Judges 4:9

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

“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,

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Judges 4:9 captures Deborah's prophetic declaration to Barak, revealing God's sovereign intent to deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman, thereby withholding military honor from Barak due to his initial hesitation. This pivotal moment underscores divine control over human affairs and challenges conventional notions of glory, setting the stage for an unexpected victory and highlighting God's ability to use unconventional means to achieve His purposes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 4:9 is a direct response to Barak's conditional acceptance of God's command to confront Sisera. In Judges 4:6-7, Deborah, as God's prophetess, relays the divine directive for Barak to gather 10,000 men and lead them to Mount Tabor, promising that God would draw Sisera and his chariots to the Kishon River for defeat. Barak's reply in Judges 4:8—"If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go"—reveals a lack of full faith or courage, despite the clear divine promise. Deborah's prophecy in verse 9 directly addresses this hesitation, affirming her presence but declaring the consequence for Barak's honor. The immediate follow-up in the latter part of verse 9, "And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh," demonstrates Deborah's unwavering obedience and Barak's eventual compliance, setting the narrative in motion towards the battle detailed in Judges 4:12-16 and the surprising fulfillment of the prophecy in Judges 4:17-22.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (c. 1375-1050 BC) was characterized by a cyclical pattern of Israelite apostasy, foreign oppression, cries for deliverance, and God raising up a judge. At this time, Israel was severely oppressed by Jabin, the Canaanite king of Hazor, whose formidable army, led by Sisera, boasted 900 iron chariots, a significant military advantage in the ancient Near East. In this patriarchal society, military leadership was exclusively a male domain, and honor (Hebrew: *kavod*) was highly valued, particularly for a victorious commander. The idea that a woman would receive the glory for a military victory was culturally counter-intuitive and potentially humiliating for a male warrior. Deborah's role as a prophetess and judge was already exceptional, indicating God's willingness to operate outside societal norms to accomplish His will. The journey to Kedesh, a city in Naphtali, was strategically important as a gathering point for the Israelite forces before engaging Sisera's army.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**, demonstrating that God's plans will be accomplished regardless of human reluctance or conventional expectations. God actively "sells" or delivers Sisera, asserting His absolute control over the outcome of battles and the fate of nations, as seen throughout [the historical books](/judges/1 "The Book of Judges - Cycles of Deliverance"). Secondly, it explores the theme of **Challenging Human Honor and Pride**. Barak's conditional obedience leads to a divine decree that his "honour" will be forfeited, serving as a humbling lesson that true glory belongs to God alone, and He can use the "weak" or "unexpected" to shame the "strong." This foreshadows the surprising role of Jael, a woman, in Sisera's ultimate demise, as detailed in [Judges 4:17-22](/judges/4-17 "Judges 4:17-22 - Jael Kills Sisera"). Finally, the verse underscores the importance of **Faithful Obedience**, even when the path forward is difficult or offers no personal glory. Deborah's immediate and unwavering decision to accompany Barak, despite the prophecy, exemplifies a profound trust in God's word, contrasting with Barak's initial hesitation and emphasizing that God honors those who prioritize His will above their own reputation, a principle echoed in [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better than Sacrifice").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sell (Hebrew, _makar'_):** The verb מָכַר (*makar*) typically means "to sell" in a commercial sense. However, in this context, it functions as a theological idiom signifying "to deliver," "to hand over," or "to give into the power of." It emphasizes God's active and deliberate agency in bringing about Sisera's defeat. This is not a passive surrender but an intentional act of divine judgment, highlighting God's absolute control over the destinies of individuals and nations. The use of "sell" here conveys a sense of Sisera being utterly given up, as if he were an item of transaction, underscoring his complete vulnerability before God's decree.
* **Honour (Hebrew, _kavod'_):** The noun כָּבֹוד (*kavod*) refers to glory, weight, reputation, or respect. In ancient Israelite society, military victory brought immense honor and prestige to the commander. Deborah's prophecy that Barak's "journey... shall not be for thine honour" means he will be deprived of the public recognition and high esteem typically associated with leading a successful military campaign. This loss of *kavod* is a direct consequence of his conditional obedience and lack of full faith, serving as a divine rebuke and a reorientation of where true honor lies—not in human achievement, but in God's sovereign work.
* **Woman (Hebrew, _ishshah'_):** The word אִשָּׁה (*ishshah*) simply means "woman." Its significance here lies in the stark contrast it presents to the expected male military hero. In a culture where men led in battle and received the spoils of war and honor, the prophecy that Sisera would fall into the hand of a woman was profoundly ironic and humbling. It pointed to Jael, a Kenite woman, who would ultimately kill Sisera, not in battle, but by an act of deceptive hospitality. This highlights God's propensity to use the seemingly weak, the unexpected, and those outside the conventional structures of power to accomplish His mighty deeds, thereby ensuring that the glory redounds to Him alone.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And she said, I will surely go with thee:"** Deborah's immediate and resolute affirmation of her commitment to accompany Barak. This demonstrates her unwavering faith and obedience to God's command, even in the face of Barak's hesitation. Her presence was crucial for Barak, but her willingness to go also set the stage for the fulfillment of the subsequent prophecy.
* **"notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour;"** This clause reveals the divine consequence for Barak's lack of full faith and his conditional obedience. Because he required Deborah's physical presence rather than fully trusting God's word alone, the glory and public recognition typically associated with a military victory would be diverted from him. This is a direct rebuke, emphasizing that God's honor takes precedence over human pride or reputation.
* **"for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman."** This is the core prophetic declaration. It states God's sovereign intention ("the LORD shall sell") to deliver Sisera, the formidable Canaanite commander, not into the hand of Barak or his army, but specifically "into the hand of a woman." This startling detail identifies the unexpected instrument of Sisera's downfall, foreshadowing Jael's role and further reinforcing the idea that God works in surprising ways to ensure His glory.
* **"And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh."** This final clause describes the immediate action taken following the prophecy. Deborah's prompt obedience underscores her faith and leadership. Barak, having received the prophecy and Deborah's agreement, proceeds with the plan. Their joint journey to Kedesh, the staging ground for the Israelite forces, signifies the commencement of the divine military operation, despite the unusual circumstances surrounding the impending victory.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 4:9 is rich in **Irony** and **Foreshadowing**. The primary **Irony** lies in the contrast between Barak, a male military commander who hesitates to go to battle without a woman, and the ultimate outcome where the honor of defeating the enemy general falls to another woman, Jael. This subverts the patriarchal expectations of the time, where military glory was exclusively a male domain. The verse uses **Foreshadowing** by explicitly stating that "the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman," building suspense and anticipation for the reader regarding how this prophecy will be fulfilled. This specific detail points directly to Jael's later actions in Judges 4:17-22, where she cunningly kills Sisera. Furthermore, there is an element of **Divine Retribution** or **Poetic Justice** in that Barak's fear or lack of faith directly results in the forfeiture of the very honor he might have sought, demonstrating God's sovereign control over human reputation and the consequences of incomplete obedience. The narrative also employs **Contrast** between Deborah's unwavering faith and Barak's conditional courage, highlighting the qualities God truly values.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 4:9 profoundly illustrates God's sovereign power and His unconventional methods for achieving His purposes. It teaches that God is not limited by human strength, societal norms, or conventional expectations; indeed, He often chooses the weak, the unexpected, or those overlooked by society to accomplish His greatest works, thereby ensuring that all glory redounds to Him alone. This divine strategy humbles human pride and redirects focus to God's omnipotence and wisdom. The verse also underscores the principle that true honor in God's kingdom is not found in personal recognition or military prowess, but in humble obedience and faithful participation in God's redemptive plan, regardless of who receives the credit. It challenges believers to prioritize God's glory above their own and to trust in His ability to work through any means He chooses.

* [1 Corinthians 1:27-29](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27-29 - God Chooses the Weak")
* [Psalm 75:6-7](/psalms/75-6 "Psalm 75:6-7 - God is the Judge")
* [Romans 9:15-16](/romans/9-15 "Romans 9:15-16 - God's Sovereign Choice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 4:9 offers a timeless lesson on the nature of true honor and the sovereignty of God. In a world that often equates success with personal recognition and glory, this verse reminds us that God's ways are higher than our ways. Barak's hesitation, though understandable from a human perspective, cost him the honor of the victory. This serves as a powerful reminder that our willingness to obey God's call, even when it means stepping out of our comfort zone or foregoing personal accolades, is what truly matters in God's eyes. God is perfectly capable of accomplishing His will through any means, and He delights in using the unexpected to demonstrate His power, ensuring that no human can boast in His presence. Our challenge is to cultivate a spirit of humble obedience, trusting that God's plan is perfect and His glory is paramount, regardless of whether we receive credit or not. This perspective liberates us from the pursuit of fleeting human applause and anchors us in the eternal value of serving God's purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my life am I tempted to prioritize personal recognition or comfort over complete obedience to God's call?**
* **How does the story of Deborah and Barak challenge my assumptions about who God uses to accomplish His work?**
* **What does it mean to truly surrender my desire for "honor" or credit in ministry or service, allowing God to receive all the glory?**
* **In what areas do I need to cultivate greater faith and trust in God's sovereign plan, even when it seems unconventional or requires me to step back?**

