Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 5:1-31

2. Deborah’s song of victory ch. 5One writer called this song "the finest masterpiece of Hebrew poetry" that "deserves a place among the best songs of victory ever written." [Note: Robert H. Pfeiffer, Introduction to the Old Testament, p. 326.] It is the equivalent of a victory celebration when the troops come home (cf. Exodus 15; Psalms 68)."Observe that each of the three major sections centers around a basic contrast: in Judges 5:2-11 c, the explosive God and humiliated people; in Judges 5:11... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 5:12-18

The faithful and unfaithful participants 5:12-18God had to rouse Deborah to oppose the Canaanites; she did not initiate this action. God also roused her to sing His praise after the victory. After God stimulated Deborah and Barak into action, several Israelite survivors of the oppression followed their lead into the Valley of Jezreel. They came from the tribe of Ephraim in the region Amalekites had formerly occupied (cf. Judges 12:15). They also came from Benjamin, western Manasseh (Machir),... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 5:1-31

Deborah’s Triumph SongThis song celebrates the victory of Judges 4 but from the point of view, not of a later annalist, but of a contemporary poet—very possibly (though see Judges 5:12) the prophetess herself. The lyric outburst is one of the finest in any language; its style (though many of the words are now very obscure) is typical of the best Hebrew poetry. Its independence of Judges 4 may be inferred from the variations it exhibits. Sisera is represented as king: the majority of the tribes,... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 5:15

(15) And the princes of Issachar.—The ordinary reading of the Hebrew gives the meaning, “And my princes in Issachar (came down to battle) with Deborah.” If this be the right reading, Deborah calls them “my princes” with a touch of pride, and hence some have assumed that she belonged to the tribe of Issachar, not to that of Ephraim. But a very slight change gives the meaning of “the princes in Issachar.” Deborah did not take actual part in the battle, like Boadicea or Joan of Arc, but seems to... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Judges 5:1-31

Judges 5:1 Of the three main branches of poetry, the only feminine one is the lyrical, not the objective lyrical poetry, like that of Pindar and Simonides, and the choric odes of the Greek tragedians, but that which is the expression of individual, personal feeling, like Sappho's. Of this class we have noble examples in the songs of Miriam, of Deborah, of Hannah, and of the Blessed Virgin. Hare, Guesses at Truth (2nd Series). Reference. V. 1. H. Henley Henson, The Value of the Bible, p. 53.... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Judges 5:1-31

DEBORAH’S SONG: A DIVINE VISIONJudges 5:1-31THE song of Deborah and Barak is twofold, the first portion, ending with the eleventh verse, a chant of rising hope and pious encouragement during the time of preparation and revival, the other a song of battle and victory throbbing with eager patriotism and the hot breath of martial excitement. In the former part God is celebrated as the Helper of Israel from of old and from afar; He is the spring of the movement in which the singer rejoices, and in... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Judges 5:1-31

CHAPTER 5 The Song of Deborah and Barak 1. The praise of Jehovah (Judges 5:1-5 ) 2. The condition of the people and their deliverance (Judges 5:6-11 ) 3. The celebration of the victory and the victors (Judges 5:12-22 ) 4. The fate of the enemy (Judges 5:23-31 ) This is one of the prophetic songs of the Bible. It is full of the fire of passion and enthusiasm, reflecting the character of the woman through whom the deliverance had been wrought. It has been classed with the barbaric... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Judges 5:15

5:15 And the princes of Issachar [were] with Deborah; even {l} Issachar, and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben [there were] great {m} thoughts of heart.(l) Even the whole tribe.(m) They marvelled that they did not cross the Jordan to help them. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 5:1-31

THE SONG OF DEBORAH AND BARAK (vv.1-31) To celebrate God's great victory over Canaan, Deborah and Barak sang a remarkable song. Since Deborah's name is mentioned first, it seems likely that she composed the song (v. 7). It begins with leaders in Israel taking their proper place to provide leadership as ordered by God. But what rightly accomplishes this is the willing response of the people in offering themselves to engage in warfare for the Lord's sake. Kings and princes are summoned to hear... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Judges 5:1-31

THE ERA OF DEBORAH THE SE RV ITUDE TO CANAAN (Judges 4:0 ) We met before with “Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor” (see Joshua 11:0 ), but this seems to have been a second of the name who built a new capitol on the ruins of the former one. The Israelites failed to exterminate these enemies on the north, who had now become strong enough to visit them with the severest oppression they had yet experienced, and which lasted twenty years (Judges 4:3 ). Deborah’s appearance on the... read more

Group of Brands