Judges 5:17

KJV

Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why did Dan remain in ships? Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches.

KJV (with Strong's)

Gilead {H1568} abode {H7931} beyond {H5676} Jordan {H3383}: and why did Dan {H1835} remain {H1481} in ships {H591}? Asher {H836} continued {H3427} on the sea {H3220} shore {H2348}, and abode {H7931} in his breaches {H4664}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Gil'ad lives beyond the Yarden. Dan - why does he stay by the ships? Asher stayed by the shore of the sea, remaining near its bays.

Berean Standard Bible

Gilead remained beyond the Jordan. Dan, why did you linger by the ships? Asher stayed at the coast and remained in his harbors.

American Standard Version

Gilead abode beyond the Jordan: And Dan, why did he remain in ships? Asher sat still at the haven of the sea, And abode by his creeks.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 5:17 is a poignant line within the triumphal Song of Deborah, a poetic celebration of Israel's decisive victory over Sisera. It specifically critiques the tribes of Gilead, Dan, and Asher for their failure to join the crucial battle, highlighting their self-interest and complacency in contrast to the tribes who risked their lives for the common cause. This verse underscores the recurring challenge of tribal disunity during the period of the Judges and serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of corporate responsibility and active participation in God's redemptive work.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 5 is the "Song of Deborah," a poetic counterpart and theological interpretation of the prose narrative in [Judges 4](/judges/4 "Judges 4 - Deborah and Barak's Victory"). This ancient hymn, possibly one of the oldest pieces of Hebrew poetry in the Bible, serves as a triumphant celebration of God's deliverance and Israel's victory over the Canaanite general Sisera. Following an invocation to the Lord and a recounting of the earth's trembling at His presence, the song shifts to a review of the tribes' responses to the call to arms. [Judges 5:15-18](/judges/5-15 "Judges 5:15-18 - Tribal Responses to the Call") specifically details which tribes participated and which did not, with verse 17 offering a pointed critique of Gilead, Dan, and Asher, setting them in stark contrast to the bravery of Zebulun and Naphtali. The song's structure moves from divine majesty to human responsibility, culminating in praise for Jael's decisive action and a curse on Sisera's mother, making verse 17 a crucial part of its moral and theological assessment of the nation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (roughly 1200-1000 BC) was characterized by a cyclical pattern of apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance, reflecting Israel's struggle to fully possess the land and remain faithful to their covenant with Yahweh. During this time, there was no centralized monarchy, and tribal loyalties often superseded national unity. The Canaanites, particularly those in the northern plains, posed a significant threat, possessing superior military technology, including iron chariots ([Judges 4:3](/judges/4-3 "Judges 4:3 - Canaanite Oppression")). The call to battle in [Judges 5](/judges/5 "Judges 5 - The Song of Deborah") was not merely a territorial dispute but a spiritual struggle against a pagan power that actively oppressed God's people. The tribes mentioned in verse 17—Gilead (representing Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh east of the Jordan), Dan, and Asher—were geographically distinct. Gilead was separated by the Jordan River, while Dan and Asher were situated along the Mediterranean coast. Their respective "comfort zones" (pastoral lands, maritime trade) are highlighted as reasons for their detachment from the national crisis, reflecting the fragmented nature of Israelite society at the time.
* **Key Themes:** Judges 5:17 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Judges and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **tribal disunity versus corporate responsibility**. While some tribes, like Zebulun and Naphtali, "jeoparded their lives unto the death" ([Judges 5:18](/judges/5-18 "Judges 5:18 - Bravery of Zebulun and Naphtali")), Gilead, Dan, and Asher chose self-preservation, illustrating the fragmented nature of Israel and their failure to act as a unified people of God. This inaction highlights the **critique of self-interest and complacency**, where personal comfort or commercial pursuits (represented by "ships" and "sea shore") overshadowed the divine mandate and national solidarity. The verse also underscores the theme of **divine sovereignty in human affairs**, as God's victory is achieved despite human failings, yet it simultaneously emphasizes the **importance of human obedience and participation** in God's redemptive plans. The song, including this verse, serves as a call to faithfulness, reminding Israel—and future generations—that true devotion involves active engagement in the struggles of God's people, not passive detachment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gilead (Hebrew, _Gil'ad'_):** This term refers to the region east of the Jordan River, primarily inhabited by the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. In this context, "Gilead" serves as a synecdoche for these Transjordanian tribes. Their choice to "abode beyond Jordan" (KJV) implies a physical and perhaps spiritual detachment from the conflict occurring on the western side of the river, suggesting a prioritization of their established settlements and pastoral life over the urgent call to national defense.
* **ships (Hebrew, _'oniyyot'_):** This word specifically denotes large vessels, likely merchant ships. Its association with the tribe of Dan points to their engagement in maritime trade or coastal activities. The rhetorical question, "and why did Dan remain in ships?" critiques their commercial interests and comfortable pursuits, which evidently took precedence over joining the fight. This highlights a tribe that, despite its initial coastal allocation, later migrated north, suggesting a deep-seated inclination towards self-preservation or economic gain over national solidarity.
