King James Version

What Does Judges 5:31 Mean?

Judges 5:31 in the King James Version says “So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And ...” — study this verse from Judges chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years.”

Judges 5:31 · KJV

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Context

29

Her wise ladies answered her, yea, she returned answer to herself, answer: Heb. her words

30

Have they not sped? have they not divided the prey; to every man a damsel or two; to Sisera a prey of divers colours, a prey of divers colours of needlework, of divers colours of needlework on both sides, meet for the necks of them that take the spoil? every: Heb. the head of a man

31

So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years.

This passage relates to the Song of Deborah celebrating divine victory, 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 the Song of Deborah celebrating divine victory. 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 the Song of Deborah celebrating divine victory 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 · 13 words
כֵּ֠ן1 of 13
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

יֹֽאבְד֤וּ2 of 13

“perish”

H6

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

כָל3 of 13
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֽוֹיְבֶ֙יךָ֙4 of 13

“So let all thine enemies”

H341

hating; an adversary

יְהוָ֔ה5 of 13

“O LORD”

H3068

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

וְאֹ֣הֲבָ֔יו6 of 13

“but let them that love”

H157

to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)

כְּצֵ֥את7 of 13

“when he goeth forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

הַשֶּׁ֖מֶשׁ8 of 13

“him be as the sun”

H8121

the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement

בִּגְבֻרָת֑וֹ9 of 13

“in his might”

H1369

force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory

וַתִּשְׁקֹ֥ט10 of 13

“had rest”

H8252

to repose (usually figurative)

הָאָ֖רֶץ11 of 13

“And the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אַרְבָּעִ֥ים12 of 13

“forty”

H705

forty

שָׁנָֽה׃13 of 13

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

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 5:31 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 5:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 37:62 Samuel 23:4Psalms 19:4-5Psalms 89:36Psalms 91:14Daniel 12:3

Test Your Knowledge

Judges 5 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJudges Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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