Deborah דְּבוֹרָה
Prophetess and judge who led Israel to victory over Canaanites.
Biography
Deborah was a prophetess and the only female judge mentioned in the Bible. She lived during a time when the Israelites were oppressed by Jabin, the king of Canaan (Jdg.4.4). Deborah held court under a palm tree between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, where the Israelites came to her for judgment (Jdg.4.5).
Deborah summoned Barak, an Israelite warrior, and delivered a message from God instructing him to lead an army against Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army (Jdg.4.6-7). Barak agreed to go only if Deborah accompanied him, to which she consented but prophesied that the honor of the victory would go to a woman (Jdg.4.8-9).
Deborah and Barak led the Israelite army to Mount Tabor, where they defeated Sisera's forces (Jdg.4.10-16). Sisera fled and sought refuge in the tent of Jael, who killed him by driving a tent peg through his temple (Jdg.4.17-22).
After the victory, Deborah and Barak sang a song of praise, recounting the events of the battle and celebrating God's deliverance (Jdg.5.1-31). Deborah's leadership as a prophetess and judge brought 40 years of peace to the land of Israel (Jdg.5.31).
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical bookJudges 5 verses
- Judges 4:4
"Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, judged Israel at that time."
- Judges 4:5
"She lived under Deborah’s palm tree between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment."
- Judges 4:9
"She said, “I will surely go with you. Nevertheless, the journey that you take won’t be for your honor; for Yahweh will sell Sisera into a woman’s hand.” Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh."
- Judges 4:10
"Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali together to Kedesh. Ten thousand men followed him; and Deborah went up with him."
- Judges 4:14
"Deborah said to Barak, “Go; for this is the day in which Yahweh has delivered Sisera into your hand. Hasn’t Yahweh gone out before you?” So Barak went down from Mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | דְּבוֹרָה | H1683H |