Bible Strands
Judges 5:12
‘Awake, awake, O Deborah! Awake, awake, sing a song! Arise, O Barak, and take hold of your captives, O son of Abinoam!’
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The speaker addresses Deborah and Barak directly during the communal recounting of Israel’s military victory. The call marks the transition from recounting the LORD’s righteous deeds to the descent of survivors to the nobles.
The words — The Hebrew עוּרִי ('u.Ri) literally means "awake" and appears four times in rapid succession, while ק֥וּם (kum) means "arise." These imperatives command immediate action from the named leaders.
The thread — The motif of awakening and leading captives parallels the ascension narrative in Ephesians 4:8 and the declaration in Psalms 68:18, while the command to awaken aligns with the psalmist’s instruction in Psalms 57:8.
Why it lands — The text demands that readers recognize the urgency of heeding divine commands to act. It requires leaders and communities to move from recounting past deeds to executing present responsibility.
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
Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam.
Cross-references
- Ephesians 4:8 This is why it says: “When He ascended on high, He led captives away, and gave gifts to men.”
- Psalms 68:18 You have ascended on high; You have led captives away. You have received gifts from men, even from the rebellious, that the LORD God may dwell there.
- Psalms 57:8 Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.
- 2 Timothy 2:26 Then they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to his will.
- Ephesians 5:14 So it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
- Psalms 108:2 Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.
- Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
- Jeremiah 31:26 At this I awoke and looked around. My sleep had been most pleasant to me.
- 1 Corinthians 15:34 Sober up as you ought, and stop sinning; for some of you are ignorant of God. I say this to your shame.
- Psalms 103:1 Of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul; all that is within me, bless His holy name.