Judges 4:12

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Judges 4:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And they told Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And they told Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor.
Judges 4:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Judges 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12And they told Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And they showed Sisera, etc.] Either some of the Canaanites that dwelt near Tabor, or some spies that Sisera had out; though some think the Kenites told him, who were at peace with Jabin, (<070417>Judges 4:17); yet whether out of good will or ill will cannot be said: however, so it was ordered by the providence of God, that by some means or another Sisera should be informed that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to Mount Tabor; and no doubt at the same time he was told the number of men that went with him; from whence he might well conclude, that such a warlike man, with such a force collected together, and having posted himself in an high and strong mountain, must have some design to…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“They - That is, this people dwelling there, or his spies. Judges 4:14”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“mount Tabor: Jdg 4:6; Jos 19:12, Jos 19:34; Psa 89:12; Jer 46:18 Judges 4:13”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“As soon as Sisera received tidings of the march of Barak to Mount Tabor, he brought together all his chariots and all his men of war from Harosheth of the Goyim into the brook-valley of the Kishon. Then Deborah said to Barak, "Up; for this is the day in which Jehovah hath given Sisera into thy hand. Yea (הלא, nonne, as an expression indicating lively assurance), the Lord goeth out before thee," sc., to the battle, to smite the foe; whereupon Barak went down from Tabor with his 10,000 men to attack the enemy, according to Jdg 5:19, at Taanach by the water of Megiddo. Judges 4:15”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification