Judges 5:13

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 5:13 is a triumphant declaration within the Song of Deborah and Barak, celebrating God's decisive intervention in Israel's victory over the Canaanite oppressors. It powerfully asserts that God Himself orchestrated a dramatic reversal of power, enabling the seemingly weak and diminished Israelite remnant to gain dominion over the formidable Canaanite nobles and mighty forces, a testament to divine sovereignty and justice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 5:13 is embedded within the "Song of Deborah and Barak" (Judges 5), a poetic and theological reflection on the events narrated in prose in Judges 4. This song serves as a triumphant hymn of praise to Yahweh for His miraculous deliverance of Israel from Canaanite oppression under King Jabin and his commander Sisera. Following an introductory call to praise and a recounting of God's majestic appearance, verse 13 specifically highlights the divine empowerment of Israel's forces. It precedes the detailed account of tribal participation (or lack thereof) in the battle and the dramatic climax of Sisera's death at the hands of Jael. The song's poetic structure emphasizes key themes through repetition and vivid imagery, making this verse a concise summary of the battle's divine outcome.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** For twenty years, Israel had been severely oppressed by the Canaanites, who possessed superior military technology, notably 900 chariots of iron. This oppression created a climate of fear and disarmed the Israelites, leading to deserted roads and vulnerable villages. The battle took place in the Jezreel Valley, near the Kishon River, a strategic location for chariot warfare. In this context, Deborah, a prophetess and judge, emerged as God's chosen leader, challenging the conventional male-dominated military command by summoning Barak. The victory, therefore, was not merely a military triumph but a profound theological statement, demonstrating God's power to deliver His people even when they are at their weakest and their enemies are at their strongest, overturning established power structures.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Reversal of Power**, where God consistently humbles the proud and exalts the lowly, demonstrating His justice and sovereignty over human hierarchies. It underscores **God's Sovereignty in Battle**, emphasizing that true deliverance comes not from human might or strategic brilliance but from God's direct intervention, as seen throughout [Israel's history](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - God's Deliverance at the Red Sea"). Furthermore, the verse highlights the theme of **God's Faithfulness to His Covenant People**, even when they have strayed, reminding them of His unwavering commitment to their liberation. Finally, it serves as a call to **Praise and Thanksgiving for Deliverance**, encouraging Israel to attribute all glory for their triumph to the LORD, a sentiment echoed in [Psalm 115:1](/psalm/115-1 "Psalm 115:1 - Not to Us, But to Your Name").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Dominion (Hebrew, _radah'_):** The Hebrew verb רָדָה (_radah_) signifies "to rule," "to have mastery over," "to tread down," or "to subdue." Its use here is potent, emphasizing not merely a temporary victory but a complete subjugation of the enemy and the establishment of Israel's authority. It conveys the idea of a decisive and lasting control, a complete reversal of the previous state of oppression.
* **Nobles (Hebrew, _addirím'_):** The term אַדִּירִים (_addirím_) refers to "mighty ones," "majestic ones," or "nobles." In this context, it specifically denotes the powerful leaders and elite forces of the Canaanite army. The contrast is stark: the "remnant" of Israel, seemingly insignificant, is given dominion over these formidable and respected figures, underscoring the miraculous nature of God's intervention.
* **Mighty (Hebrew, _addirím'_):** This is the same Hebrew word as "nobles," used again in the second clause. Its repetition reinforces the formidable nature of the enemy forces that Yahweh Himself overcame. It emphasizes that the victory was not over a weak foe, but over those who were truly powerful and considered invincible in human terms, further magnifying God's power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then he made him that remaineth have dominion over the nobles among the people:"** This clause declares God's active role (the implicit "he" referring to the LORD) in empowering the Israelite "remnant" (those who survived the oppression and responded to the call to battle, often a small and vulnerable group). Despite their numerical and military inferiority, God enabled them to overcome and rule over the powerful Canaanite "nobles" or leaders, illustrating a profound divine reversal of fortunes.
* **"the LORD made me have dominion over the mighty."** This is Deborah's personal, emphatic testimony, attributing the entire victory and the establishment of Israel's authority directly to Yahweh. The "me" refers to Deborah, representing both her own leadership empowered by God and, by extension, the collective Israel that she led. The "mighty" refers to the formidable Canaanite forces, particularly Sisera's army. This statement underscores that the triumph was not by human strength or strategy but solely by divine intervention and empowerment.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 5:13 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Parallelism** is evident in the two clauses, where the first ("he made him that remaineth have dominion over the nobles among the people") finds a synonymous or reinforcing echo in the second ("the LORD made me have dominion over the mighty"). This repetition emphasizes the central theme of divine empowerment and reversal. The use of **Contrast** is also prominent, pitting the "remnant" (implying weakness and fewness) against the "nobles" and "mighty" (implying strength and superiority), thereby magnifying the miraculous nature of God's intervention. The verse also functions as a **Personal Testimony**, as Deborah's declaration "the LORD made *me* have dominion" lends an authoritative and intimate voice to the divine action, making the theological truth profoundly personal and relatable. Finally, the implied **Divine Agent** ("he made," "the LORD made") clearly identifies God as the sole orchestrator of this dramatic shift in power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 5:13 stands as a powerful testament to God's unwavering sovereignty and His unique ability to overturn human power structures. It reveals a core theological principle: God often chooses the weak and the despised to humble the strong and the proud, demonstrating that true power resides not in human might or worldly status, but in His divine will and intervention. This divine reversal is not merely a historical event but a recurring pattern throughout salvation history, affirming God's justice and His commitment to liberating His people from oppression. The verse invites believers to place their trust entirely in God's power, recognizing that He alone can grant victory and dominion in the face of overwhelming odds.

