Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Judges, Chapter 5ΚΡΙΤΑΙ Ε′

Each verse opens with the running Greek, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case (color), parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Deborah's song celebrates the Lord's cosmic victory, praises willing tribes, and shames the absent.

Translation & textual notes

The Greek text of Judges 5 follows the standard critical text of the Septuagint as established in the Rahlfs–Hanhart edition (Septuaginta, rev. ed. 2006), an ancient and public-domain text; the critical apparatus is not reproduced. Judges survives in two divergent Greek text-forms (the so-called A-text, broadly the Alexandrinus tradition, and the B-text, broadly the Vaticanus tradition); the verbatim reference annotated here is Rahlfs' printed line, character for character. Judges 5 — the Song of Deborah and Barak — is among the oldest poems in Scripture and one of the most textually and linguistically difficult passages in the entire LXX. The archaic, often obscure Hebrew is frequently rendered woodenly, calqued, or simply transliterated; numerous lines remain opaque in both Hebrew and Greek. The song opens with a prologue and call to praise (vv. 1–3), a theophany of YHWH marching from Seir/Sinai amid quaking earth and dripping heavens (vv. 4–5), a lament over the desolate days before Deborah arose as 'a mother in Israel' (vv. 6–8), a renewed call to recount the LORD's righteous acts (δικαιοσύνας, vv. 9–11), the muster and rebuke of the tribes — Ephraim, Benjamin, Machir, Zebulun, Issachar contrasted with Reuben's 'great searchings of heart' (μεγάλοι ἐξετασμοὶ καρδίας), Gilead, Dan, and Asher who stayed away, while Zebulun and Naphtali risked their lives (vv. 12–18); the battle at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo, where the stars from heaven and the torrent Kishon fought against Sisera and Meroz was cursed by the angel of the LORD (vv. 19–23); the blessing of Jael 'among women' and her killing of Sisera with tent-peg and hammer (vv. 24–27); the vignette of Sisera's mother at the lattice, awaiting spoil that will never come (vv. 28–30); and a closing doxology praying that all the LORD's enemies so perish while those who love him be as the sunrise in strength (v. 31). The chapter abounds in transliterated proper names treated as indeclinable (Δεββωρα, Βαρακ, Αβινεεμ, Σηιρ, Εδωμ, Ισραηλ, Σαμεγαρ, Αναθ, Ιαηλ, Σινα, Ελωι, Μαχιρ, Ζαβουλων, Ισσαχαρ, Ρουβην, Γαλααδ, Δαν, Ασηρ, Νεφθαλι, Χανααν, Θανααχ, Μεγεδδω, Σισαρα, Κισων, Μηρωζ, Χαβερ) and in Hebraizing constructions such as the cognate ἀπεκαλύφθη ἀποκάλυμμα (v. 2), the articular infinitives ἐν τῷ ἑκουσιασθῆναι (v. 2) and ἐν τῷ ἀπαίρειν (v. 4), the cognate οἰκτίρμων οἰκτιρήσει (v. 30) and αἰχμαλώτισον αἰχμαλωσίαν (v. 12), and the obscure rebuke-formulae of vv. 14–16.

1

καὶ ᾖσαν Δεββωρα καὶ Βαρακ υἱὸς Αβινεεμ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ λέγοντες

And Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying:

