Bible Strands
Judges 5:2
“When the princes take the lead in Israel, when the people volunteer, bless the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Deborah and Barak declare this line as part of their victory song, addressing the assembled Israelites and neighboring rulers immediately following national deliverance.
The words — The Hebrew פְרֹעַ (pə·rō·aʿ) identifies those who act as leaders or heads, while הִתְנַדֵּב (hit·na·dēḇ) describes the people who willingly offer themselves.
The thread — The pairing of willing volunteers and leaders who bless Yahweh appears in Judges 5:9, 2 Chronicles 17:16, and Psalms 110:3.
Why it lands — The text states that God receives praise when leaders guide and people volunteer for His purposes, requiring a direct response of worship from those who witness or participate in such deliverance.
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
Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves.
Cross-references
- Judges 5:9 My heart is with the princes of Israel, with the volunteers among the people. Bless the LORD!
- 2 Chronicles 17:16 and next to him, Amasiah son of Zichri, the volunteer for the LORD, and with him 200,000 mighty men of valor.
- Psalms 110:3 Your people shall be willing on Your day of battle. Arrayed in holy splendor, from the womb of the dawn, to You belongs the dew of Your youth.
- Philippians 2:13 For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.
- Deuteronomy 32:43 Rejoice, O heavens, with Him, and let all God’s angels worship Him. Rejoice, O nations, with His people; for He will avenge the blood of His children. He will take vengeance on His adversaries and repay those who hate Him; He will cleanse His land and His people.
- 2 Samuel 22:47 The LORD lives, and blessed be my Rock! And may God, the Rock of my salvation, be exalted—
- Nehemiah 11:2 And the people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.
- Psalms 18:47 the God who avenges me and subdues nations beneath me,
- Psalms 48:11 Mount Zion is glad, the daughters of Judah rejoice, on account of Your judgments.
- Psalms 94:1 O LORD, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth.