Judges 5:15

“And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah , etc.] On Mount Tabor, whither they came to offer themselves to join in the war against Jabin; or to assist with their counsels, the men of this tribe being understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, <131232>1 Chronicles 12:32 even Issachar : not the princes only, but the whole tribe also; so the Targum paraphrases it, “the rest of the tribe of Issachar:” and also Barak, he was sent on foot into the valley ; which was at the bottom of Mount Tabor, from whence he was sent down by Deborah, when Sisera’s army was come thither; and where he went cheerfully on foot at the head of his 10,000 men, to engage Sisera with his horse and…”

“Then comes a reproachful notice of the tribes which did not obey the summons to take the field against the common enemy of Israel. By the divisions--that is, the watercourses which descend from the eastern hills unto the Jordan and Dead Sea. For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart--They felt the patriotic impulse and determined, at first, to join the ranks of their western brethren, but resiled from the purpose, preferring their peaceful shepherd songs to the trumpet sound of war.”

“Even Issachar ... - i. e. “and, as well as Issachar, Barak also with the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali, rushed down on foot from Mount Tabor into the valley to attack the iron chariots of Sisera.” For the divisions - Better: “among the brooks.” Reuben ought to have followed in this catalogue of patriots, but with that abruptness for which this poem is so conspicuous, Deborah adverts to his absence instead. return to 'Top of Page'”

“With Deborah - Ready to assist her. Issachar - Heb. and Issachar, that is, the tribe or people of Issachar, following the counsel and example of their princes. Barak - That is, they were as hearty and valiant as Barak their general; and as he marched on foot against their enemies horses and chariots, and that into the valley, where the main use of horses and chariots lies; so did they with no less courage and resolution. Divisions - Or, separations, not so much one from another, (for they seem to be all so well agreed in abiding at home with their sheep) as all from their brethren, from whom they were divided no less in their designs and affections, than in their situation by the river…”

“the princes: Ch1 12:32 Barak: Jdg 4:6, Jdg 4:14 foot: Heb. his feet, Beraglaiv, rather, "with his footmen," so LXX Alex. πεζους αυτου, and Luther, mit feinem Fubvolt. Act 20:13 For the: or, In the divisions, etc. Act 15:39 thoughts: Heb. impressions, Pro 22:13; Co2 11:2 Judges 5:16”

“שׂרי, "my princes," does not furnish any appropriate meaning, as neither Deborah nor Barak was of the tribe of Issachar, and it is not stated anywhere that the Issacharites gathered round Deborah as their leaders. The reading שׂרי (stat. constr.), adopted by the old versions, must be taken as the correct one, and the introduction of the preposition בּ does not preclude this (compare בגּלבּע הרי, Sa2 1:21, and Ewald, 289, b.). עם, which is used to denote an outward equality, as in Sa1 17:42, and is substantially the same as the כּן which follows ("just as"), is construed without כּ in the first clause, as in Psa 48:6. בּעמק: into the valley of Jezreel, the plain of Kishon. בּרגליו שׁלּח, as…”