Topical Encyclopedia Deborah stands as one of the most prominent female figures in the Bible, known for her roles as a prophetess, judge, and leader of Israel during a time of oppression. Her account is primarily found in the Book of Judges, chapters 4 and 5, where she emerges as a central figure in the deliverance of Israel from Canaanite domination.Historical Context Deborah lived during the period of the Judges, a time characterized by a cyclical pattern of Israel's disobedience, oppression by foreign powers, cries for deliverance, and subsequent rescue by judges whom God raised up. The Israelites had once again turned away from God, leading to their subjugation by Jabin, the king of Canaan, whose military commander, Sisera, oppressed them with a formidable army equipped with 900 iron chariots (Judges 4:2-3). Role as a Judge and Prophetess Deborah is introduced as a prophetess and the wife of Lappidoth, who was judging Israel at that time (Judges 4:4). 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 (Judges 4:5). Her role as a judge indicates her leadership and wisdom, as she was sought after for her guidance and decisions in legal and spiritual matters. Military Leadership and Victory Under divine inspiration, Deborah summoned Barak, the son of Abinoam, instructing him to lead an army of ten thousand men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun to Mount Tabor. She conveyed God's promise of victory over Sisera, assuring Barak that the Lord would deliver Sisera into his hands (Judges 4:6-7). Barak agreed to go only if Deborah accompanied him, to which she consented, but prophesied that the honor of victory would go to a woman (Judges 4:8-9). The ensuing battle saw the Lord confound Sisera and his chariots, leading to a decisive victory for Israel. Sisera fled on foot and sought refuge in the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. Jael ultimately killed Sisera, fulfilling Deborah's prophecy that a woman would claim the honor of victory (Judges 4:17-22). The Song of Deborah Judges chapter 5 records the Song of Deborah, a poetic retelling of the victory over the Canaanites. This song is one of the oldest passages in the Bible and celebrates the triumph of Israel under God's guidance. It highlights the courage and faith of Deborah and Barak, as well as the decisive role of Jael. The song praises the Lord for His intervention and calls for His continued blessing upon those who love Him (Judges 5:31). Legacy Deborah's legacy is multifaceted. She is remembered as a wise and courageous leader who trusted in God's promises and acted decisively in a time of national crisis. Her account underscores the importance of faith and obedience to God, as well as the significant roles women can play in His divine plan. Deborah's leadership and prophetic insight were instrumental in securing Israel's freedom and restoring peace for forty years (Judges 5:31). Her example continues to inspire and challenge believers to seek God's will and act with courage and faithfulness. Nave's Topical Index Judges 4:4And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. Nave's Topical Index Strong's Hebrew 1683. Deborah -- two Israelite women... 1682, 1683. Deborah. 1684 . two Israelite women. Transliteration: Deborah Phonetic Spelling: (deb-o-raw') Short Definition: Deborah. ... /hebrew/1683.htm - 6k Library Deborah's Song Women who Saved a Nation The Blessed virgin Mary May have Lived Without Sin. None of the ... Whether the Grace of the Word of Wisdom and Knowledge is Becoming ... Though Many Other Widows came Near to Judith in virtue... The First Blast of the Trumpet Miscellaneous Subjects. The Women of the Gospel Narrative the Study of the Early Christian ... Appeal to the Christian Women of the South Salvation Published from the Mountains Resources What does the Bible have to say about women missionaries? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from what the Bible says about Jesus and women? | GotQuestions.org Since women preachers can be just as good as men, doesn't that mean they are called to preach? | 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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