Narrative superscription introducing the song (frame around the poem)καὶ ᾖσαν
The prose superscription frames the entire poem; the aorist ᾖσαν (from ᾄδω, 'sing') sets the victory-song on the day of triumph. The masculine plural participle λέγοντες ('saying') introduces the quoted song that follows, even though one subject (Δεββωρα) is feminine — a constructio ad sensum embracing both singers.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ᾖσανsangAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ᾄδωmain verb (introducing the victory-song)→ constative aorist (the singing of the song as a whole)ᾄδω: 'sing'; the aorist ᾖσαν (ᾖσα, ᾖσαν) renders Hebrew וַתָּשַׁר ('and she sang', from שִׁיר); the verb governs the whole poem of vv. 2–31; not to be confused with the imperfect of εἰμί. The victory-song genre (cf. Exod 15; Judg 5) celebrates YHWH's deliverance in battle.
ΔεββωραDeborahsubject (indeclinable proper noun)Δεββωρα: transliteration of Hebrew דְּבוֹרָה ('bee'); the prophetess and judge of Israel (Judg 4); treated as indeclinable here (cf. the genitive Δεββωρας at v. 15, where a declined form appears).
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ΒαρακBaraksubject (indeclinable proper noun, coordinate with Δεββωρα)Βαρακ: transliteration of Hebrew בָּרָק ('lightning'); the military commander summoned by Deborah (Judg 4:6); indeclinable throughout the chapter.
υἱὸςsonNominativeappositional (in apposition to Βαρακ)υἱός: 'son'; the nominative υἱὸς Αβινεεμ stands in apposition to the indeclinable Βαρακ, supplying the patronymic; the construction X υἱὸς Y is the standard LXX rendering of the Hebrew X בֶּן Y.
ΑβινεεμAbinoamgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'son of Abinoam')Αβινεεμ: transliteration of Hebrew אֲבִינֹעַם ('my father is delight/pleasantness'); indeclinable; the patronymic of Barak, recurring at v. 12.
ἐνin / onpreposition + dative (temporal)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τῇtheDativearticleτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (with ἐκείνῃ: 'on that day')ἡμέρα: 'day'; the phrase ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ('on that day') renders בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא, anchoring the song to the day of the victory narrated in ch. 4.
ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἡμέρᾳ)ἐκεῖνος: 'that'; the deictic points back to the day of triumph over Sisera and the Canaanite host.
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Part Nom Masc Pl · λέγωparticiple of speaking (introducing direct discourse)→ present participle (speech accompanying the objecting)λέγω: the masculine plural participle λέγοντες introduces the quoted song; the masculine gender embraces both Deborah and Barak (constructio ad sensum), and λέγων/λέγοντες is the standard LXX marker of quotation, calquing Hebrew לֵאמֹר.
2

ἀπεκαλύφθη ἀποκάλυμμα ἐν Ισραηλ ἐν τῷ ἑκουσιασθῆναι λαὸν εὐλογεῖτε κύριον

A revelation was revealed in Israel when the people offered themselves willingly. Bless the LORD!

Opening strophe of the song (cognate-figure incipit)ἀπεκαλύφθη ἀποκάλυμμα
