commentators interpret this of their wise men and Scribes, who were willing to teach the people the law and the commandments, even in times of trouble, and did not cease from doing it on that account, and therefore Deborah praises them for it; so the Targum; but Kimchi and Ben Melech understand by them the great men of the nation, their nobles and rulers, who enacted good laws and statutes; or at least took care to see that the good laws they had were put in execution; and these had a share in the affections and good wishes of Deborah, and that chiefly for the following reason:
that offered themselves willingly among the people; to go along with them, and march at the head of them, to fight Sisera and his army; thereby setting a good example, and animating the people to battle, and inspiring them with courage and intrepidity; when they saw their chiefs and the heads of them exposing their lives with them in defence of their country, and the rights of it:
bless ye the Lord; for giving them such spirits, to engage so willingly in this service, and for giving them success in it.
Gill: Jdg 5:10 - -- Speak, ye that ride on white asses,.... Though in some countries, as in ours, it is reckoned disgraceful to ride on asses; so Leo Africanus b makes me...
Speak, ye that ride on white asses,.... Though in some countries, as in ours, it is reckoned disgraceful to ride on asses; so Leo Africanus b makes mention of a preacher in Africa, who was called the ass rider; because he was continually, sitting on an ass; yet in Judea, where there were no horses, or very few, it was accounted honourable; so it was in the time of our Lord; for his riding on an ass to Jerusalem was not mean and disgraceful, but honourable and glorious: and so it certainly was in those early times of the judges; for we read of the sons of two of them, which were very numerous, that rode on asses' colts, Jdg 10:4, and it seems that white asses were the most valuable, and chiefly used by great personages. The ass in the Hebrew language has its name from redness, that being the usual colour of them in those parts; and hence they were hateful to the Egyptians, because that their Typhon was of that colour c; but there were some that were white, as there are wild ones now of that colour. A traveller d in those parts in the beginning of the last century tells us, that on the banks of the Euphrates they beheld every day great droves of wild beasts, as wild asses "all white", &c. The word we translate "white" is "zechorot", and perhaps may describe the same animal the Ethiopians call "zecora", and some "zebra"; said to excel in beauty all four footed creatures in the whole world. It is an animal of the size of a mule, found in the woods beyond Abyssinia, is easily tamed, and is the frequent and chief present of the kings of that country; about its loins is a circle of a black colour, in the form of a girdle, which is followed with more on each side, according to the part of the body, some broader, others narrower, both black and white, or of an ash colour, so neat that they seem to exceed the art of the most eminent painter; its only deformity are its ears, which are long; hence it is called by the Portuguese the wild ass, though wrongly; of what value and esteem it was appears from the large price it has been sold for; one, that was the gift of a king to a Turkish governor, was sold to an Indian for 2,000 pieces of Venetian money, to make a present of to the great Mogor, king of the Indians e, which was the value of nine hundred pounds. Those that rode on these creatures were the princes and nobles of Israel; though they are generally interpreted by the Jewish commentators of merchants that rode from place to place about business; and these are called upon to speak of the wonderful things God had done for Israel, in freeing them from the bondage of the Canaanites, so that these nobles or merchants might ride about the country without any fear; and to discourse of them to others, and in their meditations give praise to God on account of them:
ye that sit in judgment; which seems to describe judges upon the bench, sitting to hear and try causes, and pass righteous judgment; these are also exhorted to give thanks to the Lord, that they were now restored to their seats of judgment, from which they were driven; or where they could not peaceably exercise their office, which they now might and did: Cocceius renders the word "on measures", as if these were persons that presided over measures, and took care that they were just and right. Though Kimchi and Ben Melech say, that Middin, which we render "in judgment", is either the name of a city in the book of Joshua; see Gill on Jos 15:61, or the name of a way f well known, in which they were afraid to go because of the enemy, but now went in it with safety, and therefore had reason to speak well of God, and praise his name; but this is rather intended in the next clause:
and walk by the way; the common people that travelled from place to place on business, who before were obliged to leave the public roads, and go in byways, Jdg 5:6 but now could travel in the common road without fear, and therefore ought to be thankful.
Gill: Jdg 5:11 - -- They that are delivered from the noise of archers in the place of drawing water,.... Meaning either the army of the Israelites, delivered from the arc...
