Judges 5 15

Judges 5:15 kjv

And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; even Issachar, and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart.

Judges 5:15 nkjv

And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; As Issachar, so was Barak Sent into the valley under his command; Among the divisions of Reuben There were great resolves of heart.

Judges 5:15 niv

The princes of Issachar were with Deborah; yes, Issachar was with Barak, sent under his command into the valley. In the districts of Reuben there was much searching of heart.

Judges 5:15 esv

the princes of Issachar came with Deborah, and Issachar faithful to Barak; into the valley they rushed at his heels. Among the clans of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.

Judges 5:15 nlt

The princes of Issachar were with Deborah and Barak.
They followed Barak, rushing into the valley.
But in the tribe of Reuben
there was great indecision.

Judges 5 verses

Judges 5 15 Meaning

Judges 5:15 portrays the active and unified participation of the leaders of the tribe of Issachar, who faithfully joined Deborah and Barak in the critical battle against Sisera's forces. This commitment mirrored Barak's own courage and decisiveness, as they eagerly descended into the battle valley on foot. In stark contrast, the verse highlights the internal deliberation and hesitancy that characterized the tribe of Reuben, located by their streams, suggesting their failure to take decisive action and join the common cause. It underscores the divine blessing on unity and immediate obedience versus the hindrance of irresolution and debate when God calls to action.

Judges 5 15 Context

Judges 5:15 is part of the "Song of Deborah" (Judg 5), a triumphal hymn celebrating Israel's victory over the Canaanite forces led by Sisera, as recounted in Judges 4. This poetic recounting serves both as praise to God for the victory and a commendation or critique of the various Israelite tribes based on their participation. The specific verses, Judg 5:15-18, focus on a critical roll call of the tribes, highlighting which ones responded to the call for war and which did not. The verse captures a stark contrast: Issachar's swift and unwavering commitment versus Reuben's debilitating internal conflict and ultimate failure to join the fight, even after significant deliberation. This context emphasizes the national unity and individual tribal responsibility in a period where "every man did what was right in his own eyes" (Judg 21:25), underscoring the divine importance of cohesive action under God-appointed leadership against common spiritual and physical adversaries.

Judges 5 15 Word analysis

• The princes of Issachar (נְשִׂיאֵי יִשָּׂשׂכָר, nesi'ei Yissakhar):
• Princes (nesi'ei): Refers to the tribal chiefs or leaders. Their presence signifies the tribe's official commitment. This implies that the tribe of Issachar, under its leadership, collectively chose to participate.
• Issachar (Yissakhar): One of Jacob's sons, known in 1 Chr 12:32 as men "who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do." This verse in Judges confirms their practical wisdom in recognizing the necessity of action.
• were with Deborah (עִם דְּבֹרָה, im Devorah):
• With Deborah (im Devorah): Indicates solidarity, alignment, and active support for God's chosen prophetess and judge. This partnership underscores the divinely-ordained nature of the war effort.
• as Issachar, so was Barak (וְיִשָּׂשׂכָר כֵּן בָּרָק, v'Yissakhar ken Barak):
• As Issachar, so was Barak: A powerful declaration of unity in purpose and spirit. It highlights Issachar's leaders demonstrating the same level of commitment and readiness as Barak, the military commander chosen by God. This indicates a perfect alignment and lack of hesitation, serving as a commendation.
• into the valley (בָּעֵמֶק, ba'emek):
• The valley (ba'emek): Specifically, the Valley of Jezreel, where the battle against Sisera's forces, renowned for their chariots, took place. It was the crucial and dangerous strategic location for the conflict.
• they rushed on foot (רִגְלָיו שֻׁלָּחוּ, riglav shullachhu):
• They rushed/sent on foot (riglav shullachhu): Literally "his feet were sent" or "he (the tribe) was sent by his feet." It implies rapid, personal, and decisive action, moving quickly to the front lines without delay, despite facing a chariot-strong enemy. It showcases their readiness and zeal.
• By the streams of Reuben (לִפְלַגּוֹת רְאוּבֵן, li-flaggot Re'uven):
• Streams/divisions (li-flaggot): Refers to the regions where the tribe of Reuben settled east of the Jordan. "Streams" can metaphorically suggest a leisurely or perhaps complacent existence, contrasted with the active struggle. The term also carries a double meaning of "divisions," possibly alluding to internal dissent within the tribe.
• Reuben (Re'uven): Jacob's firstborn son. Historically, the tribe of Reuben often struggled with commitment and leadership, as seen in Num 32 and Jacob's prophecy in Gen 49:4 ("unstable as water").
• there were great searchings of heart (גְּדֹלִים חִקְקֵי לֵב, gedolim hik'kei lev):
• Great (gedolim): Emphasizes the significant extent of their internal struggle.
• Searchings of heart (hik'kei lev): Derived from the root ḥāqar, meaning "to search," "investigate," or "deliberate deeply." It indicates prolonged and intense internal debate, hesitation, and self-counsel that ultimately led to inaction. While some older interpretations translate this as "decrees/statutes of heart" (from ḥōq), implying stubborn decision to stay out, the context strongly favors internal examination and agonizing indecision, leading to their absence from the battle. This implies a moral and spiritual struggle rather than just physical inability.

