Judges 4:5

_AND SHE DWELT UNDER THE PALM TREE OF DEBORAH BETWEEN RAMAH AND BETHEL IN MOUNT EPHRAIM: AND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL CAME UP TO HER FOR JUDGMENT._ She dwelt under the palm tree - or, collectively, a palm grove. Stanley ('Sinai and Palestine,' p. 145) takes it to have been 'a well-known and solitary landmark,' and from the distinct specification of the locality, 'probably the same spot as that called Baal-tamar' (Judges 20:33), the 'sanctuary of the palm.' It is common in the present day in the East to administer justice in the open air, or under the canopy of an umbrageous tree. The traditionary spot which Deborah frequented is still pointed out; and it is remarkable that a great meeting or fair is statedly held at the place, as it has been uninterruptedly since her time, at which, among other matters of business, disputes are settled and quarrels adjusted between rival trib

4-9 Deborah was a prophetess; one instructed in Divine knowledge by the inspiration of the Spirit of God. She judged Israel as God's mouth to them; correcting abuses, and redressing grievances. By God's direction, she ordered Barak to raise an army, and engage Jabin's forces. Barak insisted much upon her presence. Deborah promised to go with him. She would not send him where she would not go herself. Those who in God's name call others to their duty, should be ready to assist them in it. Barak values the satisfaction of his mind, and the good success of his enterprise, more than mere honour....

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_....

SHE DWELT - Rather, “she sat,” namely, to judge the people Judges 4:10, but not in the usual place, “the gate” Ruth 4:1; Proverbs 22:22. It suited her character, and the wild unsafe times better, that she should sit under a palm-tree in the secure heights of Mount Ephraim, between Ramah and Bethel (Judges 20:33 note). This verse shows that the Judges exercised the civil as well as military functions of rulers 1 Samuel 7:15....

EXPOSITION JUDGES 4:2 SOLD THEM. See Judges 2:14, note. JABIN KING OF HAZOR. The exact site of _Hazor_ has not been identified with certainty, but it is conjectured by Robinson, with great probability, to have stood on the Tell now called _Khuraibeh_, overlooking the waters of Merom (now called Lake Huleh), where are remains of a sepulchre, Cyclopean walls, and other buildings. In Joshua 11:1 we read of the total destruction by fire of Hazor, and of the slaughter of Jabin, the king thereof, with all the inhabitants of the city, and of the slaughter of all the confederate kings, and the capture of their cities; Hazor, however, "the head of all those k

AND SHE DWELT UNDER THE PALM TREE OF DEBORAH,.... Her dwelling house was under a palm tree, or rather she sat under one, in the open air, when the people came to her with their cases, and it was called from hence after her name; though some, as Abarbinel observes, think it was so called, because Deborah, the nurse of Rebekah, was buried here, and which was near Bethel, one of the places next mentioned, see Genesis 35:8, BETWEEN RAMAH AND BETHEL IN MOUNT EPHRAIM; which places were in the tribe of Benjamin in the borders of Ephraim, see Joshua 16:2. The Jews conclude, from the situation of her, that she was a very opulent woman; the Targum is, "she was dwelling in a city in Ataroth, Deborah was supported of her own; she had palm trees in Jericho, orchards in Ramah, oliv

3. THIRD DECLENSION: UNDER JABIN, DEBORAH, AND BARAK CHAPTER 4 _ 1. Sold into the hand of Jabin (Judges 4:1)_ 2. The cry of the children of Israel (Judges 4:3) 3. Deborah and Barak (Judges 4:4) 4. The conflict and Jael's deed (Judges 4:12) Ehud the mighty instrument of Jehovah had died, and again the children of Israel lapsed into evil. Then the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin, King of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor. His captain was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles. A powerful oppressor he was, for this King had nine hundred chariots of iron and oppressed Israel twenty years. About one hundr

THE PREPARATION FOR WAR. D's framework is found in Judges 4:1 and Judges 4:23 f. Judges 4-5. Deborah and Barak Deliver Israel. The record of this deliverance appears first in a prose and then in a poetical form, of which the latter is the older, written without doubt under the inspiration of the actual events. There are some striking differences between the two versions. In the prose narrative the oppressor of Israel is Jabin, king of Hazor, whose captain is Sisera; Deborah's home is in Mount Ephraim; only the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali fight the tyrant; and Jael murders Sisera when he lies asleep in her tent. In the triumphal Ode there is no Jabin; Sisera is at the head of the kings of Canaan, himself the greatest king of all; Deborah appears to belong to the tribe of Issachar; all the tribes aroun

DWELT. sat [as judge]: near where her namesake, Rebekah's nurse, died. Genesis 35:8....

_dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah_ The marg. SAT is better, cf. Judges 6:11 1 Samuel 14:2; 1 Samuel 22:6, lit. _she was sitting_, i.e. to declare the divine will in disputes and cases of difficulty; hence, it is implied, _the palm tree of Deborah_between Ramah (er-Râm) and Beth-el (Beitin), 5 and 12 m. respectively N. of Jerusalem, obtained its name. In the same neighbourhood, and associated with the same name, was the famous tree called _Allon-bacuth_, -tree (?oak) of mourning," under which Deborah the nurse of Rachel was buried, Genesis 35:8. The conclusion seems to be irresistible that we have here and in...