Judges 5:18
New International Version
The people of Zebulun risked their very lives; so did Naphtali on the terraced fields.

New Living Translation
But Zebulun risked his life, as did Naphtali, on the heights of the battlefield.

English Standard Version
Zebulun is a people who risked their lives to the death; Naphtali, too, on the heights of the field.

Berean Standard Bible
Zebulun was a people who risked their lives; Naphtali, too, on the heights of the battlefield.

King James Bible
Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field.

New King James Version
Zebulun is a people who jeopardized their lives to the point of death, Naphtali also, on the heights of the battlefield.

New American Standard Bible
“Zebulun was a people who risked their lives, And Naphtali too, on the high places of the field.

NASB 1995
“Zebulun was a people who despised their lives even to death, And Naphtali also, on the high places of the field.

NASB 1977
“Zebulun was a people who despised their lives even to death, And Naphtali also, on the high places of the field.

Legacy Standard Bible
Zebulun was a people who despised their lives even to death, And Naphtali also, on the high places of the field.

Amplified Bible
“But Zebulun was a people who risked their lives to the [point of] death; Naphtali also, on the heights of the field.

Christian Standard Bible
The people of Zebulun defied death, Naphtali also, on the heights of the battlefield.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Zebulun was a people risking their lives, Naphtali also, on the heights of the battlefield.

American Standard Version
Zebulun was a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death, And Naphtali, upon the high places of the field.

Contemporary English Version
But soldiers of Zebulun and Naphtali risked their lives to attack the enemy.

English Revised Version
Zebulun was a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death, and Naphtali, upon the high places of the field.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But Zebulun mocked death, and Naphtali risked his life on the battlefield.

Good News Translation
But the people of Zebulun and Naphtali risked their lives on the battlefield.

International Standard Version
The tribe of Zebulun did not worry about their lives at the price of death; neither did the tribe of Naphtali also on high places of the field.

Majority Standard Bible
Zebulun was a people who risked their lives; Naphtali, too, on the heights of the battlefield.

NET Bible
The men of Zebulun were not concerned about their lives; Naphtali charged on to the battlefields.

New Heart English Bible
Zebulun was a people that risked their lives even to death; Naphtali also, on the high places of the field.

Webster's Bible Translation
Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives to death in the high places of the field.

World English Bible
Zebulun was a people that jeopardized their lives to the death; Naphtali also, on the high places of the field.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Zebulun [is] a people who exposed its soul to death, "" Naphtali also—on high places of the field.

Young's Literal Translation
Zebulun is a people who exposed its soul to death, Naphtali also -- on high places of the field.

Smith's Literal Translation
Zebulon a people reproached his soul to death, And Naphtali upon the heights of the field.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But Zabulon and Nephtali offered their lives to death in the region of Merome.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Yet truly, Zebulun and Naphtali offered their lives to death in the region of Merom.

New American Bible
Zebulun was a people who defied death, Naphtali, too, on the open heights!

New Revised Standard Version
Zebulun is a people that scorned death; Naphtali too, on the heights of the field.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Zebulun and Naphtali were peoples who jeopardized their lives on the high places of his field.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Zabulun a people who disgraced itself to death; Naphtali on the high place of his field
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Zebulun is a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death, And Naphtali, upon the high places of the field.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The people Zabulon exposed their soul to death, and Nephthali came to the high places of their land.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Song of Deborah and Barak
17Gilead remained beyond the Jordan. Dan, why did you linger by the ships? Asher stayed at the coast and remained in his harbors. 18Zebulun was a people who risked their lives; Naphtali, too, on the heights of the battlefield. 19Kings came and fought; then the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo, but they took no plunder of silver.…

Cross References
Joshua 4:12-13
The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh crossed over before the Israelites, armed for battle as Moses had instructed them. / About 40,000 troops armed for battle crossed over before the LORD into the plains of Jericho.

Numbers 32:29
And Moses said to them, “If the Gadites and Reubenites cross the Jordan with you, with every man armed for battle before the LORD, and the land is subdued before you, then you are to give them the land of Gilead as a possession.

1 Chronicles 12:32-33
From Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do: 200 chiefs with all their kinsmen at their command. / From Zebulun: 50,000 fit for service, trained for battle with all kinds of weapons of war, who with one purpose were devoted to David.

Deuteronomy 33:18-19
Concerning Zebulun he said: “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your journeys, and Issachar, in your tents. / They will call the peoples to a mountain; there they will offer sacrifices of righteousness. For they will feast on the abundance of the seas and the hidden treasures of the sand.”

