Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 5:17
Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches.
The land of Gilead, on the east of Jordan, was divided between Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh, who are both comprehended here. Joppa was in the territory of Dan Jos 19:46, and was in later times the sea-port for Jerusalem.
His breaches – Rather havens; i. e. the creeks and bays and river-months by which their coast was broken. Jos 19:29.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 17. Gilead abode beyond Jordan] That is, the Gadites, who had their lot in those parts, and could not well come to the aid of their brethren at a short summons. But the words of Deborah imply a criminal neglect on the part of the Danites; they were intent upon their traffic, and trusted in their ships. Joppa was one of their sea-ports.
Asher continued on the seashore] The lot of Asher extended along the Mediterranean Sea; and being contiguous to Zebulun and Naphtali, they might have easily succoured their brethren; but they had the pretence that their posts were unguarded, and they abode in their breaches, in order to defend them.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Gilead is sometimes taken more largely, for all the land of the Israelites beyond Jordan, as Num 32:1,26,29. So it is not here taken, because Gilead is here distinguished from Reuben and his land. Sometimes it is taken more strictly for that part of the land beyond Jordan which fell to the half tribe of Manasseh, as Num 32:39,40; Deu 3:15; Jos 17:1. And sometimes both for that part of Manassehs, and for Gads portion, as Jos 13:24,25,29-31. And so it seems to be understood here; and the land Gilead is here put for the people or inhabitants of it, Gad and Manasseh.
Beyond Jordan, in their own portions, and did not come over Jordan to the help of the Lord, and of his people, as they ought to have done.
Dan, whose coast was near the sea, was wholly intent upon his merchandise and shipping, as the great instrument both of his riches and safety; and therefore would not join in this land expedition.
On the sea-shore, where their lot lay.
In his breaches; either, first, In the creeks of the sea, whether in design to save themselves by ships in case of danger, as Dan also intended; or upon pretence of repairing the breaches made by the sea into their country. Or, secondly, In their broken and craggy rocks and caves therein, in which they thought to secure themselves.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
17, 18. Gilead abode beyondJordanthat is, Both Gad and the eastern half to Manasseh choseto dwell at ease in their Havoth-jair, or “villages of tents,”while Dan and Asher, both maritime tribes, continued with their shipsand in their “breaches” (“havens”). The mentionof these craven tribes (Jud 5:18)is concluded with a fresh burst of commendation on Zebulun andNaphtali.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Gilead abode beyond Jordan,…. A country which lay on the other side Jordan, and was given by Moses, half of it to the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the other half to the half tribe of Manasseh, De 3:12 and being here distinguished from Reuben, it seems that not only that tribe, but also the tribe of Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, on that side Jordan, came not to the help of Israel; but abode where they were, attending their flocks and herds, and preferring their own private profit to the public good; yet as Gilead was given to Machir, De 3:15 and some are said to come out from thence to serve in this expedition, Jud 5:14 some read the words, as Kimchi observes, with an interrogation, “did Gilead abide beyond Jordan?” no, he did not; though his situation was beyond it, as well as Reuben’s, yet he did not continue there, but came over to help his brethren; and so this is introduced to upbraid Reuben, and leave him without excuse, since he could as well have left his flocks as Gilead did, and come over to the help of his brethren as well as he:
and why did Dan remain in ships? the Danites inhabiting Joppa, and other places bordering on the Mediterranean sea, attended their navigation and merchandise; and which they chose rather to do, than to appear in the field of battle in the behalf of their brethren; judging this to be a sufficient excuse, though the question put implies the contrary; according to the Targum, they were meditating a flight, and put their goods into ships to flee with them, should Sisera get the day:
Asher continued on the sea shore; on the shore of the Mediterranean sea, attending traffic and business, and did not concern themselves at all in this war:
and abode in his trenches; in his towns and cities, the walls of which had been broken down by the Canaanites, and remained unrepaired, nor were they suffered to repair them; and therefore excused themselves on this account from engaging in the war, being obliged to stay at home to keep and defend their cities; which were in such a ruinous and weak condition, that the enemy might enter at any time: some render it, “in their creeks” i bays and havens where they had much shipping, and which required their attendance.
i “in portubus”, V. L. “ad sinus suos”, some in Vatablus.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Gilead, Dan, and Asher took no part at all. By Gilead, the tribes of Gad and half Manasseh are intended. The use of the term to denote the whole of the territory of the Israelites on the east of the Jordan probably gave occasion to this, although (without the article) does not refer to the land even here, but refers primarily to the grandson of Manasseh, as the representative of his family which dwelt in Gilead. (For further remarks, see at Jdg 5:14.) Dan also did not let the national movement disturb it in its earthly trade and commerce. , to keep one’s self in a place, is construed here with the accusative of the place, as in Psa 120:5. The territory of Dan included the port of Joppa (see at Jos 19:46), where the Danites probably carried on a trade with the Phoenicians. Asher also in his land upon the coast did not allow himself to be disturbed from his rest, to join in the common war of its nation. is used, as in Gen 49:13, for the shore of the Mediterranean Sea. , . . , literally a rent, and hence applied to a bay, as an incision made in the sea-shore.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(17) Gilead abode beyond Jordan.Gilead was the son of Machir, and grandson of Manasseh. The name is here probably meant to include Gad, as well as the half-tribe of Manasseh. The word abode means stayed quietly (Psa. 16:9), and is rendered qniesce-bat in the Vulgate.
Why did Dan remain in ships?The sudden question is very picturesque. The other rendering, Why did Dan fear the ships (of the enemy)? is untenable. The possession of Joppa. one of the few seaports of Palestine, naturally influenced the pursuits of the tribe (Jos. 19:46; 2Ch. 2:16; Ezr. 3:7); but whether they are here reproached for absorption in commerce, or for cowardice in taking refuge in their ships, is uncertain. The word rendered remain often involves a notion of alarm (Deu. 32:27). If the Danite migration (Judges 18) had by this time occurred, it is almost impossible that they should not have rendered some assistance to the revolt of the northern tribes. The fact that it is not here alluded to shows the extremely early date at which this narrative must be placed.
Asher continued on the sea shore.Aslier was the other great maritime tribe (Jos. 19:28-29). The word continued is, literally, sat.
Abode in his breaches.The word rendered breaches is, literally, clefts, or fissures. The Chaldee curiously paraphrases it by rebuilt and dwelt in the cities which the Gentiles destroyed. Le Clerc renders it, Sits in his precipitous rocks, referring it to that part of the coast known as the Ladder of Tyre; and this is perhaps meant by the diakopas of the LXX. (Cod. Alex.). The Vulgate renders, in portibus. Probably the creeks of the margin of our Bibles is the correct rendering.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
17. Gilead The name of the grandson of Manasseh is here used poetically for the half tribe of Manasseh that dwelt on the east of the Jordan. Compare note on Jdg 5:14. Those eastern tribes heeded not the summons of Deborah.
Dan ships The portion of Dan took in the port of Joppa, (Jos 19:46,) and the Danites who dwelt there, and at other places near or on the coast, doubtless interested themselves with the commerce of the Phenicians. Hence the allusion to their dwelling in ships.
Asher For the location of this tribe, see on Jos 19:24-31.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Jdg 5:17 Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches.
Ver. 17. Gilead abode beyond Jordan, ] i.e., Gad and the other half tribe of Manasseh, the degenerate offspring of valiant Machir.
And why did Dan remain in ships? &c.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
breaches = creeks or bays.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Gilead: Jos 13:25, Jos 13:31
Asher: Jos 19:24-31
sea shore: or, sea-port
breaches: or, creeks
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jdg 5:17. Gilead abode, &c. Or, why did Gilead abide? Gilead was divided between the children of Machir and the tribe of Gad, Jos 13:24-31. The children of Machir came down to the battle, and therefore the tribe of Gad can only be meant here, the land of Gilead being put for the inhabitants of it. Beyond Jordan In their own portions, and did not come over Jordan to the help of the Lord, and of his people, as they ought to have done. Why did Dan remain in ships? Their coast being near the sea, they were wholly intent on their merchandise, and therefore did not join in this land expedition. Asher continued on the sea-shore Where their lot lay. Abode in his breaches Either in his creeks and small havens, where vessels lay to go out to sea, or in their broken and craggy rocks and caves.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
5:17 {n} Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his {o} breaches.
(n) She reproves all those who did not come to help their brethren in their time of need.
(o) Either by hearing of the sea, or by mining,