Barak

In Bible versions:

Barak: NET AVS NIV NRSV NASB TEV

a son of Abinoam in the days of the judges
son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali who defeated Sisera

---

thunder, or in vain

Arts:

Arts Topics: Deborah and Barak

Greek

Strongs #913: barak Barak

Barak = "lightning"

1) a commander of the Israelites

913 Barak bar-ak'

of Hebrew origin (1301); Barak, an Israelite:-Barak.
see HEBREW for 01301

Hebrew

Strongs #01301: qrb Baraq

Barak = "lightning" or "lightning flash"

1) son of Abinoam of Kedesh who, incited by Deborah, a prophetess of
Ephraim, delivered the Israelites from the yoke of Jabin by routing
the Canaanites in the plain of Jezreel

1301 Baraq baw-rawk'

the same as 1300; Barak, an Israelite:-Barak.
see HEBREW for 01300

Barak [EBD]

lightning, the son of Abinoam (Judg. 4:6). At the summons of Deborah he made war against Jabin. She accompanied him into the battle, and gave the signal for the little army to make the attack; in which the host of Jabin was completely routed. The battle was fought (Judg. 4:16) in the plain of Jezreel (q.v.). This deliverance of Israel is commemorated in Judg. 5. Barak's faith is commended (Heb. 11:32). "The character of Barak, though pious, does not seem to have been heroic. Like Gideon, and in a sense Samson, he is an illustration of the words in Heb. 11:34, 'Out of weakness were made strong.'" (See DEBORAH.)

Barak [NAVE]

BARAK, a judge in Israel, Judg. 4; 5; Heb. 11:32.

BARAK [SMITH]

(lightning), son of Abinoam of Kedesh, a refuge city in Mount Naphtali, was incited by Deborah, a prophetess of Ephraim, to deliver Israel from the yolk of Jabin. Judges 4. He utterly routed the Canaanites int eh plain of Jezreel (Esdraelon). (B.C. 1291-1251.)

BARAK [ISBE]

BARAK - ba'-rak (baraq, "lightning flash"): The name occurs in Sabeanbarqac, in Palmyrene baraq, and in Punic Barcas, as surname of Hamilcar; and as Divine name in Assyrian Ramman-Birqu and Gibil-Birqu (Del. Assyrian, HWB, 187). Barak was the son of Abinoam of Kedesh, a refuge city in Mt. Naphtali. He was summoned by the prophetess Deborah to lead his countrymen to war against the Canaanites under the leadership of Sisera. From the celebrated ode of Deborah we gather that Israel suffered at the hand of the enemy; the caravan roads were in danger, traffic almost ceased; the cultivated country was plundered (Jdg 5:6,7). The fighting men in Israel were disarmed, a shield was not to be seen nor a spear among forty thousand men (Jdg 5:8). The prophetess raised the signal of struggle for independence. Soon Barak came to her aid. With an army of 10,000 men--according to Jdg 4:10 they were all drawn from Zebulun and Naphtali, whereas Jdg 5:13-18 adds Benjamin, Machir and Issachar to the list of faithful tribes--Barak, accompanied by Deborah, rushed to the summit of Mt. Tabor. This location was very favorable to the rudely armed Israelites in warding off the danger of the well-armed enemy. The wooded slopes protected them against the chariots of the Canaanites. In addition they were within striking distance should the enemy expose himself on the march. Under the heavy rainfall the alluvial plain became a morass, in which the heavy-armed troops found it impossible to move. Soon the little stream Kishon was filled with chariots, horses and Canaanites. Sisera abandoned his chariot and fled on foot. Barak pursued him and found him murdered by Jael in her tent. This completed the victory. See BEDAN; Moore, "Judges," at the place.

Samuel Cohon