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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Judges 5:24-31

Deborah here concludes this triumphant song, I. With the praises of Jael, her sister-heroine, whose valiant act had completed and crowned the victory. She had mentioned her before (Jdg. 5:6) as one that would have served her country if it had been in her power; now she applauds her as one that did serve it admirably well when it was in her power. Her poetry is finest and most florid here in the latter end of the song. How honourably does she speak of Jael (Jdg. 5:24), who preferred her peace... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 5:28

The mother of Sisera looked out at a window ,.... Which perhaps looked towards the high road, in which she expected Sisera to return in his chariot with his victorious army; and she was looking out for him, not through fear of any ill that had befallen him, or suspicion of misfortunte, but through impatience to see him in triumph return, wreathed with laurels: and cried through the lattice ; which is but another word for a window, which was not of glass, that being of a later invention,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 5:29

Her wise ladies answered her ,.... Every one in their turn endeavouring to comfort her and make her easy. The Vulgate Latin version is,"one that was wiser than the rest of his wives;'but they seem rather to be her maids of honour, or ladies of her acquaintance, who were come to pay her a visit, and share in the pleasing sight they expected to have of Sisera: yea, she returned answer to herself ; before they could well give theirs, she soon recollected herself what might be, and must be,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 5:30

Have they not sped ?.... Or "found" F21 הלא ימצאו "nonne invenient", Pagninus, Montanus, Tigurine version, Vatablus the enemy, Barak and his army, or the spoil of them? no doubt they have: have they not divided the prey ? doubtless they have, which being large, and the captives many, has taken up much of their time to look over, and make an equal and proper division of, and that most certainly is the cause of the delay: to every man a damsel or two ? or "a womb or two F23... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Judges 5:31

So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord !.... As Sisera and his army did, and be disappointed as his mother and her ladies were; which is not only a wish or prayer that it might be, but a prophecy that so it would be: but let them that love him ; that love the Lord superlatively and sincerely, with all their heart and soul, and from love serve and fear him: be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might ; in the middle of the day, when its heat and light are the greatest, and in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 5:28

Cried through the lattice - This is very natural: in the women's apartments in the East the windows are latticed, to prevent them from sending or receiving letters, etc. The latticing is the effect of the jealousy which universally prevails in those countries. Why is his chariot so long in coming ? - Literally, Why is his chariot ashamed to come? Dr. Lowth has very justly observed, that this is a striking image of maternal solicitude, and of a mind divided between... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 5:30

Render the latter part of the verse “a booty of dyed garments for Sisera, a booty of dyed garments and of party-colored cloth, a dyed garment and two party-colored clothes for the necks of the booty,” the spoil or booty being either captive damsels, or captive cattle on whose necks these clothes are to be placed (either as ornament or as a burden; compare Judges 8:21, Judges 8:26). But possibly “the necks of the booty” may mean the backs or shoulders (of men or beasts) laden with booty. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Judges 5:31

A most striking conclusion, in which the spiritual truth, which the whole narrative is intended to convey, comes out. The enemies of the Lord will perish like the host of Sisera, and all their hopes will end, like those of Sisera’s mother, in bitter disappointment and shame; but all that love our Lord Jesus Christ shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Compare Matthew 13:43; Daniel 12:3. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Judges 5:28-30

Judges 5:28-30. The mother of Sisera looked out at a window Expecting to see him returning; for she concluded that he went forth not so much to fight as to take the spoil. Have they not divided the spoil? That is, it is certain they have got the prey, only they tarry to distribute it, according to every man’s quality and merit. It is scarcely possible to conceive any thing more beautiful or expressive than these verses. No writer, either poet or orator, ever formed a finer image upon any... read more

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