### FAQ
**Why did Barak hesitate to go to battle without Deborah?**

Answer: Barak's hesitation, as expressed in Judges 4:8, likely stemmed from a combination of factors. Sisera's army was formidable, possessing 900 iron chariots, which represented a significant military advantage against Israel's largely unequipped forces. Barak may have lacked the full faith or courage to face such an overwhelming enemy alone, despite God's explicit promise of victory. His request for Deborah's presence suggests he saw her as a tangible sign of God's presence and approval, perhaps believing that her prophetic authority would ensure divine assistance or bolster the morale of his troops. While not explicitly stated as fear, his condition reveals a dependence on human assurance (Deborah's presence) rather than absolute trust in God's word alone, a common human failing even among those called by God, as seen in [Exodus 4:10-13](/exodus/4-10 "Exodus 4:10-13 - Moses' Hesitation").

**Who was the "woman" into whose hand the LORD would sell Sisera?**

Answer: The "woman" referred to in Deborah's prophecy is Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. Her story is detailed in [Judges 4:17-22](/judges/4-17 "Judges 4:17-22 - Jael Kills Sisera") and celebrated in the Song of Deborah in [Judges 5:24-27](/judges/5-24 "Judges 5:24-27 - Jael Praised"). After the battle, Sisera fled on foot and sought refuge in Jael's tent, as the Kenites had a peace treaty with King Jabin. Jael offered him hospitality, giving him milk and covering him. While he was asleep, she took a tent peg and a hammer and drove the peg through his temple, killing him. Her actions fulfilled Deborah's prophecy, demonstrating God's ability to use an ordinary woman, outside the conventional military sphere, to bring about the enemy's complete defeat and ensure that no human male could claim the ultimate glory.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 4:9, with its emphasis on God's sovereign use of the unexpected and the humbling of human pride, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. Just as God chose a woman to bring about Sisera's defeat, subverting conventional expectations of military honor, so too did God choose a seemingly weak and scandalous path—the cross—to achieve the ultimate victory over sin and death. The world expected a conquering king, a military Messiah, but God "sold" His Son, the ultimate [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), into the hands of sinful men, to suffer shame and death. This "journey" for Christ was not for His earthly honor or glory in the eyes of the world, but for the glory of God and the salvation of humanity. Yet, through this ultimate act of humility and obedience, Jesus achieved the greatest triumph, disarming the powers and authorities, and making a public spectacle of them by triumphing over them in the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Powers")). The true honor, the ultimate *kavod*, was not found in worldly acclaim but in Christ's perfect obedience to the Father's will, even unto death ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility")). Thus, Judges 4:9 foreshadows how God's greatest victories are often achieved through means that defy human logic and humble human pride, ensuring that all glory belongs to Him alone, perfectly exemplified in the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.