CHAPTER IV _The Israelites again rebel against God, and they are delivered_ _into the hands of Jabin, king of Canaan_, 1, 2. _They cry unto God, and he raises up Deborah and Barak to deliver_ _then_, 3-10. _Some account of Heber the Kenite_, 11. _Barak attacks Sisera, captain of Jabin's army,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 4:2. _JABIN KING OF CANAAN_] Probably a descendant of the Jabin mentioned Joshua 11:1, c., who had gathered together the wrecks of the army of that Jabin defeated by Joshua. _Calmet_ supposes that these Canaanites had the dominion over the tribes of _Naphtali, Zebulun_, and _Issachar_ w... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 4:3. _NINE HUNDRED CHARIOTS OF IRON_] Chariots _armed_ with iron scythes, as is generally supposed; they could not have been made all of iron, but they might have been _shod with iron_, or had _iron_ _scythes_ projecting from the axle on each side, by which infantry might be easily cut... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 4:4. _DEBORAH, A PROPHETESS_] One on whom the Spirit of God descended, and who was the instrument of conveying to the Israelites the knowledge of the Divine will, in things sacred and civil. _SHE JUDGED ISRAEL_] This is, I believe, the first instance of _gynaecocrasy_, or female govern... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 4:5. _THE PALM TREE OF DEBORAH_] It is common for the _Hindoos_ to plant trees in the _names_ of _themselves_ and their _friends_; and some religious mendicants live for a considerable time _under_ _trees_. - _Ward_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 4:6. _SHE SENT AND CALLED BARAK_] She appointed him to be _general_ of the armies on this occasion; which shows that she possessed the supreme power in the state. _MOUNT TABOR_] "Mount Tabor," says Maundrell, "stands by itself, about two or three furlongs within the plains of _Esdrael... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 4:9. _THE LORD SHALL SELL SISERA INTO THE HAND OF A WOMAN._] Does not this mean, If I go with thee, the conquest shall be attributed to me, and thou wilt have no honour? Or, is it a _prediction_ of the exploit of _Jael_? In both these senses the words have been understood. It seems, how... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 4:10. _TEN THOUSAND MEN AT HIS FEET_] Ten thousand _footmen_. He had no _chariots_; his army was all composed of _infantry_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 4:11. _HOHAB THE FATHER-IN-LAW OF MOSES_] For a circumstantial account of this person, and the meaning of the original word חתן _chothen_, which is translated _son-in-law_ in Genesis 19:14, see the notes on Exodus 2:15-2; Exodus 2:18; Exodus 3:1; Exodus 4:20; Exodus 4:24; Exodus 18:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 4:14. _UP; FOR THIS_ IS _THE DAY_] This is exactly the purpose for which the _Septuagint_ state, Judges 4:8, that Barak wished Deborah to accompany him. "I know not," says he, "THE DAY in which God will send his angel to give me prosperity: come thou with we that thou mayest direct me i... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 4:15. _THE LORD DISCOMFITED SISERA_] ויהם יהוה _vayiahom_ _Jehovah; the Lord CONFOUNDED, threw them all into confusion, drove_ _them pell-mell_-caused chariots to break and overthrow chariots, and threw universal disorder into all their ranks. In this case Barak and his men had little t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 4:18. _JAEL WENT OUT TO MEET SISERA_] He preferred the woman's tent because of secrecy; for, according to the etiquette of the eastern countries, no person ever intrudes into the apartments of the women. And in every dwelling the women have a separate apartment.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 4:19. _SHE OPENED A BOTTLE OF MILK_] She gave more than he requested; and her friendship increased his confidence and security.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 4:20. _STAND IN THE DOOR OF THE TENT_] As no man would intrude into the women's apartment without permission, her simply saying, _there is no man in my tent_, would preclude all search.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 4:21. _A NAIL OF THE TENT_] One of the spikes by which they fasten to the ground the cords which are attached to the cloth or covering. _HE WAS FAST ASLEEP AND WEARY._] As he lay on one side, and was overwhelmed with sleep through the heat and fatigues of the day, the piercing of his t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 4:22. _BEHOLD, SISERA LAY DEAD_] What impression this made on the victorious Barak is not said: it could not give him much pleasure, especially when he learned the circumstances of his death.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Judges 4:24. _THE HAND OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL PROSPERED_] ותלך הלוך _vattelech haloch, it went, going _- they followed up this victory, and the consequence was, they utterly destroyed Jabin and his kingdom. IT will naturally be expected that something should be said to justify the conduct... [ Continue Reading ]