The song proper opens with the obscure cognate figure ἀπεκαλύφθη ἀποκάλυμμα ('a revelation was revealed'), a wooden rendering of the difficult Hebrew בִּפְרֹעַ פְּרָעוֹת ('when locks were loosed' / 'when leaders led'). The temporal articular infinitive ἐν τῷ ἑκουσιασθῆναι λαόν ('when the people volunteered') links the willing self-offering of the people to the refrain εὐλογεῖτε κύριον, which recurs at v. 9.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ἀπεκαλύφθηwas revealedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκαλύπτωmain verb (cognate construction with ἀποκάλυμμα)→ constative aorist (a single revelatory event)ἀποκαλύπτω: 'uncover / reveal'; the passive ἀπεκαλύφθη with cognate subject ἀποκάλυμμα forms a Hebraizing figura etymologica rendering the obscure Hebrew בִּפְרֹעַ פְּרָעוֹת; the translator construed the root פרע as 'uncover/loose', yielding 'an uncovering was uncovered' — itself a crux of the song's opening.
ἀποκάλυμμαa revelation / uncoveringNominativesubject (cognate nominative with ἀπεκαλύφθη)ἀποκάλυμμα: 'thing uncovered / revelation'; a rare neuter cognate noun (cf. ἀποκάλυψις); the cognate subject reproduces the Hebrew infinitive-absolute-like emphasis of פְּרָעוֹת; the precise sense ('leaders leading' / 'locks loosed for battle') remains disputed.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΙσραηλIsraeldative object of ἐν (indeclinable proper noun)Ισραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable throughout the LXX; 'in Israel' is the recurring locative refrain of the song (vv. 2, 7, 8, 9, 11).
ἐνin / whenpreposition + dative articular infinitive (temporal)ἐν τῷ + infinitive: a temporal construction ('when / while'), the standard LXX rendering of the Hebrew בְּ + infinitive construct; here 'when the people offered themselves willingly.'
τῷtheDativearticle (with articular infinitive)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑκουσιασθῆναιto offer willinglyAor Pass Inf · ἑκουσιάζομαιarticular infinitive (temporal: 'when ... volunteered')ἑκουσιάζομαι: 'offer / volunteer willingly'; renders Hebrew הִתְנַדֵּב ('volunteer / offer freely'); the same root underlies οἱ ἑκουσιαζόμενοι at v. 9; the willing self-offering of the people for battle is the cause of the praise that follows.
λαὸνthe peopleAccusativeaccusative subject of the articular infinitiveλαός: 'people'; the accusative is the subject of the infinitive ἑκουσιασθῆναι ('that the people offered themselves'), a normal Greek construction with articular infinitives.
εὐλογεῖτεblessPres Act Impv 2 Pl · εὐλογέωmain verb (imperative refrain)→ durative present imperative (ongoing summons to praise)εὐλογέω: 'bless / praise'; renders Hebrew בָּרְכוּ; the imperative εὐλογεῖτε κύριον is the song's recurring refrain (also v. 9), calling the assembly to bless YHWH for the deliverance.
κύριονthe LORDAccusativedirect object of εὐλογεῖτεκύριος: the standard LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the accusative object of εὐλογεῖτε; YHWH is the one to be blessed for the willing muster and victory.
3

