Judges 5:9

9 "My heart goes out to 1the commanders of Israel, The volunteers among the people; Bless the LORD!

Judges 5:9 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 5:9

My heart is towards the governors of Israel
Most of the Jewish commentators interpret this of their wise men and Scribes, who were willing to teach the people the law and the commandments, even in times of trouble, and did not cease from doing it on that account, and therefore Deborah praises them for it; so the Targum; but Kimchi and Ben Melech understand by them the great men of the nation, their nobles and rulers, who enacted good laws and statutes; or at least took care to see that the good laws they had were put in execution; and these had a share in the affections and good wishes of Deborah, and that chiefly for the following reason:

that offered themselves willingly among the people;
to go along with them, and march at the head of them, to fight Sisera and his army; thereby setting a good example, and animating the people to battle, and inspiring them with courage and intrepidity; when they saw their chiefs and the heads of them exposing their lives with them in defence of their country, and the rights of it:

bless ye the Lord;
for giving them such spirits, to engage so willingly in this service, and for giving them success in it.

Judges 5:9 In-Context

7 "The peasantry ceased, they ceased in Israel, Until I, Deborah, arose, Until I arose, a mother in Israel.
8 "New gods were chosen; Then war was in the gates. Not a shield or a spear was seen Among forty thousand in Israel.
9 "My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel, The volunteers among the people; Bless the LORD !
10 "You who ride on white donkeys, You who sit on rich carpets, And you who travel on the road -sing!
11 "At the sound of those who divide flocks among the watering places, There they shall recount the righteous deeds of the LORD , The righteous deeds for His peasantry in Israel. Then the people of the LORD went down to the gates.

Cross References 1

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