Judges 5:2 kjv
Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves.
Judges 5:2 nkjv
"When leaders lead in Israel, When the people willingly offer themselves, Bless the LORD!
Judges 5:2 niv
"When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves? praise the LORD!
Judges 5:2 esv
"That the leaders took the lead in Israel, that the people offered themselves willingly, bless the LORD!
Judges 5:2 nlt
"Israel's leaders took charge,
and the people gladly followed.
Praise the LORD!
Judges 5 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 35:29 | "The Israelites, all the men and women whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the Lord had commanded by Moses to be done, brought it as a freewill offering to the Lord." | Willing offerings for Tabernacle |
| Deut 20:5-9 | Describes conditions for men to return from battle if not fully willing. | Contrast: highlights the need for willing warriors |
| Josh 24:15 | "...choose this day whom you will serve..." | Freewill decision to serve God |
| Psa 18:46 | "The Lord lives, and blessed be my Rock..." | Blessing God for salvation |
| Psa 68:1-3 | "God shall arise... But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy." | God's triumph and joy of His people |
| Psa 110:3 | "Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments..." | Willing volunteers in divine service |
| Psa 113:2-3 | "Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised!" | Universal and perpetual blessing of God |
| Psa 144:1 | "Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war..." | God's role in equipping for victory |
| Isa 6:8 | "And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me.'" | Voluntary submission to divine call |
| Matt 9:38 | "...pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." | God sends leaders/workers |
| Matt 28:18-20 | "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore..." | Divine authority empowering leadership |
| Luke 10:2 | "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few..." | Need for willing laborers |
| John 6:29 | "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." | Act of faith as an offering |
| Acts 2:44-45 | "And all who believed were together and had all things in common... and were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds..." | Early church's willing generosity |
| Acts 4:29-30 | "...grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand..." | Bold leadership and divine enablement |
| Rom 12:1 | "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." | Self-offering as spiritual worship |
| Eph 4:11-13 | "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry..." | God's gift of leaders to equip the church |
| Phil 2:3-4 | "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." | Heart of willing service and humility |
| Heb 10:5-7 | "Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, 'Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired... Behold, I have come to do your will, O God.'" | Christ's perfect self-offering |
| 1 Pet 5:2-3 | "Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you..." | Willing service in Christian leadership |
| Rev 5:12 | "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" | Heavenly blessing for the Victorious Lamb |
| Rev 7:12 | "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen." | Praise to God for salvation |
Judges 5 verses
Judges 5 2 Meaning
Judges 5:2 is a profound opening to the Song of Deborah, calling for praise to God for the emergence of leadership and the spontaneous, willing devotion of the people of Israel during a time of crisis. It highlights two crucial elements that led to their deliverance: God-inspired leadership that acted decisively, and the enthusiastic, self-sacrificing response of the Israelite populace. The verse asserts that when these elements align under divine providence, Yahweh is due all blessing and glory for the victory achieved. It establishes a pattern of divine action through human cooperation.
Judges 5 2 Context
Judges 5 is often referred to as the Song of Deborah and Barak, one of the oldest passages in the Hebrew Bible. It is a triumphant hymn celebrating Israel's victory over the Canaanite forces led by Sisera, narrated previously in Judges chapter 4. The song serves as a powerful praise report to Yahweh for His intervention, recounting the events from a poetic perspective, highlighting both divine orchestration and the courageous (and sometimes lacking) human response. Verse 2 immediately sets a tone of gratitude, attributing the turnaround from Canaanite oppression not merely to human strength, but to the willingness of God's people, catalyzed by their leaders, to rise to the occasion. It contrasts with the apathy and lack of unified effort often seen in earlier periods of Judges. The chapter describes the details of the battle, the roles of various tribes (both positive and negative), and Jael's pivotal act.
Judges 5 2 Word analysis
- When (בִּ-) (bi-): This prefix often denotes "in," "at," "by," or "when," setting the temporal context for the events being praised. It points to a specific juncture in time.
- leaders (פְרֹ֥עַ) (p'roa') / lead (פְרָעוֹת֙) (p'ra'ot): The Hebrew phrase biph'roa' p'ra'ot is notably challenging to translate.
- Interpretation 1 (Prominent in modern translations): The Septuagint and most modern versions (ESV, NIV, NASB) understand biph'roa' p'ra'ot as "when leaders lead" or "when princes take the lead." This derives para' from a sense of "unleashing" or "bursting forth," signifying an emergence of strong, active leadership. This aligns with Deborah and Barak stepping up after 20 years of oppression, signaling a new, decisive leadership. It speaks of the breaking forth of leadership and purposeful action, critical in mobilizing a previously subdued populace.
