Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 5:5
The mountains melted from before the LORD, [even] that Sinai from before the LORD God of Israel.
5. flowed down ] streamed, Isa 64:1; the verb as in Isa 45:8, Job 36:28. The Hebr. form also allows the rendering quaked marg., LXX, from a different root.
Even yon Sinai at the presence of the Lord, the God of Israel ] yon Sinai, pointing to the mountain, which however is not visible from the Great Plain. The mention of Sinai after the Theophany has advanced from Edom northwards introduces confusion, and the words lit. mean this is Sinai. They are probably a marginal gloss made by some early reader to whom the expressions in Jdg 5:4-5 suggested the descent of Jehovah upon Sinai for the giving of the law, Exo 19:18 ff., which is not referred to here. From the margin the words found their way into the text. They spoil the rhythm of the line.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Melted, or flowed, with floods of water poured out of the clouds upon them, and from them flowing down in a mighty stream upon the lower grounds, and carrying down some part of the mountain with it, as is usual in excessive showers.
She slides into the mention of another and a more ancient appearance of God for his people, to wit, in Sinai; it being usual in Scripture repetitions of former actions to put divers together into a narrow compass, and in few words. The sense is, No wonder that the mountains of the Amorites and Canaanites melted and trembled when thou didst lead thy people towards them; for even Sinai itself could not bear thy presence, but melted in like manner before thee. Or, as that Sinai did upon a like manifestation of thyself; so there is only a defect of the particle as, which I have showed to be frequent.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
The mountains melted from before the Lord,…. The inhabitants of them, through fear, the Lord going before Israel in a pillar of cloud and fire, and delivering mighty kings and their kingdoms into their hand:
[even] that Sinai from before the Lord God of Israel; or, “as that Sinai”, the note of similitude being wanting; and the sense is, the mountains melted, just as the famous mountain Sinai in a literal sense did, when it trembled and quaked at the presence of God on it; the tokens of it, the fire and smoke, thunders, lightnings, and tempests there seen and heard; and which being observed, would call to mind the benefit Israel then received, which required praise and thankfulness, as well as would serve to express the awe and reverence of God due unto him.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(5) Melted.Literally, flowed awaya powerful poetic image. (Comp. Isa. 63:19; Isa. 64:3; Psa. 97:5melted like wax.)
Even that Sinai.Rather, even this Sinai, as though Deborah actually saw the sacred mountain before her. The boldness of the expression leaves no difficulty in supposing the meaning to be that even as Sinai was moved (Psa. 68:8), so the mountains of Edom seemed to melt away before the march of Jehovah and the banners of Israel.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
5. Mountains quaked The fearful peals of thunder which accompanied the storm shook hills and plains. The English version, melted, (margin, flowed,) is after the Vulgate, and is supported by many interpreters, but is less suitable than quaked, which is the version of the Septuagint, Gesenius, Furst, and many of the best scholars. These latter derive the word from , to shake, (compare Isa 64:1; Isa 64:3😉 the former from , to flow.
That Sinai The traditional seat of Jehovah, so famous in the history of the Hebrews. Sinai would naturally be mentioned if this storm came from the fields of Edom; for before Zion became the central seat of worship for all the tribes, Israel would naturally conceive of Jehovah as dwelling on Mount Sinai. So in this highly wrought description, that Sinai is represented as trembling when Jehovah moves from it northward to defend his people. Psa 68:7-8, is evidently based on this passage in Judges, and is an imitation of it; but is so changed and modified as to suit its own particular context.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Jdg 5:5. The mountains flowed down at the presence of Jehovah, Even Sinai at the presence of Jehovah, the God of Israel.
See Hab 3:6. Isa 64:1; Isa 64:12. Psa 68:8-9. Deu 1:19-20. An introduction so unexpectedly made from such great topics, breathes the free and fervent spirit of the ode. Nor is there, notwithstanding, the least obscurity, either in the connection or the tacit comparison of the benefit now received with that stupendous delivery from Egypt. We would just observe, that the word which we render March, signifies literally to march with pomp, with majesty; and in like manner, the Hebrew word which is rendered wentest out, signifies emphatically to go out with eclat, with glory. See the Dissert. of Mr. G. J. Lette, p. 16. and Seneca’s Troades, v. 171.
REFLECTIONS.The grateful heart of Deborah, big with thankfulness, in strains more sublime, more tender, than Sappho or Homer ever sung, under the guidance of the true inspirer, dictates and leads the song among the victorious hosts of Israel on that day, either the very day of battle, or on the occasion of it in some future solemnity; Barak and the people with joy united their voices, and praised with the glorious God of hosts. Note; Praise is comely, and as pleasing to God as comfortable to ourselves.
1. She opens with exultation, Praise ye the Lord; and abundant reason is given, in the wondrous interposition which appeared when vengeance overtook their enemies. As God, after such a length of deserved servitude, had in mercy again stirred up the people’s heart to shake off the galling yoke; therefore, to Him, the Lord Jehovah, the God of irresistible Power, the Lord God of Israel, their Covenant-God, I, so bound in duty, so filled with gratitude, I, even I, will sing. Note; God must have all the glory of his own work; for, although he uses instruments, yet the praise for the success is purely his own.
2. She demands attention from the great ones of the earth; whether the neighbouring kings and princes, who should hear and tremble; or the great men of Israel, who should rejoice with her.
3. She describes the glorious appearances of God in time past; when at Sinai the mount trembled, and a mighty tempest was stirred up round about him; or when, invading the country of Sihon, such terror went before them, and the hearts of the people shook with fear: their nobles, compared to the heavens, were weak as water; and the kings of Canaan, though high as the mountains, melted before the ark of God. He is still the same, wonderful in power, and glorious in majesty, his people’s safeguard, his enemies’ destroyer.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Jdg 5:5 The mountains melted from before the LORD, [even] that Sinai from before the LORD God of Israel.
Ver. 5. The mountains melted from before the Lord. ] Heb., Flowed.
“ Ruunt de montibus amnes. ”
There was a general concussion, and the nations were all affrighted. See Psa 68:15-16 Jos 5:1 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
The mountains melted = from the mountains flowed down streams.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
mountains: Deu 4:11, Psa 97:5, Psa 114:4, Isa 64:1-3, Nah 1:5, Hab 3:10
melted: Heb. flowed
that Sinai: Exo 19:18, Exo 20:18, Deu 4:11, Deu 4:12, Deu 5:22-25, Heb 12:18
Reciprocal: Deu 33:2 – came from Sinai Psa 46:3 – mountains Psa 68:8 – the heavens Isa 64:3 – thou didst Jer 4:24 – mountains Amo 9:13 – the hills Hab 3:3 – came Hab 3:6 – the everlasting Gal 4:25 – Sinai
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jdg 5:5. The mountains melted Or flowed with floods of water, poured out of the clouds upon them, and from them flowing down in mighty streams upon the lower grounds, and carrying down part of the mountains with them. Even that Sinai Or rather, As did Sinai itself. The whole verse might be better translated, The mountains flowed down at the presence of Jehovah; as did Sinai itself at the presence of Jehovah, the God of Israel. And Dr. Kennicott supposes that, when the ode was sung, the first clause was uttered by Deborah, the second by Barak, and that they both joined in the third. The prophetess here slides into the mention of a more ancient appearance of God for his people at Sinai, it being usual with the inspired writers, in repeating former actions, to put divers together in a narrow compass. The sense is, No wonder that the mountains of the Amorites and Canaanites melted and trembled, when thou didst lead thy people toward them; for even Sinai itself could not bear thy presence, but melted in like manner before thee.