Topical Encyclopedia Deborah stands as a prominent figure in the biblical narrative, exemplifying the role of women as prophets in ancient Israel. Her account is primarily found in the Book of Judges, chapters 4 and 5, where she emerges as a leader, judge, and prophetess during a tumultuous period in Israel's history.Role and Leadership Deborah is introduced in Judges 4:4 as a prophetess and the wife of Lappidoth. She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, where the Israelites came to her for judgment. Her role as a judge indicates her significant authority and respect among the people, as she provided guidance and settled disputes. Prophetic Calling Deborah's prophetic calling is evident in her direct communication with God and her ability to convey His will to the people of Israel. In Judges 4:6-7, she summons Barak son of Abinoam and delivers a divine command: "Has not the LORD, the God of Israel, commanded you: ‘Go, deploy the troops at Mount Tabor, taking ten thousand men from Naphtali and Zebulun? And I will draw out Sisera the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude, to the River Kishon, and I will deliver him into your hand.’" . This passage highlights her role as a mouthpiece for God, providing strategic military instructions that would lead to Israel's victory. Military Leadership and Victory Deborah's leadership extends beyond her prophetic role, as she actively participates in the military campaign against the Canaanite forces led by Sisera. Despite Barak's hesitance to go into battle without her, Deborah agrees to accompany him, demonstrating her courage and commitment to God's plan. Judges 4:9 records her response: "I will certainly go with you," she replied, "but the honor will not be yours on the journey you are about to take, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman." . This prophecy is fulfilled when Jael, another woman, ultimately kills Sisera, further emphasizing the significant roles women played in this narrative. The Song of Deborah Judges 5 contains the Song of Deborah, a poetic retelling of the victory over Sisera. This song is one of the oldest passages in the Bible and is attributed to both Deborah and Barak. It celebrates the triumph of Israel and the divine intervention that led to their success. The song also highlights the unity and bravery of the tribes that joined the battle, as well as the pivotal roles of Deborah and Jael. In Judges 5:7, Deborah is described as "a mother in Israel," underscoring her nurturing and protective leadership. Legacy and Significance Deborah's account is a testament to the vital roles women played in the spiritual and political life of Israel. Her leadership, wisdom, and faithfulness to God's commands set a precedent for female prophets and leaders in the biblical tradition. As a prophetess, Deborah not only communicated God's will but also inspired and led her people to victory, leaving an enduring legacy in the history of Israel. Nave's Topical Index Judges 4:4,5And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. Nave's Topical Index Library Miscellaneous Subjects. Though Many Other Widows came Near to Judith in virtue... Introduction. The First Blast of the Trumpet The Women of the Gospel Narrative the Study of the Early Christian ... Appeal to the Christian Women of the South On the Article, and in one Holy Ghost, the Comforter, which Spake ... The Greater Prophets. A Case of Conscience Resolved A Cloud of Witnesses. Resources Why do women have such a small role in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about women leaders in government? Should a woman be President? | GotQuestions.org What roles can women fill in ministry? | GotQuestions.org Women: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Women are Courteous to Strangers Women are Tender to Her offspring Women of the Body (Ekklesia) of Christ Women: A Persian Queen Sat on a Throne Beside Her King Women: Active in Instigating to Iniquity Women: As Prophets: Philip's Four Unmarried Daughters Women: Athaliah, in Destroying the Royal Household and Usurping the Throne Women: Bath-Sheba, in Her Adultery, in Becoming the Wife of Her Husband's Murderer Women: Consecrated Jewels to Tabernacle Women: Converted by Preaching of Paul Women: Could not Marry Without the Consent of Parents Women: Deborah, a Judge, Prophetess, and Military Leader Women: Delilah, in Her Conspiracy Against Samson Women: Difference in Ceremonies Made Between Male and Female Children Women: Dinah, in Her Fornication Women: Eve, in Yielding to Temptation and Seducing Her Husband Women: Fall of, and Curse Upon Women: First to Whom the Risen Lord Appeared Women: Fond of Self-Indulgence Women: Forbidden to Wear Men's Costume Women: Gomer, the Adulterous Wife of Hosea Women: had Separate Apartments in Dwellings Women: Haman's Wife, in Advising Him to Hang Mordecai Women: Hannah, the Mother of Samuel Women: Help in Defensive Operations Women: Herodias, in Her Incestuous Marriage With Herod Antipas Women: Herodius, by Indirectly Causing John the Baptist to be Decapitated Women: Jezebel, in Her Conspiracy Against Naboth, to Cheat Him out of his Vineyard Women: Jezebel, in Her Evil Counsels To, and Influence Over, Ahab Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution and Destruction of the Prophets of the Lord Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution of Elijah Women: Job's Wife, in Suggesting to Him That he Curse God and Die Women: Leah, in Her Imitation of Rachel in the Matter of Children Women: Lot's Wife, in Her Rebellion Against Her Situation, and Against the Destruction of Sodom Women: Michal, in Her Derision of David's Religious Zeal Women: Miriam, in Her Sedition With Aaron Against Moses Women: Not to be Given in Marriage Was Considered a Calamity Women: Patriotic: The Women of Israel Women: Patriotic: The Women of the Philistines Women: Peninnah, the Wife of Elkanah, in Her Jealous Taunting of Hannah Women: Potiphar's Wife, in Her Lascivious Lust and Slander Against Joseph Women: Property Rights of in Inheritance Women: Property Rights of To Sell Real Estate Women: Punishment for Seducing, when not Betrothed Women: Punishment to be Inflicted Upon Men for Seducing, when Betrothed Women: Purifications of After Childbirth Women: Purifications of After Menstruation Women: Rachel, in Her Jealousy of Leah Women: Rachel, in Stealing Images Women: Religious Privileges of, Among Early Christians Women: Required to Attend to the Reading of the Law of Moses Women: Rules for Dress of Christian Women: Sapphira, in Her Blasphemous Falsehood Women: Sarah, in Her Jealousy and Malice Toward Hagar Women: Silly, and Easily Led Into Error Women: Social Status of in Persia Women: Social Status of in Roman Customs Women: Sold for Husband's Debts Women: Solomon's Wives, in Their Idolatrous and Wicked Influence Over Solomon Women: Symbolical of Wickedness Women: Tended Flocks and Herds Women: The Cannibalistic Mothers of Samaria Women: The Daughters of Lot, in Their Incestuous Lust Women: The Midianite Woman in the Camp of Israel, Taken in Adultery Women: The Philippian Christians Women: The Shunammite Woman, Who Gave Hospitality to Elisha Women: The Sodomites of the Southern Kingdom (Judah) Women: The Widow Who Put Her Two Mite (Small Coins, Greek: Leptas) Into the Treasury Women: The Woman Caught in the Act of Adultery and Brought to Jesus in the Temple Women: Took Part in Ancient Worship Women: Treated With Cruelty in War Women: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Women: Virtuous, Held in High Estimation Women: Wicked: Commits Forgery Women: Wicked: Full of Deceit and Licentiousness Women: Wicked: Silly and Wayward Women: Wicked: Zeal of, in Licentious Practices of Idolatry Women: Widow of Zarephath, Who Fed Elijah During the Famine Women: Worshiped in Separate Compartments Women: Zealous in Promoting Superstition and Idolatry Women: Zipporah, in Her Persecution of Moses on Account of his Religious Obligations Related Terms Women-servants (21 Occurrences) |
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