Judges 5 21

Judges 5:21 kjv

The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength.

Judges 5:21 nkjv

The torrent of Kishon swept them away, That ancient torrent, the torrent of Kishon. O my soul, march on in strength!

Judges 5:21 niv

The river Kishon swept them away, the age-old river, the river Kishon. March on, my soul; be strong!

Judges 5:21 esv

The torrent Kishon swept them away, the ancient torrent, the torrent Kishon. March on, my soul, with might!

Judges 5:21 nlt

The Kishon River swept them away ?
that ancient torrent, the Kishon.
March on with courage, my soul!

Judges 5 verses

Judges 5 21 Meaning

Judges 5:21 portrays the climactic moment of God's intervention against Sisera's army. It declares that the torrent of Kishon, through divine providence, swept away the enemy forces. The verse then shifts focus, issuing an internal, resolute command for the soul of the faithful to continue advancing with strength, acknowledging God's mighty victory. It highlights God's sovereignty over creation and His active participation in the deliverance of His people, intertwined with their courageous response.

Judges 5 21 Context

Judges 5 is the poetic "Song of Deborah and Barak," celebrating the victory over Sisera and the Canaanite army of Jabin, King of Hazor, as narrated in Judges 4. After decades of oppression under King Jabin, Deborah, a prophetess and judge, called Barak to lead Israel against Sisera, who commanded 900 iron chariots—a formidable military advantage. The battle took place at the Kishon River. Judges 4 attributes the defeat primarily to a sudden, divinely sent deluge that turned the battlefield into a quagmire, rendering Sisera's chariots useless, and many of his soldiers drowned in the swollen Kishon, fleeing for their lives. The song, likely composed soon after the event, details the various tribes' participation (or lack thereof), highlights key individuals, and offers praise to Yahweh for the victory. Verse 21, specifically, zeroes in on the role of the Kison torrent in achieving victory and calls for the enduring courage of the soul in the wake of such a powerful divine display. The mention of the Kishon's ancient nature connects this victory to the enduring power and justice of God throughout history.

Judges 5 21 Word analysis

• The torrent of Kishon: נַחַל קִישׁוֹן (Nahal Qishon).

  • Nahal (נַחַל): Commonly translates as "wadi," a riverbed that is often dry but can become a powerful, flash-flood-prone torrent after heavy rains. Its mention highlights the dramatic and sudden transformation of the landscape, orchestrated by divine timing.
  • Qishon (קִישׁוֹן): A river in northern Israel, flowing through the Jezreel Valley. Historically known for becoming extremely dangerous during heavy rainfall due to its soft, silty banks and propensity for sudden, powerful floods, making it an instrument perfectly suited for the miraculous defeat of a chariot army.

• swept them away: גָּרְפָם (garfam).

  • Garfam: A strong verb meaning "to sweep away," "to carry off by a flood," or "to wash away." It conveys the irresistible force of the water and the complete, effortless defeat of Sisera's mighty chariots and army, underscoring that this was not a human victory but a divine one.

• the ancient torrent: נַחַל קְדוּמִים (Nahal Q'dumim).

  • Q'dumim (קְדוּמִים): Means "ancient," "of old," "from primeval times."
  • This phrase might suggest that the Kison was already known for its destructive floods, implying its historic character as an instrument of power. Alternatively, "ancient torrent" could evoke deeper theological meanings, linking this particular flood to God's primordial power displayed in events like the Genesis flood, suggesting that the same divine power that governs the ancient world is still active in their present moment. It connects this specific act of judgment to God's eternal character and unchanging methods.

• the torrent Kishon: (Repetition of "Nahal Qishon").

  • This emphatic repetition underscores the specific identity of the watercourse that brought about the destruction, confirming its decisive role and highlighting it as the central agent of God's judgment in this battle. Poetically, it builds a sense of dread for the enemy and triumph for Israel.

• O my soul: נַפְשִׁי (nafshi).

