Topical Bible: Prophets: Deborah

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Topical Encyclopedia

Deborah stands as one of the most remarkable figures in the Old Testament, serving as a prophetess and judge of Israel during a time of great turmoil and oppression. Her account is primarily found in the Book of Judges, chapters 4 and 5, where she emerges as a leader who delivers Israel from the hands of the Canaanite king Jabin and his commander Sisera.

Historical Context

Deborah's leadership occurs during the period of the Judges, a time characterized by a cyclical pattern of Israel's disobedience, oppression by foreign powers, cries for deliverance, and subsequent rescue by judges raised up by God. The Israelites had once again turned away from the Lord, and as a result, they were subjected to twenty years of harsh oppression under Jabin, the king of Canaan, whose military commander, Sisera, possessed a formidable army with 900 iron chariots (Judges 4:2-3).

Role as a Prophetess and Judge

Deborah is introduced as a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, who was judging Israel at that time (Judges 4:4). She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, where the Israelites came to her for judgment (Judges 4:5). Her role as a prophetess indicates that she was a spokesperson for God, receiving divine revelation and guidance for the people of Israel.

Military Leadership and Victory

Under divine instruction, Deborah summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and commanded him to take ten thousand men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun to Mount Tabor. She assured him that the Lord would deliver Sisera into his hands (Judges 4:6-7). Barak agreed to go but insisted that Deborah accompany him, to which she consented, though she prophesied that the honor of victory would go to a woman (Judges 4:8-9).

The battle unfolded as Deborah had foretold. The Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and army by the sword, and Sisera fled on foot (Judges 4:15). He sought refuge in the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, who ultimately killed him by driving a tent peg through his temple while he slept (Judges 4:21). This act fulfilled Deborah's prophecy that a woman would claim the honor of victory.

The Song of Deborah

Judges chapter 5 records the Song of Deborah, a poetic retelling of the victory over the Canaanites. This song is one of the oldest passages in the Bible and celebrates the Lord's deliverance, the bravery of the Israelite warriors, and the decisive role of Jael. It also highlights the tribes that participated in the battle and those that did not, serving as both a hymn of praise and a historical account.

Legacy

Deborah's leadership is notable for her faithfulness to God's command, her courage in the face of overwhelming odds, and her ability to inspire others to action. She is one of the few female leaders in the Bible and is remembered for her wisdom, prophetic insight, and decisive action in delivering Israel from oppression. Her account continues to be a source of inspiration and a testament to the power of faith and obedience to God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Judges 4:4
And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Though Many Other Widows came Near to Judith in virtue...
... the army; Jael carried off the triumph, for the prophecy of Deborah fought for her ...
For us, then, the oracles of the prophets fought, for us those judgments and ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter viii though many other.htm

On the Article, and in one Holy Ghost, the Comforter, which Spake ...
... 2060] ; Gideon [2061] waxed strong; Jephtha conquered [2062] ; Deborah, a woman ... Ghost
they prophesied themselves, and were rulers of the prophets;"and Samuel ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xvi on the article.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... he had himself foretold in accordance with the threatenings of God by former prophets. ...
and Nehemiah, nor of historic poetry, like the song of Deborah and Barak ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

Reference Table
... The Song of Moses and Miriam Exodus XV 1 The Judges 88 IV Deborah's Song Judges
V ... LX 1 Isaiah 49 X Isaiah: Doom of Babylon Isaiah XIII 2 Minor Prophets 147 XI ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/reference table.htm

Miscellaneous Subjects.
... The law did not prohibit women being prophets or prophesying. See Deborah,
in Judges 4:4-14. Miriam, Ex.15:20. Anna, Luke 2:36. ...
/.../orr/the gospel day /chapter xvi miscellaneous subjects.htm

The Growth of the Old Testament Prophetic Histories
... The Babylonian exile scattered the Jews so widely that the exilic and post-exilic
prophets depended almost entirely upon this ... [Sidenote: The Song of Deborah]. ...
/.../the origin and permanent value of the old testament/vi the growth of the.htm

A Cloud of Witnesses.
... Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith ...
The mention of Barak must be understood to include Deborah, who was the mind ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xiii a cloud of.htm

The Judges.
... who came down from the north, was thrown off through the leadership of Deborah assisted
by ... He founded schools for the instruction of young prophets at Gilgal. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter ix the judges.htm

Beth-El. Beth-Aven.
... upon the very boundaries of Judea; but that the dwelling of Deborah was at ... with the
Ephraimites', of which they hear often enough from the prophets); but it ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 20 beth-el beth-aven.htm

The First Blast of the Trumpet
... This is contrary to the examples of the ancient prophets.4. ... ANSWERS TO OBJECTIONS.
1. The examples of Deborah [Judges iv.4] and Huldah [2 Kings xxii 14.] 38-44. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/knox/the first blast of the trumpet/title page.htm