Judges 4:5

“And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah, etc.] Her dwelling house was under a palm tree, or rather she sat under one, in the open air, when the people came to her with their cases, and it was called from hence after her name; though some, as Abarbinel observes, think it was so called, because Deborah, the nurse of Rebekah, was buried here, and which was near Bethel, one of the places next mentioned, (see <013508>Genesis 35:8), between Ramah and Bethel in Mount Ephraim; which places were in the tribe of Benjamin in the borders of Ephraim, (see <061602>Joshua 16:2 18:22,25). The Jews conclude, from the situation of her, that she was a very opulent woman; the Targum is, “she was dwelling…”

“she dwelt under the palm tree--or, collectively, "palm-grove." It is common still in the East to administer justice in the open air, or under the canopy of an umbrageous tree.”

“She dwelt - Rather, “she sat,” namely, to judge the people Judges 4:10, but not in the usual place, “the gate” Ruth 4:1-2; Proverbs 22:22. It suited her character, and the wild unsafe times better, that she should sit under a palm-tree in the secure heights of Mount Ephraim, between Ramah and Bethel (Judges 20:33 note). This verse shows that the Judges exercised the civil as well as military functions of rulers 1 Samuel 7:15-17. return to 'Top of Page'”

“And she dwelt - Or, she sat: she had her judgment - seat in the open air, under the shadow of that tree; which was an emblem of the justice she administered there: thriving and growing against opposition, as the palm - tree does under pressures. Came to her - To have their suits and causes determined by her sentence. Judges 4:6”

“the palm: Gen 35:8 between: Jos 16:2, Jos 18:22, Jos 18:25; Sa1 1:1, Sa1 1:19, Sa1 6:16, Sa1 6:17, Sa1 25:1; Jer 31:15 came up: Exo 18:13, Exo 18:16, Exo 18:19, Exo 18:26; Deu 17:8-12; Sa2 15:2-6 Judges 4:6”