If not, how could one to whom G-d spoke be too unclean or unworthy to do so? She was the wife of Lapidoth and held court under the palm tree of Deborah. During Deborah’s 40 years of peace which ended in 1144 BC in northern Israel, the Philistines were establishing themselves in southern Israel, but did not start oppressing Judah until 1118 BC. With this army he was to attack the Canaanite oppressors. She ruled about 1237BC—1198BC, she was also a prophetess. Deborah's dwelling under the palm-tree (Judges iv. It was something that God called her to do. Where in the bible did Deborah speak to the star Deborah, a Judge, used to hold court while sitting beneath a palm tree. Deborah was one of the rulers of the Israelites prior to the monarchy period that began with Saul (circa 1047 BCE). how did deborah become a judge November 11, 2020 by admin in Uncategorized. —Judges 4:4, 5. Reply, Deborah's Judgments (Judges, 5:23). Seeking a place to hide, he chanced upon the tent of Heber the Kenite, who was a descendant of Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses. "In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was proper in his own eyes." Or perhaps she acquired her authority by offering sage advice that led to a victory, or by predicting an important matter that came true. The fourth of the judges who ruled over the Jewish people after the death of Joshua, was not a man, but a woman, one of the most famous of all times, the Prophetess Deborah. Deborah seems to have held her court under the palm tree of Deborah for a number of years, this may have been for more than thirty years. Their practice was to seek guidance from God through prayer and meditation before making a ruling. A man named Sisera was the commander of King Jabin’s army. In the midst of the sin and idolatry, Deborah remained true to G‑d and His Torah. Consider this: water would have refreshed him, but she did not give him what he asked for. Enter your email address to get our weekly email with fresh, exciting and thoughtful content that will enrich your inbox and your life. The commander of Jabin’s army was named Sisera, and he had 900 iron chariots – formidable weapons against Israel’s foot soldiers (Judges 4:3). Deborah begins by praising the men in Israel who consecrated themselves to the war of liberation: Then the people offer themselves willingly. Deborah didn’t tell Barak to lead, she lead him to do his job as a military general, she wasn’t giving him her job as judge of Israel. The Talmud in Moed Katan 16a cites two opinions as to the identity of Meroz. In the end Deborah praises the brave Jael for having with her own hands killed the worst of Israel's enemies. As I have stated before, she was a warrior too. Barak refused to fight unless Deborah accompanied him. 3 Sisera, who had 900 iron chariots, ruthlessly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years. Dousing the Fiery Woman: The Diminishing of the Prophetess Deborah. Some say he was her husband, and that "Barak," meaning lighting, was another name for "Lapidoth." Some Biblical scholars have suggested that "lappidot" was not the name of Deborah's husband but rather the phrase "eshet lappidot" means quite literally "woman of torches", a reference to Deborah's fiery nature. During the battle, Sisera escaped and hid in the tent … They may, however, do so during other times.b. She was one of the most talented women of the Bible – a wife, mother, prophetess, judge, poetess, singer, and political leader. God raised up Deborah to be judge after the people had been treated harshly by King Jabin of Hazor. Many years ago, the original owner (who homesteaded the property) planted some water lilies along the shore. She went along and they defeated Sisera’s army. Deborah lived in the mountainous region of Ephraim, between the towns of Bethel and Ramah. Reply, Deborah But suddenly G‑d threw confusion into their ranks. The Israelites had been under the control of the Canaanite king Jabin and the commander of his army, Sisera. The exact way she became a judge is not listed but it was probably due in part to her being a prophetess. Deborah, a prophetess and a "judge" had more of the role of a godly counselor and deliverer than the courtroom judges of modern times. The famous Song of Deborah is in many ways similar to the Song of Moses, which he and Israel sang after the miracle at the Red Sea. Deborah was only one of four women designated as a prophet in the Hebrew Bible, and as such, she was said to transmit the word and the will of God. There, where everyone could hear her, she warned the Jewish people and urged them to leave their evil ways and return to G‑d. Answer: The account of Deborah and Barak is found in Judges 4 and 5 in the Old Testament. Sisera possessed a well-trained army of cavalry. T In the Bible, Deborah was the only female judge ever mentioned. Hear, 0 ye kings; give ear, 0 ye princes. It was fortunate that Deborah had such a tremendous influence. bless the Lord!” (Judges 5:2) Deborah not only praises God for the men who did lead; in verses 16–17, she also names and reproaches the ones who did not. Reply, was deborah a busIness woman as well? In the Bible, Deborah was the only female judge ever mentioned. Heber had been on good terms with Jabin, the king of Hazor, the ruler of the Canaanites, and Sisera was only too happy to accept the invitation of Jael, Heber's wife, to bide him in the house until the Jewish army would have passed. Reply, when was Deborah bornwhen did she die After the death of Ehud; Israel once again disobeyed until God raised up Deborah – a woman Judge. We can safely say that Deborah did not become a judge or a prophetess by her own choice. Deborah was the only woman Judge or Ruler of Israel. 