* [1 Samuel 2:8](/1_samuel/2-8 "1 Samuel 2:8 - Hannah's Song of Reversal")
* [Psalm 33:16-17](/psalm/33-16 "Psalm 33:16-17 - No King is Saved by his Army")
* [Zechariah 4:6](/zechariah/4-6 "Zechariah 4:6 - Not by Might Nor by Power")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 5:13 offers profound and enduring lessons for believers navigating the complexities of life. It serves as a powerful reminder that in moments of personal or collective weakness, when challenges seem insurmountable and adversaries appear overwhelmingly strong, God's power remains undiminished. This verse encourages us to shift our focus from our limited resources or perceived disadvantages to the limitless power of God. It calls us to cultivate a radical dependence on Him, trusting that He can and will intervene to bring about His purposes, often through means that defy human logic or expectation. Just as Deborah gave all glory to the LORD, we are likewise called to acknowledge God's hand in our victories, whether they are triumphs over personal struggles, professional challenges, or societal injustices, fostering a spirit of humility and profound gratitude.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the principle of God empowering the weak challenge our reliance on human strength, resources, or societal status today?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to surrender control and trust God to give you "dominion" over seemingly insurmountable challenges or oppressive circumstances?**
* **How can we cultivate a spirit of consistent gratitude and attribute our successes, deliverances, and breakthroughs to the LORD, as Deborah so clearly did?**

### FAQ
**Who is "him that remaineth" in this verse?**

Answer: "Him that remaineth" refers to the Israelite remnant, specifically those who survived the long period of Canaanite oppression and responded to the call to battle alongside Deborah and Barak. This phrase highlights their vulnerable and diminished state, emphasizing that despite their numerical and military inferiority, God chose and empowered this small, seemingly insignificant group to achieve a great victory over the formidable Canaanite forces. It underscores the theme that God often works through the weak to confound the strong, as seen in [1 Corinthians 1:27](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27 - God Chooses the Weak").

**Why does Deborah specifically declare, "the LORD made me have dominion over the mighty"?**

Answer: This declaration is Deborah's personal testimony and profound affirmation of God's absolute sovereignty in the victory. By saying "the LORD made *me* have dominion," Deborah attributes the entire triumph—her leadership, Israel's success, and the complete subjugation of the enemy—directly and exclusively to Yahweh. It emphasizes that the victory was not a result of her own strategic brilliance or Barak's military prowess, but solely due to divine intervention and empowerment. This statement serves to give all glory to God, reinforcing the central message of the Song of Deborah that true deliverance comes from Him alone, a principle echoed throughout [the Psalms](/psalm/121-2 "Psalm 121:2 - My Help Comes from the Lord").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 5:13, with its declaration of God empowering the weak to triumph over the mighty, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as God enabled a vulnerable Israelite remnant to overcome the formidable Canaanites, so too did God accomplish the greatest victory over sin, death, and Satan through the seemingly weak and humble means of Christ's incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection. Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), was born in obscurity, lived a life of service, and willingly subjected Himself to the ultimate weakness of the cross. Yet, it was precisely through this apparent defeat that He disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities, triumphing over them by the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities")). His resurrection is the ultimate demonstration of God's power to grant "dominion" over the "mighty" forces of evil, establishing Christ as [Lord of all](/acts/10-36 "Acts 10:36 - Jesus is Lord of All") and granting believers victory through Him ([1 Corinthians 15:57](/1_corinthians/15-57 "1 Corinthians 15:57 - Victory Through Christ")). Thus, the Song of Deborah's celebration of divine reversal prefigures the far greater, cosmic reversal achieved by Christ, through whom God continues to empower His church, often perceived as weak, to overcome the world by His Spirit ([2 Corinthians 12:9-10](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - God's Power in Weakness")).

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.