ἀκούσατε βασιλεῖς καὶ ἐνωτίσασθε σατράπαι ἐγώ εἰμι τῷ κυρίῳ ἐγώ εἰμι ᾄσομαι ψαλῶ τῷ κυρίῳ τῷ θεῷ Ισραηλ

Hear, O kings, and give ear, O satraps! I, even I, will sing to the LORD; I will make melody to the LORD, the God of Israel.

Summons to the nations' rulers and self-dedication of the singerἀκούσατε βασιλεῖς
The singer summons the kings and satraps of the nations to hear (synonymous parallelism ἀκούσατε // ἐνωτίσασθε), then pledges in emphatic first person (ἐγώ εἰμι ... ἐγώ εἰμι) to sing and make melody to YHWH. The doubled ἐγώ εἰμι is a wooden calque of the Hebrew emphatic אָנֹכִי, and the synonymous pair ᾄσομαι // ψαλῶ mirrors the Hebrew poetic parallelism.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ἀκούσατεhearAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (imperative summons)→ ingressive aorist imperative (give a hearing!)ἀκούω: 'hear / listen'; renders שִׁמְעוּ; the summons to kings is a stock prophetic device calling rulers to witness YHWH's deeds (cf. Ps 2:10; Isa 49:1).
βασιλεῖςO kingsVocativevocative of addressβασιλεύς: 'king'; the nominative/vocative plural βασιλεῖς addresses the rulers of the nations summoned to hear the song; renders מְלָכִים.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐνωτίσασθεgive earAor Mid Impv 2 Pl · ἐνωτίζομαιmain verb (parallel imperative to ἀκούσατε)→ ingressive aorist imperativeἐνωτίζομαι: 'give ear / listen' (from ἐν + οὖς, 'into the ear'); a LXX poetic verb rendering Hebrew הַאֲזִינוּ; the synonymous parallel ἀκούσατε // ἐνωτίσασθε is characteristic of Hebrew verse.
σατράπαιO satraps / rulersVocativevocative of address (parallel to βασιλεῖς)σατράπης: 'satrap / governor' (a Persian loanword, ultimately Old Persian xšaθrapāvan); used in the LXX for רֹזְנִים ('rulers / dignitaries'); the anachronistic Persian term renders the parallel Hebrew word for high officials.
ἐγώINominativeemphatic subject pronounἐγώ: the emphatic first-person pronoun; the doubled ἐγώ εἰμι ... ἐγώ εἰμι woodenly renders the Hebrew emphatic אָנֹכִי לַיהוָה אָנֹכִי אָשִׁירָה ('to the LORD, I — I will sing').
εἰμιamPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopula (with dative τῷ κυρίῳ: 'I belong to the LORD')→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; ἐγώ εἰμι τῷ κυρίῳ is a literalistic rendering of the Hebrew (lit. 'I — to the LORD'), expressing belonging or dedication to YHWH; the Greek is awkward, reflecting close adherence to the Hebrew word-order.
τῷtheDativearticleτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of belonging / advantageκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the dative marks the one to whom the singer dedicates herself and her song.
ἐγώINominativeemphatic subject pronoun (anaphoric repetition)ἐγώ: the second emphatic ἐγώ reinforces the singer's personal commitment, calquing the repeated Hebrew אָנֹכִי.
εἰμιamPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopula (repetition)→ stative presentεἰμί: the repeated ἐγώ εἰμι continues the literalistic rendering; here it leads into the cohortative ᾄσομαι ('I will sing').
ᾄσομαιI will singFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · ᾄδωmain verb (first-person resolve)→ volitive future (cohortative: 'I will sing!')ᾄδω: 'sing'; the future middle ᾄσομαι renders the Hebrew cohortative אָשִׁירָה ('let me sing / I will sing'); paired synonymously with ψαλῶ in the next colon.
ψαλῶI will make melodyFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ψάλλωmain verb (synonymous parallel to ᾄσομαι)→ volitive future (cohortative)ψάλλω: 'pluck (a string) / make melody / sing to instrumental accompaniment'; renders אֲזַמֵּר; the pair ᾄσομαι // ψαλῶ mirrors the Hebrew אָשִׁיר // אֲזַמֵּר, the standard poetic doublet for praise (cf. Ps 27:6 LXX).
τῷtheDativearticleτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative (recipient of praise)κύριος: rendering of יהוה; the object of the singing and melody-making.
τῷtheDativearticle (in apposition)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεῷGodDativedative in apposition to κυρίῳθεός: 'God'; the appositional τῷ θεῷ Ισραηλ ('the God of Israel') identifies YHWH as Israel's covenant deity; renders אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'God of Israel')Ισραηλ: indeclinable; in the title θεῷ Ισραηλ the proper noun functions as a genitive of relationship ('the God of Israel'), the covenant formula identifying the recipient of the song.
4

κύριε ἐν τῇ ἐξόδῳ σου ἐν Σηιρ ἐν τῷ ἀπαίρειν σε ἐξ ἀγροῦ Εδωμ γῆ ἐσείσθη καὶ ὁ οὐρανὸς ἔσταξεν δρόσους καὶ αἱ νεφέλαι ἔσταξαν ὕδωρ

O LORD, at your going forth from Seir, when you set out from the field of Edom, the earth quaked, and the heaven dropped dew, and the clouds dropped water.

Theophany strophe: YHWH the divine warrior advances (vocative apostrophe)κύριε ἐν τῇ ἐξόδῳ σου
Direct apostrophe (κύριε) opens the theophany. Two parallel temporal phrases — ἐν τῇ ἐξόδῳ σου ('at your going forth') and the articular infinitive ἐν τῷ ἀπαίρειν σε ('when you set out') — frame YHWH's march from Seir/Edom. The cosmic response is given in a tricolon: earth quaked, heaven dropped dew, clouds dropped water, picturing creation convulsed before the advancing divine warrior.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
κύριεO LORDVocativevocative of address (apostrophe)κύριος (voc. κύριε): rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the direct address opens the theophany, turning from the summoned kings (v. 3) to YHWH himself.
ἐνat / inpreposition + dative (temporal)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τῇtheDativearticleτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐξόδῳgoing forthDativedative of time (with ἐν: 'at your going forth')ἔξοδος: 'going out / departure / exodus'; renders Hebrew צֵאת (inf. of יָצָא); here YHWH's martial 'going forth' from Seir is depicted as a military advance; cf. the same noun at v. 31 (ἔξοδος ἡλίου, 'the going-forth of the sun').
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (subjective: 'your going forth')σύ (gen. σου): the genitive marks YHWH as the one going forth; addressed in the second person within the apostrophe.
ἐνin / frompreposition + dative (place of origin)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΣηιρSeirdative object of ἐν (indeclinable place-name)Σηιρ: transliteration of Hebrew שֵׂעִיר, the mountainous region of Edom south of Judah; indeclinable; together with Edom and Sinai it locates YHWH's theophanic advent in the southern wilderness traditions (cf. Deut 33:2; Hab 3:3).
ἐνwhenpreposition + dative articular infinitive (temporal)ἐν τῷ + infinitive: temporal construction ('when'), parallel to ἐν τῇ ἐξόδῳ σου; renders the Hebrew בְּצַעְדְּךָ ('when you marched').
τῷtheDativearticle (with articular infinitive)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀπαίρεινto set outPres Act Inf · ἀπαίρωarticular infinitive (temporal: 'when you set out')ἀπαίρω: 'set out / depart / march away'; renders Hebrew צָעַד ('march / stride'); a verb of military movement, here YHWH's stride out from the field of Edom.
σεyouAccusativeaccusative subject of the articular infinitiveσύ (acc. σε): the accusative is the subject of the infinitive ἀπαίρειν ('when you set out'), addressed to YHWH.
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (source)ἐξ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ἀγροῦfield / countryGenitivegenitive of source (with ἐξ: 'from the field')ἀγρός: 'field / open country / territory'; renders Hebrew שָׂדֶה; 'the field of Edom' (ἀγροῦ Εδωμ) designates the open country of Edom from which YHWH marches.
ΕδωμEdomgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'field of Edom')Εδωμ: transliteration of Hebrew אֱדוֹם; indeclinable; the region southeast of the Dead Sea, parallel to Seir; the southern theophany-geography evokes YHWH's advent as in Deut 33:2.
γῆearth / landNominativesubject of ἐσείσθηγῆ: 'earth / land'; renders אֶרֶץ; the anarthrous γῆ ('earth') as subject of ἐσείσθη opens the tricolon of cosmic upheaval.
ἐσείσθηquakedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · σείωmain verb (cosmic response, first colon)→ constative aorist (the theophanic earthquake)σείω: 'shake'; the passive ἐσείσθη ('was shaken / quaked') renders רָעָשָׁה; earthquake is a standard accompaniment of theophany in OT poetry (cf. Ps 68:8 [67:9 LXX]; Hab 3:6).
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ὁtheNominativearticleὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανὸςheaven / skyNominativesubject of ἔσταξεν (second colon)οὐρανός: 'heaven / sky'; renders שָׁמַיִם; the heavens dripping dew is part of the storm-theophany imagery, the convulsion of the upper world matching the quaking earth.
ἔσταξενdropped / drippedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · στάζωmain verb (second colon)→ constative aoristστάζω: 'drip / drop / let fall'; renders נָטְפוּ; the heavens 'dripped' dew as the storm-God advances; the verb recurs in the parallel colon (ἔσταξαν).
δρόσουςdew(s)Accusativedirect object of ἔσταξενδρόσος: 'dew'; the accusative plural δρόσους ('dews / drops of dew') is the object of ἔσταξεν; the moisture dripping from the storm-clouds of the theophany.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing third colon)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
αἱtheNominativearticle (plural)αἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νεφέλαιcloudsNominativesubject of ἔσταξαν (third colon)νεφέλη: 'cloud'; renders עָבִים; the clouds dripping water complete the storm-theophany tricolon (earth–heaven–clouds), a stock feature of the divine-warrior advent.
ἔσταξανdropped / drippedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · στάζωmain verb (third colon, parallel to ἔσταξεν)→ constative aoristστάζω: the plural ἔσταξαν agrees with αἱ νεφέλαι; the repetition of στάζω across the second and third cola reproduces the Hebrew poetic parallelism (נָטְפוּ ... נָטְפוּ).
ὕδωρwaterAccusativedirect object of ἔσταξανὕδωρ: 'water'; renders מָיִם; the accusative object of ἔσταξαν; 'water' parallels 'dew' (δρόσους) in the preceding colon, intensifying the deluge of the theophany.
5

ὄρη ἐσαλεύθησαν ἀπὸ προσώπου κυρίου Ελωι τοῦτο Σινα ἀπὸ προσώπου κυρίου θεοῦ Ισραηλ

The mountains were shaken before the face of the LORD — Eloi, this Sinai — before the face of the LORD, the God of Israel.

