Deborah
femaleJudgesMeaning: “Bee”
The only female judge of Israel, a prophetess who summoned Barak and led the nation to victory over Sisera, celebrated in one of the Bible’s oldest songs.
Biography
Deborah is the only woman among the judges of Israel and one of its few prophetesses — a wise and courageous leader who roused a fearful nation and delivered it from twenty years of Canaanite oppression.
A prophetess who judged Israel
Deborah "judged Israel at that time," holding court under her palm tree in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people came to her for judgment (Judges 4:4–5).
Victory over Sisera
At God's command she summoned Barak to lead ten thousand men against Sisera, captain of Jabin's army. Barak would go only if she went with him; she agreed, but foretold that the honor would go to a woman (Judges 4:9). The LORD routed Sisera's iron chariots, and he was killed by Jael.
The Song of Deborah
Deborah and Barak then sang one of the oldest poems in Scripture, celebrating the LORD's victory and calling Deborah "a mother in Israel" (Judges 5:7). After the deliverance, "the land had rest forty years" (Judges 5:31).
Life Timeline
Judges Israel and summons Barak against Sisera
Leads Israel to victory; Sisera's army is routed
Sings the Song of Deborah in triumph
On the Bible timeline
Deborah belongs to the Conquest & the Judges era (c. 1400 – 1050 BC).
- c. 1375 – 1050 BCThe Age of the Judges
Themes & lessons from Deborah
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Deborah appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
9 verses in 1 bookJudges9 verses
Judges 4:4
And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
Judges 4:5
And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
Judges 4:9
And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.
Judges 4:10
And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him.
Judges 4:14
And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.
Judges 5:1
Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying,
Judges 5:7
The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel.
Judges 5:12
Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam.
Judges 5:15
And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; even Issachar, and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart. foot: Heb. his feet thoughts: Heb. impressions For: or, In
Frequently asked about Deborah
Who was Deborah in the Bible?
The only female judge of Israel, a prophetess who summoned Barak and led the nation to victory over Sisera, celebrated in one of the Bible’s oldest songs.
What does the name Deborah mean?
The name Deborah means “Bee”.
What did Deborah do in the Bible?
Deborah served as prophetess, judge, of the tribe of Ephraim.
Where does Deborah appear in the Bible?
Deborah is mentioned 9 times across 1 book: Judges.
What can we learn from Deborah?
The story of Deborah touches on themes of armies of israel, the, mountains, naphtali, the tribe of, palm tree — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Deborah's life.
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