Bible Commentaries
Judges 5

Introduction

Overview

Judges 5:1, The Song of Deborah and Barak.

Verse 1

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. Exodus 15:1, Exodus 15:21, Numbers 21:17, 1 Samuel 2:1, 2 Chronicles 20:21, 2 Chronicles 20:27, Job 38:7, Psalms 18:1, *title Isaiah 12:1-6, Isaiah 25:1, Isaiah 26:1, Luke 1:46, Luke 1:67, Luke 1:68, Revelation 15:3, Revelation 15:4, Revelation 19:1-3

Reciprocal: Judges 4:6 - Barak Judges 11:34 - his daughter 2 Samuel 22:1 - words Psalms 28:7 - with Psalms 32:7 - songs Psalms 68:11 - company Isaiah 5:1 - Now Isaiah 38:9 - writing Jeremiah 7:5 - if ye thoroughly Luke 19:37 - the whole

Verse 2

for the avenging: Deuteronomy 32:43, 2 Samuel 22:47, 2 Samuel 22:48, Psalms 18:47, Psalms 48:11, Psalms 94:1, Psalms 97:8, Psalms 136:15, Psalms 136:19, Psalms 136:20, Psalms 149:6-9, Revelation 16:5, Revelation 16:6, Revelation 18:20, Revelation 19:2

when: Judges 5:9, 2 Chronicles 17:16, Nehemiah 11:2, Psalms 110:3, 1 Corinthians 9:17, 2 Corinthians 8:12, 2 Corinthians 9:7, Philippians 2:13, Philemon 1:14

Reciprocal: Exodus 35:29 - whose heart Numbers 31:3 - avenge the Lord Deuteronomy 33:21 - he came Joshua 10:13 - until 1 Samuel 2:1 - my mouth 1 Samuel 14:24 - I may be 1 Samuel 25:39 - Blessed Psalms 66:3 - How terrible

Verse 3

O ye kings: Deuteronomy 32:1, Deuteronomy 32:3, Psalms 2:10-12, Psalms 49:1, Psalms 49:2, Psalms 119:46, Psalms 138:4, Psalms 138:5

even I: Judges 5:7, Genesis 6:17, Genesis 9:9, Exodus 31:6, Leviticus 26:28, 1 Kings 18:22, 1 Kings 19:10, 1 Kings 19:14, Ezra 7:21

Reciprocal: Exodus 15:21 - Sing ye Exodus 35:21 - General Psalms 78:1 - General Psalms 105:2 - Sing unto Isaiah 9:3 - and as men Isaiah 34:1 - Come

Verse 4

Lord: Deuteronomy 33:2, Psalms 68:7, Psalms 68:8, Habakkuk 3:3-6

the earth: 2 Samuel 22:8, Job 9:6, Psalms 18:7-15

dropped: Psalms 77:17

Reciprocal: Genesis 33:14 - unto Seir Psalms 46:3 - mountains Psalms 97:5 - hills Psalms 114:4 - General Isaiah 64:1 - that the Isaiah 64:3 - thou didst Jeremiah 4:24 - mountains Jeremiah 10:10 - at Micah 1:4 - the mountains Habakkuk 3:10 - mountains

Verse 5

mountains: Deuteronomy 4:11, Psalms 97:5, Psalms 114:4, Isaiah 64:1-3, Nahum 1:5, Habakkuk 3:10

melted: Heb. flowed

that Sinai: Exodus 19:18, Exodus 20:18, Deuteronomy 4:11, Deuteronomy 4:12, Deuteronomy 5:22-25, Hebrews 12:18

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 33:2 - came from Sinai Psalms 46:3 - mountains Psalms 68:8 - the heavens Isaiah 64:3 - thou didst Jeremiah 4:24 - mountains Amos 9:13 - the hills Habakkuk 3:3 - came Habakkuk 3:6 - the everlasting Galatians 4:25 - Sinai

Verse 6

Shamgar: Judges 3:31

Jael: Judges 4:17, Judges 4:18

the highways: Leviticus 26:22, 2 Chronicles 15:5, Isaiah 33:8, Lamentations 1:4, Lamentations 4:18, Micah 3:12

travellers: Heb. walkers of paths

byways: Heb. crooked ways, Psalms 125:5

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 28:19 - General Jeremiah 6:25 - Go not Ezekiel 35:7 - passeth Zechariah 8:10 - neither Matthew 8:28 - so

