Judges 5:16

Why did you sit among the sheepfolds to hear the whistling for the flocks? In the clans of Reuben there was great indecision.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Deborah addresses the tribes of Israel during her victory song, specifically questioning the Reubenite clans at the moment of national mobilization. The words — The text highlights מִשְפָּתַיִם (mishpa'tayim), rendered as sheepfolds or fire-places, and שְׁרִקוֹת (sh'rikot), the whistling used to gather flocks. The thread — This pastoral imagery connects to Numbers 32:1 and Numbers 32:24, where Reuben and Gad survey territory explicitly for their large herds and flocks. Why it lands — The verse records the factual contrast between tribal inaction and military duty, demanding the reader identify where personal comfort replaces covenant obligation.

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

לָ֣מָּהLa./mah<to>/ why?יָשַׁ֗בְתָּya.Shav.tadid you sit בֵּ֚יןbeinbetween הַֽמִּשְׁפְּתַ֔יִםha./mish.pe.Ta.yimthe/ fire-places לִשְׁמֹ֖עַli/sh.Mo.a'to/ hear שְׁרִק֣וֹתshe.ri.Kot[the] whistling of עֲדָרִ֑ים'a.da.Rim[the] flocks לִפְלַגּ֣וֹתli/f.la.Gotto/ [the] divisions of רְאוּבֵ֔ןre.'u.VenReuben גְּדוֹלִ֖יםge.do.Lim[were] great חִקְרֵי־chik.rei-searchings of לֵֽב׃Levheart

King James Version

Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.

Cross-references

Numbers 32:24 Build cities for your little ones and folds for your flocks, but do what you have promised.”
Numbers 32:1 Now the Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, surveyed the lands of Jazer and Gilead, and they saw that the region was suitable for livestock.
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.
Psalms 4:4 Be angry, yet do not sin; on your bed, search your heart and be still. Selah
Psalms 77:6 At night I remembered my song; in my heart I mused, and my spirit pondered:
Lamentations 3:40 Let us examine and test our ways, and turn back to the LORD.
Philippians 2:21 For all the others look after their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.