Judges 4:9

And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.

And she said {H559}, I will surely {H1980} go {H3212} with thee: notwithstanding {H657} the journey {H1870} that thou takest {H1980} shall not be for thine honour {H8597}; for the LORD {H3068} shall sell {H4376} Sisera {H5516} into the hand {H3027} of a woman {H802}. And Deborah {H1683} arose {H6965}, and went {H3212} with Barak {H1301} to Kedesh {H6943}.

She replied, "Yes, I will gladly go with you; but the way you are doing it will bring you no glory; because ADONAI will hand Sisra over to a woman." Then D'vorah set out and went with Barak to Kedesh.

“I will certainly go with you,” Deborah replied, “but the road you are taking will bring you no honor, because the LORD will be selling Sisera into the hand of a woman.” So Deborah got up and went with Barak to Kedesh,

And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding, the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honor; for Jehovah will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.

Commentary

Judges 4:9 records the prophetess Deborah's prophetic response to Barak, the military commander, after he stipulated that he would only go to battle against Sisera if she accompanied him. Her words reveal God's sovereign plan and the nature of honor in divine service.

Context

The Book of Judges recounts periods of Israel's apostasy, oppression by foreign powers, and God's raising up of "judges" to deliver them. In Judges 4, Israel is severely oppressed by Jabin, king of Canaan, whose army is commanded by Sisera. Deborah, a prophetess and one of Israel's judges, receives a divine command for Barak to lead 10,000 men against Sisera's mighty army. Barak's condition for going to battle—that Deborah must go with him—prompts Deborah's prophetic declaration in this verse, setting the stage for the unusual victory that follows.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Prophecy: Deborah's statement, "the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman," is a clear and authoritative prophecy. It underscores God's absolute control over events and His determination to deliver Israel, regardless of human courage or conventional expectations. This divine declaration underscores God's complete sovereignty over the battle's outcome and the fate of His enemies.
  • Challenging Human Honor: Barak's hesitation and condition meant that the ultimate glory for Sisera's defeat would go to a woman, specifically Jael, a non-Israelite. This served as a humbling rebuke to Barak, showing that God's honor takes precedence over human military glory and that God can use anyone He chooses, often the least expected, to accomplish His will.
  • Faithful Obedience: Despite the prophecy that he would not receive the honor, Barak still obeyed and went with Deborah. Deborah's immediate action to accompany Barak demonstrates her unwavering faith and obedience to God's word, even when challenged by Barak's lack of resolve.

Linguistic Insights

  • The word "sell" (Hebrew: makar, מָכַר) in this context does not imply a commercial transaction. Rather, it signifies "to deliver," "to hand over," or "to give into the power of." It emphasizes God's deliberate act of handing Sisera over to a woman, highlighting divine intention and control.
  • "Honour" (Hebrew: kavod, כָּבֹוד) refers to glory, weight, or reputation. Barak's reluctance to go without Deborah meant he would forfeit the weighty reputation typically associated with a victorious military commander in ancient Israel.

Practical Application

Judges 4:9 offers powerful lessons for believers today:

  • God Uses the Unexpected: God frequently works through unconventional means and individuals, challenging our human notions of strength, status, or gender roles. He is not limited by societal expectations or human weakness.
  • Obedience Over Personal Glory: This verse reminds us that true honor comes from obeying God's call, even when it means stepping aside from personal recognition. Our willingness to serve God's purposes, regardless of who gets the credit, is paramount.
  • God's Word is Sure: Deborah's prophecy was fulfilled precisely. We can trust that God's plans and promises will come to pass, no matter the obstacles or the human instruments He chooses.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Judges 2:14

    And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.

  • 1 Samuel 2:30

    Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed [that] thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

  • Judges 4:17

    ¶ Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for [there was] peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.

  • Judges 4:22

    And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her [tent], behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail [was] in his temples.

  • Judges 5:24

    ¶ Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent.

  • Judges 5:27

    At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down: at her feet he bowed, he fell: where he bowed, there he fell down dead.

  • 2 Samuel 20:21

    The matter [is] not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, [even] against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall.
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