Judges 4:6

Authorized King James Version

And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh-naphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַתִּשְׁלַ֗ח

H7971

And she sent

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

וַתִּקְרָא֙

H7121

and called

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

לְבָרָ֣ק

H1301

Barak

barak, an israelite

וּמִבְּנֵ֥י

H1121

and of the children

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אֲבִינֹ֔עַם

H42

of Abinoam

abinoam, an israelite

מִקֶּ֖דֶשׁ

H6943

out of Kedeshnaphtali

kedesh, the name of four places in palestine

נַפְתָּלִ֖י

H5321

of Naphtali

naphtali, a son of jacob, with the tribe descended from him, and its territory

וַתֹּ֨אמֶר

H559

and said

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֜יו

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#10

הֲלֹ֥א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#11

צִוָּ֣ה׀

H6680

commanded

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

#12

יְהוָ֣ה

H3068

unto him Hath not the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#13

אֱלֹהֵֽי

H430

God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

#14

יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל

H3478

of Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

#15

לֵ֤ךְ

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

#16

וּמָֽשַׁכְתָּ֙

H4900

and draw

to draw, used in a great variety of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong, to develop, to march, to remove, to delay, to be tall, etc.)

#17

בְּהַ֣ר

H2022

toward mount

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

#18

תָּב֔וֹר

H8396

Tabor

tabor, a mountain in palestine, also a city adjacent

#19

וְלָֽקַחְתָּ֣

H3947

and take

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

#20

עִמְּךָ֗

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

#21

עֲשֶׂ֤רֶת

H6235

with thee ten

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

#22

אֲלָפִים֙

H505

thousand

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

#23

אִ֔ישׁ

H376

men

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

#24

וּמִבְּנֵ֥י

H1121

and of the children

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

#25

נַפְתָּלִ֖י

H5321

of Naphtali

naphtali, a son of jacob, with the tribe descended from him, and its territory

#26

וּמִבְּנֵ֥י

H1121

and of the children

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

#27

זְבֻלֽוּן׃

H2074

of Zebulun

zebulon, a son of jacob; also his territory and tribe

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Judges. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Judges Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
What practical applications emerge from understanding salvation as presented in this verse, particularly in light of addressing questions of religious pluralism and the exclusivity of Christ?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?

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