Theophany strophe continued: the mountains shaken (parallel to v. 4)ὄρη ἐσαλεύθησαν
The theophany climaxes: even the mountains quake before YHWH's face. The line is textually difficult: Ελωι τοῦτο Σινα corresponds to the Hebrew זֶה סִינַי ('this Sinai'), but the Greek has additionally transliterated a Hebrew word (Ελωι, perhaps from אֱלֹהֵי, 'God of', or a doublet) — a marker of the translator's struggle with the archaic verse. The doubled ἀπὸ προσώπου κυρίου ('from before the face of the LORD') forms an inclusio around the obscure phrase.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ὄρηmountainsNominativesubject of ἐσαλεύθησανὄρος (pl. ὄρη): 'mountain'; renders הָרִים; the quaking of the mountains before YHWH is a classic theophany-motif (cf. Ps 97:5 [96:5 LXX]; Mic 1:4); it intensifies the earth-quake of v. 4.
ἐσαλεύθησανwere shakenAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · σαλεύωmain verb→ constative aorist (theophanic convulsion)σαλεύω: 'shake / cause to totter'; the passive ἐσαλεύθησαν renders נָזְלוּ (in some witnesses; MT נָזְלוּ 'flowed/quaked'); synonymous with ἐσείσθη (v. 4), continuing the imagery of nature convulsed before the divine warrior.
ἀπὸfrom / beforepreposition + genitive (with προσώπου: 'from before')ἀπὸ προσώπου: 'from before / from the presence of'; a Hebraism rendering מִפְּנֵי ('from before the face of'); the phrase forms an inclusio with its repetition later in the verse.
προσώπουface / presenceGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (idiomatic: 'before the face of')πρόσωπον: 'face / presence'; renders פָּנִים; ἀπὸ προσώπου κυρίου ('before the face of the LORD') is the standard LXX rendering of מִפְּנֵי יהוה, expressing the overwhelming nearness of YHWH that convulses creation.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of relationship (with προσώπου)κύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the source of the theophanic upheaval.
ΕλωιEloi (transliteration)indeclinable transliterated intrusionΕλωι: an untranslated transliteration, probably of Hebrew אֱלֹהֵי ('God of') or a doublet of the divine name, intruding before τοῦτο Σινα ('this Sinai'); the Hebrew of this colon (זֶה סִינַי) is itself obscure, and the Greek translator simply transliterated the puzzling element — a clear marker of the textual difficulty of the song.
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (apposition: 'this Sinai')οὗτος: 'this'; the neuter τοῦτο with the indeclinable Σινα renders the Hebrew זֶה סִינַי ('this is Sinai' / 'the One of Sinai'); the gender mismatch reflects the wooden rendering of an archaic Hebrew epithet.
ΣιναSinaiindeclinable place-name (apposition with τοῦτο)Σινα: transliteration of Hebrew סִינַי; indeclinable; the sacred mountain of the covenant; its mention links Deborah's deliverance to the foundational Sinai theophany.
ἀπὸfrom / beforepreposition + genitive (repetition forming inclusio)ἀπὸ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
προσώπουface / presenceGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (idiomatic, repeated)πρόσωπον: the repeated ἀπὸ προσώπου κυρίου closes the verse with an inclusio, framing the obscure central phrase between two statements of YHWH's overwhelming presence.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of relationship (repetition)κύριος: rendering of יהוה.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive in apposition to κυρίου ('the God of Israel')θεός: 'God'; the appositional κυρίου θεοῦ Ισραηλ ('the LORD, the God of Israel') echoes the title of v. 3, binding the theophany strophe to the opening call to praise.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'God of Israel')Ισραηλ: indeclinable; completes the covenant title θεοῦ Ισραηλ, identifying the theophanic God as Israel's own.
6

ἐν ἡμέραις Σαμεγαρ υἱοῦ Αναθ ἐν ἡμέραις Ιαηλ ἐξέλιπον ὁδοὺς καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν ἀτραπούς ἐπορεύθησαν ὁδοὺς διεστραμμένας

In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, they abandoned the roads, and they went by byways; they went by crooked paths.

