Judges Chapter 5 — The Song of Deborah and Barak
Deborah and Barak sing a victory hymn praising God for the defeat of the Canaanite army while highlighting tribal cooperation and Jael's bravery.
1Then Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying,
2“Because the leaders took the lead in Israel,
3“Hear, you kings!
4“LORD, when you went out of Seir,
5The mountains quaked at the LORD’s presence,
6“In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath,
7The rulers ceased in Israel.
8They chose new gods.
9My heart is toward the governors of Israel,
10“Speak, you who ride on white donkeys,
11Far from the noise of archers, in the places of drawing water,
12‘Awake, awake, Deborah!
13“Then a remnant of the nobles and the people came down.
14Those whose root is in Amalek came out of Ephraim,
15The princes of Issachar were with Deborah.
16Why did you sit among the sheepfolds?
17Gilead lived beyond the Jordan.
18Zebulun was a people that jeopardized their lives to the death;
19“The kings came and fought,
20From the sky the stars fought.
21The river Kishon swept them away,
22Then the horse hoofs stamped because of the prancing,
23‘Curse Meroz,’ said the LORD’s angel.
24“Jael shall be blessed above women,
25He asked for water.
26She put her hand to the tent peg,
27At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay.
28“Through the window she looked out, and cried:
29Her wise ladies answered her,
30‘Have they not found, have they not divided the plunder?
31“So let all your enemies perish, LORD,
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Judges 5:1
“Then Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying,”
This verse introduces one of the oldest poetic compositions in the Bible, celebrating a historic victory through song.
Judges 5:21
“The river Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. My soul, march on with strength.”
It describes how the natural elements aided Israel in overcoming the superior technology of the Canaanite chariots.
Judges 5:24
“Jael shall be blessed above women, the wife of Heber the Kenite; she shall be blessed above women in the tent.”
This verse highlights the unexpected role of a non-Israelite woman in securing the final victory for Israel.
Chapter Summary
Judges Chapter 5 contains the poetic song of Deborah and Barak, celebrating Israel's military triumph over King Jabin's forces. The song begins by praising God for His powerful presence and intervention, which moved the earth and mountains. It recounts the dire state of Israel before the uprising and honors the leaders and tribes who volunteered for battle, specifically Ephraim, Benjamin, Machir, Zebulun, and Issachar. Conversely, it rebukes the tribes of Reuben, Gilead, Dan, and Asher for their lack of participation. The narrative climax of the song details the defeat of Sisera's army at the River Kishon and praises Jael for her decisive act of killing Sisera in her tent. The song concludes with a poignant contrast, showing Sisera’s mother waiting in vain for his return with spoils, and ends with a prayer for God’s enemies to perish while His followers shine like the rising sun.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a poetic hymn composed and sung by the prophetess Deborah and the commander Barak to commemorate God's deliverance of Israel from the Canaanite forces led by Sisera.
Tribes like Zebulun and Naphtali were praised for risking their lives in battle, while Reuben, Dan, and Asher were rebuked for staying with their flocks and ships instead of helping their kin.
The song recounts how Jael provided Sisera with milk and then used a tent peg and a hammer to kill him while he was seeking refuge in her tent.
The poem uses the imagery of Sisera's mother waiting at a window to create dramatic irony, showing her expectation of his triumphant return while the reader knows he has been defeated.
Study Note
The Song of Deborah is widely considered by scholars to be one of the oldest preserved examples of Hebrew poetry in the Old Testament.
Related Chapters
Judges Chapter 4
This chapter provides the historical narrative of the battle that the song in chapter 5 celebrates.
Exodus Chapter 15
Another famous victory song in the Bible, celebrating the deliverance of Israel at the Red Sea.
Psalm 68
A psalm that echoes the imagery of God marching from Seir and Sinai found in Deborah's song.
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