Bible Strands
Judges 4:10
where he summoned Zebulun and Naphtali. Ten thousand men followed him, and Deborah also went with him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Barak assembles troops at Kedesh while Deborah accompanies him, executing her prior agreement to join the campaign against Sisera. This moment marks the formal mobilization of Israelite forces under combined prophetic and military direction.
The words — The verb וַ/יַּזְעֵ֨ק (va/i.yaz.'Ek) literally means "and he summoned," denoting a formal call to assemble. The proper names זְבוּלֻ֤ן (ze.vu.Lun) and נַפְתָּלִי (naf.ta.Li) identify the specific tribal units being called to march.
The thread — This tribal muster aligns with the troop lists in Judges 5:18 and Judges 5:15, where Zebulun and Naphtali are recorded as risking their lives and joining the valley campaign. The pattern of gathering forces under leadership also mirrors the diplomatic summons in Exodus 11:8.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to track how prophetic authority and tribal loyalty converge to enable military action. It demands attention to the practical mechanics of gathering an army before the battle occurs.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him.
Cross-references
- Judges 5:18 Zebulun was a people who risked their lives; Naphtali, too, on the heights of the battlefield.
- Judges 5:15 The princes of Issachar were with Deborah, and Issachar was with Barak, rushing into the valley at his heels. In the clans of Reuben there was great indecision.
- Exodus 11:8 And all these officials of yours will come and bow before me, saying, ‘Go, you and all the people who follow you!’ After that, I will depart.” And hot with anger, Moses left Pharaoh’s presence.
- Judges 4:14 Then Deborah said to Barak, “Arise, for this is the day that the LORD has delivered Sisera into your hand. Has not the LORD gone before you?” So Barak came down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him.
- 1 Samuel 25:27 Now let this gift your servant has brought to my lord be given to the young men who follow you.
- Judges 4:6 She summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “Surely the LORD, the God of Israel, is commanding you: ‘Go and march to Mount Tabor, taking with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun.
- 1 Kings 20:11 And the king of Israel replied, “Tell him: ‘The one putting on his armor should not boast like one taking it off.’”