Judges 5:22

KJV

Then were the horsehoofs broken by the means of the pransings, the pransings of their mighty ones.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then were the horsehoofs {H6119}{H5483} broken {H1986} by the means of the pransings {H1726}, the pransings {H1726} of their mighty ones {H47}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the horses' hoofs pounded the ground, their mighty steeds galloping at full speed.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the hooves of horses thundered— the mad galloping of his stallions.

American Standard Version

Then did the horsehoofs stamp By reason of the prancings, the prancings of their strong ones.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Judges 5:22, a powerful and evocative line from the ancient "Song of Deborah and Barak," vividly describes the catastrophic defeat of the Canaanite army. It paints a picture of the enemy's formidable cavalry and chariots being utterly overwhelmed, their horses' hooves shattered and rendered useless by the frantic, uncontrolled movements in what was likely a divinely orchestrated muddy battlefield. This verse serves as a poetic testament to God's decisive intervention, transforming the Canaanites' military advantage into their undoing and securing a miraculous victory for Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Judges 5:22 is embedded within the "Song of Deborah and Barak," a triumphant poetic account of Israel's victory over the Canaanites, led by King Jabin of Hazor and his general Sisera. This song, found in [Judges 5](/judges/5 "Judges 5 - The Song of Deborah"), serves as a poetic counterpart and theological interpretation of the prose narrative of the battle detailed in [Judges 4](/judges/4 "Judges 4 - Deborah and Barak Defeat Sisera"). While [Judges 4](/judges/4 "Judges 4 - The Battle Narrative") recounts the events in a straightforward manner, [Judges 5](/judges/5 "Judges 5 - The Poetic Account") offers a more emotional, vivid, and theocentric perspective, celebrating God's direct involvement in the deliverance of His people. Verse 22 specifically contributes to the climactic description of the enemy's rout, emphasizing the divine chaos that turned their strength into weakness.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period of the Judges (roughly 1200-1000 BC) was characterized by tribal disunity, external oppression, and cycles of apostasy and deliverance. The Canaanites, particularly King Jabin, represented a significant threat due possessing superior military technology, specifically "nine hundred chariots of iron" ([Judges 4:3](/judges/4-3 "Judges 4:3 - Canaanite Oppression")). Iron chariots were the tanks of the ancient world, formidable weapons that could decimate infantry. The battle took place in the Jezreel Valley, a flat plain ideal for chariot warfare. However, the biblical account suggests a sudden, torrential downpour, turning the plain into a quagmire. This environmental factor, interpreted as divine intervention, rendered Sisera's chariots ineffective, trapping them in the mud and allowing the Israelite foot soldiers to overcome them. Judges 5:22 captures the chaotic result of this divine disruption on the battlefield.

* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully underscores several major themes prevalent in the book of Judges and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, **Divine Sovereignty and Intervention** is paramount; the victory is clearly attributed not to Israel's military might, but to God's direct action, turning the tide against a superior foe. This resonates with the theme of God fighting for His people, as seen in the Exodus narrative where the chariots of Pharaoh were similarly rendered useless in the Red Sea ([Exodus 14:25](/exodus/14-25 "Exodus 14:25 - Chariots of Egypt Stuck")). Secondly, the **Futility of Earthly Power** when opposed by God is starkly illustrated. Sisera's "mighty ones" (his powerful horses and chariots) were the epitome of military strength, yet they were utterly broken, demonstrating that human might is nothing before divine power ([Psalm 20:7](/psalm/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trust in the Lord, not Chariots")). Finally, the verse vividly portrays the **Chaos and Humiliation of Defeat**. The repeated "pransings" emphasize the frantic, uncontrolled movements of the horses, signifying the complete disarray, panic, and destruction of the once-proud Canaanite army, a common motif in biblical descriptions of God's judgment upon His enemies ([Psalm 9:5](/psalm/9-5 "Psalm 9:5 - God Rebukes the Nations")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pransings (Hebrew, _daharot'_):** This word, derived from the verb _dahar_ (to gallop, rush, stampede), conveys a sense of furious, uncontrolled, and violent movement. It describes the desperate, plunging, and stamping actions of the horses as they struggled in the mired ground, or perhaps in their wild flight. The repetition of the word in the verse ("the pransings, the pransings") intensifies this imagery, emphasizing the chaotic and frantic nature of their movements, not a majestic gallop but a desperate thrashing.
* **Broken (Hebrew, _nidhar'_):** This is the Niphal (passive) form of the same verb _dahar_ (to gallop, rush), here meaning "to be broken," "to be shattered," or "to be crushed." The passive voice is significant, indicating that the breaking of the hooves was not an active deed by the Israelites but a consequence of the horses' own frantic "pransings" in the treacherous conditions, likely the muddy terrain. It suggests a severe and debilitating injury to the hooves, rendering the horses and thus the chariots completely ineffective.
* **Mighty ones (Hebrew, _abbirav'_):** This term literally means "strong ones" or "bulls," often used metaphorically for powerful individuals, warriors, or here, mighty horses. It underscores the formidable nature of Sisera's cavalry and chariots, highlighting that even the most powerful elements of their military might were utterly undone. The breaking of the hooves of these "mighty ones" signifies the complete and humiliating collapse of their strength.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then were the horsehoofs broken":** This clause immediately sets the scene of disaster for the Canaanite forces. The "horsehoofs" (Hebrew _parsâv_) refer to the hooves of the cavalry and chariot horses. The passive verb "broken" (Niphal of _dahar_) indicates that this was not an action performed by the Israelites, but a consequence of the horses' own movements in the difficult conditions. It suggests severe injury or shattering of the ho hooves, rendering the horses incapacitated and the chariots useless.
* **"by the means of the pransings":** This phrase explains *how* the hooves were broken. The "pransings" (Hebrew _daharot_) refer to the frantic, violent, and uncontrolled galloping, plunging, or stamping of the horses. In the context of a muddy battlefield, these desperate movements would have led to the horses becoming mired, slipping, falling, and injuring their hooves, perhaps even breaking them against the hard ground beneath the mud or in collisions with other struggling horses and chariots.
* **"the pransings of their mighty ones":** This repetition emphasizes the cause of the destruction and identifies the horses as the "mighty ones" (Hebrew _abbirav_), highlighting their former strength and the ironic manner of their downfall. The repetition of "pransings" is a poetic device that intensifies the image of chaos, panic, and uncontrolled movement, underscoring the complete disarray and self-inflicted destruction of the enemy's most potent military asset.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 5:22 is rich in poetic artistry, employing several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically of the word "pransings" (_daharot_). This doubling intensifies the image of chaotic, frantic movement, creating a sense of urgency and emphasizing the utter disarray of the Canaanite forces. It also functions as a form of **Onomatopoeia**, as the repeated "pransings" evoke the very sound and rhythm of horses struggling violently in mud. Furthermore, there's an element of **Irony** at play: the "mighty ones" (the powerful horses) are undone by their own strength, their "pransings" leading to their destruction rather than victory. This also hints at **Hyperbole**, as the complete "breaking" of hooves might be a poetic exaggeration to emphasize the total incapacitation of the enemy's cavalry.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 5:22 serves as a profound theological statement on God's sovereignty over all creation and human endeavors, particularly military might. It vividly illustrates the principle that divine intervention can turn the most formidable human advantages into utter weakness. The Canaanites' iron chariots, symbols of their technological and military superiority, were rendered useless not by Israelite strength, but by a divinely orchestrated natural phenomenon—likely a sudden deluge that transformed the battlefield into a bog. This demonstrates that God does not need human strength or conventional warfare to achieve His purposes; He can use the elements, the environment, or even the enemy's own actions to bring about victory. This theme resonates throughout Scripture, reminding believers that true security and triumph come not from human power or resources, but from trusting in the Lord, who "fights for you" ([Exodus 14:14](/exodus/14-14 "Exodus 14:14 - The Lord Will Fight for You")).