Verse 7

the villages: Esther 9:19

a mother: Judges 4:4-6, 2 Samuel 20:19, Isaiah 49:23, Romans 16:13

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 28:19 - General Judges 5:3 - even I Judges 5:11 - villages Jeremiah 6:25 - Go not Ezekiel 35:7 - passeth Zechariah 8:10 - neither

Verse 8

new gods: Judges 2:12, Judges 2:17, Deuteronomy 32:16, Deuteronomy 32:17

was there: Judges 4:3, 1 Samuel 13:19-22

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 13:6 - which thou Deuteronomy 29:26 - they went Judges 3:31 - Shamgar 1 Samuel 7:10 - thundered 1 Samuel 13:22 - there was neither 1 Kings 14:9 - thou hast gone 2 Chronicles 24:18 - wrath Psalms 106:43 - brought low Psalms 144:14 - no breaking in Isaiah 66:3 - they have Jeremiah 7:9 - and walk

Verse 9

offered: Judges 5:2, 1 Chronicles 29:9, 2 Corinthians 8:3, 2 Corinthians 8:4, 2 Corinthians 8:12, 2 Corinthians 8:17, 2 Corinthians 9:5

Reciprocal: Exodus 25:2 - willingly Exodus 35:5 - whosoever Exodus 35:21 - General Exodus 35:29 - whose heart Numbers 7:84 - the princes 2 Chronicles 17:16 - willingly 2 Chronicles 31:8 - blessed Nehemiah 11:2 - willingly Jeremiah 15:1 - my mind Zechariah 12:5 - the governors

Verse 10

Speak: or, Meditate, Psalms 105:2, Psalms 145:5, Psalms 145:11

ride: Judges 10:4, Judges 12:14

ye that sit: Psalms 107:32, Isaiah 28:6, Joel 3:12

Reciprocal: Exodus 18:13 - General Numbers 16:15 - I have not 1 Samuel 7:16 - in circuit 1 Samuel 8:1 - sons judges 1 Samuel 9:3 - General 2 Samuel 16:2 - What meanest 1 Kings 13:13 - General Matthew 21:5 - sitting John 12:15 - sitting

Verse 11

the noise: Lamentations 5:4, Lamentations 5:9

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. Genesis 26:20-22, Exodus 2:17-19, Isaiah 12:3

righteous acts: Heb. righteousnesses, 1 Samuel 12:7, Psalms 145:7, Micah 6:5

villages: Judges 5:7

go down: Deuteronomy 22:24, Job 29:7, Isaiah 28:6, Jeremiah 7:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:13 - daughters Deuteronomy 33:21 - he came Judges 11:40 - lament 1 Samuel 9:11 - the hill to the city Nehemiah 4:23 - saving that Zechariah 8:10 - neither

Verse 12

Deborah: Psalms 57:8, Psalms 103:1, Psalms 103:2, Psalms 108:2, Isaiah 51:9, Isaiah 51:17, Isaiah 52:1, Isaiah 52:2, Isaiah 60:1, Jeremiah 31:26, 1 Corinthians 15:34, Ephesians 5:14

lead: Psalms 68:18, Isaiah 14:2, Isaiah 33:1, Isaiah 49:24-26, Ephesians 4:8, 2 Timothy 2:26

Reciprocal: Exodus 35:21 - General

Verse 13

he made: Psalms 49:14, Isaiah 41:15, Isaiah 41:16, Ezekiel 17:24, Daniel 7:18-27, Romans 8:37, Revelation 2:26, Revelation 2:27, Revelation 3:9

the Lord: Psalms 75:7

Reciprocal: Exodus 24:11 - nobles

Verse 14

of Ephraim: Judges 3:27, Judges 4:5, Judges 4:6

Amalek: Judges 3:13, Exodus 17:8-16

after: Judges 4:10, Judges 4:14

Machir: Numbers 32:39, Numbers 32:40

handle the pen: Heb. draw with the pen

Reciprocal: Genesis 30:20 - and she Numbers 26:29 - Machir Deuteronomy 33:18 - General Joshua 17:1 - Machir Judges 12:15 - in the mount 1 Chronicles 7:14 - Machir Hosea 5:8 - after

Verse 15

the princes: 1 Chronicles 12:32

Barak: Judges 4:6, Judges 4:14

foot: Heb. his feet, Beraglaiv, rather, "with his footmen," so LXX Alex. נוזןץע בץפןץ, and Luther, mit feinem Fubvolt. Acts 20:13

