Judges 5:1

Celebrating the Victory in Song

5:1 On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this victory song: ¹ 

Judges 5:7

5:7 Warriors ²  were scarce, ³ 

they were scarce in Israel,

until you ⁴  arose, Deborah,

until you arose as a motherly protector ⁵  in Israel.

Judges 4:5

4:5 She would sit ⁶  under the Date Palm Tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel ⁷  in the Ephraimite hill country. The Israelites would come up to her to have their disputes settled. ⁸ 

Judges 4:10

4:10 Barak summoned men from Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh. Ten thousand men followed him; ⁹  Deborah went up with him as well.

Judges 5:12

5:12 Wake up, wake up, Deborah!

Wake up, wake up, sing a song!

Get up, Barak!

Capture your prisoners of war, ¹⁰  son of Abinoam!

Judges 4:9

4:9 She said, “I will indeed go with you. But you will not gain fame ¹¹  on the expedition you are undertaking, ¹²  for the Lord will turn Sisera over to a woman.” ¹³  Deborah got up and went with Barak to Kedesh.

[5:1]  ¹ tn The words “this victory song” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

[5:7]  ² tn The meaning of the Hebrew noun פְרָזוֹן (fÿrazon) is uncertain. Some understand the meaning as “leaders” or “those living in rural areas.” The singular noun appears to be collective (note the accompanying plural verb). For various options see B. Lindars, Judges 1-5, 237-38.

[5:7]  ³ tn Or “ceased.”

[5:7]  ⁴ tn The translation assumes that the verb is an archaic second feminine singular form. Though Deborah is named as one of the composers of the song (v. 1), she is also addressed within it (v. 12). Many take the verb as first person singular, “I arose” (cf. NAB, NASB, NIV).

[5:7]  ⁵ tn Heb “mother.” The translation assumes that the image portrays Deborah as a protector of the people. It is possible that the metaphor points to her prophetic role. Just as a male prophet could be called “father,” so Deborah, a prophetess, is called “mother” (B. Lindars, Judges 1-5, 239).

[4:5]  ³ tn That is, “consider legal disputes.”

[4:5]  ⁴ map For location see Map4 G4; Map5 C1; Map6 E3; Map7 D1; Map8 G3.

[4:5]  ⁵ tn Heb “for judgment.”

[4:10]  ⁴ tn Heb “went up at his feet.”

[5:12]  ⁵ tn Heb “take captive your captives.” (The Hebrew text uses a cognate accusative here.)

[4:9]  ⁶ tn Or “honor.”

[4:9]  ⁷ tn Heb “on [account of (?)] the way which you are walking.” Another option is to translate, “due to the way you are going about this.” In this case direct reference is made to Barak’s hesitancy as the reason for his loss of glory.

[4:9]  ⁸ tn Heb “for into the hands of a woman the Lord will sell Sisera.”