Judges 5 4

Judges 5:4 kjv

LORD, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water.

Judges 5:4 nkjv

"LORD, when You went out from Seir, When You marched from the field of Edom, The earth trembled and the heavens poured, The clouds also poured water;

Judges 5:4 niv

"When you, LORD, went out from Seir, when you marched from the land of Edom, the earth shook, the heavens poured, the clouds poured down water.

Judges 5:4 esv

"LORD, when you went out from Seir, when you marched from the region of Edom, the earth trembled and the heavens dropped, yes, the clouds dropped water.

Judges 5:4 nlt

"LORD, when you set out from Seir
and marched across the fields of Edom,
the earth trembled,
and the cloudy skies poured down rain.

Judges 5 verses

Judges 5 4 Meaning

This verse, a powerful invocation within the Song of Deborah, describes a majestic appearance (theophany) of the Lord. It vividly recalls the initial manifestation of God’s power from the region of Seir and Edom, causing the earth to tremble violently and the heavens to pour forth water. This imagery connects the contemporary victory over Sisera with God’s foundational act of delivering Israel from Egypt, emphasizing that the same sovereign God, whose presence disrupts the cosmos, continues to intervene actively and powerfully for His covenant people. It highlights His absolute control over creation and His role as the ultimate Deliverer.

Judges 5 4 Context

Judges chapter 5, famously known as the Song of Deborah and Barak, is an ancient, poetic hymn of triumph. It immediately follows Judges chapter 4, which narrates the historical account of Israel’s oppression by the Canaanites under King Jabin and Sisera, and the Lord’s deliverance through Deborah, a prophetess and judge, and Barak, the military leader. The victory culminated in the routing of Sisera’s army and Sisera’s death at the hands of Jael. Verses 2-3 of the song introduce the praise of God and the willing participation of Israel’s leaders. Judges 5:4 then initiates a magnificent display of divine imagery, recalling Yahweh’s formidable presence during the Exodus, specifically His manifestation at Mount Sinai. This sets the victory at the Wadi Kishon not as a mere human success but as a direct, powerful act of the same covenant God who liberated Israel from Egypt, thereby affirming His continuous sovereignty and faithfulness throughout Israelite history.

Judges 5 4 Word analysis

• LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the Tetragrammaton, God’s unique, covenant name, revealing His personal, self-existent, and eternally faithful character. It emphasizes His exclusive identity as the God of Israel who actively intervenes in history.

• when You went out (בְּצֵאתְךָ, betzetkha): Derived from יָצָא (yatsa), "to go forth." It conveys a deliberate, majestic movement, not a casual departure, implying purposeful and forceful divine action.

• from Seir (מִשֵּׂעִיר, misse'ir): Seir refers to the mountainous region traditionally associated with Edom, southeast of the Dead Sea. This geographically anchors God's origin point for His display of power, connecting it directly to His majestic procession from the wilderness during the Exodus, leading His people.

• when You marched (בְּצַעְדְּךָ, betzadkha): From צָעַד (tsa'ad), "to step, stride, march." This parallels "went out," further intensifying the imagery of a resolute, powerful, and deliberate advance, like a divine warrior making an awe-inspiring approach.

• from the field of Edom (מִשְּׂדֵה אֱדוֹם, missedeh Edom): A poetic parallel to "from Seir," reinforcing the geographical region from which God’s powerful manifestation emerged. It signifies His presence and power extending even beyond Israel's immediate borders.

• the earth (אֶרֶץ, erets): Refers to the physical ground and, by extension, the entire terrestrial sphere. It emphasizes the universal, tangible impact of God’s presence.

• trembled (רָעָשָׁה, ra'asha): From רָעַשׁ (ra'ash), "to quake, shake, tremble violently." This describes a profound, physical convulsion, signifying the awesome, terrifying, and overwhelming power of God's manifestation, akin to a major earthquake.

• and the heavens (וְגַם-שָׁמַיִם, vegum-shamayim): Refers to the celestial realm, including the sky and clouds. Its inclusion illustrates that not only the land but the entire cosmic order responds to God’s appearance.

• poured (נָטְפוּ, natfu): From נָטַף (nataf), "to drip, flow." In this context, it describes the heavens discharging water, depicting intense, perhaps torrential, rain or cloudbursts as part of the divine display of power.

• the clouds (גַּם עָבִים, gum avim): Specifies the visible atmospheric formations. Clouds frequently accompany divine appearances (theophanies) in scripture, symbolizing God’s veiled majesty and sometimes His active judgment or blessing.

• indeed poured water (נָטְפוּ-מָיִם, natfu mayim): This phrase re-emphasizes and explicitly states that the heavens and clouds delivered water. It completes the picture of a divine storm, not only illustrating God's complete dominion over nature but also countering Canaanite belief in Baal's control over rain.

• "LORD, when You went out from Seir, when You marched from the field of Edom": This phrase evokes God as a majestic warrior, specifically recalling His historical advance from the wilderness of Seir/Edom towards Sinai and then Israel. It’s a purposeful and awe-inspiring divine procession. This links the victory over Sisera directly to the power seen at the Exodus.

• "the earth trembled and the heavens poured, the clouds indeed poured water": This phrase describes a universal cosmic response to God's appearance. The quaking earth and torrential heavens illustrate the overwhelming power, majesty, and fearfulness of God. It's classical imagery for a theophany, showing His absolute control over creation.

Judges 5 4 Bonus section

• Ancient Theophany Motif: This verse taps into a widely recognized ancient Near Eastern literary and theological motif of divine manifestations, where a god’s appearance causes significant disturbances in the natural world. However, in this biblical context, it uniquely highlights Yahweh’s ethical purpose—His coming to deliver and covenant with His people, not just display raw power.
• Directional Significance: The specificity of "from Seir" and "from the field of Edom" is crucial. It does not imply God resides in these places but indicates the direction from which His glorious presence was perceived to advance toward Israel during their wilderness journey and at Sinai, emphasizing His approach to His chosen people.
• Auditory and Visual Impact: The poem paints a dramatic, multi-sensory experience for the audience, combining the sound of the trembling earth with the visual spectacle of pouring heavens and ominous clouds. This enhances the awe and terror evoked by God's presence.
• Past as Promise for the Present: By recalling this foundational act, the song suggests that the same powerful God who acted then is still acting now. It builds faith by showing God's consistency and enduring commitment to His covenant people, assuring them of His continued protection and provision.

Judges 5 4 Commentary

Judges 5:4 serves as a pivotal theological statement within Deborah's Song, drawing a profound parallel between the victory at Kishon and God's awe-inspiring display of power at Sinai. By vividly depicting God's majestic march from Seir and Edom, causing cosmic upheaval—the earth trembling, and heavens and clouds pouring forth water—the verse anchors contemporary triumph in the foundational historical reality of Yahweh's covenant faithfulness and omnipotence. This cosmic disruption signifies that the God who delivers Israel is not a passive or local deity, but the sovereign Creator whose active presence dictates the very laws of nature. It’s a polemic against the regional Canaanite gods, particularly Baal, by asserting Yahweh’s undisputed control over rain and the land, confirming Him as the sole source of all blessing and the true force in history. This reminder would have ignited worship and courage, solidifying trust in the God who fights for His people.