Judges 5:10 kjv
Speak, ye that ride on white asses, ye that sit in judgment, and walk by the way.
Judges 5:10 nkjv
"Speak, you who ride on white donkeys, Who sit in judges' attire, And who walk along the road.
Judges 5:10 niv
"You who ride on white donkeys, sitting on your saddle blankets, and you who walk along the road, consider
Judges 5:10 esv
"Tell of it, you who ride on white donkeys, you who sit on rich carpets and you who walk by the way.
Judges 5:10 nlt
"Consider this, you who ride on fine donkeys,
you who sit on fancy saddle blankets,
and you who walk along the road.
Judges 5 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 145:4-7 | One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts… They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness… | God's works to be declared by generations. |
| Psa 107:2, 8 | Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble… Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! | The delivered should declare God's deeds. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | ...that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. | New Testament call to proclaim God's virtues. |
| Deu 4:9 | Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen… Make them known to your children and your children's children. | Command to remember and teach God's deeds. |
| Psa 78:4 | We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and His might, and the wonders that He has done. | Generational passing on of God's acts. |
| Psa 98:1-3 | Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done marvelous things... His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory... The LORD has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations. | God's victory and righteousness made known. |
| Isa 12:4-5 | And in that day you will say: “Give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples, proclaim that His name is exalted. Sing praises to the LORD, for He has done gloriously..." | Prophetic call to proclaim God's deeds. |
| Act 1:8 | But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses... to the end of the earth. | Call to be witnesses of Christ's work. |
| Mat 28:19-20 | Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you… | The Great Commission: a command to proclaim. |
| Psa 105:1-2 | Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wondrous works! | Another psalm of thanksgiving and declaration. |
| Deu 33:21 | ...because there the portion of the lawgiver was reserved; and he came with the heads of the people, with Israel he executed the justice of the LORD, and His judgments with Israel. | Deborah/Barak embodying God's justice in Israel. |
| Zec 9:9 | Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. | Messiah on a donkey, sign of peace/righteousness, contrasts war. |
| Mic 4:4 | but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid... | Security and peace after distress. |
| Isa 2:4 | ...They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. | Post-war peace and transformed tools, relevant to roads becoming safe. |
| Luk 1:68-69 | Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us... | Zacharias blessing God for His saving acts. |
| Ex 15:21 | And Miriam sang to them: "Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider he has thrown into the sea." | Song of Moses and Miriam, celebrating God's triumph. |
| Jos 24:14 | "Now therefore fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served… and serve the LORD." | Joshua's call to fidelity, remembering God's deeds. |
| Judg 5:11 | To the sound of those drawing water, there they recount the righteous deeds of the LORD... | Direct continuation, showing the outcome of this call. |
| Judg 5:6-7 | "In the days of Shamgar, son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were abandoned; travelers kept to the byways. The peasantry ceased in Israel; they ceased until I, Deborah, arose..." | Pre-victory danger and disruption, highlights verse's contrast. |
| Judg 4:15 | And the LORD routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army before Barak… | The specific victory providing the reason for declaration. |
| 2 Sam 22:31 | This God—his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him. | God's faithfulness and protective power. |
| Psa 22:22 | I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you. | Communal praise and proclamation of God's name. |
Judges 5 verses
Judges 5 10 Meaning
Judges 5:10 is a summons for all segments of Israelite society – from the most prominent and prosperous to the ordinary traveler – to unite in declaring the magnificent, righteous acts of the LORD. It signifies the peace, security, and restoration of public life that Yahweh's victory has brought, transforming a chaotic time of fear and oppression into a period where all can openly proclaim His delivering power.
Judges 5 10 Context
Judges chapter 5 is known as the Song of Deborah and Barak, a celebratory poetic recounting of the Israelites' miraculous victory over the Canaanite forces led by Sisera (described in Judges chapter 4). The song serves as a powerful testament to Yahweh's delivering hand. Verse 10 fits within a section that highlights the universal joy and renewed security across all levels of society after this divine triumph. Before the victory, roads were dangerous and deserted due to oppression (Jdg 5:6-7), leading to widespread fear and disruption of commerce and daily life. The call in Judges 5:10 reflects a reversal of this fear, urging a public declaration of gratitude and awe, as the LORD alone brought this peace and restoration of order.
Judges 5 10 Word analysis
- You who ride: (Hebrew: Rōkḇê, רוכבי). Refers to those mounted. This implies a position of privilege, leadership, or authority, as horseback or donkey travel was for the well-to-do or important figures.
- on white donkeys: (Hebrew: ’ăṯônôṯ ṣaḥôroṯ, אתונות צחורות).
- donkeys (’ăṯônôṯ): Donkeys were common pack animals and also used for riding. Unlike horses (often associated with warfare and royal chariots), donkeys symbolize humility, peace, and often, judicial authority or civil leadership (e.g., in the time of the Judges, cf. Jdg 10:4; 12:14; and later the Messiah riding a donkey in Zec 9:9).
