Judges 5:6

¶ In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through byways.

In the days {H3117} of Shamgar {H8044} the son {H1121} of Anath {H6067}, in the days {H3117} of Jael {H3278}, the highways {H734} were unoccupied {H2308}, and the travellers {H1980} walked {H3212} through byways {H6128}{H5410}.

"In the days of Shamgar the son of 'Anat, in the days of Ya'el, the main roads were deserted; travelers walked the byways.

In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were deserted and the travelers took the byways.

In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, In the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, And the travellers walked through byways.

Commentary

Context

Judges 5:6 is part of the Song of Deborah and Barak, a celebratory poem recounting Israel's miraculous victory over the Canaanite forces led by King Jabin and his general, Sisera. This particular verse vividly describes the dire state of Israel during a period of intense oppression and insecurity *before* God raised up Deborah and Barak as deliverers. The mention of Shamgar the son of Anath recalls an earlier, brief period of judgeship when he delivered Israel from the Philistines, indicating persistent threats. Jael, a Kenite woman, plays a crucial and unexpected role in Sisera's ultimate downfall, and her name here foreshadows the turning point in the narrative.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Profound Insecurity and Oppression: The central image of unoccupied highways and travelers using byways powerfully conveys the pervasive fear and danger. Under the severe oppression of King Jabin and Sisera, normal life ceased. People avoided main roads, which were likely targets for ambushes and raids, opting for less safe, winding, and obscure paths, or simply refraining from travel altogether.
  • The Desperate Need for Deliverance: This verse underscores the desperate conditions that necessitated divine intervention. The widespread terror and disruption of daily life highlight the urgency and significance of God's raising up of Deborah and Barak to bring about salvation for His people. It sets the stage for the dramatic shift seen later in the song, where Israel experiences rest and peace for forty years.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words used here for "highways" (neṯîḇōṯ) refer to established, well-trodden routes, while "byways" (’ōrᵃḥōṯ) denotes less-frequented, winding paths or tracks. The stark contrast between these two types of roads emphasizes the extent of the lawlessness and danger. The fact that the main roads were "unoccupied" (literally, "ceased") means that commerce, communication, and free movement—essential aspects of a functioning society—had ground to a halt due to the constant threat of violence.

Practical Application

Judges 5:6 serves as a powerful reminder of how pervasive fear and insecurity can cripple a society and individual lives. It illustrates the devastating effects of oppression when there is a lack of righteous leadership and divine protection. For believers, this verse can highlight:

  • The importance of God's provision for security and peace, both physically and spiritually.
  • The need for faithful leaders who stand up against injustice and guide people in God's ways.
  • A contrast between a life lived in fear and one lived in the freedom and peace that Christ offers. Just as God delivered Israel from their oppressors, He offers deliverance from spiritual bondage and fear to those who trust in Him, enabling them to walk in true freedom.
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

  • Isaiah 33:8

    The highways lie waste, the wayfaring man ceaseth: he hath broken the covenant, he hath despised the cities, he regardeth no man.

  • Judges 3:31

    ¶ And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel.

  • Leviticus 26:22

    I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your [high] ways shall be desolate.

  • Lamentations 1:4

    The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she [is] in bitterness.

  • Psalms 125:5

    As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: [but] peace [shall be] upon Israel.

  • Micah 3:12

    Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed [as] a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.

  • Judges 4:17

    ¶ Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for [there was] peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.
← Back