Judges 5:17-27

17 Gil`ad abode beyond the Yarden: Dan, why did he remain in ships? Asher sat still at the haven of the sea, Abode by his creeks.

18 Zevulun was a people that jeopardized their lives to the death, Naftali, on the high places of the field.

19 The kings came and fought; Then fought the kings of Kana`an. In Ta`nakh by the waters of Megiddo: They took no gain of money.

20 From the sky the stars fought, From their courses they fought against Sisera.

21 The river Kishon swept them away, That ancient river, the river Kishon. My soul, march on with strength.

22 Then did the horse hoofs stamp By reason of the prancings, the prancings of their strong ones.

23 Curse you Meroz, said the angel of the LORD. Curse you bitterly the inhabitants of it, Because they didn't come to the help of the LORD, To the help of the LORD against the mighty.

24 Blessed above women shall Ya`el be, The wife of Hever the Keni; Blessed shall she be above women in the tent.

25 He asked water, [and] she gave him milk; She brought him butter in a lordly dish.

26 She put her hand to the tent-pin, Her right hand to the workmen's hammer; With the hammer she struck Sisera, she struck through his head; Yes, she pierced and struck through his temples.

27 At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay; At her feet he bowed, he fell; Where he bowed, there he fell down dead.

Judges 5:17-27 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JUDGES 5

This chapter contains a song of praise on account of the victories obtained over Jabin, and his kingdom; after an exhortation to praise is given, and kings excited to attend to it, the majestic appearance of God at Seir, on Sinai, is observed, to raise in the mind a divine veneration of him, Jud 5:1-5; then the miserable state and condition Israel was in before these victories, and therefore had the more reason to be thankful, Jud 5:6-8; the governors, and judges, and the people that were delivered, together with Deborah and Barak, are stirred up to rehearse the righteous acts of the Lord, and bless his name, Jud 5:9-13; and those who willingly engaged in the war are praised, and such who were negligent reproved, and some even cursed, Jud 5:14-23; but Jael, Heber's wife, is particularly commended for her exploit in slaying Sisera, Jud 5:24-27; and the mother of Sisera, and her ladies, are represented as wondering at his long delay, and as assured of his having got the victory, Jud 5:28-30; and the song is concluded with a prayer for the destruction, of the enemies of the Lord, and for the happiness and glory of them that love him, Jud 5:31.