How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)
Quote #1
At that time Deborah, a prophetess, wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel. (NRSV 4:4)
And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. (KJV 4:4)
As in so many other instances, the Bible doesn't give us much detail about Deborah. How old do you think she was? What does she look like in your mind? What does a prophetess wear, and what is her attitude toward others?
Quote #2
She sent and summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali, and said to him, "The Lord, the God of Israel, commands you, 'Go, take position at Mount Tabor, bringing ten thousand from the tribe of Naphtali and the tribe of Zebulun.' […] Barak said to her, 'If you will go with me, I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.' And she said, 'I will surely go with you; nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman." Then Deborah got up and went with Barak to Kedesh. (NRSV 4:6, 8-9)
And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh-naphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? […] And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go. And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh. (KJV 4:6, 8-9)
Doesn't this remind you of when you didn't want to go anywhere without your mom when you were little? What do you think Barak's relationship with Deborah was like? It says Deborah went to war with him. Do you think she actually fought in battle, or was she more of an observer?
Quote #3
Most blessed of women be Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, of tent-dwelling women most blessed. He asked water and she gave him milk, she brought him curds in a lordly bowl. She put her hand to the tent-peg and her right hand to the workmen's mallet; she struck Sisera a blow, she crushed his head, she shattered and pierced his temple. He sank, he fell, he lay still at her feet; at her feet he sank, he fell; where he sank, there he fell dead. (NRSV 5:24)
Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent. He asked water, and she gave him milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish. She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen's hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through his temples. At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay down: at her feet he bowed, he fell: where he bowed, there he fell down dead. (KJV 5:24)
After emphasizing Jael's femininity—she's a wife, a woman, and she served Sisera milk and butter—they dwell on an image of the defeated foe bowing at her feet. This juxtaposition makes Israel's victory more triumphant, but does it demean Jael in any way? Is she the hero, or is she a symbol of weakness that just makes Sisera look even lamer?