Lexical Summary Baraq: Barak Original Word: בָּרָק Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Barak The same as baraq; Barak, an Israelite -- Barak. see HEBREW baraq NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom baraq Definition "flash of lightning," an Isr. leader NASB Translation Barak (13). Brown-Driver-Briggs בָּרָק proper name, masculine (lightning-flash, compare Punic Barcas, surname of Hamilcar, compare NeposHamilcar 1, 1; Sabean ברקם DHMZMG, 1875, 592; Palmyrene ברק VogPalm. 76) son of Abinoam, & leader of Israel Judges 4:6,8,9,10,12,14 (twice in verse); Judges 4:15,16,22; Judges 5:1,12,15. בְּרַק compare בני ברק. Topical Lexicon Barak (בָּרָק) Identity and Lineage Barak is introduced as “the son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali” (Judges 4:6). His tribal affiliation places him in the far north of Israel, near the territory threatened by the Canaanite king Jabin. Though the text provides no royal or priestly pedigree, Barak’s name—associated with lightning—anticipates a swift, divinely directed deliverance. Historical Setting After Ehud’s death, “the Israelites again did evil in the sight of the LORD” (Judges 4:1). Jabin of Hazor, through his general Sisera, oppressed Israel with nine hundred iron chariots. The oppression lasted “twenty years” (Judges 4:3), creating a backdrop of desperation that God would answer through a prophetess‐judge, Deborah, and a reluctant warrior, Barak. Archaeological studies of Late Bronze/Iron Age northern Canaan confirm the prevalence of chariot warfare and fortified city‐states, underscoring the military imbalance Israel faced. Call and Initial Hesitation Deborah’s prophetic summons is direct: “Has not the LORD, the God of Israel, commanded you: ‘Go, march to Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun’?” (Judges 4:6). Barak’s reply exposes a mixture of faith and fear: “If you will go with me, I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go” (Judges 4:8). The text neither condemns nor excuses him outright; instead, Deborah’s prophecy addresses the consequence—“the road you are taking will bring you no honor, because the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman” (Judges 4:9). God accommodates Barak’s weakness while still accomplishing His purpose, revealing divine sovereignty over human frailty. Military Leadership and Divine Strategy Obedient at last, Barak gathers ten thousand volunteers and stations them on Mount Tabor. Deborah’s battle cry—“Arise, for this is the day the LORD has delivered Sisera into your hand. Has not the LORD gone before you?” (Judges 4:14)—highlights that victory will be the Lord’s doing. The ensuing engagement at the Kishon River demonstrates a recurring Old Testament theme: God disrupts superior technology. “The LORD threw Sisera and all his charioteers and army into confusion before the sword of Barak” (Judges 4:15). Extra‐biblical studies suggest unseasonal rains could have rendered the river valley impassable for iron chariots, but the narrative’s focus remains firmly on divine intervention, not meteorology. Partnership with Deborah Judges 4–5 presents a rare yet harmonious male–female leadership team. Deborah provides prophetic guidance; Barak supplies martial strength. Their collaboration undermines any notion that godly authority is monopolized by one gender. At the same time, the text maintains covenant order: Deborah calls, Barak obeys, and the Lord directs them both. The shared song in Judges 5:1 models corporate thanksgiving: “On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song.” Prophetic Victory Song Judges 5 poetically records the battle and its theological meaning. The song attributes Israel’s deliverance to the LORD who “marched from the land of Edom” (Judges 5:4) and decries tribes that stayed home. It exalts Jael, fulfilling Deborah’s earlier prediction about Sisera’s fate. Barak’s appearance in the song is instructive: he is neither erased nor exalted beyond measure. “Arise, Barak, and lead away your captives” (Judges 5:12) celebrates a warrior empowered by God rather than self‐aggrandized. Faith Remembered in Hebrews The New Testament seizes upon Barak’s faith, not his hesitation: “Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, and Jephthah” (Hebrews 11:32). Within the “Hall of Faith,” his name stands alongside judges whose accounts likewise mingle weakness and courage. Hebrews interprets Barak through the lens of enduring faith, assuring believers that genuine trust may coexist with moments of doubt. Theological Themes 1. Divine initiative: God raises deliverers (Judges 4:6) and determines outcomes (Judges 4:14–15). Ministry Applications • Encouragement for hesitant leaders: God often calls people who feel inadequate; willingness grows through obedience. Literary and Canonical Legacy Barak’s narrative spans only two chapters, yet the concentric structure of Judges places his account at the literary center of the book’s deliverer narratives. It foreshadows later judges who likewise begin in weakness. Barak’s ultimate triumph, though mediated by a woman’s hand, anticipates the paradoxical victories of Scripture—culminating in the cross, where apparent weakness shames worldly power. Key Old Testament References Judges 4:6, 8–10, 12, 14–16, 22 Key New Testament Reference Summary Barak emerges as a courageous yet imperfect deliverer whose faith matured through prophetic partnership and battlefield obedience. His example affirms that God’s purposes prevail through willing vessels, however tentative their first steps, and that faith expressed in action secures a lasting legacy in the unfolding covenant story. Forms and Transliterations בָּרָ֔ק בָּרָ֖ק בָּרָ֛ק בָּרָ֜ק בָּרָ֥ק בָּרָק֙ בָרָ֑ק בָרָק֮ ברק וּבָרָ֖ק וּבָרָ֗ק וברק לְבָרָ֣ק לברק bā·rāq ḇā·rāq baRak bārāq ḇārāq lə·ḇā·rāq ləḇārāq levaRak ū·ḇā·rāq ūḇārāq uvaRak vaRakLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Judges 4:6 HEB: וַתִּשְׁלַ֗ח וַתִּקְרָא֙ לְבָרָ֣ק בֶּן־ אֲבִינֹ֔עַם NAS: and summoned Barak the son KJV: and called Barak the son INT: sent and summoned Barak the son of Abinoam Judges 4:8 Judges 4:9 Judges 4:10 Judges 4:12 Judges 4:14 Judges 4:14 Judges 4:15 Judges 4:16 Judges 4:22 Judges 5:1 Judges 5:12 Judges 5:15 13 Occurrences |
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