Genesis 49:14-15
Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between the sheepfolds. / He saw that his resting place was good and that his land was pleasant, so he bent his shoulder to the burden and submitted to labor as a servant.

1 Chronicles 12:37-38
And from east of the Jordan, from Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh there: 120,000 armed with every kind of weapon of war. / All these men of war, arrayed for battle, came to Hebron fully determined to make David king over all Israel. And all the rest of the Israelites were of one mind to make David king.

1 Chronicles 5:18
The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 warriors—valiant men who carried the shield and sword, drew the bow, and were trained for battle.

1 Chronicles 12:40
And their neighbors from as far away as Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali came bringing food on donkeys, camels, mules, and oxen—abundant supplies of flour, fig cakes and raisin cakes, wine and oil, oxen and sheep. Indeed, there was joy in Israel.

2 Chronicles 30:11
Nevertheless, some from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.

2 Kings 15:29
In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria came and captured Ijon, Abel-beth-maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead, and Galilee, including all the land of Naphtali, and he took the people as captives to Assyria.

Matthew 4:18-22
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. / “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” / And at once they left their nets and followed Him. ...

Mark 1:16-20
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. / “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” / And at once they left their nets and followed Him. ...

Luke 5:10-11
and so were his partners James and John, the sons of Zebedee. “Do not be afraid,” Jesus said to Simon. “From now on you will catch men.” / And when they had brought their boats ashore, they left everything and followed Him.

John 1:43-45
The next day Jesus decided to set out for Galilee. Finding Philip, He told him, “Follow Me.” / Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the same town as Andrew and Peter. / Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law, the One the prophets foretold—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

Acts 1:13
When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.


Treasury of Scripture

Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that risked their lives to the death in the high places of the field.

Zebulun

Judges 4:10
And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him.

jeoparded.

Esther 4:16
Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

Acts 20:24
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

1 John 3:16
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

in the high

Judges 4:6,10,14
And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? …

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Judges 5
1. The Song of Deborah and Barak














Zebulun was a people who risked their lives
The tribe of Zebulun is highlighted here for their bravery and willingness to put their lives on the line for the cause of Israel. The Hebrew root for "risked" (חרף, charaph) conveys a sense of jeopardy and exposure to danger. Historically, Zebulun was one of the tribes of Israel that settled in the northern part of the Promised Land. Their willingness to engage in battle reflects their commitment to the covenant and their faith in God's deliverance. This phrase serves as an inspiration for believers to be courageous and to trust in God's protection when facing challenges.

Naphtali, too, on the heights of the battlefield
Naphtali, like Zebulun, is commended for their valor. The phrase "on the heights of the battlefield" suggests a strategic advantage, as high ground was often crucial in ancient warfare. The Hebrew word for "heights" (מרום, marom) can also imply a place of honor or prominence. Naphtali's participation in the battle signifies their dedication to God's cause and their role in the collective effort to secure Israel's future. This serves as a reminder of the importance of unity and cooperation among God's people, as well as the honor that comes from serving faithfully in His plans.

(18) Jeoparded their lives.--Comp. Judges 9:7; Isaiah 53:12. The courage of Zebulon and Naphtali is contrasted with the empty debates of Reuben, the sloth of Gilead, the cowardly selfishness of Dan and Asher.

In the high places of the field.--That is, on Mount Tabor. The Hebrew word is the Meroms; hence the Vulgate has in regione Merome. (Comp. Joshua 11:5; Joshua 11:7.)



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Zebulun
זְבֻל֗וּן (zə·ḇu·lūn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2074: Zebulun -- a son of Jacob, also his descendants and their territory

was a people
עַ֣ם (‘am)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

who risked
חֵרֵ֥ף (ḥê·rêp̄)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2778: To pull off, to expose, to betroth, to carp at, defame, to spend the winter

their lives;
נַפְשׁ֛וֹ (nap̄·šōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

Naphtali, too,
וְנַפְתָּלִ֑י (wə·nap̄·tā·lî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5321: Naphtali -- a son of Jacob, also his descendants and the district settled by them

on
עַ֖ל (‘al)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the heights
מְרוֹמֵ֥י (mə·rō·w·mê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4791: Altitude

of the battlefield.
שָׂדֶֽה׃ (śā·ḏeh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7704: Field, land


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OT History: Judges 5:18 Zebulun was a people that jeopardized their (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 5:17
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