Judges 5 18

Judges 5:18 kjv

Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field.

Judges 5:18 nkjv

Zebulun is a people who jeopardized their lives to the point of death, Naphtali also, on the heights of the battlefield.

Judges 5:18 niv

The people of Zebulun risked their very lives; so did Naphtali on the terraced fields.

Judges 5:18 esv

Zebulun is a people who risked their lives to the death; Naphtali, too, on the heights of the field.

Judges 5:18 nlt

But Zebulun risked his life,
as did Naphtali, on the heights of the battlefield.

Judges 5 verses

Judges 5 18 Meaning

Judges 5:18 celebrates the courageous dedication of the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali. These two tribes willingly exposed themselves to extreme danger and risked their lives, even to the point of death, on the battlefront in the "high places of the field" during the war against Sisera and the Canaanites. It highlights their valiant and self-sacrificial participation in securing victory for Israel.

Judges 5 18 Context

Judges chapter 5 is known as the "Song of Deborah and Barak," a triumphant poetic recounting of Israel's victory over the Canaanite forces led by King Jabin and his commander Sisera, as detailed in Judges chapter 4. The song praises God for His intervention and the tribes that responded to the call for war, while implicitly or explicitly rebuking those that failed to participate. Verse 18 specifically honors Zebulun and Naphtali for their willingness to confront death on the battlefield. Historically, this battle, often associated with the Wadi Kishon and Taanach-Megiddo area, involved Israel's northern tribes. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali was strategically significant, bordering the Canaanite strongholds. This song is an ancient, direct record from the period of the judges, showcasing the tribal dynamics and the reality of life under oppressive foreign rule. It also highlights a common polemic of the era: faithfulness to the covenant God, Yahweh, resulted in divine aid and victory, contrasting with the disunity and oppression faced when abandoning Him or lacking faith to fight for His cause.

Judges 5 18 Word analysis

• Zebulun: (Hebrew: זְבוּלֻן, Zevulun) This refers to the tribe of Israel whose territory was located in lower Galilee, stretching from the Sea of Galilee westward towards the Mediterranean. The blessing in Deut 33:18 connects Zebulun to trade and seafaring, and their close association with Issachar is notable. In the context of Judges 5, they are praised for their active participation, standing in contrast to the tribes mentioned previously (Reuben, Dan, Asher) who did not join the battle.
• people: (Hebrew: עַם, ʿam) Refers collectively to the fighting men and members of the tribe. It signifies a unified body taking action, emphasizing communal responsibility and shared purpose in warfare.
• jeopardized their lives: (Hebrew: חֵרֵף נַפְשׁוֹ, ḥerēph naphshō) A strong and vivid phrase.
  • `ḥerēph` (חֵרֵף): Verb meaning "to reproach," "to defy," "to put to shame," but in this context it conveys "to expose to danger," "to brave" or "to risk." They exposed their very existence to peril.
  • `nephesh` (נַפְשׁוֹ): Means "soul," "life," "person," "being." It refers to the entire individual, not just physical existence. Therefore, "jeopardized their lives" means they risked their complete selves, their vital breath, their essence. It implies a conscious, ultimate risk, a willingness to sacrifice everything. This isn't just a physical risk; it’s an existential one.
• unto the death: (Hebrew: לָמוּת, lāmūth) Emphasizes the extreme nature of the risk taken. It means "to die" or "to the point of dying." Their commitment was absolute; they faced mortality head-on without hesitation, fully accepting the potential fatal outcome.
• Naphtali: (Hebrew: נַפְתָּלִי, Naphtali) Another tribe of Israel, whose territory lay to the north of Zebulun, encompassing the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. Historically, Zebulun and Naphtali are often mentioned together, especially in northern conflicts. Their land bordered the routes that Canaanite chariots would have used. They were on the front lines, exposed to the direct brunt of Sisera’s army.
• high places of the field: (Hebrew: בָּמוֹת שָׂדֶה, bāmōth śādeh)
  • `bāmōth` (בָּמוֹת): Plural of bāmāh, which primarily means "height," "high place." While bāmāh can sometimes refer to cultic high places, in military contexts like this, it describes elevated, strategic terrain.
  • `śādeh` (שָׂדֶה): "Field" or "countryside."
  This phrase literally means "the heights of the field," referring to open, elevated battlefield locations where the fighting would have been intense and dangerous. It signifies the very forefront of the battle, not safe rear positions. These were crucial strategic points in the flat terrain prone to chariot attacks, implying they took the most vulnerable and exposed positions. They faced the enemy head-on, where their very being was "jeopardized."

• "Zebulun and Naphtali jeopardized their lives unto the death": This entire phrase is a powerful commendation. It points to a profound level of bravery and selflessness. It describes a willing, active choice to face mortal danger, distinguishing them from others who prioritized their safety or economic interests. It also suggests a unity of purpose between these two tribes in facing a common enemy, an example of inter-tribal cooperation in service to the whole.
• "in the high places of the field": This further clarifies the intensity of their risk. They weren't just participating; they were on the front lines, taking on the most perilous assignments, standing their ground in the open field against a formidable foe, likely chariot divisions, where such "heights" provided no cover but perhaps slight tactical advantage at immense risk.

Judges 5 18 Bonus section

The praise for Zebulun and Naphtali, and conversely, the censure for other tribes like Reuben, Dan, and Asher earlier in the chapter, highlights a critical theological theme within Judges: the necessity of unity and corporate action in obeying God's call to war. Israel was not meant to act as disjointed entities but as one people under Yahweh. The song acts as both an historical account and a teaching tool, commending faithfulness and active participation, and implicitly rebuking tribal disunity and cowardice. Their willingness to "jeopardize their lives" speaks to a level of commitment born out of faith in God's power and righteous cause. This act of "risking life unto death" parallels later biblical themes of martyrdom and sacrificial love, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. The verse also underscores that victory often comes through the willing sacrifice of a few, enabled by God, encouraging others to participate even when the odds are seemingly insurmountable.

Judges 5 18 Commentary

Judges 5:18 stands as a resounding tribute to the exemplary courage and unwavering commitment of the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali. In the epic Song of Deborah, this verse directly contrasts their valiant participation with the passive or self-interested behavior of other tribes. "Jeopardized their lives unto the death" underscores a radical self-sacrifice—they laid their very existence on the line, fully prepared for a fatal outcome, highlighting profound dedication not just to their kinsmen but to the covenant God, Yahweh, who called for this battle. Their choice to fight "in the high places of the field" indicates they were not merely present, but occupied the most dangerous and exposed positions, confronting the enemy at its strongest. This verse is a powerful reminder of the call to active, costly engagement in the face of spiritual or physical conflict, echoing a core biblical principle: true devotion often demands the ultimate offering of self for God's purposes and the welfare of His people. Their actions were instrumental in securing divine deliverance and serve as a model of courageous faith and corporate responsibility in pursuing God's victory.