Judges 5:15

15 The princes of Issachar were with Deborah. and followed him into the valley. about what they would do.

Judges 5:15 Meaning and Commentary

Judges 5:15

And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah
On Mount Tabor, whither they came to offer themselves to join in the war against Jabin; or to assist with their counsels, the men of this tribe being understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, ( 1 Chronicles 12:32 )

even Issachar:
not the princes only, but the whole tribe also; so the Targum paraphrases it,

``the rest of the tribe of Issachar:''

and also Barak, he was sent on foot into the valley;
which was at the bottom of Mount Tabor, from whence he was sent down by Deborah, when Sisera's army was come thither; and where he went cheerfully on foot at the head of his 10,000 men, to engage Sisera with his horse and chariots; and which latter were capable of doing great execution in the valley, by running among the foot, and cutting them in pieces with the scythes at the side of them; but Barak, fearless of danger, readily obeyed the command of the judge and prophetess, believing it was of God: or the words may be rendered, as by Noldius ^F8

as Issachar, so Barak; he was sent
the one as the other, with equal readiness and cheerfulness, courage and intrepidity, descended the mountain, at the order of Deborah, and took the field in the open plain, to engage with Sisera and his numerous host:

for the division of Reuben [there were] great thoughts of heart;
either for their divisions among themselves in their own councils, some being for going over Jordan to assist their brethren the Israelites against Jabin, and free them from his yoke, pitying their distressed state and condition; and others were for keeping at home, and taking care of their flocks, and not intermeddle in the quarrel; judging it to be most for their worldly peace and profit to observe a neutrality: by reason of which divisions no assistance was given. Or for their divisions and separations from their brethren the Israelites, from whom they were not only separated by the river Jordan, but in their affections to them, and regards for them; keeping at a distance from them, when their help was required: and this conduct of theirs caused many thoughts of heart in Deborah and Barak, in the princes and people of Israel, who could not well understand the reason of it; and which caused much grief and uneasiness of mind, that so powerful a tribe, and who had been assisting to them in the conquest of the land, and lay convenient to help them, yet should be so very indifferent to them.

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 (qrb Nk rkvvyw) "sicut Issachar sic Barach", Concord. Ebr. part. p. 305. No. 1214. So Belg.

Judges 5:15 In-Context

13 "Then those who were left came down to the important leaders. The Lord's people came down to me with strong men.

14 They came from Ephraim in the mountains of Amalek. Benjamin was among the people who followed you. From the family group of Makir, the commanders came down. And from Zebulun came those who lead.

15 The princes of Issachar were with Deborah. and followed him into the valley. about what they would do.

16 Why did you stay by the sheepfold? Was it to hear the music played for your sheep? about what they would do.

17 The people of Gilead stayed east of the Jordan River. People of Dan, why did you stay by the ships? The people of Asher stayed at the seashore, at their safe harbors.