* **breaches (Hebrew, _mifratzav'_):** This term, often translated as "creeks," "inlets," or "havens," vividly describes the coastal geography and implies Asher's comfortable and secure settlements along the Mediterranean shore. The phrase "abode in his breaches" paints a picture of a tribe content to remain in their safe, perhaps commercially advantageous, harbors rather than venturing out to participate in the dangerous battle. It underscores their complacency and unwillingness to expose themselves to risk for the greater good of Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Gilead abode beyond Jordan:"** This clause identifies the tribes east of the Jordan River (Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh) and states their choice to remain in their established territory. The verb "abode" (יָשַׁב, _yashav_) implies a settled, comfortable existence, contrasting sharply with the active engagement required for battle. Their geographic separation is presented as a reason, or perhaps an excuse, for their inaction, highlighting a lack of national cohesion.
* **"and why did Dan remain in ships?"** This is a powerful rhetorical question, directly challenging the tribe of Dan. The mention of "ships" indicates their involvement in maritime trade or activities along the coast. The question implies a rebuke: why did they prioritize their commercial interests or comfortable existence over the urgent call to defend Israel? It underscores a failure of duty and a focus on self-interest.
* **"Asher continued on the sea shore, and abode in his breaches."** This clause similarly critiques the tribe of Asher. "Continued on the sea shore" emphasizes their proximity to and engagement with the coast. "Abode in his breaches" (referring to coastal inlets or harbors) further reinforces the image of a tribe settled in secure, perhaps prosperous, locations. Like Dan, Asher is depicted as prioritizing their comfort and established life over participation in the crucial battle, highlighting their complacency and detachment from the national struggle.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 5:17 employs several potent literary devices to convey its critique of the inactive tribes. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question** ("and why did Dan remain in ships?"), which directly challenges Dan's inaction, inviting the listener to condemn their choice and emphasizing the blameworthiness of their self-interest. **Contrast** is central to the entire song, and specifically in this verse, by implicitly setting the complacency of Gilead, Dan, and Asher against the anticipated bravery of tribes like Zebulun and Naphtali (mentioned in the subsequent verse). This highlights the moral failing of those who abstained. **Synecdoche** is used with "Gilead" representing the Transjordanian tribes, allowing the poet to concisely refer to a group by their geographic location. Furthermore, the descriptions of "ships," "sea shore," and "breaches" function as **Metonymy** or **Symbolism**, where these physical locations and objects stand for the tribes' commercial interests, comfortable lifestyles, and general detachment from the national crisis. The vivid imagery creates a strong sense of a missed opportunity and a failure of communal responsibility.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 5:17 powerfully illustrates the theological tension between individual tribal autonomy and the collective covenantal responsibility of Israel as a unified people of God. The critique leveled against Gilead, Dan, and Asher is not merely about military strategy but about faithfulness to Yahweh, who had called His people to possess the land and live righteously. Their inaction highlights a recurring problem in the period of the Judges: a lack of centralized authority often led to tribal disunity, self-interest, and a failure to fully engage in the divine mandate. This verse serves as a stark reminder that God's work, while ultimately sovereign, often requires the active and unified participation of His people, and that complacency or prioritizing personal comfort over communal struggle can be a significant spiritual failing. It underscores the biblical principle that all members of God's covenant community are called to contribute to the common good and to stand together against spiritual and physical adversaries.
* [Numbers 32:6-7](/numbers/32-6 "Numbers 32:6-7 - Moses Rebukes Reuben and Gad")
* [Nehemiah 4:6](/nehemiah/4-6 "Nehemiah 4:6 - The People Had a Mind to Work")
* [1 Corinthians 12:25-26](/1_corinthians/12-25 "1 Corinthians 12:25-26 - No Division in the Body")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 5:17 offers a timeless challenge for believers today, urging us to examine our own levels of engagement and commitment within the body of Christ and the broader world. Just as Gilead, Dan, and Asher were called to participate in a crucial battle for God's people, we are called to active involvement in the spiritual struggles of our time, whether that involves defending truth, serving the vulnerable, or sharing the Gospel. The "ships" and "sea shore" can symbolize anything that draws us away from our God-given responsibilities: personal comfort, material pursuits, career ambitions, or even simply a desire for an undisturbed life. This verse compels us to ask if we are prioritizing our own security and convenience over the urgent needs of the Kingdom and the call to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Christ. It reminds us that inaction, born of complacency or self-interest, can be a form of spiritual negligence that weakens the collective witness and work of God's people. True faithfulness often requires stepping out of our comfort zones and actively participating in the mission to which God has called us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the "ships" or "sea shores" in my life that might be keeping me from actively participating in God's work or serving my community?**
* **How does my personal comfort or self-interest sometimes hinder my willingness to engage in difficult but necessary spiritual battles or acts of service?**
* **In what ways can I better prioritize corporate responsibility and unity within my church or Christian community, rather than remaining detached?**