For the: or, In the divisions, etc. Acts 15:39

thoughts: Heb. impressions, Proverbs 22:13, 2 Corinthians 11:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 49:14 - General Judges 4:10 - at his Judges 5:16 - For Luke 2:35 - that

Verse 16

sheepfolds: Numbers 32:1-5, Numbers 32:24, Philippians 2:21, Philippians 3:19

For: or, In, Judges 5:15, *marg.

great: Psalms 4:4, Psalms 77:6, Lamentations 3:40, Lamentations 3:41

Reciprocal: Luke 2:35 - that

Verse 17

Gilead: Joshua 13:25, Joshua 13:31

Asher: Joshua 19:24-31

sea shore: or, sea-port

breaches: or, creeks

Verse 18

Zebulun: Judges 4:10

jeoparded: Heb. exposed to reproach.

their lives: Esther 4:16, Acts 20:24, 1 John 3:16, Revelation 12:11

in the high: Judges 4:6, Judges 4:10, Judges 4:14

Reciprocal: Genesis 49:21 - General 2 Samuel 1:25 - How 2 Samuel 23:17 - jeopardy 1 Chronicles 11:19 - in jeopardy Acts 15:26 - hazarded

Verse 19

kings: Joshua 10:22-27, Joshua 11:1-15, Psalms 48:4-6, Psalms 68:12-14, Psalms 118:8-12, Revelation 17:12-14, Revelation 19:19

Taanach: Judges 1:27, 1 Kings 4:12

they took: Judges 5:30, Genesis 14:22, Genesis 4:16, Psalms 44:12

Reciprocal: Joshua 12:21 - Taanach Joshua 17:11 - Taanach Joshua 21:25 - Tanach Judges 10:12 - Zidonians 1 Kings 9:15 - Megiddo 2 Kings 9:27 - Megiddo 2 Kings 23:29 - Megiddo 1 Chronicles 7:29 - Taanach 2 Chronicles 35:22 - Megiddo Revelation 16:16 - Armageddon

Verse 20

fought: Joshua 10:11, 1 Samuel 7:10, Psalms 77:17, Psalms 77:18

the stars: Judges 4:15

courses: Heb. paths

Reciprocal: Exodus 14:14 - the Lord Exodus 14:27 - Lord 2 Samuel 18:8 - General 2 Samuel 22:14 - thundered Psalms 66:3 - How terrible Psalms 76:8 - didst Psalms 119:91 - all are Jeremiah 46:15 - thy

Verse 21

Kishon: Judges 4:7, Judges 4:13, 1 Kings 18:40, Psalms 83:9, Psalms 83:10

O my soul: Genesis 49:18, Psalms 44:5, Isaiah 25:10, Micah 7:10

Reciprocal: Genesis 49:6 - O my soul Exodus 14:27 - Lord Judges 4:15 - General 2 Samuel 18:8 - General Jeremiah 4:19 - O my Jeremiah 46:15 - thy

Verse 22

horsehoofs: Anciently, horses were not shod; nor are they at the present day in some parts of the East. The flight was so rapid that the hoofs of their horses were splintered and broken by the roughness of the roads; in consequence of which they became lame, and could not carry off their riders. Psalms 20:7, Psalms 33:17, Psalms 147:10, Psalms 147:11, Isaiah 5:28, Jeremiah 47:4, Micah 4:13

prancings: or, tramplings, or, plungings

mighty ones: Or, as Dr. Waterland renders, "mighty horses," or "strong steeds," as Dr. Kennicott, i.e., their war-horses, which gives great energy to the text, and renders it perfectly intelligible.

Reciprocal: Job 39:21 - He paweth Jeremiah 8:16 - at the Jeremiah 47:3 - the noise Nahum 3:2 - noise

Verse 23

Curse ye: 1 Samuel 26:19, Jeremiah 48:10, 1 Corinthians 16:22

Meroz: This city of Meroz seems to have been, at this time, a place of considerable importance, since something great was expected from it; but probably, after the angel of the Lord had pronounced this curse, it dwindled and like the fig-tree which Christ cursed, withered away; so that we never read of it after this in Scripture.

the angel: Judges 2:1, Judges 4:6, Judges 6:11, Judges 13:3, Matthew 25:41

they came: Judges 21:9, Judges 21:10, Nehemiah 3:5

to the help: 1 Samuel 17:47, 1 Samuel 18:17, 1 Samuel 25:28, Romans 15:18, 1 Corinthians 3:9, 2 Corinthians 6:1

