Judges 4 8

Judges 4:8 kjv

And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.

Judges 4:8 nkjv

And Barak said to her, "If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go!"

Judges 4:8 niv

Barak said to her, "If you go with me, I will go; but if you don't go with me, I won't go."

Judges 4:8 esv

Barak said to her, "If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go."

Judges 4:8 nlt

Barak told her, "I will go, but only if you go with me."

Judges 4 verses

Judges 4 8 Meaning

Judges 4:8 portrays Barak's conditional response to Deborah's divine summons. Despite receiving a clear command from the Lord through Deborah to lead Israel's army against Sisera, Barak declares he will only go to battle if Deborah accompanies him. This statement reveals his hesitation and apparent lack of complete faith to obey the divine directive solely based on God's word. It highlights his perceived need for Deborah's physical presence, perhaps symbolizing God's manifest presence or providing personal assurance.

Judges 4 8 Context

Judges Chapter 4 details Israel's oppression under Jabin, the King of Hazor, whose army was led by Sisera. This period follows Israel's recurring pattern of apostasy, oppression, crying out to God, and God raising a deliverer (a judge). Deborah, a prophetess and the current judge of Israel, receives a direct command from the Lord for Barak: gather 10,000 men and draw Sisera and his army to Mount Tabor for battle, promising victory. Barak's reply in Judges 4:8 is a direct response to this divine mandate, revealing his human frailty and conditioned obedience, despite the clear divine backing for the mission. Historically, this highlights a time of severe spiritual and military weakness for Israel, where even a military leader hesitates without additional divine assurance symbolized by the prophetess's presence.

Judges 4 8 Word analysis

• And Barak said to her,
  • Barak (בָּרָק - Barāq): Meaning "lightning," which ironically contrasts with his hesitant action in this verse. His name suggests speed and force, yet his behavior here is conditional and cautious.
  • said (וַיֹּאמֶר - waYōʾmer): A common Hebrew verb, yet its placement here marks the pivotal moment of Barak's response to the divine command, indicating his personal will.
  • to her (אֵלֶיהָ - ʾēlêhā): Directly addressing Deborah, the medium of the divine command, yet his focus shifts from the source (God) to the messenger (Deborah).
• "If you will go with me,"
  • If (אִם - ʾim): A crucial conditional particle. This small word introduces a significant qualification, transforming a direct divine command into a negotiated commitment. It signals his action is contingent.
  • will go (תֵלְכִי - tēlĕkî): Future tense of "to go," referring to Deborah's action.
  • with me (עִמִּי - ʿimmî): This phrase underscores Barak's dependency on Deborah's physical presence. It suggests a need for visible assurance of God's presence, Deborah's prophetic authority, or simply her moral support, rather than full trust in the command given by God's word alone. This implies a lack of complete conviction to proceed without human corroboration.
• "I will go;"
  • I will go (אֵלֵךְ - ʾēlēḵ): Barak's agreement to obey, but critically, it's a qualified agreement, highlighting that his will to engage is subject to his condition being met.
• "but if you will not go with me, I will not go."
  • but if (וְאִם לֹא - veʾim lōʾ): Reinforces the preceding conditional statement with a strong negative consequence, leaving no room for misinterpretation of his stance.
  • will not go with me (לֹא תֵלְכִי עִמִּי - lōʾ tēlĕkî ʿimmî): The exact negative inverse of his condition, clearly outlining the precise scenario under which he would refuse.
  • I will not go (לֹא אֵלֵךְ - lōʾ ʾēlēḵ): This definitive negative reasserts his refusal if Deborah does not accompany him, showcasing the depth of his dependence on her presence rather than on the unvarnished divine instruction.
• Word-Group Analysis:
  • "If you will go with me... I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.": This structure highlights Barak's stark conditionality. It shows a profound personal reliance on Deborah rather than direct, unwavering faith in God's direct command mediated through her. It also underscores a potential fear or lack of self-confidence in fulfilling a divinely appointed military role without tangible divine endorsement, which for him, was embodied by Deborah. This exposes a human vulnerability where spiritual commands are weighed against personal security or assurance.

Judges 4 8 Bonus section

• Barak's action here has been interpreted in various ways by scholars: as an absolute lack of faith, a prudential request for the manifestation of God's presence (via His prophetess) in a crucial battle, or as a reflection of the cultural norm that one should seek God's counsel through a prophet before battle. However, given the immediate, direct nature of Deborah's initial command ("Has not the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded you?"), it most often points to Barak's need for extra reassurance beyond the already spoken divine word.
• This exchange sets up the prophecy in Judges 4:9, where Deborah declares that the "renown" of Sisera's defeat will go to a woman. This direct consequence of Barak's condition highlights how God may still achieve His purposes, but without giving full honor to those who falter in complete obedience. This eventually culminates in Jael, a non-Israelite woman, killing Sisera, further illustrating God's sovereignty and His use of unexpected agents.

Judges 4 8 Commentary

Judges 4:8 reveals a significant moment in Barak's character: a test of his faith and obedience. Faced with a divine directive mediated through Deborah, a prophetess, Barak hesitated. His demand for Deborah's personal accompaniment signals either a profound lack of faith in God's word delivered through her, a pragmatic need for divine authentication on the battlefield via Deborah's prophetic presence, or simple timidity in facing a formidable enemy. While his willingness to go if she came suggests some level of potential obedience, the conditionality exposes his vulnerability and human reliance over divine trust. Deborah's subsequent acceptance of his condition, but with the prophecy that the glory of the victory would not be his, underscores God's sovereignty. God fulfills His plan despite human weakness, using whomever He wills, while still holding individuals accountable for their faith and obedience. The verse serves as a reminder that true obedience requires trusting God's word implicitly, even when human assurance or presence is desired.