The land of Gilead, on the east of Jordan, was divided between Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh, who are both comprehended here. Joppa was in the territory of Dan Joshua 19:46, and was in later times the sea-port for Jerusalem.His breaches - Rather havens; i. e. the creeks and bays and river-months by which their coast was broken. Joshua 19:29. read more
Judges 5:14. Out of Ephraim, &c. The prophetess, having directed their praises to the Author of their deliverance, proceeds to speak with commendation of the instruments of it, and gives us the muster of those tribes which freely offered themselves to battle. She assigns the first place to the tribe of Benjamin; the second to those of her own tribe who were settled in Amalek; the third to the Manassites beyond Jordan; the fourth to the tribe of Zebulun; and the last to the tribe of... read more
Judges 5:15. He was sent on foot Or, when he was sent, with his foot, into the valley. This is not an immaterial remark of the prophetess. It expresses that the tribe or people of Issachar, following the counsel and example of their princes, were as hearty and valiant in the cause as Barak their general; and as he marched on foot to attack Sisera with his horses and nine hundred armed chariots, and that into the valley or plain, where horses and chariots are chiefly useful, so did they,... read more
Judges 5:16. Why, &c. Having mentioned with honour the tribes that willingly offered themselves, the prophetess proceeds to expostulate with those who, when summoned to the assistance of their brethren, shamefully refused to arm in the common cause. The first two that she upbraids are Reuben and Gad, who were more solicitous about their cattle than their brethren. The next two are Dan and Asher, who were as meanly intent upon their commerce. Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds? Why... read more
Judges 5:17. Gilead abode, &c. Or, why did Gilead abide? Gilead was divided between the children of Machir and the tribe of Gad, Joshua 13:24-31. The children of Machir came down to the battle, and therefore the tribe of Gad can only be meant here, the land of Gilead being put for the inhabitants of it. Beyond Jordan In their own portions, and did not come over Jordan to the help of the Lord, and of his people, as they ought to have done. Why did Dan remain in ships? Their coast... read more
Deliverance under Deborah (4:1-5:31)Hazor, chief city of the north, had been conquered and burnt by Joshua (Joshua 11:10-13). However, not all the people had been destroyed. Having rebuilt Hazor, they now took revenge on the northern tribes, especially Zebulun and Naphtali, and ruled them cruelly for twenty years (4:1-3). (To understand fully how God saved Israel at this time, we must read the historical outline in Chapter 4 together with the song of victory in Chapter 5.)Israel’s deliverer on... read more
was there. Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis thus: "came down", from Judges 5:13 and Judges 5:15 . a root, &c. = whose root was in Amalek. Compare Judges 12:15 . Or, according to Septuagint, "they who rooted them out in Amalek. " handle = draw, in the sense of numbering, enrolling, or mustering, as in Judges 4:6 . pen = rod (used in numbering). Leviticus 27:32 .Ezekiel 20:37 . Nowhere else rendered pen. writer = numberer. Hebrew. saphar, translated scribe. Compare 2 Kings 25:19 . 2... read more
And = But. Even = Yea. He was sent, &c. = into the valley they rushed at his feet. For = among. read more
Why . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. read more
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Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 5:16
Great searchings - (thoughts, Judges 5:15) of heart Deborah means to say that at first the Reubenites made magnanimous resolutions to help their brethren against Jabin. But they stayed at home, and let the opportunity slip. read more