5) is explained in several ways. He also had iron chariots that were the "tanks" of those days. Reply, I think that "Meroz" was an accumulation of tribes who did 'not' come to the aid of Deborah and Barak. For even the strongest and noblest of the men of those days had given up hope of turning the tide against the Canaanites' oppression and idolatry. Deborah followed Barak into battle, as did the others (Judges 4:10). Traditionally the major judges are Othniel, Ehud, Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson. While Deborah went with the army, she did not engage in battle. The Israelites would come up to her to have their disputes settled.” What a woman, that Deborah! Deborah does give Barak the word to go to war in 4:14, but she is merely repeating what she had already said. Deborah's story would stand out even without her unusual role as a military leader. Judges Chapter 5 is known as the "Song of Deborah," a text that exults in her victory over the Canaanites. Barak is a "judge" in that sense. The judge Gideon built on Deborah’s military foundation and led Zebulon, Naphtali, and other tribes against the Midianites and Amalekites (6:33-35). The Israelite warriors won the day, and General Sisera fled the battleground on foot. Deborah is one of the heroic women of history. It is a custom that they do not touch the Torah, not law. Deborah the judge. Yes, Deborah taught both men and women. God chose all of His prophets and judges. Reply, Did Deborah have children? Barak was Deborah's protege, her second-in-command—his name means lightning but he would not strike until he was ignited by Deborah's power. She ruled about 1237BC—1198BC, she was also a prophetess. Barak should have seen that it was the time to fight on his own, based upon what God had already said. how did deborah become a judge November 11, 2020 by admin in Uncategorized. God raised up Deborah to be judge after the people had been treated harshly by King Jabin of Hazor. Deborah, a prophetess and a "judge" had more of the role of a godly counselor and deliverer than the courtroom judges of modern times. Judge Deborah was one of the rulers of the Hebrews (and the only female leader) in the Old Testament. Naturally, the well-trained and armored Canaanite troops had no difficulty at first. Deborah arose at God's instruction. As I have stated … They quickly gained the upper hand. Being a prophetess must have helped Deborah to solve these disputes spiritually rather than simply politically or judicially. Deborah, a Judge, used to hold court while sitting beneath a palm tree. Judges 4, 5. In chapter 4, you can check the story about her successful counterattack. Rains turned the battlefield into mud, and the chariots were stuck. Therefore, many of the judges also were considered prophets who spoke "a word from the Lord.". Deborah ranks among the most famous women of the Hebrew Bible, known to Christians as the Old Testament. Deborah’s Leadership Roles and Qualities The fact that Deborah was a woman is clearly mentioned—the Hebrew word ishshah (“woman”) occurs twice in Judges 4:4 —but there is no hint in the text that her gender was in any way a problem. Does Deborah have a lineage that can be traced to solidify the story in the Bible? God spoke to Deborah under her palm tree between Bethel and Ramah. In the “Song”, Deborah describes a total breakdown of … in response to Malkie Janowski for Chabad.org: Kabbalah, Chassidism and Jewish Mysticism, On the Haftarah: The Greatness of Jewish Women. Reply, RE: Deborah's Judgments Reply, Deborah didn't actually speak to a star, but in her song of victory, she states, "'Curse you Meroz,' said the messenger of the Lord, 'curse you bitterly (you) inhabitants thereof,' because they came not to the aid of the Lord, to the aid of the Lord against the mighty." The oppressors were defeated and the Jews were free again to live their own life in happiness. “Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty.” So she (Jael) opened a jug of milk, gave him (Sisera) a drink, and covered him. Her duties included the leadership of Israel (executive After the victory, Barak and Deborah sang a hymn of praise to God found in Judges 5, called the Song of Deborah. Her duties included the leadership of Israel (executive After the victory, Barak and Deborah sang a hymn of praise to God found in Judges 5, called the Song of Deborah. I do not think it is a coincidence that this seemingly minor detail is included in the story. These rulers were called “mishpat,” which is translated as “judges.” A role that originated back when Moses appointed helpers to assist him in resolving arguments among the people. Deborah, who became the judge after Ehud, called for a man named Barak to lead the Israelite army against the Sisera and the Canaanites. To ensure that he would sleep, she covered him as if to hide him, but the warmth and perhaps lower oxygen under a skin covering would help the warm milk do it job. Both Deborah and Barak saw to it that the Jews remained loyal to G‑d Whom they had forsaken during the Canaanite reign. Barak refused to undertake this task by himself, knowing well that only the help of G‑d and the inspiration of the prophetess Deborah could succeed in the hopeless odds against the iron chariots and cavalry of Sisera. God then told him how to select these men. "It interesting that when Sisera ask Jael for a drink of water, she gave him milk. We can safely say that Deborah did not become a judge or a prophetess by her own choice. 6:11-40). The Israelites had been under the control of the Canaanite king Jabin and the commander of his army, Sisera. She was truly remarkable: a judge, a military strategist, a poet, and a prophet. Reply, woman teaching men is it biblical ? God will lead us to use our skills, no matter how simple they may appear, to be used for His purpose. It was something that God called her to do. . As a consequence G‑d delivered them into the hands of the King of Canaan, Jabin, whose royal residence was the city of Hazor. Packed full of adventure and eye-opening insights, children can explore the wonders of G-d's creations in "In Nature's Wonderland," discover leaders of our people in "Gallery of our Great," and much more. Judge Deborah was one of the rulers of the Hebrews (and the only female leader) in the Old Testament. 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