Bible Commentary

Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty. 23. Curse ye Meroz ] Probably this village lay on the route of Sisera’s flight, and the inhabitants, though they were … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 5:23”

Then were the horses’ hooves broken by the means of the prancings, the prancings of their mighty ones. 22. did stamp ] or hammered (i.e. the earth); the same verb as in Jdg 5:26. In the next line the Hebrew words imitate the gallop of horses in precipitate flight. Cf. Nah 3:2. Their strong ones … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 5:22”

The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength. 21. swept them away ] The battle must have taken place in the winter or spring, for in summer the Kishon runs low. The fate of Sisera’s host finds a parallel in the battle … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 5:21”

They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera. 20. Render with a slight change of the stop: From heaven fought the stars: From their highways they fought with Sisera. The kings fought The stars fought ] A splendid contrast. Jehovah used the forces of nature as His allies and instruments; cf. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 5:20”

The kings came [and] fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money. 19. the kings of Canaan ] the chiefs of the principal Canaanite cities in the Plain and neighbourhood; Sisera, if not their overlord, was their leader. The kings of Canaan are … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 5:19”

Zebulun and Naphtali [were] a people [that] jeopardized their lives unto the death in the high places of the field. 18. In contrast to the lethargy of the tribes on the E. and N. was the heroic valour of Zebulun and Naphtali. the high places of the field ] is hardly applicable to the field … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 5:18”

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, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 5:17”

Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben [there were] great searchings of heart. 16. among the sheepfolds ] Gen 49:14, cf. Psa 68:13; the meaning is uncertain; it ought to be ‘fire-places’ or ‘ash-heaps,’ according to the etymology of the Hebr. word. the pipings … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 5:16”

And the princes of Issachar [were] with Deborah; even Issachar, and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben [there were] great thoughts of heart. 15. the princes of Issachar were with Deborah ] This seems to be the meaning; if Deborah belonged to the tribe of Issachar … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 5:15”

Out of Ephraim [was there] a root of them against Amalek; after thee, Benjamin, among thy people; out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer. 14. Out of Ephraim came down they whose root is in Amalek ] i.e. those Ephraimites whose settled home was … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Judges 5:14”