Barak [Bā'răk]—lightning or thunder. The son of Abinoam, a Naphtalite, who, with Deborah, defeated Sisera the leader of the Canaanites (Judg. 4:6; Heb. 11:32).

The Man Whose Bravery a Woman Inspired

In the deliverance of Israel, Deborah, and not Barak, is placed first. It is not Barak and Deborah. Barak said to Deborah, “If thou wilt go with me,” and she answered, “I will go with thee.” Thus at the word of Deborah, Barak led his men to battle and completely routed the enemy. Pursuing Sisera, Barak discovered he had been slain by a woman. The glory of victory that day did not go to Barak but to Deborah, his guiding spirit, and to Jael, who slew the enemy’s leader.

Do we have here a hint beforehand of how the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent’s head? It was by the nails and the workman’s hammer that our salvation was actually wrought. The nail that pierced the feet of the Saviour pierced the serpent’s head.