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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 5:30

(30) Have they not sped? have they not divided the prey?—Literally, Are they not finding? are they not dividing the spoil? Is not the wealth of their booty the cause of their delay? (Comp. Exodus 15:9 : “The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil.”)To every man.—Literally, as in the margin, to the head of a man. (Comp. Exodus 16:16; Numbers 1:2; 1 Chronicles 12:23.)A damsel or two.—Literally, a maiden, two maidens; only that the word used is strongly contemptuous,... 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 5:30

5:30 Have they not sped? have they [not] divided the prey; to every man a damsel [or] two; to Sisera a prey of divers colours, a prey of divers colours of needlework, of divers colours of needlework on both sides, [meet] {u} for the necks of [them that take] the spoil?(u) Because he was chief of the army. 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

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Judges 5:1-31

Deborah and Her Song Judges 4:0 , Judges 5:0 THE fourth and fifth chapters bring into view quite a host of secondary characters, such as Jabin and his chief captain, Sisera; Deborah and Barak; Heber, and Jael his wife; and in the great song of triumph and judgment names come and go with flashes of colour full of history and criticism. Sometimes we are told of a song that the words are nothing the tune is everything. That may be a happy circumstance as regards some songs, but that criticism... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Judges 5:28-30

What an awful contrast to the wife of Heber doth Sisera's mother appear! Little better than a common strumpet, she seems to rejoice in her son ' s supposed debaucheries, and those of his army, over the chastity of Israel's daughters. What a disgrace to the delicacy of her sex! How ripe for ruin! And Reader! do not overlook the honour she conferred on the daughters of Israel, though on her part perfectly undesigned, when she makes mention of the prey on their needle work. What a proof this was... read more

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