Judges 5:2
Verse
Context
Sermons
Roy Daniel
T. Austin-SparksT. Austin-Sparks
K.P. YohannanSummary
Commentary
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
2 That the strong in Israel showed themselves strong, That the people willingly offered themselves, Praise ye the Lord! The meaning of פּרע and פּרעות is a subject of dispute. According to the Septuagint rendering, and that of Theodot., ἐν τῷ ἄρξασθαι ἀρχηγοὺς ἐν Ἰσραήλ, many give it the meaning to begin or to lead, and endeavour to establish this meaning from an Arabic word signifying to find one's self at the head of an affair. But this meaning cannot be established in Hebrew. פּרע has no other meaning than to let loose from something, to let a person loose or free (see at Lev 10:6); and in the only other passage where פּרעות occurs (Deu 32:42), it does not refer to a leader, but to the luxuriant growth of the hair as the sign of great strength. Hence in this passage also פּרעות literally means comati, the hairy ones, i.e., those who possessed strength; and פּרע, to manifest or put forth strength. The persons referred to are the champions in the fight, who went before the nation with strength and bravery. The preposition בּ before פּרע indicates the reason for praising God, or rather the object with which the praise of the Lord was connected. וגו בּפרע, literally "in the showing themselves strong." The meaning is, "for the fact that the strong in Israel put forth strength." התנדּב, to prove one's self willing, here to go into the battle of their own free will, without any outward and authoritative command. This introduction transports us in the most striking manner into the time of the judges, when Israel had no king who could summon the nation to war, but everything depended upon the voluntary rising of the strong and the will of the nation at large. The manifestation of this strength and willingness Deborah praises as a gracious gift of the Lord. After this summons to praise the Lord, the first part of the song opens with an appeal to the kings and princes of the earth to hear what Deborah has to proclaim to the praise of God.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
The meaning is obscurely seen in our version; it has been better rendered thus, "Praise ye Jehovah; for the free are freed in Israel--the people have willingly offered themselves" [ROBINSON].
John Gill Bible Commentary
Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel,.... The injuries done to Israel by any of their enemies, and particularly what wrongs had been done them by Jabin, king of Canaan, for twenty years past; though some understand it of the vengeance God took on Israel for their sins; and though praise is not given directly for that, yet inasmuch as, when that was the case, there were some whose spirits were stirred up to engage voluntarily in the deliverance of them from the oppression of their enemies, it was matter of praise: when the people willingly offered themselves: to go and fight for Israel against their enemies, particularly those of the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali, Jdg 5:18; though not excluding others that joined, who could not have been forced to it, had they not freely offered themselves; and which was owing to the secret influence of divine Providence on their hearts, moving and drawing them to this service; and therefore praise was due to the Lord on this account, who works in the hearts of men both to will and to do, as in things spiritual and religious, so in things natural and civil.
Judges 5:2
The Song of Deborah and Barak
1On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song: 2“When the princes take the lead in Israel, when the people volunteer, bless the LORD. 3Listen, O kings! Give ear, O princes! I will sing to the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD, the God of Israel.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Unity
By Roy Daniel6451:06:08JDG 1:5JDG 5:2JDG 5:92CH 17:16HEB 13:161PE 4:8In this sermon, the preacher shares a sad incident that occurred during a prayer meeting in South Africa. Initially, the prayer meeting was powerful and effective, with people seeking the presence of God. However, the meeting took a negative turn when they started spending time talking and debating instead of praying. This led to angry arguments and ultimately caused the prayer group to split up, leaving only a few people praying. The preacher emphasizes the importance of unity among Christians and highlights the devil's knowledge of this fact. He also references Bible verses that teach about the grace of God and the need to live righteously. The sermon concludes with a story about two individuals who tried to share the gospel but failed to show love and unity, ultimately hindering their efforts.
Leadership
By T. Austin-Sparks0Divine AppointmentSpiritual LeadershipJDG 5:2MAT 20:26ACT 20:281CO 11:1EPH 4:11PHP 3:171TI 3:1HEB 13:17JAS 3:11PE 5:2T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the critical role of leadership in both spiritual and practical realms, asserting that effective leadership is essential for overcoming challenges and guiding communities. He argues that true leadership is divinely appointed rather than based on natural abilities or personal ambition, and that leaders must often endure personal struggles while inspiring others. Sparks highlights the importance of recognizing the unique role of spiritual leaders within the church, who, while subordinate to Christ, are necessary for maintaining order and direction. He encourages all believers to embody leadership qualities by inspiring others to pursue their faith actively. Ultimately, he calls for a recognition of the divine imperative of leadership in the church and the necessity of following the example of Christ as the ultimate leader.
