3:31 After Ehud 5 came 6 Shamgar son of Anath; he killed six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad and, like Ehud, 7 delivered Israel.
4:12 When Sisera heard 8 that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor,
5:12 Wake up, wake up, Deborah!
Wake up, wake up, sing a song!
Get up, Barak!
Capture your prisoners of war, 9 son of Abinoam!
9:26 Gaal son of Ebed 12 came through Shechem with his brothers. The leaders of Shechem transferred their loyalty to him. 13
1 tn “Caleb’s younger brother” may refer to Othniel or to Kenaz (in which case Othniel was Caleb’s nephew; so CEV).
2 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Caleb) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
3 tn Heb “to their sons.”
4 tn Or “served”; or “followed” (this term occurs in the following verse as well).
5 tn Heb “him”; the referent (Ehud) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
6 tn Heb “was.”
7 tn Heb “also he”; the referent (Ehud) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
7 tn Heb “and they told Sisera.”
9 tn Heb “take captive your captives.” (The Hebrew text uses a cognate accusative here.)
11 sn A concubine was a slave woman in ancient Near Eastern societies who was the legal property of her master, but who could have legitimate sexual relations with her master. A concubine’s status was more elevated than a mere servant, but she was not free and did not have the legal rights of a free wife. The children of a concubine could, in some instances, become equal heirs with the children of the free wife. After the period of the Judges concubines may have become more of a royal prerogative (2 Sam 21:10-14; 1 Kgs 11:3).
12 sn The name Abimelech means “my father is king.”
13 sn The name Gaal derives from, or at least sounds like, a Hebrew verb meaning “to abhor, loathe.” His father’s name, Ebed, means “servant.” Perhaps then this could be translated, “loathsome one, son of a servant.” This individual’s very name (which may be the narrator’s nickname for him, not his actual name) seems to hint at his immoral character and lowly social status.
14 tn Heb “trusted in him.” Here the verb probably describes more than a mental attitude. It is likely that the Shechemites made an alliance with Gaal and were now trusting him for protection in return for their loyalty (and probably tribute).
15 tn Heb “the young man became like one of his sons.”