5:4 O Lord, when you departed 2 from Seir,
when you marched from Edom’s plains,
the earth shook, the heavens poured down,
the clouds poured down rain. 3
5:7 Warriors 4 were scarce, 5
they were scarce in Israel,
until you 6 arose, Deborah,
until you arose as a motherly protector 7 in Israel.
5:10 You who ride on light-colored female donkeys,
who sit on saddle blankets, 8
you who walk on the road, pay attention!
6:36 Gideon said to God, “If you really intend to use me to deliver Israel, 17 as you promised, then give me a sign as proof. 18
8:22 The men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule over us – you, your son, and your grandson. For you have delivered us from Midian’s power.” 22
1 tn Heb “saw.”
2 tn Or “went out.”
3 tn Heb “water.”
4 tn The meaning of the Hebrew noun פְרָזוֹן (fÿrazon) is uncertain. Some understand the meaning as “leaders” or “those living in rural areas.” The singular noun appears to be collective (note the accompanying plural verb). For various options see B. Lindars, Judges 1-5, 237-38.
5 tn Or “ceased.”
6 tn The translation assumes that the verb is an archaic second feminine singular form. Though Deborah is named as one of the composers of the song (v. 1), she is also addressed within it (v. 12). Many take the verb as first person singular, “I arose” (cf. NAB, NASB, NIV).
7 tn Heb “mother.” The translation assumes that the image portrays Deborah as a protector of the people. It is possible that the metaphor points to her prophetic role. Just as a male prophet could be called “father,” so Deborah, a prophetess, is called “mother” (B. Lindars, Judges 1-5, 239).
8 tn The meaning of the Hebrew word מִדִּין (middin, “saddle blankets”) in this context is uncertain.
9 sn Some interpreters equate the
10 tn Heb “Go in this strength of yours.”
11 tn Heb “the hand of Midian.”
12 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Gideon) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
13 tn Heb “If I have found favor in your eyes.”
14 tn Heb “perform for me.”
15 tn The Hebrew text adds “to you,” but this has not been included in the translation for stylistic reasons.
16 tn Heb “and I will bring out my gift.” The precise nuance of the Hebrew word מִנְחָה (minkhah, “gift”) is uncertain in this context. It may refer to a gift offered as a sign of goodwill or submission. In some cases it is used of a gift offered to appease someone whom the offerer has offended. The word can also carry a sacrificial connotation.
17 tn More literally, “you are about to deliver Israel by my hand.”
18 tn The words “then give me a sign as proof” are supplied in the translation for clarification.
19 tn Heb “the people who are with you are too numerous for me to give Midian into their hand.”
20 tn Heb “might glorify itself against me.”
21 tn Heb “my hand has delivered me.”
22 tn Heb “hand.”
23 tn Heb “Look! He and the people who are with him will come out to you, and you will do to him what your hand finds [to do].”
24 tn Heb “according to all whatever is good in your eyes.”
25 sn You do to us as you see fit, but deliver us today. The request seems contradictory, but it can be explained in one of two ways. They may be asking for relief from their enemies and direct discipline from God’s hand. Or they may mean, “In the future you can do whatever you like to us, but give us relief from what we’re suffering right now.”
26 tn Heb “The
27 sn The
28 tn Heb “Now.”
29 tn Or “dispossessed.”
30 tn Heb “will you dispossess him [i.e., Israel; or possibly “it,” i.e., the territory]?” There is no interrogative marker in the Hebrew text.
31 tn Or “sinned against you.”
32 tn Or “evil.”
33 tn The adjective “angelic” is interpretive (also in vv. 6, 9).
34 tn Heb “Look, you.”
35 tn Heb “and have not given birth.”
36 tn Heb “you are unable to tell me.”
37 tn Heb “Give your riddle so we can hear it.”
38 tn Heb “bitter in spirit.” This phrase is used in 2 Sam 17:8 of David and his warriors, who are compared to a bear robbed of her cubs.
39 tn Heb “and you will gather up your life and the life of your house.”
40 tn Heb “the man, the traveler.”