They that are delivered from the noise of archers in the place of drawing water,.... Meaning either the army of the Israelites, delivered from the archers of Sisera's host at the river Kishon; or such persons, as maidens and others, that went out of the cities to fountains and wells of water, to fetch water from thence for their necessities, but were frightened by the noise of archers that shot at them; or shepherds who led their flocks to water them there, but were repulsed or slain by archers that lay in wait in woods or lurking places thereabout; but now the country being cleared of them, they could without fear have recourse to these places of drawing water for their flocks or other uses, which laid them under obligation to do as directed in the next clause. The words are by some rendered,"because of the voice of those that number (sheep and other cattle) at the places of drawing water g:''which now they could do, being a time of peace; and for which the persons before described ought to be thankful:
there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the Lord; coming to those places again, it would put them in mind to what hazards and dangers they had been exposed formerly by the enemy, but now were freed from; and this would lead them to discourse of and repeat the righteous dealings of God in taking vengeance on their enemies and delivering them from them:
even the righteous acts towards the inhabitants of his villages in Israel; they being now in no danger of having their houses broke open, and their substance plundered as before, Jdg 5:7 then shall the people of the Lord go down to the gates; either of their enemies, pursuing them unto them, as they did, Jdg 4:16 or rather to the gates of their own cities, where they had now free egress and regress; and those that were in the fortified cities, who had fled thither from the villages because of the rapine of the enemy, now would go down to the gates, and pass through them, and return to their villages again; or else the meaning is, that the people would now frequent as formerly the courts of judicature held in the gates of their cities, to have justice done them, and be in no fear of being disturbed by the enemy, as before.
expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes: Jdg 5:5 Heb “this one of Sinai.” The phrase is a divine title, perhaps indicating that the Lord rules from Sinai.
NET Notes: Jdg 5:7 Heb “mother.” The translation assumes that the image portrays Deborah as a protector of the people. It is possible that the metaphor point...
NET Notes: Jdg 5:8 Traditionally “forty thousand,” but this may be an instance where Hebrew term אֶלֶף (’elef) refers to ...
NET Notes: Jdg 5:10 The meaning of the Hebrew word מִדִּין (middin, “saddle blankets”) in this context is uncertain.
Geneva Bible: Jdg 5:2 Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the ( a ) people willingly offered themselves.
( a ) That is, the two tribes of Zebulun and Napht...
Geneva Bible: Jdg 5:6 In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were ( b ) unoccupied, and the travellers walked through byways.
( b ) For...
Geneva Bible: Jdg 5:7 [The inhabitants of] the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a ( c ) mother in Israel.
( c ) Miraculousl...
Geneva Bible: Jdg 5:8 They chose new gods; then [was] war in the gates: was there a ( d ) shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel?
( d ) They had no heart to r...
Geneva Bible: Jdg 5:10 Speak, ye that ride on ( e ) white asses, ye that sit ( f ) in judgment, and walk by the way.
( e ) You governors.
( f ) Or by Middin, as in danger ...
expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Jdg 5:1-31
MHCC -> Jdg 5:1-5; Jdg 5:6-11
MHCC: Jdg 5:1-5 - --No time should be lost in returning thanks to the Lord for his mercies; for our praises are most acceptable, pleasant, and profitable, when they flow ...
MHCC: Jdg 5:6-11 - --Deborah describes the distressed state of Israel under the tyranny of Jabin, that their salvation might appear more gracious. She shows what brought t...
Matthew Henry -> Jdg 5:1-5; Jdg 5:6-11
Matthew Henry: Jdg 5:1-5 - -- The former chapter let us know what great things God had done for Israel; in this we have the thankful returns they made to God, that all ages of th...
Matthew Henry: Jdg 5:6-11 - -- Here, I. Deborah describes the distressed state of Israel under the tyranny of Jabin, that the greatness of their trouble might make their salvation...
Keil-Delitzsch: Jdg 5:1 - --
The historical introduction (" Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying ") takes the place of a heading, and does not mean...
Keil-Delitzsch: Jdg 5:2 - --
2 That the strong in Israel showed themselves strong,
That the people willingly offered themselves,
Praise ye the Lord!
The meaning of פּרע a...
Keil-Delitzsch: Jdg 5:3 - --
3 Hear, ye kings; give ear, ye princes!
I, to the Lord will I sing,
Will sing praise to the Lord, the God of Israel.
4 Lord, when Thou wentest o...
Keil-Delitzsch: Jdg 5:4-5 - --
To give the Lord the glory for the victory which had been gained through His omnipotent help over the powerful army of Sisera, and to fill the heath...
Keil-Delitzsch: Jdg 5:6-7 - --
6 In the days of Shamgar, the son of Anath,
In the days of Jael, the paths kept holiday,
And the wanderers of the paths went crooked ways.
7 The...
Keil-Delitzsch: Jdg 5:8 - --
Jdg 5:8 describes the cause of the misery into which Israel had fallen. חדשׁים אלהים is the object to יבחר , and the subject is to ...
Keil-Delitzsch: Jdg 5:9 - --
9 My heart inclines to the leaders of Israel;
To those who offered themselves willingly in the nation. Praise ye the Lord!
10 Ye that ride upon w...
Keil-Delitzsch: Jdg 5:10 - --
And all classes of the people, both high and low, have reason to join in the praise. Those who ride upon white, i.e., white-spotted asses, are the u...
