Judges 5:4

LORD, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water.

LORD {H3068}, when thou wentest out {H3318} of Seir {H8165}, when thou marchedst out {H6805} of the field {H7704} of Edom {H123}, the earth {H776} trembled {H7493}, and the heavens {H8064} dropped {H5197}, the clouds {H5645} also dropped {H5197} water {H4325}.

"ADONAI, when you went out from Se'ir, when you marched out from the field of Edom; the earth quaked, and the sky shook; yes, the clouds poured down torrents.

O LORD, when You went out from Seir, when You marched from the land of Edom, the earth trembled, the heavens poured out rain, and the clouds poured down water.

Jehovah, when thou wentest forth out of Seir, When thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, The earth trembled, the heavens also dropped, Yea, the clouds dropped water.

Commentary

Context of Judges 5:4

Judges chapter 5 is known as the Song of Deborah, a triumphant poetic recounting of Israel's decisive victory over the Canaanite general Sisera and his army. Led by the prophetess Deborah and military commander Barak, this song is one of the oldest and most vivid passages of Hebrew poetry in the Bible. Verse 4 serves as a powerful preamble, setting a majestic and awe-inspiring tone for the entire song. It recalls earlier, dramatic manifestations of God's presence and power, particularly during the Exodus from Egypt and the wilderness wanderings. By invoking these monumental past events, the song reminds the audience that the God who acted so powerfully on behalf of Israel in the past is the same God who granted them victory against Sisera in the present.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Majesty and Power: The verse vividly portrays God's overwhelming power and sovereignty over creation. The imagery of "the earth trembled" and "the heavens dropped" speaks to a cosmic reaction to God's presence, emphasizing His absolute control over the natural world.
  • God's Active Presence in History: It highlights God's continuous and intimate involvement with His people throughout their history. By recalling His actions when Israel "wentest out of Seir" and "marchedst out of the field of Edom," the song points to the period when Israel skirted the territory of Edom (associated with Mount Seir) during their wilderness journey. This signifies that God was not a distant deity but one who actively led and protected His people from the very beginning of their nationhood.
  • Theophany and Divine Manifestation: The language used strongly echoes biblical descriptions of God's appearance, often referred to as a theophany, particularly at Mount Sinai. The natural phenomena described—trembling earth, heavens dropping water—are classic signs accompanying divine manifestation, instilling both fear and reverence. This dramatic imagery finds a strong parallel in Psalm 68:7-8, which also describes God's powerful march through the wilderness.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verbs used in this verse convey intense action. "Trembled" (רָגַז - ragaz) implies a violent shaking or quaking, suggesting the very foundations of the earth were disturbed by God's presence. "Dropped" (נָטַף - nataph) can mean to drip or flow, and in this context, it poetically signifies a supernatural outpouring of water, not just ordinary rain. This emphasizes that even the elements respond to the Lord's glorious and powerful march, underscoring the extraordinary nature of His intervention.

Practical Application

Judges 5:4 serves as a powerful source of encouragement and a reminder for believers today:

  • Confidence in God's Sovereignty: Just as God demonstrated His overwhelming power in ancient times and through the victory over Sisera, He remains sovereign over all circumstances today. We can trust that the same God who caused the earth to tremble is actively involved in our lives and the world.
  • Remembering God's Past Faithfulness: Recalling God's past acts of deliverance and power, both in biblical history and in our personal lives, strengthens faith for present and future challenges. It encourages us to look back at His consistent faithfulness to gain courage and perspective for what lies ahead.
  • Worship and Awe: This verse inspires a deep sense of awe and reverence for God. His power is beyond human comprehension, prompting worship and humility before His majesty. It calls us to recognize His might in all creation, from the grandest cosmic events to the most personal interventions.
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

  • Deuteronomy 33:2

    And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand [went] a fiery law for them.

  • Psalms 68:7

    ¶ O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah:

  • Psalms 68:8

    The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: [even] Sinai itself [was moved] at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

  • 2 Samuel 22:8

    Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.

  • Job 9:6

    Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.

  • Psalms 18:7

    Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.

  • Psalms 18:15

    Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils.
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