King James Version

What Does Judges 4:6 Mean?

Judges 4:6 in the King James Version says “And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Isra... — study this verse from Judges chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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?

Judges 4:6 · KJV


Context

4

And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.

5

And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.

6

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?

7

And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.

8

And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh-naphtali, 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?

This passage relates to Deborah and Barak's victory over Sisera, demonstrating God's sovereign choice and empowerment of deliverers. The judges themselves display varying degrees of faith and character flaws, yet God works through these imperfect human instruments to accomplish His purposes. This illustrates the biblical pattern that God's power is made perfect in human weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Theologically, these early judges establish the pattern of divine deliverance through unlikely means. God chooses the weak, marginalized, and flawed to demonstrate that victory comes from His power, not human strength. This anticipates Paul's teaching that "God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty" (1 Corinthians 1:27).

The military victories recorded here serve spiritual purposes—they deliver Israel from physical oppression but more importantly provide opportunity for spiritual renewal. Each deliverance creates space for Israel to return to covenant faithfulness. However, the repeated cycles show these deliverances provided only temporary relief, pointing to the need for the ultimate Deliverer who would provide permanent victory over sin and spiritual oppression through His death and resurrection.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: The Book of Judges spans approximately 350-400 years (c. 1375-1050 BCE) during the Late Bronze Age collapse and early Iron Age. This period saw the disintegration of major empires (Hittites, Mycenaeans) and weakening of Egyptian control over Canaan, creating a power vacuum filled by emerging peoples including Philistines (Sea Peoples), Aramaeans, and regional kingdoms. The decentralized tribal structure left Israel vulnerable to external oppression and internal chaos.

Cultural Context: This passage relates to Deborah and Barak's victory over Sisera. Canaanite religion dominated the region, centered on Baal (storm/fertility god), Asherah (mother goddess), and Anat (war goddess). Archaeological discoveries at Ugarit (Ras Shamra) have provided extensive information about Canaanite mythology and religious practices. Baal worship involved ritual prostitution, child sacrifice, and fertility rites tied to agricultural seasons. Israel's persistent attraction to these gods demonstrates the strong cultural pressure to conform to surrounding nations' religious practices.

The material culture of this period shows gradual Israelite settlement in the Canaanite hill country, with simpler pottery and architecture than coastal Canaanite cities. Iron technology was beginning to spread, giving military advantage to peoples who mastered it (note the Philistines' iron monopoly, 1 Samuel 13:19-22). The absence of centralized government during the judges period stands in stark contrast to the bureaucratic city-states of Canaan and the imperial administration of Egypt and Mesopotamia. This political structure reflected Israel's theocratic ideal—God as king—yet the repeated cycles of apostasy showed this ideal required more than political structures; it demanded heart transformation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage about Deborah and Barak's victory over Sisera reveal God's character in dealing with persistent human rebellion and incomplete obedience?
  2. What patterns of spiritual compromise or incomplete obedience in your own life mirror Israel's failures during the judges period?
  3. How does understanding the cyclical nature of sin and deliverance in Judges help you appreciate Christ's perfect and final deliverance from sin's power?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַתִּשְׁלַ֗ח1 of 27

And she sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

וַתִּקְרָא֙2 of 27

and called

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

לְבָרָ֣ק3 of 27

Barak

H1301

barak, an israelite

וּמִבְּנֵ֥י4 of 27

and of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אֲבִינֹ֔עַם5 of 27

of Abinoam

H42

abinoam, an israelite

מִקֶּ֖דֶשׁ6 of 27

out of Kedeshnaphtali

H6943

kedesh, the name of four places in palestine

נַפְתָּלִ֖י7 of 27

of Naphtali

H5321

naphtali, a son of jacob, with the tribe descended from him, and its territory

וַתֹּ֨אמֶר8 of 27

and said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֜יו9 of 27
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הֲלֹ֥א10 of 27
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

צִוָּ֣ה׀11 of 27

commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

יְהוָ֣ה12 of 27

unto him Hath not the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵֽי13 of 27

God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל14 of 27

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לֵ֤ךְ15 of 27
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וּמָֽשַׁכְתָּ֙16 of 27

and draw

H4900

to draw, used in a great variety of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong, to develop, to march, to remove, to delay, to be tall, etc.)

בְּהַ֣ר17 of 27

toward mount

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

תָּב֔וֹר18 of 27

Tabor

H8396

tabor, a mountain in palestine, also a city adjacent

וְלָֽקַחְתָּ֣19 of 27

and take

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

עִמְּךָ֗20 of 27
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

עֲשֶׂ֤רֶת21 of 27

with thee ten

H6235

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

אֲלָפִים֙22 of 27

thousand

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

אִ֔ישׁ23 of 27

men

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וּמִבְּנֵ֥י24 of 27

and of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

נַפְתָּלִ֖י25 of 27

of Naphtali

H5321

naphtali, a son of jacob, with the tribe descended from him, and its territory

וּמִבְּנֵ֥י26 of 27

and of the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

זְבֻלֽוּן׃27 of 27

of Zebulun

H2074

zebulon, a son of jacob; also his territory and tribe


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Judges. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Judges 4:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Judges 4:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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