Keil-Delitzsch: Jdg 5:11 - --
The whole nation had good reason to make this reflection, as the warriors, having returned home, were now relating the mighty acts of the Lord among...
Constable -> Jdg 3:7--17:1; Jdg 4:1--5:31; Jdg 5:1-31; Jdg 5:1; Jdg 5:1--7:25; Jdg 5:1-31; Jdg 5:2; Jdg 5:3-5; Jdg 5:6-8; Jdg 5:9-11
Constable: Jdg 4:1--5:31 - --C. The third apostasy chs. 4-5
Chapters 4 and 5 are complementary versions of the victory God gave Israe...
Constable: Jdg 5:1-31 - --2. Deborah's song of victory ch. 5
One writer called this song "the finest masterpiece of Hebrew...
Constable: Jdg 5:1 - --Introduction 5:1
The writer credited Deborah with composing this song (cf. v. 7) even th...
Constable: Jdg 5:1--7:25 - --A. Previous Failures vv. 5-7
Jude cited three examples of failure from the past to warn his readers of t...
Constable: Jdg 5:1-31 - --1. The example of certain Israelites v. 5
Jude's introductory words were polite (cf. 2 Peter 1:1...
Constable: Jdg 5:2 - --Call to praise 5:2
This opening verse gives the reason as well as the call to bless the ...
Constable: Jdg 5:3-5 - --God's former salvation 5:3-5
Deborah called all people of consequence to pay attention t...
Constable: Jdg 5:6-8 - --Background of God's recent deliverance 5:6-8
During the days of Shamgar and Jael the Can...
Constable: Jdg 5:9-11 - --A renewed call to bless God 5:9-11
Verse 9 is very similar to verse 2. In verses 10 and ...
Guzik -> Jdg 5:1-31
Guzik: Jdg 5:1-31 - --Judges 5 - The Song of Deborah
A. Blessing God for the deliverance He brings through His leaders.
1. (1-2) Theme of the song: The joy and blessing i...
expand allIntroduction / Outline
JFB: Judges (Book Introduction) JUDGES is the title given to the next book, from its containing the history of those non-regal rulers who governed the Hebrews from the time of Joshua...
JFB: Judges (Outline)
THE ACTS OF JUDAH AND SIMEON. (Jdg 1:1-3)
ADONI-BEZEK JUSTLY REQUITED. (Jdg. 1:4-21)
SOME CANAANITES LEFT. (Jdg 1:22-26)
AN ANGEL SENT TO REBUKE THE ...
TSK: Judges (Book Introduction) The book of Judges forms an important link in the history of the Israelites. It furnishes us with a lively description of a fluctuating and unsettled...
TSK: Judges 5 (Chapter Introduction) Overview
Jdg 5:1, The Song of Deborah and Barak.
Poole: Judges (Book Introduction) BOOK OF JUDGES
THE ARGUMENT
THE author of this book is not certainly known, whether it was Samuel, or Ezra, or some other prophet; nor is it mate...
Poole: Judges 5 (Chapter Introduction) CHAPTER 5
Deborah exhorts to praise; she begins; recounts the former wonders and mercies of God to his people, Jud 5:1-5 . From the miseries of for...
MHCC: Judges (Book Introduction) The book of Judges is the history of Israel during the government of the Judges, who were occasional deliverers, raised up by God to rescue Israel fro...
MHCC: Judges 5 (Chapter Introduction) (Jdg 5:1-5) Praise and glory ascribed to God.
(Jdg 5:6-11) The distress and deliverance of Israel.
(Jdg 5:12-23) Some commended, others censured.
(...
Matthew Henry: Judges (Book Introduction) An Exposition, with Practical Observations, of The Book of Judges
This is called the Hebrew Shepher Shophtim , the Book of Judges, which the Syria...
Matthew Henry: Judges 5 (Chapter Introduction) This chapter contains the triumphal song which was composed and sung upon occasion of that glorious victory which Israel obtained over the forces o...
Constable: Judges (Book Introduction) Introduction
Title
The English title, Judges, comes to us from the Latin translation (...
Constable: Judges (Outline) Outline
I. The reason for Israel's apostasy 1:1-3:6
A. Hostilities between the Israelites an...
Constable: Judges Judges
Bibliography
Aharoni, Yohanan. Land of the Bible. Phildelphia: Westminster Press, 1962.
...
Haydock: Judges (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION.
THE BOOK OF JUDGES.
This Book is called Judges, because it contains the history of what passed under the government of the judge...
Gill: Judges (Book Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO JUDGES
The title of this book in the Hebrew copies is Sepher Shophetim, the Book of Judges; but the Syriac and Arabic interpreters ...
Gill: Judges 5 (Chapter Introduction) INTRODUCTION TO JUDGES 5
This chapter contains a song of praise on account of the victories obtained over Jabin, and his kingdom; after an exhortat...
