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Judges 5:7

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Judges 5:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The rulers ceased in Israel, they ceased, Until that I Deborah arose, That I arose a mother in Israel.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The rulers ceased in Israel, they ceased, Until that I Deborah arose, That I arose a mother in Israel.
Judges 5:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Judges 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4Jehovah, when thou wentest forth out of Seir, When thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, The earth trembled, the heavens also dropped, Yea, the clouds dropped water.
5The mountains quaked at the presence of Jehovah, Even yon Sinai at the presence of Jehovah, the God of Israel.
6In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, In the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, And the travellers walked through byways.
7The rulers ceased in Israel, they ceased, Until that I Deborah arose, That I arose a mother in Israel.
8They chose new gods; Then was war in the gates: Was there a shield or spear seen Among forty thousand in Israel?
9My heart is toward the governors of Israel, That offered themselves willingly among the people: Bless ye Jehovah.
10Tell [of it], ye that ride on white asses, Ye that sit on rich carpets, And ye that walk by the way.
← Judges 5:6Judges 5:8 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“The inhabitants of the villages ceased, etc.] Not only did those Canaanitish robbers go upon the highway, and robbed all they met with, which made travelling difficult and dangerous; but entered into the villages and unwalled towns, and broke into houses and plundered them; so that the inhabitants of them were obliged to quit their dwellings, and go into the fortified cities for security; by which means the villages were left empty, and in time fell to ruin, and ceased: they ceased in Israel: for they were the villages which belonged to the Israelites that were plundered, and not those that belonged to any of the Canaanites; and these were the unhappy circumstances Israel were under until…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Render the word “villages” (here and in Judges 5:11) judgment, rule, or judges, rulers. The sense is “The princes (or magistrates) ceased in Israel,” i. e. there was no one to do justice in the gate, or defend men from their oppressors. return to 'Top of Page'”
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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
“Ceased - The people forsook all their unfortified towns, not being able to protect them from military insolence. A mother - That is, to be to them as a mother, to instruct, and rule, and protect them, which duties a mother owes to her children. Judges 5:8”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the villages: Est 9:19 a mother: Jdg 4:4-6; Sa2 20:19; Isa 49:23; Rom 16:13 Judges 5:8”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification