Judges 5:15 - The princes of Issachar were with Deborah. As was Issachar, so was Barak. They rushed into the valley at his feet. By the watercourses of Reuben, there were great resolves of heart.
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What does "Judges 5:15" mean?
Judges 5:15 is a key part of Deborah's song, a victory hymn celebrating the defeat of the Canaanite army led by Sisera. Let's break down the meaning of each part of the verse:
"The princes of Issachar were with Deborah." This highlights the tribe of Issachar's support for Deborah and Barak's leadership. Princes, meaning leaders or chiefs, from the tribe of Issachar actively joined the effort. This emphasizes that it wasn't just ordinary people, but influential figures who backed the war.
"As was Issachar, so was Barak." This draws a parallel between the tribe of Issachar's dedication and Barak's own courage and leadership. Barak was the military commander, and Issachar's steadfastness mirrored his commitment. It suggests that both the leadership and the people of Issachar were united in their resolve.
"They rushed into the valley at his feet." This describes the decisive action of the Issachar warriors. They bravely charged into the valley, following Barak's lead, to engage the enemy. "At his feet" emphasizes their obedience and willingness to fight under his command.
"By the watercourses of Reuben, there were great resolves of heart." This part is more ambiguous and often interpreted in two ways:
Criticism: Reuben, another tribe, is being contrasted with the bravery of Issachar. While Issachar actively participated in the battle, Reuben stayed by the "watercourses," possibly tending to their flocks, and their "great resolves of heart" might imply they were debating whether to join the fight but ultimately chose not to. In this interpretation, the verse is subtly rebuking Reuben for their indecision and inaction.
Alternative (Less Common) Interpretation: It could be interpreted that Reuben was in deep contemplation or strategic planning ("great resolves of heart") about how to best support the effort from a distance, possibly securing supplies or protecting the rear.
Overall Meaning
The verse is primarily about praising the tribe of Issachar for its courage and decisive action in supporting Deborah and Barak in their fight against the Canaanites. It contrasts their bravery with the more passive or indecisive behavior (possibly) of the tribe of Reuben. This verse emphasizes the importance of commitment, leadership, and unity in achieving victory. It also highlights the idea that contributing in any way, whether on the front lines or from a distance, is important to the cause.
Judges 5:15 - The princes of Issachar were with Deborah. As was Issachar, so was Barak. They rushed into the valley at his feet. By the watercourses of Reuben, there were great resolves of heart.
What does "Judges 5:15" mean?
Judges 5:15 is a key part of Deborah's song, a victory hymn celebrating the defeat of the Canaanite army led by Sisera. Let's break down the meaning of each part of the verse:
"The princes of Issachar were with Deborah." This highlights the tribe of Issachar's support for Deborah and Barak's leadership. Princes, meaning leaders or chiefs, from the tribe of Issachar actively joined the effort. This emphasizes that it wasn't just ordinary people, but influential figures who backed the war.
"As was Issachar, so was Barak." This draws a parallel between the tribe of Issachar's dedication and Barak's own courage and leadership. Barak was the military commander, and Issachar's steadfastness mirrored his commitment. It suggests that both the leadership and the people of Issachar were united in their resolve.
"They rushed into the valley at his feet." This describes the decisive action of the Issachar warriors. They bravely charged into the valley, following Barak's lead, to engage the enemy. "At his feet" emphasizes their obedience and willingness to fight under his command.
"By the watercourses of Reuben, there were great resolves of heart." This part is more ambiguous and often interpreted in two ways:
Criticism: Reuben, another tribe, is being contrasted with the bravery of Issachar. While Issachar actively participated in the battle, Reuben stayed by the "watercourses," possibly tending to their flocks, and their "great resolves of heart" might imply they were debating whether to join the fight but ultimately chose not to. In this interpretation, the verse is subtly rebuking Reuben for their indecision and inaction.
Alternative (Less Common) Interpretation: It could be interpreted that Reuben was in deep contemplation or strategic planning ("great resolves of heart") about how to best support the effort from a distance, possibly securing supplies or protecting the rear.
Overall Meaning
The verse is primarily about praising the tribe of Issachar for its courage and decisive action in supporting Deborah and Barak in their fight against the Canaanites. It contrasts their bravery with the more passive or indecisive behavior (possibly) of the tribe of Reuben. This verse emphasizes the importance of commitment, leadership, and unity in achieving victory. It also highlights the idea that contributing in any way, whether on the front lines or from a distance, is important to the cause.