Reciprocal: Numbers 31:3 - avenge the Lord Judges 8:6 - General Judges 17:2 - cursedst Judges 21:5 - a great oath 2 Samuel 1:21 - no dew Psalms 94:16 - rise up Psalms 149:7 - General

Verse 24

Judges 4:17, Genesis 14:19, Proverbs 31:31, Luke 1:28, Luke 1:42

Reciprocal: Judges 4:9 - into 1 Samuel 15:6 - the Kenites 1 Samuel 27:10 - Kenites

Verse 25

asked: Judges 4:19-21

butter: Chemah, may signify buttermilk, which is made by the Arabs by agitating the milk in a leathern bag; and is highly esteemed because of its refreshing and cooling qualities.

Reciprocal: Genesis 18:8 - he took Deuteronomy 32:14 - Butter

Verse 26

with the: Heb. She hammered

she smote off: Or rather, "she smote his head, then she struck through and pierced his temples:" which is more consonant to the original, and to fact, as it does not appear that she smote off his head. 1 Samuel 17:49-51, 2 Samuel 20:22

Reciprocal: Judges 4:19 - Give me Judges 4:21 - took 2 Samuel 10:18 - Shobach 2 Samuel 18:14 - thrust them

Verse 27

At: Heb. Between

where: Psalms 52:7, Matthew 7:2, James 2:13

dead: Heb. destroyed

Reciprocal: Judges 4:21 - he died

Verse 28

through: 2 Kings 1:2, Song of Solomon 2:9

Why is: Judges 4:15, Song of Solomon 8:14, James 5:7

Reciprocal: Genesis 26:8 - a window

Verse 29

answer: Heb. her words, Judges 5:29

Reciprocal: Esther 1:18 - the ladies

Verse 30

Have they not sped: Exodus 15:9, Job 20:5

every man: Heb. the head of a man

of divers: Genesis 37:3, 2 Samuel 13:18, Psalms 45:14

Reciprocal: Exodus 27:16 - needlework Judges 5:19 - they took Judges 15:14 - the Philistines 2 Samuel 1:24 - General 1 Kings 2:9 - hold him 2 Kings 3:23 - now therefore Psalms 124:6 - who hath not

Verse 31

So let: Psalms 48:4, Psalms 48:5, Psalms 58:10, Psalms 58:11, Psalms 68:1-3, Psalms 83:9-18, Psalms 92:9, Psalms 97:8, Revelation 6:10, Revelation 18:20, Revelation 19:2, Revelation 19:3

them that: Exodus 20:6, Deuteronomy 6:5, Psalms 91:14, Psalms 97:10, Romans 8:28, 1 Corinthians 8:3, Ephesians 6:24, James 1:12, James 2:5, 1 Peter 1:8, 1 John 4:19-21, 1 John 5:2, 1 John 5:3

the sun: 2 Samuel 23:4, Psalms 19:4, Psalms 19:5, Psalms 37:6, Proverbs 4:18, Daniel 12:3, Hosea 6:3, Matthew 13:43

And the land: The victory here celebrated in this song, was of such happy consequence to Israel, that for the principal part of one age, they enjoyed the peace to which it had been the means of opening the way. The land had rest forty years, that is, so long it was from this victory to the raising up of Gideon. And well would it have been for the Israelites, if while the tribes had rest, they had taken advantage of the cessation from war, and had walked in the fear of the Lord. Judges 3:11, Judges 3:30

Reciprocal: Joshua 14:15 - And the land Judges 8:28 - forty years Judges 11:26 - three hundred Judges 16:28 - that I may 1 Samuel 2:10 - adversaries 1 Samuel 28:16 - Wherefore 2 Samuel 18:14 - thrust them 2 Samuel 18:32 - The enemies 2 Chronicles 14:6 - for the land Nehemiah 9:28 - did evil again Job 30:24 - they cry Psalms 5:11 - But Psalms 20:8 - They Psalms 36:12 - There Psalms 37:20 - But the Psalms 48:11 - because Psalms 104:35 - sinners Psalms 124:6 - who hath not Psalms 132:9 - let thy saints Proverbs 11:10 - when Isaiah 17:14 - the portion Isaiah 34:1 - Come Jeremiah 21:2 - according Hebrews 11:32 - Barak Revelation 1:7 - Even So