Leadership and Ministry (Judges 5:2)
By T. Austin-Sparks0LeadershipDivine OrderEXO 17:9DEU 33:16JDG 5:2MAT 20:26ROM 12:81CO 12:28EPH 4:111TH 2:7HEB 13:171PE 5:2T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the critical role of leadership in both spiritual and practical realms, asserting that effective leadership is essential for overcoming challenges and guiding communities towards their divine purpose. He highlights that true leaders are chosen by God, not merely by human qualifications, and they often face significant opposition and personal struggles. The sermon draws on biblical examples, particularly Moses and Joshua, to illustrate the qualities of spiritual leadership, including humility, courage, and a deep connection with God. Sparks also discusses the importance of inspiration in leadership, as exemplified by Deborah, who, despite being a woman in a traditionally male role, inspired others through her prophetic insight and maternal concern for her people. Ultimately, the message calls for recognizing and embracing the divine order of leadership within the Church.
What Happened?
By K.P. Yohannan0ServanthoodVision and PassionJDG 21:25ACT 5:411CO 1:27PHP 1:29PHP 2:21PHP 3:4K.P. Yohannan addresses the decline of passion and vision in movements over time, illustrating how organizations can shift from being vibrant and radical to becoming rigid and bureaucratic. He reflects on the historical trajectory of movements like the YMCA and the Salvation Army, emphasizing the need for continual renewal and adaptation to avoid stagnation. Yohannan warns against the dangers of prioritizing structure over heart, and external rewards over genuine service, which can lead to a transactional mindset. He encourages a return to servanthood and faithfulness, highlighting that true value lies in a heart willing to serve rather than in titles or recognition. The sermon calls for introspection on how individuals and organizations can maintain their original zeal and purpose.
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
2 That the strong in Israel showed themselves strong, That the people willingly offered themselves, Praise ye the Lord! The meaning of פּרע and פּרעות is a subject of dispute. According to the Septuagint rendering, and that of Theodot., ἐν τῷ ἄρξασθαι ἀρχηγοὺς ἐν Ἰσραήλ, many give it the meaning to begin or to lead, and endeavour to establish this meaning from an Arabic word signifying to find one's self at the head of an affair. But this meaning cannot be established in Hebrew. פּרע has no other meaning than to let loose from something, to let a person loose or free (see at Lev 10:6); and in the only other passage where פּרעות occurs (Deu 32:42), it does not refer to a leader, but to the luxuriant growth of the hair as the sign of great strength. Hence in this passage also פּרעות literally means comati, the hairy ones, i.e., those who possessed strength; and פּרע, to manifest or put forth strength. The persons referred to are the champions in the fight, who went before the nation with strength and bravery. The preposition בּ before פּרע indicates the reason for praising God, or rather the object with which the praise of the Lord was connected. וגו בּפרע, literally "in the showing themselves strong." The meaning is, "for the fact that the strong in Israel put forth strength." התנדּב, to prove one's self willing, here to go into the battle of their own free will, without any outward and authoritative command. This introduction transports us in the most striking manner into the time of the judges, when Israel had no king who could summon the nation to war, but everything depended upon the voluntary rising of the strong and the will of the nation at large. The manifestation of this strength and willingness Deborah praises as a gracious gift of the Lord. After this summons to praise the Lord, the first part of the song opens with an appeal to the kings and princes of the earth to hear what Deborah has to proclaim to the praise of God.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
The meaning is obscurely seen in our version; it has been better rendered thus, "Praise ye Jehovah; for the free are freed in Israel--the people have willingly offered themselves" [ROBINSON].
John Gill Bible Commentary
Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel,.... The injuries done to Israel by any of their enemies, and particularly what wrongs had been done them by Jabin, king of Canaan, for twenty years past; though some understand it of the vengeance God took on Israel for their sins; and though praise is not given directly for that, yet inasmuch as, when that was the case, there were some whose spirits were stirred up to engage voluntarily in the deliverance of them from the oppression of their enemies, it was matter of praise: when the people willingly offered themselves: to go and fight for Israel against their enemies, particularly those of the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali, Jdg 5:18; though not excluding others that joined, who could not have been forced to it, had they not freely offered themselves; and which was owing to the secret influence of divine Providence on their hearts, moving and drawing them to this service; and therefore praise was due to the Lord on this account, who works in the hearts of men both to will and to do, as in things spiritual and religious, so in things natural and civil.