BibleWord.ai› Bible› Judges› Chapter 5› Verse 20

Judges 5:20

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Judges 5:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “From heaven fought the stars, From their courses they fought against Sisera.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

From heaven fought the stars, From their courses they fought against Sisera.
Judges 5:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Judges 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17Gilead abode beyond the Jordan: And Dan, why did he remain in ships? Asher sat still at the haven of the sea, And abode by his creeks.
18Zebulun was a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death, And Naphtali, upon the high places of the field.
19The kings came and fought; Then fought the kings of Canaan. In Taanach by the waters of Megiddo: They took no gain of money.
20From heaven fought the stars, From their courses they fought against Sisera.
21The river Kishon swept them away, That ancient river, the river Kishon. O my soul, march on with strength.
22Then did the horsehoofs stamp By reason of the prancings, the prancings of their strong ones.
23Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of Jehovah. Curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof, Because they came not to the help of Jehovah, To the help of Jehovah against the mighty.
← Judges 5:19Judges 5:21 →
← Full Chapter 5 Judges Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“They fought from heaven , etc.] Either the angels of heaven, afterwards called stars; or the heavens, the elements, fought for Israel, and against Sisera; a violent storm of rain and hail falling at this time, which discomfited Sisera’s army; (see Gill on “<060415>Judges 4:15”) , or this victory was obtained in such a manner as plainly showed it was not of man, but of God from heaven; so the Targum, “from heaven war was made with them;” with the kings before mentioned; God fought against them, and no wonder they were conquered: the stars in their courses fought against Sisera it seems as if it was in the night that this battle was fought, at least that the pursuit lasted till night, when the…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“the stars in their courses fought--A fearful tempest burst upon them and threw them into disorder.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“God fought on the side of Israel, and gave them the victory. Josephus relates that, just as the battle began, a violent tempest came on with a great downfall of rain; and a hailstorm, which, driving full in the faces of the Canaanites, so blinded and benumbed them with cold, that they could neither use their bows with effect nor even hold their swords. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“From heaven - Or, they from heaven, or the heavenly host fought, by thunder, and lightning, and hail - stones, possibly mingled with fire. The stars - Raising these storms by their influences, which they do naturally. Courses - Or, from their paths, or stations. As soldiers fight in their ranks and places assigned them, so did these. Judges 5:21”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“fought: Jos 10:11; Sa1 7:10; Psa 77:17, Psa 77:18 the stars: Jdg 4:15 courses: Heb. paths Judges 5:21”
Read attributed excerpt →
Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“For not only did the Israelites fight against them, but he powers of heaven also. "From heaven" is more minutely defined by "the stars from their courses." These words explain the statement in Jdg 4:15, "the Lord discomfited Sisera;" though in our opinion not so clearly as to enable us to define more precisely the natural phenomenon by which God threw the enemy into confusion. In all probability we have to think of a terrible storm, with thunder and lightning and hail, or the sudden bursting of a cloud, which is poetically described as though the stars of heaven had left their courses to fight for the Lord and His kingdom upon earth. Judges 5:21”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Judges 5 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification