Judges 5 12

Judges 5:12 kjv

Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam.

Judges 5:12 nkjv

"Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, sing a song! Arise, Barak, and lead your captives away, O son of Abinoam!

Judges 5:12 niv

'Wake up, wake up, Deborah! Wake up, wake up, break out in song! Arise, Barak! Take captive your captives, son of Abinoam.'

Judges 5:12 esv

"Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, break out in a song! Arise, Barak, lead away your captives, O son of Abinoam.

Judges 5:12 nlt

"Wake up, Deborah, wake up!
Wake up, wake up, and sing a song!
Arise, Barak!
Lead your captives away, son of Abinoam!

Judges 5 verses

Judges 5 12 Meaning

Judges 5:12 is a powerful exhortation to Deborah and Barak after Israel's victory over the Canaanites. It calls Deborah to "awake" from spiritual rest or weariness and "utter a song," initiating the prophetic and celebratory hymn. Simultaneously, it urges Barak to "arise" and fully embrace his victorious role by "leading away his captives," symbolizing the completion of their triumph and the restoration of justice and freedom to Israel.

Judges 5 12 Context

Judges 5 is the poetic complement to the prose account of Israel's deliverance under Deborah and Barak from the oppressive Canaanite king Jabin and his commander Sisera, detailed in Judges 4. After twenty years of harsh servitude, Deborah, a prophetess and judge, stirred Barak to military action. The subsequent battle at the Kishon River saw decisive divine intervention (heavy rains, causing the chariots to bog down), leading to a decisive Israelite victory and Sisera's eventual death at the hand of Jael. Judges 5, often considered one of the oldest passages in the Hebrew Bible, provides a celebratory hymn of triumph, praising God for His might and commending those who fought, while subtly rebuking those who withheld help. Verse 12 serves as a pivotal call within this song, marking a transition from historical recollection to the jubilant acclamation of the victory and the full realization of leadership's roles in response to God's saving act.

Judges 5 12 Word analysis

• Awake, awake (קוּמִי קוּמִי - Qumi, Qumi): From the verb qum (קוּם), meaning "to arise," "to stand up," "to take a stand." Here it is the feminine singular imperative, addressed to Deborah. The repetition adds intense emphasis and urgency. It implies a rousing from spiritual lethargy or a period of waiting, urging her to rise to the occasion of proclaiming God's triumph. In prophetic literature, "awake" often signals a divine summons to action or declaration.

• Deborah (דְּבוֹרָה - Devorah): Meaning "bee." A unique and significant figure in Israel's history – a prophetess, judge, and leader. The call to her underscores her pivotal role not only in orchestrating the victory but also in commemorating it through divine inspiration. She is not merely to sing, but to lead the song of national praise and theological proclamation.

• utter a song (דַּבְּרִי־שִׁיר - Dabb'ri-shir): Dabbri is the feminine singular imperative of dabar (דָּבַר), "to speak," "to utter," "to declare." Shir (שִׁיר) means "song," "poetry." This is not just to perform a song but to powerfully declare, articulate, and prophesy through a song. It speaks of an inspired, authoritative utterance, providing a theological interpretation of the recent events and God's powerful acts.

• Arise (קוּם - Qum): Similar to Qumi but in the masculine singular imperative, directed at Barak. It is a direct call for him to take decisive action befitting a victor, following through on the military success and fully claiming his triumph.

• Barak (בָּרָק - Baraq): Meaning "lightning." The general who, though initially hesitant, led the Israelite army to victory. His name suggests speed and power, aligning with the swiftness of their triumph. The command "Arise, Barak" pushes him to fully step into the glory of his fulfilled military commission.

• lead away your captives (וּשְׁבֵה שֶׁבְיְךָ - U-sh'veh shevyecha): U-sh'veh is the imperative form of shavah (שָׁבָה), "to take captive," "to lead away captive." Shevyecha (שֶׁבְיְךָ) means "your captives." This is a tangible demonstration of victory, spoils of war, and a powerful symbol of reversal. Israel, who was enslaved, now takes captives, signifying the complete defeat of the enemy and the assertion of dominance. This imagery of leading captives is profoundly significant in Psalm 68:18 and reapplied to Christ's triumph in Ephesians 4:8.

• O son of Abinoam (בֶּן־אֲבִינוֹעַם - Ben-Avino'am): "Son of Abinoam." Abinoam means "my father is pleasantness" or "father of pleasantness." This identifies Barak by his lineage, tying him to his family and tribal (Naphtali) identity. It emphasizes that this victory is not just personal but reflects upon his heritage and, by extension, upon the people of Israel whom he represents. It is an affirmation of his full standing and accomplishment as a leader.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, utter a song!": This repetitive command acts as a spiritual charge for Deborah. The double imperative signals urgency and a transition from her role in battle to her priestly and poetic role in leading the people in praise. It indicates that the very act of composing and delivering this song is a divinely ordained action, a core component of the post-victory worship and interpretation.
  • "Arise, Barak, lead away your captives, O son of Abinoam": This dual command addresses Barak's completed military task and its triumphant outcome. "Arise" echoes the call to Deborah, suggesting that both leaders, one spiritual/prophetic and the other military, must fully step into their respective roles of victory and commemoration. "Lead away your captives" solidifies the reality of their success—the tables have turned, and the oppressed are now the victors. The addition "O son of Abinoam" is a formal, honoring address, signifying his recognized standing and the fullness of his achievement as a leader in Israel.

Judges 5 12 Bonus section

The "Awake, awake" motif is deeply ingrained in biblical poetry and prophecy, often signaling moments of profound significance—either a call for God to intervene, for Israel to respond in faithfulness, or for an individual to rise to a divine summons. Its appearance here frames the Song of Deborah not merely as a historical folk song but as a divinely inspired, significant theological proclamation. The imagery of "leading captives" became an iconic representation of triumph and liberation. This theme resonates strongly in Psalm 68:18, which describes God ascending Zion after delivering His people, having "led a host of captives." The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:8 directly applies this verse to Christ's ascension and His ultimate triumph, where Christ leads away captivity (sin, death, demonic powers) and, as a victor, distributes spiritual gifts to humanity. Thus, Deborah's song, beginning with this stirring call, not only celebrates a specific historical victory for Israel but prophetically points toward the greater, universal deliverance accomplished by Jesus Christ.

Judges 5 12 Commentary

Judges 5:12 stands as a powerful clarion call to fully embrace and express the victory granted by God. It marks a transition from the intense conflict of battle to the joyful acclamation of triumph and thanksgiving. The emphatic "Awake, awake" to Deborah, Israel's spiritual leader and prophetess, urges her to break forth in a Spirit-led song—a divinely inspired testimony that serves to interpret the unseen hand of God in the historical events. This song is more than an emotional outpouring; it is an authoritative proclamation of God's justice and deliverance. Concurrently, Barak, the military commander, is commanded to "Arise" and finalize the military victory by leading his captives, a symbolic act that demonstrates absolute dominance over the defeated foe. This parallel address to the spiritual and military leaders underscores the dual nature of Israel's salvation—divinely initiated and humanly executed under divine leading. The verse profoundly declares that the season of oppression is over, replaced by a time for proclaiming God's mighty deeds and securing the fruits of victory. For believers today, it encourages a response of complete worship and decisive action, recognizing God's work and living fully in the freedom secured by Christ.