• Words-Group Analysis:
• "The princes of Issachar were with Deborah; as Issachar, so was Barak; into the valley they rushed on foot.": This phrase establishes a powerful positive portrayal of unity, decisive leadership, and immediate, zealous participation. The mirroring between Issachar and Barak signifies ideal partnership in a divine calling. Their "rushing on foot" highlights their willingness to embrace danger without hesitation, driven by faith and loyalty. This stands as a model for decisive, corporate obedience.
• "By the streams of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.": This segment creates a stark antithesis to the first. "By the streams" contrasts their distant, perhaps comfortable, position with the immediate action in the valley. "Great searchings of heart" directly implicates their internal indecision as the root cause of their failure. This phrase captures a protracted internal debate, perhaps motivated by self-preservation or a lack of spiritual conviction, ultimately resulting in their absence from the battle, bringing dishonor upon the tribe. It represents a warning against paralysis by analysis when God's call demands action.

Judges 5 15 Bonus section

• Theological Parallelism: The verse utilizes effective poetic parallelism (both synthetic and antithetical) common in Hebrew poetry. Issachar's swift action ("rushed on foot") contrasts sharply with Reuben's deep introspection ("searchings of heart"), demonstrating the consequences of these opposing attitudes in divine service.
• A Recurring Pattern for Reuben: This critique of Reuben is not isolated. From Jacob's prophecy (Gen 49:4) to their request to settle east of Jordan (Num 32) and subsequent involvement in tribal feuds (Judg 5:16), Reuben often struggles with true leadership and full commitment. The "great searchings of heart" become a fitting description for a pattern of irresolution.
• Polemics against Complacency: The description of Reuben's inaction by their "streams" implicitly critiques a lifestyle of ease and comfort that renders one unfit or unwilling for courageous engagement when God requires it. It contrasts a sedentary, self-focused existence with the active, communal warfare demanded by divine mandate.
• Internal Warfare Reflected Externally: The "searchings of heart" are not merely idle thoughts but internal conflicts that reflect an inability to move past personal considerations into corporate, divine purpose. This failure to overcome internal doubts results in external failure to act.

Judges 5 15 Commentary

Judges 5:15 draws a powerful contrast between tribal faithfulness and failure in the pivotal moment of divine war. Issachar, through its leaders, demonstrates active and resolute commitment, paralleling Barak's own valor and echoing their unique understanding of the times. Their prompt, on-foot advance into the dangerous valley underscores wholehearted devotion and courageous obedience. In stark opposition, Reuben's contemplation by their "streams" highlights their disengagement from the national crisis. The "great searchings of heart" in Reuben indicate an extended internal deliberation and agonizing indecision, which tragically prevented their participation in God's fight. This verse serves as a crucial theological commentary on the spiritual importance of decisive action and unity in response to God's call, highlighting the honor associated with obedient participation and the shame or missed opportunity that results from internal debate, fear, or self-interest, rather than immediate obedience to God’s summons.