Judges – Chapter 5

Old Testament32 Verses

Chapter Summary

Judges 5 opens with the words: "In that day Debbora and Barac, son of Abinoem, sung, and said:" Deborah stands at the center of this chapter. Across its 32 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and worship and praise. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1In that day Debbora and Barac, son of Abinoem, sung, and said:

2O you of Israel, that have willingly offered your lives to danger, bless the Lord.

3Hear, O ye kings, give ear, O ye princes: It is I, it is I, that will sing to the Lord, I will sing to the Lord, the God of Israel.

4O Lord, when thou wentest out of Seir, and passedst by the regions of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens and clouds dropped water.

5The mountains melted before the face of the Lord, and Sinai before the face of the Lord the God of Israel.

6In the days of Samgar, the son of Anath, in the days of Jahel, the paths rested: and they that went by them, walked through bye-ways.

7The valiant men ceased, and rested in Israel: until Debbora arose, a mother arose in Israel.

8The Lord chose new wars, and he himself overthrew the gates of the enemies: a shield and spear was not seen among forty thousand of Israel.

9My heart loveth the princes of Israel: O you, that of your own good will offered yourselves to danger, bless the Lord.

10Speak, you that ride upon fair asses, and you that sit in judgment, and walk in the way.

11Where the chariots were dashed together, and the army of the enemies was choked, there let the justices of the Lord be rehearsed, and his clemency towards the brave men of Israel: then the people of the Lord went down to the gates, and obtained the sovereignty.

12Arise, arise, O Debbora, arise, arise, and utter a canticle. Arise, Barac, and take hold of thy captives, O son of Abinoem.

13The remnants of the people are saved, the Lord hath fought among the valiant ones.

14Out of Ephraim he destroyed them into Amalec, and after him out of Benjamin into thy people, O Amalec: Out of Machir there came down princes, and out of Zabulon they that led the army to fight.

15The captains of Issachar were with Debbora, and followed the steps of Barac, who exposed himself to danger, as one going headlong, and into a pit. Ruben being divided against himself, there was found a strife of courageous men.

16Why dwellest thou between two borders, that thou mayst hear the bleatings of the flocks? Ruben being divided against himself, there was found a strife of courageous men.

17Galaad rested beyond the Jordan, and Dan applied himself to ships: Aser dwelt on the sea shore, and abode in the havens.

18But Zabulon and Nephthali offered their lives to death in the region of Merome.

19The kings came and fought, the kings of Chanaan fought in Thanac, by the waters of Mageddo and yet they took no spoils.

20There was war made against them from heaven: the stars, remaining in their order and courses, fought against Sisara.

21The torrent of Cison dragged their carcasses, the torrent of Cadumim, the torrent of Cison: tread thou, my soul, upon the strong ones.

22The hoofs of the horses were broken whilst the stoutest of the enemies fled amain, and fell headlong down.

23Curse ye the land of Meroz, said the angel of the Lord: curse the inhabitants thereof, because they came not to the help of the Lord, to help his most valiant men.

24Blessed among women be Jahel, the wife of Haber the Cinite, and blessed be she in her tent.

25He asked her water, and she gave him milk, and offered him butter in a dish fit for princes.

26She put her left hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workman's hammer, and she struck Sisara, seeking in his head a place for the wound, and strongly piercing through his temples.

27Between her feet he fell: he fainted, and he died: he rolled before her feet, and there he lay lifeless and wretched.

28His mother looked out at a window, and howled: and she spoke from the dining room: Why is his chariot so long in coming back? Why are the feet of his horses so slow?

29One that was wiser than the rest of his wives, returned this answer to her mother in law:

30Perhaps he is now dividing the spoils, and the fairest of the women is chosen out for him: garments of divers colours are given to Sisara for his prey, and furniture of different kinds is heaped together to adorn necks.

31So let all thy enemies perish, O Lord: but let them that love thee shine, as the sun shineth in his rising.

32And the land rested for forty years.

Important Verses in Judges 5

Hear, O ye kings, give ear, O ye princes: It is I, it is I, that will sing to the Lord, I will sing to the Lord, the God of Israel.

Judges 5:3

My heart loveth the princes of Israel: O you, that of your own good will offered yourselves to danger, bless the Lord.

Judges 5:9

The remnants of the people are saved, the Lord hath fought among the valiant ones.

Judges 5:13

So let all thy enemies perish, O Lord: but let them that love thee shine, as the sun shineth in his rising.

Judges 5:31

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Judges was written with israel under the monarchy, shown the chaos that comes from abandoning the covenant in view. Chapter 5 of 21 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 32 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Deborah appear at the center of the events recorded here. It opens with the line: "In that day Debbora and Barac, son of Abinoem, sung, and said:" The final verse reads: "And the land rested for forty years. " Read against its original backdrop, Judges covers the turbulent centuries between Joshua's conquest and the rise of the monarchy, when 'there was no king in Israel. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Events between roughly 1200 and 1050 BC; compiled during the early monarchy.

Who Wrote It

Unknown; tradition points to the prophet Samuel as compiler of the traditions

When It Was Written

Events between roughly 1200 and 1050 BC; compiled during the early monarchy

Catholic Commentary

In this 32-verse narrative, the sacred author records events that advance the story of cycles of sin, oppression, and deliverance. A pivotal line is verse 3: "Hear, O ye kings, give ear, O ye princes: It is I, it is I, that will sing to the Lord, I will sing to the Lord, the God of Israel." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 1965). Here, the Church sees in the judges prefigurations of Christ the Savior (CIC 64). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize family and covenant relationships as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.
  • God's presence casts out fear; His command 'Be not afraid' echoes throughout salvation history.

People in This Chapter

Deborah4 mentions

Reflection for Today

In Judges Chapter 5, the Church invites us to listen attentively to God's Word within the broader narrative of cycles of sin, oppression, and deliverance.

The Second Vatican Council reminded the faithful that Scripture should permeate Catholic spirituality (Dei Verbum, 21-26). Judges Chapter 5 supports that call by drawing attention to humility before the mystery of God within the wider message that God raises up deliverers for His people.

Entrust your meditation to Mary, who pondered God's Word in her heart. Through her intercession, may the message of humility before the mystery of God bear fruit in humility, courage, and charity this day.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Judges Chapter 5 about?

Judges 5 contains 32 verses. It opens with "In that day Debbora and Barac, son of Abinoem, sung, and said:" and closes with "And the land rested for forty years. ". The book as a whole is historical narrative organized in cycles.

What is a key verse in Judges 5?

One of the most significant verses is verse 3: "Hear, O ye kings, give ear, O ye princes: It is I, it is I, that will sing to the Lord, I will sing to the Lord, the God of Israel." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Judges Chapter 5?

This chapter mentions Deborah.

Who wrote Judges and when?

Unknown; tradition points to the prophet Samuel as compiler of the traditions. Events between roughly 1200 and 1050 BC; compiled during the early monarchy.

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