  • Nafshi (נַפְשִׁי): Refers to "my soul," "my inner being," "myself," or "my life-breath." It indicates a deeply personal and reflective utterance, moving from external description of victory to an internal exhortation. It's a call to the core of one's being, signifying a profound spiritual awakening or determination in response to God's actions.

• march on: תִּדְרְכִי (tidr'khi).

  • Tidr'khi: From the root דָּרַךְ (darakh), meaning "to tread," "to march," "to proceed." It can also mean "to tread down," suggesting crushing enemies or advancing with authority. It is an active imperative, urging continued forward movement and resolute action.

• with might: עֹז (oz).

  • Oz (עֹז): Denotes "strength," "power," "might," "boldness," "fierceness." It suggests not just physical strength but also moral and spiritual resolve. The command to "march on with might" signifies a call for enduring strength and courage, reflecting a deep spiritual fortitude required to continue in God's path after witnessing His mighty hand.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "The torrent of Kishon swept them away, the ancient torrent, the torrent Kishon." This triple repetition emphasizes the overwhelming, irresistible power of nature as a divinely wielded weapon. It builds suspense and underscores the specific instrumentality of the Kishon in God's plan. It’s a direct challenge to Canaanite deities, especially Baal, often associated with storm and water, showing Yahweh's ultimate control over these natural forces.
  • "O my soul, march on with might!" This shift from declarative past action (God's victory) to an imperative personal exhortation (to the soul) is pivotal. It encapsulates the spiritual lesson: divine deliverance demands and empowers sustained spiritual strength and ongoing obedience. It's an internal call to perseverance in faith and action, motivated by the external demonstration of God's power. It implies that true victory isn't just about one battle, but a life lived in sustained spiritual power.

Judges 5 21 Bonus section

The Song of Deborah and Barak (Judges 5) is considered one of the oldest passages in the Hebrew Bible, providing a glimpse into early Israelite poetry and theological understanding. Its vivid and often abrupt shifts in imagery and perspective reflect its oral tradition and profound emotional depth. The imagery of the "ancient torrent" could also serve to link the present deliverance to foundational acts of God's power, building Israel's theological framework around an active, intervening deity. Furthermore, the final call, "O my soul, march on with might," underscores a critical biblical truth: God's past deliverances are not merely historical anecdotes but serve as foundational motivation for future faith and spiritual courage, demonstrating that human effort, while seemingly small, must always align with divine empowerment. This verse illustrates the paradox of human participation in divine victory – while God does the fighting, His people must still rise, gather, and persevere in spirit.

Judges 5 21 Commentary

Judges 5:21 powerfully demonstrates God's sovereignty over creation and His direct intervention in human affairs for the sake of His people. The verse vividly portrays the Kishon River not as a passive element of geography, but as an active, divinely-wielded weapon. The triple emphasis on the "torrent Kishon," especially "the ancient torrent," links this specific event to God's timeless power and possibly echoes primeval acts of judgment through water. This use of nature served as a stark polemic against the Canaanite deity Baal, whose supposed domain included storms and fertility. Yahweh, not Baal, commanded the rain and floods, rendering the vaunted chariots of Sisera utterly useless and drowning his formidable army.

The second part of the verse, "O my soul, march on with might!", shifts the focus from the external, miraculous victory to an internal, spiritual imperative. It's a deeply personal call, likely from Deborah, to her own being or to Israel collectively, to not just witness God's power but to respond with enduring courage and spiritual strength. This reflects the reality that even after a great deliverance, the path of faith requires continued fortitude and proactive engagement. The triumph over Sisera's chariots was completed by an inner commitment to keep moving forward with the power God provides. It suggests that while God does the impossible, His people are still called to walk out their faith with divine strength.

• Example 1 (Divine Power): Just as the Kishon swallowed Sisera's chariots, so God's power can overcome insurmountable obstacles in life.
• Example 2 (Spiritual Resolve): In times of fear or complacency after a victory, we are called to address our own soul and "march on with might," fueled by faith.
• Example 3 (Trust in God's Methods): Like Deborah trusted God to use nature, we are to trust God's unconventional ways of delivering us, even when they defy logical expectation.