### FAQ
**Why is it significant that these specific tribes (Gilead, Dan, Asher) are singled out?**

Answer: The selection of Gilead, Dan, and Asher in [Judges 5:17](/judges/5-17 "Judges 5:17 - Critique of Inactive Tribes") is highly significant because it highlights their geographical locations and associated lifestyles, which are implicitly linked to their inaction. Gilead, representing the Transjordanian tribes (Reuben, Gad, half-Manasseh), was physically separated by the Jordan River, suggesting a detachment that might have been perceived as isolationist. Dan, though initially allotted coastal territory, was known for its maritime activities ("ships"), pointing to commercial interests that may have superseded national duty. Asher, located along the northern Mediterranean coast, was content "on the sea shore" and "in his breaches" (coastal inlets), indicating a focus on secure, perhaps prosperous, coastal settlements. By singling out these tribes, the Song of Deborah critiques their prioritizing of personal comfort, economic pursuits, or geographic convenience over the urgent call to collective action and solidarity with their fellow Israelites in a critical moment of national crisis. This serves as a powerful illustration of tribal disunity and self-interest, which were recurring challenges throughout the period of the [Judges](/judges/1 "The Book of Judges").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Judges 5:17 critiques the disunity and self-interest of certain tribes in the Old Testament, it finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the unified body of believers in the New Covenant, empowered by the Holy Spirit. The fragmented and often self-serving nature of the tribes in Judges foreshadows humanity's inherent inability to achieve perfect unity and fulfill God's purposes apart from divine intervention. Jesus Christ, as the ultimate leader and unifier, calls His followers not to remain in their "ships" of comfort or "breaches" of self-interest, but to actively participate in His Kingdom work. He prayed for the perfect unity of His disciples ([John 17:20-23](/john/17-20 "John 17:20-23 - Jesus Prays for Unity")), a unity made possible by His atoning sacrifice and the indwelling Spirit. The Church, as the body of Christ, is called to embody this unity, with each member contributing their gifts for the common good ([1 Corinthians 12:12-27](/1_corinthians/12-12 "1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - The Body of Christ")). Unlike the tribes who failed to answer the call, believers are commanded to "go therefore and make disciples of all nations" ([Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")), actively engaging in the spiritual battle against sin and darkness. The example of the inactive tribes serves as a stark reminder that Christian discipleship demands active participation, self-sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to the corporate mission of God, empowered by the Spirit who binds us together in Christ, the true King who ensures ultimate victory.

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

Joshua 13:25

And their coast was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the children of Ammon, unto Aroer that [is] before Rabbah;

Joshua 19:24

¶ And the fifth lot came out for the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families.

Joshua 19:31

This [is] the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Asher according to their families, these cities with their villages.

Joshua 13:31

And half Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, [were pertaining] unto the children of Machir the son of Manasseh, [even] to the one half of the children of Machir by their families.