DEBORAH: PROPHET & JUDGE

When we first meet Deborah, we learn that she is a prophetess, a wife, and a judge over Israel—her roles are listed in that order.

The fourth judge of Israel, Deborah's 40-year reign falls between that of Shamgar and Gideon. She is the only female judge, and the only judge to be called a prophet.

Deborah is easy to find. She spends a lot of time at her outdoor office between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim. Her favorite spot is under a specific tree: the Palm of Deborah. 🌴 People travel from all over Israel to meet with Deborah for the sole purpose of seeking her wise opinion on matters of justice.  

Although we don’t have the story of how Deborah becomes a judge, we know that she is “the only woman in the Bible who was placed at the height of political power by the common consent of the people” (Deen, p. 69).

One day, she sends for a man named Barak who was living in Naphtali. She prophesies to Barak that God is commanding him to prepare for battle; that God will bring their enemy to the Kishon River; and that God will give the Canaanite king into his hand.

WHAT GENDER NORMS?

Rather than step out in faith taking God at His word, Barak hesitates. Instead, he issues an ultimatum to Deborah:

"If you will go with me,

I will go,

but if you will not go with me,

I will not go."

Judges 4:8

This is an unusual and unexpected reversal of traditional gender roles: a man telling a woman he won't go to battle without her. What will Deborah do?

Deborah agrees to accompany him to the battle, but not before addressing his conditions. She prophesies that because of his attitude—his lack of faith—the Lord will deliver his enemy into the hand of a woman. Note: She does not specify who the woman will be.

Heading into battle with Barak, Deborah tells him when to fight. She also reminds him that the LORD will go ahead of him, and he will win the battle.

Sidenote: The victory hymn in Judges 5 retells the story from chapter 4 in poetic form and is possibly one of the oldest parts of the entire Bible. It’s called "The Song of Deborah" and dates back to the 12th century BC.

If you'd like to know more about the background and setting of this poem, you might enjoy reading a short article I wrote about it for "The Bible's Prehistory, Purpose, and Political Future" course I took at Emory University a few years ago. It's a quick read: https://laurazielke.com/2017/05/14/reblog-20140707/

You can read more about Deborah in Judges 4-5.

Additional Resources:

• "Deborah" in the Women’s Bible Commentary, 3rd ed. Edited by Carol A. Newsom, Sharon H. Ringe, Jacqueline E. Lapsley

• "Deborah: Bible" in the The Shalvi/Hyman Encyclopedia of Jewish Women (Online). Jewish Women’s Archive.

• All the Women of the Bible by Edith Deen

Photo Credits:

Photo by Robert Stokoe on Pexels.

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