Judges 5:13

Then he made him that remaineth have dominion over the nobles among the people: the LORD made me have dominion over the mighty.

Then he made him that remaineth {H8300} have dominion {H7287} over the nobles {H117} among the people {H5971}: the LORD {H3068} made me have dominion {H7287} over the mighty {H1368}.

"Then a remnant of the nobles marched down; the people of ADONAI marched down to me like warriors.

Then the survivors came down to the nobles; the people of the LORD came down to me against the mighty.

Then came down a remnant of the nobles and the people; Jehovah came down for me against the mighty.

Judges 5:13 is a powerful declaration from the Song of Deborah and Barak, a poetic celebration of Israel's miraculous victory over the Canaanite forces led by Sisera and King Jabin. This verse encapsulates the dramatic reversal of fortunes orchestrated by God.

Context of the Song

The preceding chapter, Judges 4, narrates the historical account of how Israel, under the leadership of the prophetess Deborah and military commander Barak, defeated the oppressive Canaanites who had dominated them for twenty years. The Canaanite army, with its 900 chariots of iron, seemed invincible, but God intervened. The Song of Deborah (Judges 5) is a vivid, triumphant hymn that praises God for His intervention and recounts the various tribes' participation (or lack thereof) in the battle, culminating in Sisera's death at the hands of Jael (Judges 4:21).

Understanding Judges 5:13

The verse states, "Then he made him that remaineth have dominion over the nobles among the people: the LORD made me have dominion over the mighty."

  • "Then he made him that remaineth have dominion over the nobles among the people": This refers to the remnant of Israel, specifically those who were willing to answer God's call and fight for their freedom. Despite their numerical and military inferiority, God empowered them to triumph over the "nobles" or leaders of the Canaanite oppressors. It highlights the divine enabling of the seemingly weak to overcome the powerful.
  • "the LORD made me have dominion over the mighty": This is Deborah's personal testimony and affirmation of God's role. "Me" refers to Deborah, representing God's chosen leadership and Israel itself. The "mighty" refers to the formidable Canaanite forces and their leaders, particularly Sisera. Deborah attributes the entire victory, the reversal of power, and the establishment of Israel's dominion directly to the LORD, emphasizing that it was not by human strength but by divine intervention. This echoes the sentiment found in Psalm 18:32, where God is described as girding one with strength for battle.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Reversal of Power: A central theme is God's ability to humble the proud and exalt the lowly. The mighty Canaanites are brought low, and the oppressed Israelites are given dominion. This illustrates God's justice and His power to overturn human hierarchies and oppressive systems.
  • God's Sovereignty in Battle: Deborah emphatically declares that the victory was the LORD's doing. It wasn't Israel's military might or strategic brilliance, but God's direct intervention that secured their freedom. This reinforces the biblical truth that true deliverance comes from God alone.
  • Praise for God's Deliverance: The entire Song of Deborah is an act of worship and thanksgiving. Verse 13 is a concise summary of the core message: God is the deliverer, and He deserves all glory for the triumph.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "dominion" here is radah (רָדָה), which signifies ruling, having mastery, or treading down. Its use emphasizes the complete subjugation of the enemy and the establishment of Israel's authority. The "mighty" (אַדִּירִים, addirím) refers to those who are powerful, noble, or majestic, highlighting the impressive strength of the enemy that was nonetheless overcome by God's power.

Practical Application

Judges 5:13 offers profound lessons for believers today:

  • Hope in Adversity: When facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, this verse reminds us that God can reverse circumstances. He can empower the weak to overcome the strong, providing hope in times of oppression or difficulty.
  • Reliance on God: It calls us to place our trust not in our own strength, resources, or connections, but in the LORD. Just as Deborah recognized, true victory and dominion come from Him. This principle is timeless, as seen in Zechariah 4:6, "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."
  • Giving God the Glory: Like Deborah, we are called to acknowledge God's hand in our successes and deliverances. This verse encourages a spirit of humility and gratitude, always attributing our triumphs to His grace and power.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Revelation 2:26

    And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

  • Revelation 2:27

    And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

  • Isaiah 41:15

    Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat [them] small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.

  • Isaiah 41:16

    Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, [and] shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel.

  • Psalms 49:14

    Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.

  • Revelation 3:9

    Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

  • Psalms 75:7

    But God [is] the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.
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