Now Deborah, a [a]prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. She used to [b]sit under the (A)palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the sons of Israel went up to her for judgment. Now she sent word and summoned (B)Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali, and said to him, “[c]The Lord, the God of Israel, has indeed commanded, ‘Go and march to Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men from the sons of Naphtali and from the sons of Zebulun. I will draw out to you Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his [d]many troops to the river Kishon, and (C)I will hand him over to you.’” Then Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.” She said, “I will certainly go with you; however, the fame shall not be yours on the journey that you are about to take, (D)for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Then Deborah got up and went with Barak to Kedesh. 10 Barak summoned (E)Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh, and ten thousand men went up [e](F)with him; Deborah also went up with him.

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Footnotes

  1. Judges 4:4 Lit woman prophetess
  2. Judges 4:5 Or live
  3. Judges 4:6 Lit Has the Lord not commanded...?
  4. Judges 4:7 Lit multitude
  5. Judges 4:10 Lit at his feet

Now Deborah,(A) a prophet,(B) the wife of Lappidoth, was leading[a] Israel at that time. She held court(C) under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah(D) and Bethel(E) in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided. She sent for Barak son of Abinoam(F) from Kedesh(G) in Naphtali and said to him, “The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you: ‘Go, take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali(H) and Zebulun(I) and lead them up to Mount Tabor.(J) I will lead Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s(K) army, with his chariots and his troops to the Kishon River(L) and give him into your hands.(M)’”

Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.”

“Certainly I will go with you,” said Deborah. “But because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh.(N) 10 There Barak summoned(O) Zebulun and Naphtali, and ten thousand men went up under his command. Deborah also went up with him.

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Footnotes

  1. Judges 4:4 Traditionally judging