Judges 5:16 kjv
Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.
Judges 5:16 nkjv
Why did you sit among the sheepfolds, To hear the pipings for the flocks? The divisions of Reuben have great searchings of heart.
Judges 5:16 niv
Why did you stay among the sheep pens to hear the whistling for the flocks? In the districts of Reuben there was much searching of heart.
Judges 5:16 esv
Why did you sit still among the sheepfolds, to hear the whistling for the flocks? Among the clans of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.
Judges 5:16 nlt
Why did you sit at home among the sheepfolds ?
to hear the shepherds whistle for their flocks?
Yes, in the tribe of Reuben
there was great indecision.
Judges 5 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Judg 5:15b | "Among the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart." | Direct precursor, reiterates the accusation. |
| Judg 5:17 | "Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan, and Dan, why did he abide in ships? Asher sat still at the seashore and remained by his landings." | Critiques other tribes for similar inaction. |
| Judg 5:23 | "Curse Meroz," said the angel of the LORD, "Curse bitterly its inhabitants, because they did not come to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty." | Condemnation for failing to assist in God's cause. |
| Jer 48:10 | "Cursed be he who does the work of the LORD with slackness, and cursed be he who withholds his sword from bloodshed!" | Condemns half-heartedness and inaction in divine service. |
| Josh 22:1-4 | "Joshua summoned the Reubenites... and said to them, 'You have kept all that Moses... commanded you... return now to your homes...'" | Reminds of their commitment to cross and fight with others. |
| Num 32:20-22 | "Moses said to them, 'If you do this... then afterward you may return and be free...'" | Their vow to fight first before settling East of Jordan. |
| Deut 3:18-20 | "I commanded you at that time... 'The LORD your God has given you rest...'" | Recalls the conditional settlement of Reuben East of Jordan. |
| Prov 28:26 | "Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered." | Indecision stemming from trusting self rather than God's clear call. |
| Lk 9:62 | "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." | Similar sentiment about those hesitating from a divine calling. |
| Lk 12:47-48 | "That servant who knew his master's will... but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating." | Implies severe judgment for knowing what to do and not doing it. |
| Rom 12:11 | "Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." | Encourages active service, directly contrasting Reuben's inaction. |
| Jas 4:17 | "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." | Defines sin of omission, directly applicable to Reuben's failure. |
| Judg 4:10 | "Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh, and he went up with 10,000 men..." | Contrasts Reuben's inaction with the obedient tribes. |
| Ps 78:9 | "The Ephraimites, armed with bows, turned back on the day of battle." | Example of a tribe failing in battle, showing unreliability. |
| Heb 10:38 | "But my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him." | God's displeasure with those who shrink back from faithfulness. |
| Zeph 1:12 | "I will punish the men who are complacent, who say in their hearts, 'The LORD will not do good, nor will he do ill.'" | Condemns spiritual complacency. |
| Amos 6:1-6 | "Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria..." | Rebuke against comfort and indifference during national crisis. |
| Mt 25:24-30 | Parable of the Talents: The servant who buried his talent. | Illustrates the condemnation of inactivity and failure to use what is given. |
| 1 Cor 12:12-27 | Body of Christ illustration | Emphasizes the need for every part to function and contribute for the well-being of the whole body. |
| Phil 2:3-4 | "Do nothing from selfish ambition... but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." | Admonition against selfish considerations at the expense of communal welfare. |
Judges 5 verses
Judges 5 16 Meaning
Judges 5:16 sharply critiques the tribe of Reuben for their absence from the critical battle against Sisera, Jabin's commander. The verse portrays them as preoccupied with their pastoral life, choosing the comforts of their sheepfolds and the sounds of their flocks over their covenantal responsibility to fight alongside their Israelite brethren. Their indecision and internal debate—described as "great searchings of heart"—resulted in their shameful inaction during a pivotal moment for Israel's deliverance.
Judges 5 16 Context
Judges chapter 5, known as the "Song of Deborah and Barak," is a triumphant poetic recounting and celebration of Israel's victory over the Canaanite forces led by Sisera. Following the prose account of Judges chapter 4, this song provides a retrospective, Divinely inspired perspective on the battle and the actions (or inactions) of various Israelite tribes. It serves not only as a praise to God for victory but also as a societal commentary, highlighting which tribes responded faithfully to God's call through Deborah, and which tribes—like Reuben—failed to assist. This verse specifically condemns Reuben's isolation and internal preoccupation during a crucial period of national crisis and war for the LORD. The historical context reveals a decentralized Israel, often acting as disunited tribal entities rather than a unified nation, yet expected to rally for YHWH. The song contrasts the courage of some tribes (Zebulun, Naphtali, Issachar) with the indifference or self-interest of others, implicitly making a theological polemic against apathy towards God's purposes.
