Anakalypsis / Unveiling the Word

Biblical Person · Old · Conquest & Judges · -1203-01-0 – -1143-01-0

Deborah

Deborah

via Wikimedia Commons

Deborah was a prophetess and judge of Israel who led the Israelites to victory over the Canaanite army led by Sisera, alongside Barak. Her story is recounted in the Book of Judges, highlighting her leadership and faith.

AI-assisted summary — may contain inaccuracies.

From Wikidata

Biographical facts

Born
-1203-01-0
Died
-1143-01-0
More
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Key events

  • Deborah and Barak c. 1209 BC — Judg 4:4

Where Deborah appears

10 verses across 2 books.

Judg9×Gen1×

Verses mentioning Deborah

  • Gen 35:8 — But Deborah Rebekah’s nurse died, and she was buried beneath Bethel under an oak: and the name of it was called Allonbachuth.
  • Judg 4:4 — And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
  • Judg 4:5 — 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.
  • Judg 4:9 — And she said, 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. And Deborah arose, and we
  • Judg 4:10 — And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him.
  • Judg 4:14 — And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousan
  • Judg 5:1 — Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying,
  • Judg 5:7 — The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel.
  • Judg 5:12 — Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam.
  • Judg 5:15 — And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; even Issachar, and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart.
Voices from the tradition

The Church Fathers on Deborah

Patristic commentary on the Scriptures that name Deborah.

The fourth song is in the book of Judges, concerning which it is written: "And Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying: When the leaders in Israel began, in the purpose of the people, bless ye the Lord. Hear, O kings, and give ear," and the rest. But she who sings these things ought to be a bee, whose work is such…

— Origen of Alexandria (253) on Judg 5:1

And in order that it may not seem as if only one widow had fulfilled this inimitable work, it seems in no way doubtful that there were many others of equal or almost equal virtue, for good seed corn usually bears many ears filled with grains. Do not doubt, then, that that ancient seedtime was fruitful in the characters of many women.…

(Judges 5:15) The leaders of Issachar were with Deborah. In Hebrew: the princes, that is, the teachers of the Law, were with Deborah to praise the Lord, and Barak followed in the footsteps of the age. It is to be understood that a certain part of them remained with Deborah to praise the Lord, and a part followed Barak to exhort and…

(Judges 5:7) However, the strong ones in Israel ceased, they paused until Deborah, a mother in Israel, arose. These strong ones are the learned teachers and preachers of the law, who are said to have paused, that is, to not have been present, until she arose to teach Israel through preaching, exhortation, and counsel, and to deliver…

"Awake, Awake, Deborah!" Increase righteousness, establish the people, arise for the glory of God and the salvation of the people. "Gathering strength, arise Barak!" Arise and establish [the people] as was said to Moses, "Stand by me." David likewise said, "Our feet stand in your courts, O Jerusalem." "He set my feet upon the rock."…

Historic voices touch this life

14 passages from 7 historic works cite verses that mention Deborah.