Introduction:
Barah is a figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Judges. He is associated with the narrative of the prophetess Deborah and the military leader Barak. The name "Barah" itself is not directly mentioned in the Berean Standard Bible, but it is often discussed in biblical encyclopedias and topical studies as part of the broader narrative involving Barak and the battle against the Canaanite forces led by Sisera.

Biblical Context:
The account of Barak, which indirectly involves Barah, is found in Judges 4-5. During this period, the Israelites were oppressed by Jabin, the king of Canaan, whose army was commanded by Sisera. Deborah, a prophetess and judge of Israel, summoned Barak to lead an army against Sisera. Barak agreed to go only if Deborah accompanied him, to which she consented, but prophesied that the honor of victory would go to a woman.

Judges 4:6-7 :
"She summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, 'Has not the LORD, the God of Israel, commanded you: Go, deploy the troops at Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men from Naphtali and Zebulun? And I will draw out Sisera the commander of Jabin’s army, his chariots, and his multitude, at the River Kishon, and I will deliver him into your hand.'"

Role and Significance:
While Barah is not explicitly named in the biblical text, the narrative surrounding Barak and Deborah is significant for several reasons. It highlights the role of women in leadership, as seen in Deborah's position as a judge and prophetess. The account also emphasizes the importance of faith and obedience to God's commands, as Barak's initial hesitation is overcome by his reliance on Deborah's guidance and God's promise of victory.

Theological Implications:
The account of Barak and Deborah, and by extension Barah, underscores the sovereignty of God in delivering His people through unexpected means. The victory over Sisera, ultimately achieved by Jael, a woman, fulfills Deborah's prophecy and demonstrates that God's purposes often transcend human expectations and societal norms.

Historical and Cultural Context:
The period of the Judges was marked by a cycle of disobedience, oppression, repentance, and deliverance for the Israelites. The Canaanite oppression under Jabin and Sisera represents one of the many challenges faced by the Israelites during this time. The narrative reflects the tribal and militaristic nature of ancient Israelite society, where leaders like Deborah and Barak played crucial roles in rallying the people and securing their freedom.

Conclusion:
The account involving Barak, Deborah, and the unnamed Barah serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and the diverse ways He accomplishes His will. It challenges believers to trust in God's plans and to recognize the value of all individuals, regardless of gender, in His divine purposes.1012. Beth Barah -- "place of ford," a place in Palestine
Beth Barah. 1011, 1012. Beth Barah. 1013 . "place of ford," a place
in Palestine. Transliteration: Beth Barah Phonetic Spelling ...
/hebrew/1012.htm - 6k

1262. barah -- to eat
... 1261, 1262. barah. 1263 . to eat. Transliteration: barah Phonetic Spelling:
(baw-raw') Short Definition: eat. Word Origin a prim. ... 1261, 1262. barah. 1263 ...
/hebrew/1262.htm - 6k

1267. baruth -- food
... Word Origin from barah Definition food NASB Word Usage food (1). meat. From barah;
food -- meat. see HEBREW barah. 1266, 1267. baruth. 1268 . ...
/hebrew/1267.htm - 6k

1277. bari -- fat
... From bara' (in the sense of barah); fatted or plump -- fat ((fleshed), -ter), fed,
firm, plenteous, rank. see HEBREW bara'. see HEBREW barah. 1276, 1277. ...
/hebrew/1277.htm - 6k

1279. biryah -- food
... Word Origin from barah Definition food NASB Word Usage food (3). meat. Feminine
from barah; food -- meat. see HEBREW barah. 1278, 1279. biryah. 1280 . ...
/hebrew/1279.htm - 6k

1274. beri -- fat
... Short Definition: fat. Word Origin see ri. fat From barah; fat -- fat. see
HEBREW barah. 1273, 1274. beri. 1275 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1274.htm - 5k

1285. berith -- a covenant
... From barah (in the sense of cutting (like bara')); a compact (because made by passing
between pieces of flesh) -- confederacy, (con-)feder(-ate), covenant ...
/hebrew/1285.htm - 6k

Barah (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Barah (1 Occurrence). Judges 7:24 Gideon sent
messengers throughout all the hill country of Ephraim, saying ...
/b/barah.htm - 6k

Beth-barah (1 Occurrence)
Beth-barah. Bethbarah, Beth-barah. Beth-bar'ah . Easton's Bible Dictionary ...
(see BETHABARA.). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BETH-BARAH. ...
/b/beth-barah.htm - 8k

Bethbarah (1 Occurrence)
... (see BETHABARA.). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BETH-BARAH. beth-ba'-ra (beth
barah; Baithera): Perhaps Beth-`abharu, the guttural being lost in copying. ...
/b/bethbarah.htm - 8k

Capture (53 Occurrences)
... hath sent Gideon into all the hill-country of Ephraim, saying, 'Come down to meet
Midian, and capture before them the waters unto Beth-Barah, and the Jordan ...
/c/capture.htm - 23k

Choose (116 Occurrences)
... chooz, cho'-z'-n (bachar, qabhal, bara', barah; ek-lego): I. IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
1. Human Choice 2. God Chooses King of Israel 3. God Chooses Jerusalem 4 ...
/c/choose.htm - 54k

Chosen (197 Occurrences)
... chooz, cho'-z'-n (bachar, qabhal, bara', barah; ek-lego): I. IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
1. Human Choice 2. God Chooses King of Israel 3. God Chooses Jerusalem 4 ...
/c/chosen.htm - 53k

Summoned (103 Occurrences)
... sent messengers throughout all the hill country of Ephraim, saying, "Come down against
Midian, and take before them the waters, as far as Beth Barah, even the ...
/s/summoned.htm - 35k

Barak (14 Occurrences)

/b/barak.htm - 14k

Beth (115 Occurrences)
... sent messengers throughout all the hill country of Ephraim, saying, "Come down against
Midian, and take before them the waters, as far as Beth Barah, even the ...
/b/beth.htm - 40k

Gideon (45 Occurrences)
... territory. This they did, defeating the enemy at Beth-barah and slaying
the princes Oreb and Zeeb ("the Raven" and "the Wolf"). ...
/g/gideon.htm - 36k

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