Judges4

English Standard Version

TranslationKJV WEB ASV ESV NIV NASB NKJV NLT

¹And the of what was in the of the Lord after .

²And the Lord them into the of of , who in . The of his was , who in .

³Then the of to the Lord for , he had of and he the of for .

⁴Now , a , the of , was at that .

⁵She used to the of and in the of , and the of to her for .

⁶She and the of from and to him, Has the Lord, the of , you, , your men at , from the of and the of .

⁷And I will , the of , to meet you by the with his and his , and I will him into your ?

⁸ to her, you will me, I will , but you will me, I will .

⁹And she , I will you. , the you are will lead to your , the Lord will into the of a . Then and to .

¹⁰And and to . And at his , and him.

¹¹Now the had from the , the of the of , and had his as as the in , is near .

¹²When was that the of had to ,

¹³ his , of , and the were him, from to the .

¹⁴And to , ! is the in the Lord has into your . Does the Lord you? So from with him.

¹⁵And the Lord and his and his by the of the . And from his and on .

¹⁶And the and the to , and the of by the of the ; a was .

¹⁷But on to the of , the of the , there was the of and the of the .

¹⁸And to and to him, Turn , my ; to me; do be . So he to her into the , and she him with a .

¹⁹And he to her, me a to , I am . So she a of and gave him a and him.

²⁰And he to her, at the of the , and any and you, ? , .

²¹But the of a , and a in her . Then she to him and the into his until it into the while he was lying from . So he .

²²And , as was , to him and to him, , and I will you the whom you are . So he to her tent, and , with the in his .

²³So on that the of the of .

²⁴And the of the of and the of , they of .

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Judges 4.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: Israel again revolts, and is oppressed by Jabin. (1–3). Deborah concerts their deliverance with Barak. (4–9). Sisera defeated. (10–16). Sisera put to death by Jael. (17–24).

vv1-3

The land had rest for eighty years, which should have confirmed them in their religion; but it made them secure, and indulge their lusts. Thus the prosperity of fools destroys them. Jabin and his general Sisera, mightily oppressed Israel. This enemy was nearer than any of the former. Israel cried unto the Lord, when distress drove them to him, and they saw no other way of relief. Those who slight God in prosperity, will find themselves under a necessity of seeking him in trouble.

vv4-9

Deborah was a prophetess; one instructed in Divine knowledge by the inspiration of the Spirit of God. She judged Israel as God's mouth to them; correcting abuses, and redressing grievances. By God's direction, she ordered Barak to raise an army, and engage Jabin's forces. Barak insisted much upon her presence. Deborah promised to go with him. She would not send him where she would not go herself. Those who in God's name call others to their duty, should be ready to assist them in it. Barak values the satisfaction of his mind, and the good success of his enterprise, more than mere honour.

vv10-16

Siser's confidence was chiefly in his chariots. But if we have ground to hope that God goes before us, we may go on with courage and cheerfulness. Be not dismayed at the difficulties thou meetest with in resisting Satan, in serving God, or suffering for him; for is not the Lord gone before thee? Follow him then fully. Barak went down, though upon the plain the iron chariots would have advantage against him: he quitted the mountain in dependence on the Divine power; for in the Lord alone is the salvation of his people, Jer 3:23. He was not deceived in his confidence. When God goes before us in our spiritual conflicts, we must bestir ourselves; and when, by his grace, he gives us some success against the enemies of our souls, we must improve it by watchfulness and resolution.

Key Words

peopleH1121Hebrew

בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)

IsraelH3478Hebrew

יִשְׂרָאֵל: Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

againH3254Hebrew

יָסַף: to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

didH6213Hebrew

עָשָׂה: to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

evilH7451Hebrew

רַע: bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

sightH5869Hebrew

עַיִן: an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

EhudH164Hebrew

אֵהוּד: Ehud, the name of two or three Israelites

diedH4191Hebrew

מוּת: to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

soldH4376Hebrew

מָכַר: to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)

handH3027Hebrew

יָד: a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),

Cross References

Judges 4

v9Judges 5:24-27thematic

The poetic celebration of Sisera's death by the hand of Jael, fulfilling Deborah's prophecy.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB

v2Joshua 11:1thematic

An earlier Jabin king of Hazor was defeated by Joshua, who then burned Hazor.