Judges 5 16 Word Analysis
- Why (לָמָּה - lāmâ): A rhetorical question expressing profound dismay, astonishment, and stern condemnation rather than a mere inquiry. It conveys a strong sense of rebuke and disappointment from the divine perspective.
- did you sit (יָשַׁבְתָּ - yāshavtā): From the Hebrew root yashav, meaning to sit, dwell, remain, or abide. Here, it implies a sedentary, inactive posture. It contrasts sharply with the dynamic movement of warriors marching to battle, underscoring Reuben's deliberate choice for comfort over conflict.
- among the sheepfolds (בֵּין הַמִּשְׁפְּתַיִם - bên hammishpětayim): Mishpětayim refers to stalls or watering troughs, specifically structures within the sheepfolds. This paints a picture of being settled in their secure, comfortable pastoral environment. It highlights their worldly preoccupations and the allure of ease that kept them from duty. The word might also connote a dual-purpose (two-mouthed) trough, symbolizing a choice or division.
- to hear (לִשְׁמֹעַ - lishmōaʿ): From shama, "to hear," implying listening with attention.
- the bleating (שְׁרִקוֹת - shĕrîqôt): Literally "whistlings" or "pipe-playing." In the context of flocks, this refers to the sound of shepherds' pipes or perhaps the actual bleating sounds of sheep and goats. It signifies a focus on the sounds of their everyday, mundane life, contrasting with the trumpets of war or the cries of their brethren. Their ears were attuned to earthly comfort, not divine summons.
- For the divisions of Reuben (לְפַלְגּוֹת רְאוּבֵן - ləfalgot Rĕ'ûvên): Palgot means "divisions," "factions," or "streams/channels." This could refer to geographical subdivisions within the large tribe, the physical separation of Reuben across the Jordan, or metaphorically, internal dissent and hesitation within the tribal leadership. It implies a fractured will.
- there were great (גְּדֹלִים - gĕdōlîm): Meaning "great" or "mighty." It emphasizes the intensity and magnitude of the ensuing action or state of being.
- searchings of heart (חִקְרֵי לֵב - ḥiqrê lêv): Ḥiqrê refers to "investigations," "deliberations," "scrutinies," or "research." Lev is "heart," which in Hebrew thought represents the totality of one's inner being—mind, will, emotion. So, "great searchings of heart" signifies intense introspection, internal debate, doubt, or second-guessing. Instead of immediate action in faith, Reuben engaged in endless deliberation, leading to paralysis and failure to act on a clear divine summons. This contrasts divine wisdom which leads to decisive action (Prov 3:5-6).
Judges 5 16 Bonus Section
- Polemics against Apathy: The Song of Deborah acts as a potent critique against tribal disunity and apathy. By specifically naming tribes that failed to appear, it functions as a public shaming, meant to correct future behavior and underscore the importance of communal loyalty to the LORD and fellow Israelites. It subtly counters any notion that geographical distance or a desire for personal tranquility excused covenant obligations.
- Irony of "Heart-Searching": While "searching of heart" often connotes positive introspection leading to repentance (e.g., Ps 77:6), here it leads to a negative outcome: paralysis. This implies that their "searching" was rooted in selfish considerations or fear rather than a genuine seeking of God's will for action.
- Reuben's Inheritance: Reuben's land inheritance east of the Jordan (Num 32; Deut 3) was conditioned on their fighting alongside the other tribes for their western inheritances. Their failure in this pivotal battle, recounted in the Song, reflects a failure to uphold that foundational covenant made generations prior, suggesting a decline in their spiritual commitment.
- Shepherd Imagery: While shepherds are often depicted positively (Ps 23, Jn 10), here the "sheepfolds" and "bleating" symbolize a comfortable but neglectful life, showcasing how even seemingly benign pursuits can become idols preventing active obedience to God.
Judges 5 16 Commentary
Judges 5:16 powerfully condemns the tribe of Reuben for prioritizing pastoral ease and self-interest over their national and covenantal duty during a pivotal battle. Their choice to remain "among the sheepfolds," captivated by the sounds of their flocks, signifies a spiritual deafness to God's call for solidarity and battle. This imagery serves as a warning against allowing earthly comforts and mundane affairs to distract from divine service, especially in times of spiritual warfare or crisis. The "great searchings of heart" highlight a deep irony: what should have been a period of discerning God's will and aligning with it became a source of paralysis and indecision. Their internal deliberations led not to righteous action, but to a sin of omission, indicating a lack of faith, courage, and commitment to the unity of Israel. This passage emphasizes that divine opportunities demand immediate and courageous obedience, not endless internal debate born of hesitation or self-preservation. It is a timeless reminder that preoccupation with one's own affairs can lead to failing to uphold one's God-given responsibilities to the community of faith.