Prophetess; judge of Israel; war leader
c. 1200 BC · Old Testament
The prophetess and judge of Israel who summoned Barak to battle, accompanied him against the Canaanite general Sisera, and sang one of the great victory songs in the Bible (Judges 5).
Deborah was the fourth judge of Israel, the only woman to hold that office. Judges 4:4 — 'And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel.' She held court under a palm tree where Israelites came to her for judgment. At the time, Israel was oppressed by Jabin king of Canaan, whose general was Sisera with 900 iron chariots. Deborah summoned Barak: gather 10,000 men, draw Sisera to the Kishon River, and God will give them into your hand (Judges 4:6-7). Barak agreed only if Deborah would go with him. She agreed, warning the honor would go to a woman (Judges 4:9). Israel routed Sisera's army; Sisera fled on foot and was killed by Jael with a tent peg (Judges 4:21). Deborah and Barak sang a song of victory (Judges 5) — one of the oldest poems in the Bible. The land had rest for 40 years (Judges 5:31). Deborah is one of only four named prophetesses in the OT.
Hill country of Ephraim
Against Sisera
Warns the honor will go to a woman
Sisera flees on foot
Tent peg through the temple
One of the oldest biblical poems
Deborah's rule established peace
Deborah's significance: (1) She is the only woman judge of Israel. (2) She is one of the four named prophetesses in the OT. (3) Her leadership shows God uses women in significant roles. (4) Her song (Judges 5) is some of the oldest Hebrew poetry. (5) She models trust in God's word. (6) 'A mother in Israel' (Judges 5:7) — leadership grounded in care.
“Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor?”— Judges 4:6
“I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.”— Judges 4:9
Deborah was a prophetess and the fourth judge of Israel (the only woman to hold that office). Judges 4-5. She summoned Barak to lead Israel's army against Sisera, accompanied him to battle, and sang the great victory song of Judges 5. The land had rest 40 years under her leadership.
Judges 5 — Deborah and Barak's victory hymn after defeating Sisera. It is one of the oldest poems in the Bible (some date it c. 1150 BC). It celebrates God's deliverance, recounts the battle, praises tribes that fought, and concludes with Jael's killing of Sisera.
Yes. Judges 4:4 — 'And Deborah, a prophetess.' She is one of only four named prophetesses in the OT (with Miriam, Huldah, and Noadiah). She spoke God's word to Barak (Judges 4:6).
Judges 4:8 — Barak said 'If thou wilt go with me, then I will go.' His insistence has been interpreted variously — fear, lack of faith, or recognition of her authority. Deborah agreed but warned the honor would go to a woman. Hebrews 11:32 still lists Barak as a man of faith.