- white (ṣaḥôroṯ): This adjective denotes brightness, dazzling whiteness. White donkeys were rare, costly, and highly prized. They were a mark of status, wealth, and prominence, often associated with kings, judges, or nobles. Their reappearance on safe roads signals a return to order and prosperity for the elite.
- You who sit: (Hebrew: Yōšĕḇê, יושבי). Refers to those who are settled or reside. Implies a sense of comfort, rest, or holding a position.
- on rich carpets: (Hebrew: ’al-middîn, על-מדין). This term has several possible interpretations among scholars:
- "Rich carpets" or "costly saddle-cloths": Suggests luxury and comfort during travel or while sitting in authority.
- "Judgment seats" or "mats for justice": Could refer to judges or those who hold judicial power, rendering justice from a seated position. The return of law and order enabled proper legal proceedings. Regardless, it implies leisure and a position of authority that was impossible during times of oppression.
- And You who walk: (Hebrew: Wəhôləḵê, והולכי). Refers to those who traverse on foot, the ordinary pedestrians. This category includes common folk, merchants, and travelers.
- by the way: (Hebrew: ’al-dāreḵ, על-דרך). This refers to the main roads or highways. During the period of oppression, these routes were dangerous due to ambushes by Canaanite forces or brigands, forcing travelers onto winding, unsafe byways (Jdg 5:6). The ability to "walk by the way" signifies restored security and freedom of movement for the general populace.
- speak: (Hebrew: Sîḥû, שיחו). This is an imperative verb, meaning "proclaim," "muse," "recount," "converse about," "utter." It’s a direct command to vocalize and recount God’s deeds. It indicates a communal, public declaration.
- of the righteous deeds: (Hebrew: bəṣidqōwṯ, בצדקות). This is the plural of tzedaqah (צדקה), which can mean "righteousness," "justice," or "just/saving acts." Here, it refers to God's faithful and righteous acts of deliverance, His just victory, and His salvific intervention on behalf of His people, upholding His covenant.
- of the LORD: (Hebrew: Yahweh, יהוה). This is the personal, covenantal name of God. It emphasizes that these saving acts are specifically from the one true God of Israel, not any foreign deity or human power.
Words-group analysis:
- "You who ride on white donkeys, You who sit on rich carpets": This phrase collectively refers to the privileged, noble, wealthy, and authoritative members of society. Their very presence signifies the return of peace and prosperity, as their comfortable lifestyle was jeopardized by war and unrest. They are called to lead in giving thanks.
- "And You who walk by the way": This phrase represents the common people, the everyday citizens and merchants who faced the greatest danger during the oppression. Their ability to safely use the main roads once more is a profound testament to God's intervention, making their participation in the declaration essential.
- "speak of the righteous deeds of the LORD": This is the unifying call for all societal groups. Regardless of status or background, everyone is obligated to bear witness to God's specific acts of salvation and justice. It signifies that the peace and restoration they now experience are a direct result of Yahweh's covenant faithfulness and mighty power, challenging any attribution of credit to human strength or other deities.
Judges 5 10 Bonus section
- The collective declaration prescribed by this verse served to reinforce tribal unity and spiritual fidelity during the decentralized period of the Judges, preventing any tribe or individual leader from claiming sole credit for the victory.
- The "righteous deeds of the LORD" implicitly polemicize against the Canaanite deities (e.g., Baal and Asherah), who were worshipped by some Israelites. The verse proclaims that it was Yahweh, not these false gods, who truly acted to deliver His people and restore justice and order.
- The re-opening of "the way" (roads) symbolizes not just physical safety, but also the re-establishment of civil and spiritual order that had broken down under oppression. Safe roads enabled commerce, communication, and pilgrim journeys to sanctuaries, reflecting renewed national life under God's oversight.
Judges 5 10 Commentary
Judges 5:10 serves as a pivotal invitation within the celebratory Song of Deborah, marking a shift from description to direct command. It highlights a universal mandate to acknowledge God's deliverance after the chaotic and perilous times that preceded the victory over Sisera. By addressing all segments of Israelite society – from the esteemed nobles and judges, symbolized by "those who ride on white donkeys" and "those who sit on rich carpets," to the humble "travelers who walk by the way" – the verse underscores that God's salvation impacted everyone, from the highest to the lowest.
The mention of "white donkeys" and "rich carpets" vividly contrasts the former state of distress (Jdg 5:6-7) where roads were deserted and commerce halted. The safe return of prosperous travel and leisurely existence symbolizes the complete reversal of fortune brought about by God. This re-established security allows for open fellowship and testimony. The central command, "speak of the righteous deeds of the LORD," is an imperative call to publicly proclaim Yahweh's tzedaqah – His just, salvific, and covenant-keeping acts. This isn't mere private gratitude, but a communal, outspoken declaration, ensuring that the source of Israel's liberation is universally recognized as the sovereign God. The verse thereby transforms renewed societal stability into an occasion for widespread worship and remembrance, affirming God's active involvement in the daily lives and well-being of His people.