Judges 4:4-5

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Judges 4:4

a prophetess. Not therefore a "judge "in the strict sense of the title. Like Miriam, Exodus 15:20 ; Huldah, 2 Kings 22:14 . Compare her prophecy in verses: Judges 4:7 , Judges 4:9 . she. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read "and she". Note the two women connected with Barak, Deborah and Jael, verses: Judges 4:17-21 . See note on Judges 4:17 , and Compare Judges 5:7 , Judges 5:11 , Judges 5:24 , Judges 5:30 . at that time. Yet Israel was "mightily oppressed", contrary to Judges... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Judges 4:5

dwelt = sat [as judge]: near where her namesake, Rebekah's nurse, died. Genesis 35:8 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Judges 4:4

GOD RAISES UP DEBORAH AND BARAK (Judges 4:4-10)"Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, she judged Israel at that time. And she dwelt under the palm-tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill-country of Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh-naphtali, and said unto him, Hath not Jehovah, the God of Israel, commanded, saying; Go and draw unto mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Judges 4:4-5

Judges 4:4-5. Deborah, a prophetess, &c.— Like Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, Deborah was enriched with the gifts of heaven, necessary to instruct, to direct, and to govern: besides which, God excited her by the Holy Spirit to declare his will to the people, as appears by the following part of this history. Her name signifies a Bee, which has been given by other nations to illustrious women; as among the Greeks, the nymph said to be the nurse of Jove, is called Melissa, and the wife... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Judges 4:4

4. And Deborah, a prophetess—A woman of extraordinary knowledge, wisdom, and piety, instructed in divine knowledge by the Spirit and accustomed to interpret His will; who acquired an extensive influence, and was held in universal respect, insomuch that she became the animating spirit of the government and discharged all the special duties of a judge, except that of military leader. the wife of Lapidoth—rendered by some, "a woman of splendors." read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Judges 4:5

5. she dwelt under the palm tree—or, collectively, "palm-grove." It is common still in the East to administer justice in the open air, or under the canopy of an umbrageous tree. read more

Thomas Constable

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

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

Thomas Constable

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

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