Judges 4:4-10 meaning

Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time (v 4). Deborah stands out in the Book of Judges as the only female judge, and she is also described as a prophetess, indicating her role as a spiritual leader who receives and communicates God’s guidance to Israel.

As a judge, she not only led Israel in military matters but also provided counsel and settled disputes among the people. Deborah’s unique position demonstrates God’s ability to raise leaders according to His purpose.

She used to sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the sons of Israel went up to her for judgment (v 5). This setting emphasizes her accessibility and the trust the people of Israel placed in her leadership. Including this descriptive verse of how she used to sit under the palm tree for judgment (v 5) reveals her experience as a woman of wise counsel. The position she was in is reflective of Moses judging in the promise land:

“…the people come to me to inquire of God. When they have a dispute, it comes to me, and I judge between someone and his neighbor and make known the statutes of God and His laws.”
(Exodus 18:15-16)

Deborah has earned respect from the Israelites much like their leader through the exodus. By introducing her in this way, it is evident that she will play a major role in the deliverance of Israel in the coming verses.

Verse 6 supports Deborah’s role as a prophetess (v 4): Now she sent word and summoned Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali, and said to him, “The Lord, the God of Israel, has indeed commanded, ‘Go and march to Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men from the sons of Naphtali and from the sons of Zebulun’” (v 6).

Deborah acts on a divine command, summoning Barak and instructing him to lead an army of ten thousand men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun. Mount Tabor, where Barak is directed to assemble his forces, is strategically located, offering a vantage point over the surrounding plains. Deborah’s message emphasizes that the plan is not of her own devising but is a direct command from “the Lord, the God of Israel” (v 6).

Naphtali borders Zebulun from the north and the east. It is these two territories that contain the region of Galilee. Jesus spent most of His time ministering in this region; His hometown of Nazareth is found there. In Matthew 4:12-17, after his baptism in the Jordan River, he quotes a prophecy in Isaiah as he is fulfilling it concerning these territories:

“But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish. In earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He will make it glorious, by the way of the sea, on the other side of the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles.”
(Isaiah 9:1)

Both Zebulun and Naphtali failed to “drive out the inhabitants” of their allotted regions in the Promised land (Judges 1:30, 33). A history of disobedience among these tribes results in “contempt” from the Lord as Isaiah states. They would see redemption, however, as the verse describes: “later on He will make it glorious” (Isaiah 9:1). Glory will be seen in Jesus’ birth in that place and his time spent there. A foreshadowing of this redemption is now seen in God’s command to Barak through Deborah for these two tribes to be the ones who overcome Israel’s oppressors.

In the next verse God specifies the result Israel will achieve: I will draw out to you Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his many troops to the river Kishon, and I will hand him over to you” (v 7).

God’s promise is clear and specific: He will draw Sisera and his formidable forces, including the feared iron chariots, to the river Kishon (v 7), where He will deliver them into Barak’s hands. God’s sovereignty is on full display as He orchestrates the movement of His armies and ensures victory for Israel. The river Kishon, which flows near Mount Tabor, will later play a significant role in Sisera’s defeat (Judges 5:21).

Barak responds to Deborah’s word from the Lord with a condition: “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go” (v 8). His response is marked by hesitation and reliance on Deborah, likely due to her reputation with the people. Barak’s reaction suggests that he sees her not only as a leader but as a spiritual anchor whose presence signifies God’s blessing and assurance.

While Barak’s request also indicates a lack of complete confidence in God’s command, despite being an important part of His plan, he shows his respect for Deborah’s wisdom and the vital role she plays in bolstering his faith. Her response, however, will include a condition of its own.

She said, “I will certainly go with you; however, the fame shall not be yours on the journey that you are about to take, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman” (v 9).

Deborah agrees to accompany Barak, but she prophetically warns him that the honor of defeating Sisera will not go to him but to a woman. She is speaking of Jael, who will take the final blow on Sisera (Judges 4:21). God’s plans often defy human expectations. Deborah’s willingness to simply join Barak in this verse exemplifies her commitment to God’s mission and her leadership role in Israel’s deliverance. For Barak, because he did not take full responsibility for God’s commandment to him, he will not earn the credit. This is a testament against him.

The story continues: Then Deborah got up and went with Barak to Kedesh. Barak summoned Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh, and ten thousand men went up with him; Deborah also went up with him (v 10). Deborah and Barak move forward in obedience to God’s command, gathering the forces of Zebulun and Naphtali. The inclusion of Deborah in this march underscores her integral role in the impending victory. The presence of ten thousand men is the first confirmation of what was spoken.

Judges 4:4-10 details the faith and obedience of Deborah. She takes action on God’s commands while Barak stands as an example of hesitance and doubt. In a time where women were rarely able to get credited for major events, much less war, God uses Deborah and will soon use Jael. The Lord’s redemptive plan is at work in every corner of this chapter.