* [Exodus 15:1-2](/exodus/15-1 "Exodus 15:1-2 - The Song of Moses and Miriam") - The Song of Moses celebrates God's victory over Pharaoh's chariots, which were similarly overwhelmed by divine power in the Red Sea.
* [Psalm 33:16-17](/psalm/33-16 "Psalm 33:16-17 - No King is Saved by the Size of His Army") - This psalm declares that no king is saved by the size of his army, nor a warrior by his great strength; a horse is a vain hope for deliverance.
* [Zechariah 4:6](/zechariah/4-6 "Zechariah 4:6 - Not by Might Nor by Power") - "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts," a powerful declaration of divine enablement over human effort.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Judges 5:22 offers a timeless message of hope and challenge for believers today. In a world that often values strength, resources, and strategic advantage, this verse reminds us that ultimate victory belongs to God. When we face overwhelming odds, whether personal struggles, societal injustices, or spiritual battles, we are prone to look to our own capabilities or external solutions. However, this passage calls us to shift our gaze to the Lord, who can turn the most formidable obstacles into opportunities for His glory. It encourages us to trust in His unconventional methods, knowing that He delights in using the weak to confound the strong, and the foolish to shame the wise. Our faith is not in our "chariots and horses," but in the God who can cause the "pransings of the mighty ones" to lead to their own undoing. This should inspire audacious faith and humble dependence, knowing that when God acts, no power can stand against Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "chariots of iron" or seemingly insurmountable obstacles are you facing in your life today, and where are you tempted to place your trust?**
* **How does the imagery of the "broken horsehoofs" challenge your understanding of power and victory?**
* **In what ways might God be calling you to step out in faith, trusting in His intervention rather than your own strength or conventional solutions?**
* **How can remembering God's past victories, like the one in Judges 5, strengthen your faith for present and future challenges?**

### FAQ
**What does "pransings" mean in this verse, and why is it repeated?**
Answer: The word "pransings" (Hebrew _daharot_) refers to the furious, uncontrolled galloping, plunging, and stamping of horses. It depicts their desperate movements as they struggled in the treacherous, likely muddy, battlefield. The repetition of "the pransings, the pransings" is a powerful poetic device. It intensifies the imagery, emphasizing the sheer chaos, panic, and frantic disarray of the Canaanite cavalry and chariot forces. It highlights that their once-impressive movements became the very cause of their downfall, as their hooves were "broken" by their own desperate thrashing in the mire.

**How were the horsehoofs "broken" if there's no mention of direct combat with them?**
Answer: The text implies that the hooves were broken as a direct consequence of the horses' own frantic "pransings" in the difficult terrain. The battle narrative in [Judges 4](/judges/4 "Judges 4 - The Battle Against Sisera") suggests a sudden, heavy rain, which would have turned the Jezreel Valley into a deep bog. As the powerful horses and chariots struggled in the thick mud, their desperate efforts to move forward would have caused them to slip, fall, and potentially shatter their hooves against unseen obstacles or the hard ground beneath the mud. This divine intervention, turning their military advantage into a fatal trap, led to their self-inflicted incapacitation, rather than direct combat by the Israelites against the hooves themselves.

**What is the significance of Sisera's "mighty ones" being defeated in this way?**
Answer: Sisera's "mighty ones" refers to his powerful horses and the formidable iron chariots they pulled, which were the cutting edge of ancient military technology. Their defeat, not by direct Israelite might but by the breaking of their hooves through their own frantic efforts in a divinely mired battlefield, underscores a profound theological message. It demonstrates the futility of even the greatest earthly power when it stands against the will of God. This echoes themes seen elsewhere in Scripture, such as [Psalm 33:16-17](/psalm/33-16 "Psalm 33:16-17 - God's Deliverance, Not Human Strength"), which states that no king is saved by the size of his army, nor a warrior by his great strength, and a horse is a vain hope for deliverance. God can humble the proud and deliver His people through unexpected means, turning the enemy's strength into their weakness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 5:22, with its vivid depiction of the enemy's powerful "mighty ones" being undone by their own frantic struggle in a divinely orchestrated chaos, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate victory of Christ over all opposing forces. Just as God rendered Sisera's formidable chariots useless, so too has Jesus, through His death and resurrection, decisively defeated the spiritual "mighty ones" of this age—sin, death, and the devil. The "pransings" of the enemy, once a terrifying display of power, become a symbol of their futile struggle against the sovereign will of God. The cross, seemingly a place of weakness and defeat, was in fact the battlefield where Christ disarmed the principalities and powers, triumphing over them by it ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")). The chaos and breaking of the enemy's strength in Judges 5 anticipate the ultimate unraveling of Satan's dominion. Through Christ, believers are empowered to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil, knowing that the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), has already secured the decisive victory, making us "more than conquerors through him who loved us" ([Romans 8:37](/romans/8-37 "Romans 8:37 - More Than Conquerors")).

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

Isaiah 5:28

Whose arrows [are] sharp, and all their bows bent, their horses' hoofs shall be counted like flint, and their wheels like a whirlwind:

Psalms 33:17

An horse [is] a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver [any] by his great strength.

Psalms 20:7

Some [trust] in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Micah 4:13

Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the LORD, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth.

Psalms 147:10

He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.

Psalms 147:11

The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

Jeremiah 47:4

Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, [and] to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor.