Judges 4 12

Judges 4:12 kjv

And they showed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor.

Judges 4:12 nkjv

And they reported to Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor.

Judges 4:12 niv

When they told Sisera that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor,

Judges 4:12 esv

When Sisera was told that Barak the son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor,

Judges 4:12 nlt

When Sisera was told that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor,

Judges 4 verses

Judges 4 12 Meaning

Judges 4:12 indicates that Sisera, the commander of Jabin king of Canaan's army, received intelligence that Barak, responding to the divine command given through Deborah, had strategically positioned his forces on Mount Tabor. This critical report sets the stage for the impending battle, confirming Sisera's awareness of the Israelite mobilization and leading to the direct confrontation prophesied by God.

Judges 4 12 Context

Judges chapter 4 depicts Israel's severe oppression by Jabin, King of Canaan, and his formidable army commander, Sisera, who commanded 900 iron chariots. This oppression had lasted twenty years, crying out for deliverance. Deborah, a prophetess and a judge, rose as God's instrument to call Barak to military action. She conveyed God's explicit command for Barak to gather 10,000 men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun and position them on Mount Tabor. Barak, while initially hesitant to go without Deborah's presence, eventually agreed. Verse 4:12 signals the immediate consequence of Barak's obedience and strategic deployment: Sisera's forces are informed of the Israelite assembly, initiating the inevitable military confrontation divinely orchestrated for Israel's deliverance.

Judges 4 12 Word analysis

• And they told: (וַיַּגִּ֙ידוּ֙ - vayyaggidu). From the Hebrew root נָגַד (nagad), meaning "to tell, announce, make known." The Hifil stem here indicates a causal or declarative action, meaning someone caused Sisera to know, implying his intelligence network provided him with a report. This active intelligence gathering by Sisera’s side immediately sets in motion the narrative.

• Sisera: (סִיסְרָא - Sisra). The chief antagonist, the powerful military commander of King Jabin, symbolizing the oppression against Israel. His identity as the recipient of the intelligence is crucial; his actions define the next phase of the battle.

• that Barak: (כִּֽי־בָרָק֙ - ki Barak). "Barak" (בָּרָק) means "lightning." This name could imply swiftness or sudden appearance, suitable for a military leader who strikes quickly. The reporting of his name specifically signifies that a well-known military figure is at the helm of the Israelite force.

• the son of Abinoam: (בֶּן־אֲבִינֹ֖עַם - ben Avino`am). "Abinoam" (אֲבִינֹעַם) means "my father is pleasantness/delight." This lineage provides further identification and establishes Barak’s recognized standing within his tribal region of Naphtali.

• was gone up: (עָלָ֥ה - `alah). From the verb עָלָה (`alah), "to go up, ascend, climb." This word conveys more than merely "arrived." It indicates a deliberate, strategic movement upwards, likely suggesting an encampment or positioning on the mountain. It emphasizes the active, chosen ascent as a military maneuver.

• to mount Tabor: (אֶל־הַ֥ר תָּבֽוֹר - ’el har Tavor). "Har" (הַר) means "mountain." "Tabor" (תָּבוֹר) refers to the distinct, prominent, and isolated dome-shaped mountain in Galilee, strategically located at the convergence of three tribal territories (Issachar, Zebulun, and Naphtali). Its elevation provided a commanding view and an inherent advantage against armies relying on chariots in flat terrain. Its selection was a divinely guided strategic choice.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "And they told Sisera that Barak... was gone up": This phrase highlights the effectiveness of Sisera’s intelligence network. However, it implicitly showcases divine providence; even the enemy’s intelligence gathering is part of God’s larger plan to draw Sisera into the very place chosen by God for his defeat.
  • "Barak... was gone up to Mount Tabor": This emphasizes Barak’s obedience to Deborah’s prophetic instruction. The ascent to Mount Tabor was not just any random move but a strategic positioning, taking advantage of the terrain to nullify Sisera’s strength (chariots). This act of faith-filled obedience put God’s plan into action.

Judges 4 12 Bonus section

• The rapid relay of information to Sisera suggests his meticulous preparedness and reliance on extensive reconnaissance, which paradoxically leads him into God's appointed trap.
• Mount Tabor's unique elevation and visibility meant that Barak's ascent was an unmistakable signal and a clear challenge, intended to provoke Sisera's immediate response.
• This verse undergirds the theme that God’s plans are not contingent on human secrecy or covert operations but can unfold openly, leveraging even the enemy's actions for divine victory.
• The Canaanite religious worldview likely relied on gods associated with strength and war; the ensuing defeat would demonstrate YHWH's absolute supremacy over these false deities.

Judges 4 12 Commentary

Judges 4:12 serves as a pivotal point in the narrative, marking the transition from preparation to direct engagement in the Lord’s battle for Israel. The report reaching Sisera’s ears signals the culmination of Deborah’s prophecy and Barak’s strategic obedience. The simple act of "going up" to Mount Tabor, a divinely appointed rendezvous, transforms it from a geographical landmark into a spiritual stage. For Sisera, this intelligence must have seemed straightforward – a conventional report of enemy movement. Yet, for the believer, it illustrates God's complete sovereignty: He utilizes the mundane act of reporting, even by the enemy’s scouts, to further His divine purpose. Sisera, despite his imposing 900 chariots, is being drawn to a terrain where his primary military advantage will be negated, and ultimately, where God Himself will fight and ensure Israel's deliverance, showcasing His power over the might of nations.