Judges 5:4

Authorized King James Version

LORD, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water.

Word-by-Word Analysis

יְהוָ֗ה

H3068

LORD

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

בְּצֵֽאתְךָ֤

H3318

when thou wentest out

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִשֵּׂעִיר֙

H8165

of Seir

seir, a mountain of idumaea and its indigenous occupants, also one in palestine

בְּצַעְדְּךָ֙

H6805

when thou marchedst out

to pace, i.e., step regularly; (upward) to mount; (along) to march; (down and causatively) to hurl

מִשְּׂדֵ֣ה

H7704

of the field

a field (as flat)

אֱד֔וֹם

H123

of Edom

edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him

אֶ֣רֶץ

H776

the earth

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

רָעָ֔שָׁה

H7493

trembled

to undulate (as the earth, the sky, etc.; also a field of grain), particularly through fear; specifically, to spring (as a locust)

גַּם

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

#10

שָׁמַ֖יִם

H8064

and the heavens

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

#11

נָ֥טְפוּ

H5197

also dropped

to ooze, i.e., distil gradually; by implication, to fall in drops; figuratively, to speak by inspiration

#12

גַּם

H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

#13

עָבִ֖ים

H5645

the clouds

properly, an envelope, i.e., darkness (or density, 2 chronicles 4:17); specifically, a (scud) cloud; also a copse

#14

נָ֥טְפוּ

H5197

also dropped

to ooze, i.e., distil gradually; by implication, to fall in drops; figuratively, to speak by inspiration

#15

מָֽיִם׃

H4325

water

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

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

In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?

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