Judges 5 3

Judges 5:3 kjv

Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel.

Judges 5:3 nkjv

"Hear, O kings! Give ear, O princes! I, even I, will sing to the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel.

Judges 5:3 niv

"Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers! I, even I, will sing to the LORD; I will praise the LORD, the God of Israel, in song.

Judges 5:3 esv

"Hear, O kings; give ear, O princes; to the LORD I will sing; I will make melody to the LORD, the God of Israel.

Judges 5:3 nlt

"Listen, you kings!
Pay attention, you mighty rulers!
For I will sing to the LORD.
I will make music to the LORD, the God of Israel.

Judges 5 verses

Judges 5 3 Meaning

This verse serves as a majestic summons, inviting all earthly rulers and dignitaries – "kings" and "princes" – to attend and heed the message about to be proclaimed. Deborah, speaking with great personal conviction and divine authority, emphatically declares her commitment to "sing unto the LORD" and "sing praise to the LORD God of Israel." It is a powerful assertion of Yahweh's supreme authority over all earthly powers and a profound declaration of exclusive worship to Him alone, recognizing Him as the unique and active God of the covenant nation, Israel.

Judges 5 3 Context

Judges chapter 5 is known as the Song of Deborah, a triumphant hymn and one of the oldest poetic texts in the Hebrew Bible. It immediately follows the prose account in Judges chapter 4, which narrates the Israelites' decisive victory over the Canaanite king Jabin of Hazor and his formidable military commander Sisera. Under the leadership of Deborah, a prophetess and judge, and Barak, the military leader, Israel experienced deliverance from two decades of Canaanite oppression. The Song of Deborah celebrates Yahweh's miraculous intervention, acknowledging that the victory was solely due to His power. Verse 3, as part of the song's grand opening, sets a universal tone, inviting all, especially earthly potentates, to bear witness to and acknowledge the magnificent acts of the God of Israel before recounting the details of His divine power in battle.

Judges 5 3 Word analysis

• Hear (שְׁמָעוּ, shĕmâ'û): This is an imperative plural verb, a command demanding profound attention. It signifies more than merely auditory perception; it requires heeding, understanding, and obedient response to the divine proclamation.
• O kings (מְלָכִים, mĕlākhîm): Plural for "kings," representing all global and local earthly rulers and authorities. This addresses human sovereignty broadly, establishing that even the most powerful human leaders are subject to the message of the Song, asserting Yahweh's supremacy.
• give ear (הַאֲזִינוּ, ha'ăzînû): Another imperative plural, semantically parallel to "hear" but conveying an intensified sense of inclination or leaning in to listen intently. Its usage alongside "hear" provides emphatic poetic force.
• O princes (רוֹזְנִים, rōzĕnîm): Plural for "princes" or high-ranking officials. Alongside "kings," this term collectively addresses the entire hierarchy of human governance, emphasizing that the message is for all who wield power, regardless of their rank.
• I, even I (אָנֹכִי, ānōkhî repeated): The repetition of the first-person singular pronoun "I" in Hebrew is highly emphatic, meaning "I myself," "Indeed, I," or "It is I." It highlights Deborah's personal conviction, resolve, and her prophetic authority as the one delivering this song of praise. It underscores her divine mandate.
• will sing (אָשִׁירָה, ’āšîrâ): An imperfect verb, denoting an ongoing or future action. The act of singing is a quintessential biblical expression of worship, praise, and declaration, especially after a great victory or deliverance, and is deeply communal and theological.
• unto the LORD (לַיהוָה, laYHWH): This phrase indicates the sole recipient of the praise: Yahweh, the covenant name of God. This points to His unique identity, His revealed character, and His active relationship with His people, distinguishing Him from all other deities.
• I will sing praise (אֲזַמֵּר, ’ăzammēr): From the verb zāmar, which signifies making music or singing with praise, often implying accompaniment. This parallels and deepens the prior "will sing," emphasizing the joyful and intentional act of musical adoration and worship directed to God.
• to the LORD God of Israel (לַיהוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, laYHWH ’ĕlōhê yiśrā’ēl): A solemn and profound divine title. This reiteration of "the LORD" (Yahweh) coupled with "God of Israel" specifically identifies Him as the unique deity who has entered into a covenant relationship with the nation of Israel. This designation stresses His particular involvement in their history, His faithfulness to His covenant promises, and reinforces His exclusive sovereignty against the idolatrous claims of other national gods.

• "Hear, O kings; give ear, O princes": This is a powerful, universal double imperative, summoning all human authority – global monarchs and lesser rulers alike – to listen. This majestic opening sets a solemn, momentous tone, declaring Yahweh's ultimate sovereignty above all earthly powers and challenging any claims of self-sufficiency or idolatrous allegiance among the nations.
• "I, even I, will sing unto the LORD; I will sing praise": The emphatic doubling of "I" underscores Deborah's personal, unwavering resolve and prophetic commission in leading this profound act of worship. The parallel phrases focusing on singing intensely direct all attention and glory toward Yahweh, establishing the entire song as an act of heartfelt adoration and gratitude to Him alone.
• "to the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel": This two-tiered identification of the recipient of praise initially states His universal Name ("the LORD" – Yahweh), acknowledging His overarching authority. It then specifies "the LORD God of Israel," particularizing His unique covenant relationship and historical faithfulness to His chosen people. This declares His distinct identity among the gods and His personal engagement in Israel's deliverance, making His praise doubly compelling.

Judges 5 3 Bonus section

• Theological Polemic: The call to "kings" and "princes" serves as a direct challenge to the prevalent Ancient Near Eastern polytheistic worldview, where local gods and rulers held sway. By summoning these authorities to hear Israel’s praise to Yahweh, Deborah subtly (and powerfully) proclaims Yahweh’s unparalleled supremacy over all other deities and earthly potentates. The victory over Sisera's technologically superior army (chariots) demonstrated that Yahweh was the true, all-powerful "God of Israel," not dependent on human might or technological advancements, contrasting sharply with the reliance of Canaanite kings on their gods and military power.
• Hebrew Poetic Parallelism: The verse showcases classic Hebrew parallelism (e.g., synonymous parallelism between "Hear, O kings" and "give ear, O princes"). This poetic structure not only makes the verse aesthetically rich and memorable but also serves to reinforce the core message with added emphasis and rhythm, typical of ancient liturgical texts designed for recitation or musical performance.
• Introduction to Yahweh as Divine Warrior: This opening prepares the audience for the song's vivid depiction of Yahweh acting as a divine warrior (e.g., "the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped," "from heaven fought the stars," Judges 5:4-5, 20). The call for universal attention implies that the ensuing narrative is not just a historical report but a testament to the irresistible might of the God of Israel in battle.

Judges 5 3 Commentary

Judges 5:3 encapsulates the grandeur and purpose of Deborah’s Song. By directly addressing "kings" and "princes," it elevates the historical account from a mere tribal victory to a universal declaration of God's supremacy over all nations and their rulers. Deborah’s emphatic "I, even I" is not self-aggrandizing but demonstrates a personal, Spirit-anointed conviction to lead Israel in rightful worship and to herald God’s might. The dual emphasis on "singing" and "singing praise" highlights the intentional, joyful, and musical nature of the adoration due to the Almighty. Crucially, the verse defines the object of this worship: not a generic deity, but "the LORD God of Israel"—Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God who actively intervenes in the affairs of His people and demonstrably conquers their foes. This proclamation functions as both an act of worship and a powerful polemic against the false gods of Canaan, proclaiming Yahweh as the one true sovereign over creation and history. This sets the stage for the specific account of God’s redemptive power demonstrated through the Israelite victory.