Judges 4:4 NIV

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 4:1-24

1. The victory over Jabin and Sisera ch. 4 read more

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Judges 4:4-11

Deborah was one of three prophetesses identified as such in the Old Testament (Judges 4:4), along with Miriam (Exodus 15:20) and Huldah (2 Kings 22:14). Anna (Luke 2:36) and Philip’s four daughters (Acts 21:8-9) were also prophetesses. Deborah was also one of the judges (Judges 4:4). Another translation of "wife of Lappidoth" is "woman of torches." This may be the meaning since she motivated Barak and demonstrated conquering power, which torches symbolize (cf. Judges 5:7; Isaiah 62:1; Daniel... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 4:1-24

Deborah and BarakThis deliverance is described a second time in the early poem in Judges 5 (see on Judges 5:1). No other narrative describes more clearly the religious gathering of the clans, and the prowess of the hardy mountaineers when united. The plain of Esdraelon (see Intro. § 5) is one of the famous battle-fields of history. It drives like a wedge from the coast within 10m. of the Jordan; but it is dominated by hills on all sides, and is almost closed by them at its western end. In... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Judges 4:4

(4) Deborah.—The name means “bee,” like the Greek Melissa. The names of Jewish women were often derived from natural objects, as Rachel, “a lamb,” Tamar,”a palm,” &c. It has been sometimes regarded as a title given to her as a prophetess, just as the priestesses of Delphi were called Bees (Pindar, Pyth. iv. 106); and priests were called by the title Malebee (Essçn). But the fact that Rachel’s nurse (Genesis 35:8) had the same name is against this supposition, though Josephus (Antt. v., § 5)... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Judges 4:1-24

Judges 4:5 Where ambition hath possessed itself thoroughly of the soul, it turns the heart into steel, and makes it uncapable of a conscience. All sins will easily down with the man that is resolved to rise. Bishop Hall. Reference. IX. 8-15. A. Raleigh, From Dawn to the Perfect Day, p. 132. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Judges 4:1-24

THE SIBYL OF MOUNT EPHRAIMJudges 4:1-24THERE arises now in Israel a prophetess, one of those rare women whose souls burn with enthusiasm and holy purpose when the hearts of men are abject and despondent; and to Deborah it is given to make a nation hear her call. Of prophetesses the world has seen but few; generally the woman has her work of teaching and administering justice in the name of God within a domestic circle and finds all her energy needed there. But queens have reigned with firm... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Judges 4:1-24

3. Third Declension: Under Jabin, Deborah, and Barak CHAPTER 4 1. Sold into the hand of Jabin (Judges 4:1-2 ) 2. The cry of the children of Israel (Judges 4:3 ) 3. Deborah and Barak (Judges 4:4-11 ) 4. The conflict and Jael’s deed (Judges 4:12-24 ) Ehud the mighty instrument of Jehovah had died, and again the children of Israel lapsed into evil. Then the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin, King of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor. His captain was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Judges 4:4

4:4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she {c} judged Israel at that time.(c) By the spirit of prophesy resolving controversies and declaring the will of God. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 4:1-24

DEBORAH AND BARAK (vv.1-24) Ehud evidently judged Israel during 80 years of peace, but after his death Israel again turned from the Lord's ways, doing evil in His sight. It is not said what evil, but their lapses apparently always involved worshiping the idols of the nations. On this occasion the Lord delivered Israel into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan (v. 2). Jabin's name means "he will understand," for Canaanites ("traffickers") are keen to discern where they may make material gain,... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Judges 4:1-24

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