- Interpretation 2 (Less common but historically significant): Some scholars and earlier translations relate pera' (root of p'ra'ot) to "hair" or "locks," specifically long hair that is allowed to "hang loose" (Numbers 6:5 for Nazirites). In this view, biph'roa' p'ra'ot means "when hair hung loose" or "when warriors wore their hair unbound/grew their hair long (as a vow)." This signifies warriors dedicating themselves wholly to the Lord, perhaps through a Nazirite-like vow, as a sign of complete commitment to battle, forsaking self-care. This highlights zealous devotion to God in war. The double use of the root emphasizes the profound nature of this readiness.
- Synthesis: Both interpretations speak to a sense of unhindered, fervent activity dedicated to the Lord. Whether it's leadership acting without restraint or warriors devoting themselves entirely, the core meaning emphasizes a radical shift from inaction to zealous participation for Yahweh. The "leaders lead" interpretation is contextually strong in Judges, a book dealing explicitly with leaders (judges) rising up to deliver Israel.
- in Israel (בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל) (b'yisrael): Specifies the nation and context where this leadership and willingness takes place, marking it as a national deliverance under God's covenant with Israel. It emphasizes the collective identity and experience of God's chosen people.
- when the people (בְּהִתְנַדֵּ֣ב עָ֔ם) (behit'nadeb 'am):
- the people ('am): Refers to the common folk, the ordinary Israelites, distinguishing them from the "leaders." It implies a collective, grassroots movement.
- willingly offer themselves (behit'nadeb): Derived from the root נָדַב (nadab), meaning "to be willing, generous, freely offer oneself." This term is highly significant, used elsewhere for freewill offerings to God (Exod 35:29, 2 Chron 17:16). It means their participation was not forced or compelled by external decree, but a spontaneous, voluntary, and generous dedication. It signifies enthusiasm, readiness, and a spirit of sacrifice driven by devotion to Yahweh, distinguishing them from those tribes who "held back."
- bless (בָּרְכ֥וּ) (bar'khu): An imperative command, "you (plural) bless!" It is a call for universal, corporate praise and thanksgiving. It's an active acknowledgment of Yahweh's beneficence.
- the Lord (יְהוָֽה׃) (Yahweh): The covenant name of God, indicating that the blessing is directed specifically to the God of Israel who is intimately involved in their history and deliverance. It contrasts with the false gods of the Canaanites who offered no salvation.
Judges 5 2 Bonus section
The structure of Judges 5:2-3 often indicates a chiastic poetic structure, common in ancient Near Eastern poetry. The opening blessing of the Lord is mirrored by a similar call to praise later in the song, creating a literary frame that centers on God's glory. The song also serves as a strong theological counter-narrative to the Canaanite religious system prevalent in the land. While Baal was supposedly the storm god controlling victory and fertility, this song unequivocally proclaims Yahweh as the true source of rain, battle power, and salvation for His people, humbling the Canaanite oppressors and their deities. The verse’s emphasis on "willingness" in contrast to compulsion is a recurring theme in divine-human cooperation throughout the Bible; God often waits for a people to open themselves to His direction rather than forcing them, especially in matters of service and war for His kingdom.
Judges 5 2 Commentary
Judges 5:2 functions as a doxology and an exhortation, setting the theological stage for the entire Song of Deborah. It immediately channels all glory for the victory to Yahweh. The phrase "When leaders lead in Israel, when the people willingly offer themselves" captures two vital dimensions of divine deliverance. Firstly, the emergence of decisive and courageous leadership, personified by Deborah and Barak, is seen as God's gift. This leadership doesn't coerce but inspires. Secondly, the verse celebrates the popular, widespread response from the ordinary Israelites who, through willing hearts, freely dedicated themselves to the fight. This spontaneous and voluntary participation (a freewill offering of service, similar to how offerings were given for the Tabernacle) underscores their deep faith and commitment to Yahweh's cause. Together, these elements demonstrate a profound synergy: effective leadership facilitates faithful action, and a faithful people respond to righteous leadership. The culmination is a direct command to "bless the Lord," recognizing that the unity of purpose, the courage, and ultimately the victory itself originated from Him. This verse counters any notion that human might alone secures victory, firmly grounding it in divine empowerment and the free devotion of His people.