Judges · around 1200 BC
Deborah in the Bible
Prophetess and judge, “a mother in Israel”. Name meaning: “Bee” (Hebrew Devorah)
A prophetess and the only woman among Israel’s judges, Deborah dispensed justice under a palm tree in the hill country of Ephraim. Through her word, God mobilized Barak and delivered Israel from twenty years of Canaanite oppression, and she then celebrated the victory in a magnificent song. Her story shows a God who freely chooses his servants and gives victory to those who move forward on his word.
Key moments
- She judges Israel under the palm tree of Deborah Judges 4:5
- She relays the LORD’s command to Barak Judges 4:6
- “I will surely go with thee”: she accompanies Barak Judges 4:9
- “Up; for this is the day…” Judges 4:14
- Jael strikes down Sisera, as prophesied Judges 4:21
- The victory song with Barak Judges 5:1
- Forty years of rest for the land Judges 5:31
Strengths
- Courageous faith
- Discernment
- Spiritual authority
- Encouragement
- Praise
Weaknesses
The Bible records no fault of Deborah. The weaknesses in the story lie with Barak, who refuses to go without her (Judg 4:8), and with the tribes that stayed home instead of answering the call (Judg 5:16-17).
Lessons for today
- God calls whom he wills, man or woman, when his people need a faithful voice (Judg 4:4).
- Encouraging means pushing others to obey God without taking their place: Deborah does not command the army, she sets Barak in motion (Judg 4:14).
- Victory comes from the LORD who goes out before us, even against nine hundred chariots of iron (Judg 4:14-15).
- Staying on the sidelines has a cost: the song blesses those who rise up and blames those who stay home (Judg 5:9, 23).
And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the Lord hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the Lord gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.
So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years.
People around Deborah
- Barak — Army commander whom she calls and accompanies
- Lapidoth — Her husband
- Jael — Wife of Heber the Kenite, who kills Sisera
- Sisera — Commander of Jabin’s army, the defeated enemy
- Jabin — King of Canaan at Hazor, the oppressor
Stories with Deborah
Quiz: how well do you know Deborah?
Under which tree did Deborah dispense justice?
“She dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel,” and the Israelites came up to her for judgment. Judges 4:4–5
Which military leader did Deborah call to fight Sisera?
“She sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh-naphtali” and relayed the LORD’s command to him. Judges 4:6
Who killed Sisera?
“Jael Heber’s wife took a nail of the tent… and smote the nail into his temples.” Barak arrived afterward and found him dead. Judges 4:21–22
There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.