Judges 5 19

Judges 5:19 kjv

The kings came and fought, then fought the kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo; they took no gain of money.

Judges 5:19 nkjv

"The kings came and fought, Then the kings of Canaan fought In Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo; They took no spoils of silver.

Judges 5:19 niv

"Kings came, they fought, the kings of Canaan fought. At Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo, they took no plunder of silver.

Judges 5:19 esv

"The kings came, they fought; then fought the kings of Canaan, at Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo; they got no spoils of silver.

Judges 5:19 nlt

"The kings of Canaan came and fought,
at Taanach near Megiddo's springs,
but they carried off no silver treasures.

Judges 5 verses

Judges 5 19 Meaning

Judges 5:19 poetically describes the convergence and subsequent utter defeat of the powerful Canaanite kings at a pivotal battle near Taanach and Megiddo. The verse highlights the completeness of their failure by explicitly stating that they took no gain of money, signifying that their aggression yielded no plunder—a customary aim and reward in ancient warfare. This underscores a devastating and humiliating rout orchestrated by divine intervention.

Judges 5 19 Context

Judges 5:19 is an integral part of the Song of Deborah, an ancient poetic recounting of Israel's miraculous victory over the Canaanite king Jabin and his formidable general Sisera, detailed in prose in Judges 4. After years of severe oppression by Jabin's chariot army, God raised Deborah, a prophetess and judge, and Barak to deliver Israel. The battle unfolded in the Jezreel Valley, a vital strategic and fertile plain in ancient Canaan. Taanach and Megiddo, mentioned in the verse, were key fortified cities controlling crucial trade routes and passages in this valley. These locations were historically significant for warfare due to their geographical importance. The verse immediately precedes poetic lines describing the stars fighting for Israel and the torrent of Kishon sweeping away the enemy, amplifying the divine, miraculous nature of Israel's triumph. For these combined Canaanite forces to receive no monetary gain or spoil—a fundamental expectation for ancient conquerors—was a profound sign of their catastrophic defeat and God's overwhelming power, defying military and economic logic of the era.

Judges 5 19 Word analysis

• "The kings" (מְלָכִים, m'lakhim): Refers to the coalition of local Canaanite rulers who united under Jabin or Sisera. This plural emphasizes the formidable, multi-state opposition faced by Israel, signifying a collective and organized threat.
• "came and fought" (בָּאוּ נִלְחֲמוּ, ba'u nilkhamu): This phrase highlights their deliberate aggression and initiation of hostilities. The initial verb "came" indicates their assembly and purposeful advance onto the battlefield, followed by the direct action of "fought," emphasizing their engagement.
• "then fought the kings of Canaan" (אָז נִלְחֲמוּ מַלְכֵי כְנַעַן, 'az nilkhamu malkhei Kena'an): The repetition of "fought" ("nilkhamu") within this chiastic structure emphasizes the intense reality of the conflict. "Kings of Canaan" clearly identifies the combined antagonistic force as representatives of the idolatrous system that oppressed Israel, underlining their collective identity and shared aim against God's people.
• "at Taanach" (בְּתַעְנָךְ, b'Ta'anakh): Taanach was an ancient, strategically important city on the southern edge of the Jezreel Valley. Its mention grounds the poetic account in specific geography, confirming the historical setting of the battle in a region long contested due to its strategic significance for military control and trade routes.
• "by the waters of Megiddo" (עַל מֵי מְגִדּוֹ, 'al mei M'giddo):
  • "Megiddo" (מְגִדּוֹ, M'giddo): Another prominent city, key to controlling the Jezreel Valley and a pass leading into it. It became a site of numerous battles throughout history, lending its name to "Armageddon" (Rev 16:16), making this initial biblical battle at Megiddo archetypal.
  • "waters of Megiddo" (mei M'giddo): This refers to local streams, brooks, or possibly the marshy terrain fed by seasonal rains in the vicinity of Megiddo. This specific detail is crucial as the subsequent verses (Jdg 5:21) highlight that the torrential rains and the swelling Kishon River rendered Sisera's iron chariots useless in the resulting mud, turning the enemy's strength into their weakness through divine intervention.
• "they took no gain of money" (בֶּצַע כֶּסֶף לֹא לָקָחוּ, betsa' kesef lo laqakhu):
  • "gain of money" (בֶּצַע כֶּסֶף, betsa' kesef): Betza' (בֶּצַע) specifically denotes "unjust gain," "ill-gotten profit," or "plunder." Kesef (כֶּסֶף) means silver or money, the standard form of wealth and spoils in antiquity. This phrase is a powerful statement.
  • In ancient warfare, the expectation was that victors would plunder the defeated. The emphatic declaration that these aggressive kings took no (לֹא) gain highlights their catastrophic and complete defeat. It signals that their entire military enterprise, fueled by oppressive intentions and desire for Israel's resources, was utterly thwarted by divine power. It underscores that they were not merely repelled but suffered a comprehensive reversal where their efforts yielded absolutely nothing profitable, symbolizing their utter humiliation and the protective hand of God over His people and their land.

Judges 5 19 Bonus section

The historical location of Taanach and Megiddo, central to this battle, positions it as a significant "type" for future conflicts. The region later becomes synonymous with decisive, apocalyptic battles, notably in the New Testament with "Armageddon." The complete reversal experienced by the Canaanite kings in this instance – their planned conquest turning into absolute defeat with no spoil – established a divine pattern: the efforts of those who unrighteously oppose God's purposes, often for personal gain, will ultimately prove futile and bring no profit. This serves as a perpetual warning against oppressive ambitions fueled by covetousness.

Judges 5 19 Commentary

Judges 5:19 serves as a theological declaration wrapped in a vivid poetic narrative of military failure. It presents a pivotal confrontation where powerful Canaanite kings assembled to assert their dominion, specifically targeting a strategically significant region encompassing Taanach and Megiddo, which was crucial for control and for yielding plunder. However, despite their formidable array and calculated aggression, the verse forcefully declares that they achieved absolutely nothing; "they took no gain of money." This isn't merely an observation of a lost battle, but a profound statement about the nature of their defeat and the power of the Divine. In an era where war was often waged for spoil, the failure of these kings to obtain any plunder whatsoever underscores a total rout, stripping them not only of victory but also of the very reward they sought. This utter lack of profit signals God's comprehensive victory for His people, reversing the natural order and humbling earthly potentates. It illustrates that when God fights for His own, not only are oppressors defeated, but their avaricious intent is also denied its fulfillment, proving futile against the Sovereign Lord.