Judges 5:15

And the princes of Issachar [were] with Deborah; even Issachar, and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben [there were] great thoughts of heart.

And the princes {H8269} of Issachar {H3485} were with Deborah {H1683}; even Issachar {H3485}, and also Barak {H1301}: he was sent {H7971} on foot {H7272} into the valley {H6010}. For the divisions {H6390} of Reuben {H7205} there were great {H1419} thoughts {H2711} of heart {H3820}.

The princes of Yissakhar were with D'vorah, Yissakhar, along with Barak; into the valley they rushed forth behind him. Among the divisions of Re'uven they made great resolutions in their hearts.

The princes of Issachar were with Deborah, and Issachar was with Barak, rushing into the valley at his heels. In the clans of Reuben there was great indecision.

And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; As was Issachar, so was Barak; Into the valley they rushed forth at his feet. By the watercourses of Reuben There were great resolves of heart.

Commentary

Judges 5:15 is a verse from the "Song of Deborah and Barak," a powerful poetic recounting of Israel's victory over the Canaanite forces led by Sisera. This song, found in Judges chapter 5, celebrates God's deliverance and highlights the actions (or inactions) of the various Israelite tribes.

Context

Following the oppression by King Jabin of Hazor and his commander Sisera, God raised up Deborah, a prophetess and judge, and Barak, a military leader, to deliver Israel. The battle took place near the Kishon River, a crucial strategic location for ancient Israel. The Song of Deborah details the preparation for battle, the divine intervention, and the roles played by different tribes. Verse 15 specifically contrasts the decisive participation of the tribe of Issachar with the regrettable hesitation of Reuben, providing insight into tribal loyalty and commitment during a critical period of Israelite history.

Key Themes

  • Commitment and Loyalty: The verse praises the "princes of Issachar" for their unwavering support and presence with Deborah and Barak. This signifies a strong commitment to the cause of Israel's liberation, standing in stark contrast to other tribes mentioned in the song. Their readiness mirrors the courage of Barak, who was "sent on foot into the valley"—a dangerous, frontline position where the main battle occurred.
  • Indecision and Division: "For the divisions of Reuben [there were] great thoughts of heart." This phrase points to the tribe of Reuben's internal deliberation and ultimate failure to join the battle. The Hebrew phrase chaqerei lev (חקרי לב) implies "deep searchings of heart" or "great ponderings," suggesting a prolonged period of indecision or debate that prevented them from acting when unity was critical. This inaction is implicitly criticized in the song, highlighting the detrimental impact of disunity during a time of national crisis.
  • The Call to Action: The song as a whole, and this verse specifically, underscores the importance of responding to God's call for action. While Issachar exemplifies swift obedience and courage, Reuben's hesitation serves as a cautionary tale about the cost of prioritizing personal comfort or internal disputes over collective responsibility and divine mandate. It emphasizes that true victory often requires unified effort.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "great thoughts of heart" for Reuben (Hebrew: chaqerei lev) is particularly insightful. It doesn't necessarily mean evil thoughts, but rather deep, perhaps anxious, deliberations that led to inaction. It suggests a preoccupation with their own affairs or fears, preventing them from joining the fight for their brethren. This contrasts sharply with the bold action of Issachar and Barak, who put themselves in harm's way for the greater good.

Practical Application

Judges 5:15 serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of decisive action and unity, especially when facing challenges or when God calls for participation. Are we like Issachar, ready to stand with faithful leaders and commit fully to the task at hand? Or are we like Reuben, allowing "great thoughts of heart"—indecision, fear, or self-interest—to prevent us from engaging in vital work, whether in our communities, families, or spiritual lives? The verse encourages us to overcome internal hesitations and embrace courageous obedience, understanding that unity in purpose strengthens the collective body and leads to greater impact and spiritual victory.

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 4:14

    And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this [is] the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.

  • Judges 4:10

    ¶ And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him.

  • Judges 4:6

    And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, [saying], Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?

  • Acts 15:39

    And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

  • 2 Corinthians 11:2

    For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present [you as] a chaste virgin to Christ.

  • Acts 20:13

    ¶ And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.

  • Proverbs 22:13

    ¶ The slothful [man] saith, [There is] a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.
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