Lament strophe: the desolation before the deliverance (temporal flashback)ἐν ἡμέραις Σαμεγαρ
A temporal flashback to the lawless 'days' of Shamgar and Jael, when the main highways were unsafe and travelers crept along crooked byways. The doubled ἐν ἡμέραις ('in the days of') and the repeated ἐπορεύθησαν create the dirge-like rhythm of the lament; the picture of abandoned roads dramatizes the breakdown of order before Deborah's rise (v. 7).
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
ἐνinpreposition + dative (temporal)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ἡμέραιςdaysDativedative of time (with ἐν: 'in the days of')ἡμέρα: 'day'; the plural ἐν ἡμέραις ('in the days of') renders בִּימֵי, the standard Hebrew temporal idiom for an era; here the period of insecurity before the deliverance.
ΣαμεγαρShamgargenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'days of Shamgar')Σαμεγαρ: transliteration of Hebrew שַׁמְגַּר; indeclinable; the judge-deliverer Shamgar son of Anath (Judg 3:31); his 'days' mark the era of Philistine/Canaanite oppression.
υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive in apposition to Σαμεγαρ (patronymic)υἱός: 'son'; the genitive υἱοῦ Αναθ ('son of Anath') is the patronymic of Shamgar; Anath is, ironically, also the name of a Canaanite war-goddess.
ΑναθAnathgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'son of Anath')Αναθ: transliteration of Hebrew עֲנָת; indeclinable; the patronymic of Shamgar (cf. Judg 3:31).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (temporal, repeated)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ἡμέραιςdaysDativedative of time (repetition: 'in the days of')ἡμέρα: the repeated ἐν ἡμέραις forms the lament's parallel structure, pairing Shamgar with Jael as markers of the troubled era.
ΙαηλJaelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'days of Jael')Ιαηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יָעֵל ('mountain-goat'); indeclinable; the woman who will kill Sisera (vv. 24–27); here her name dates the era of disorder, anticipating her decisive role later in the song.
ἐξέλιπονabandoned / ceasedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐκλείπωmain verb (with ὁδοὺς: roads forsaken)→ constative aoristἐκλείπω: 'fail / cease / leave off'; the aorist ἐξέλιπον renders חָדְלוּ ('ceased'); with ὁδοὺς ('roads') the sense is that the highways fell into disuse — travelers ceased to use them out of fear; the verb recurs three times in vv. 6–7, an emphatic anaphora of failure.
ὁδοὺςroads / highwaysAccusativeaccusative object of ἐξέλιπονὁδός: 'road / way / highway'; renders אֳרָחוֹת ('caravan-routes / highways'); the abandonment of the main roads signals the collapse of safe travel and commerce under oppression.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐπορεύθησανthey went / traveledAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb (with ἀτραπούς: 'went by byways')→ constative aoristπορεύομαι: 'go / travel'; the deponent aorist ἐπορεύθησαν renders יֵלְכוּ; travelers resorted to back-paths to avoid the dangerous open roads; the verb is repeated for emphasis.
ἀτραπούςbyways / footpathsAccusativeaccusative of route (cognate-like: 'traveled byways')ἀτραπός: 'path / byway / track'; renders נְתִיבוֹת עֲקַלְקַלּוֹת ('winding paths'); the accusative marks the route traversed; secondary tracks were used in place of the abandoned highways.
ἐπορεύθησανthey went / traveledAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb (repetition for emphasis)→ constative aoristπορεύομαι: the repeated ἐπορεύθησαν reinforces the lament; the doubling reproduces the parallelistic rhythm of the Hebrew verse.
ὁδοὺςways / pathsAccusativeaccusative of route (with διεστραμμένας)ὁδός: 'way / path'; here qualified by διεστραμμένας ('crooked'), describing the circuitous detours forced upon travelers.
διεστραμμέναςcrooked / twistedPerf Pass Part Acc Fem Pl · διαστρέφωattributive participle (modifying ὁδοὺς)διαστρέφω: 'twist / make crooked / pervert'; the perfect passive participle διεστραμμένας ('crooked / winding') renders עֲקַלְקַלּוֹת; the resultative perfect describes paths that are settled in their crookedness — winding detours that avoid the perilous main roads.
7

ἐξέλιπον δυνατοὶ ἐν Ισραηλ ἐξέλιπον ἕως οὗ ἀναστῇ Δεββωρα ἕως οὗ ἀναστῇ μήτηρ ἐν Ισραηλ

The mighty in Israel failed, they failed — until Deborah arose, until a mother arose in Israel.

Lament strophe continued: the failure of the mighty until Deborah arisesἐξέλιπον δυνατοὶ
The anaphoric ἐξέλιπον ... ἐξέλιπον ('they failed ... they failed', continuing from v. 6) laments the collapse of Israel's defenders, while the doubled ἕως οὗ ἀναστῇ ('until [Deborah / a mother] arose') marks the turning-point. The epithet μήτηρ ἐν Ισραηλ ('a mother in Israel') gives Deborah a maternal-deliverer role, the answer to the era's desolation.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
ἐξέλιπονfailed / ceasedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐκλείπωmain verb (with δυνατοὶ: 'the mighty failed')→ constative aoristἐκλείπω: 'fail / cease / come to an end'; here the subject is δυνατοὶ ('the mighty / warriors'); the failure of Israel's defenders (the lack of armed resistance, cf. v. 8) is the era's defining feature; renders חָדְלוּ / חָדֵל.
δυνατοὶmighty ones / warriorsNominativesubject (substantivized adjective)δυνατός: 'mighty / powerful'; substantivized as 'the mighty / warriors'; renders פְּרָזוֹן ('rural population / leadership' — itself obscure); the translator understood it as Israel's fighting men, whose absence the song laments.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΙσραηλIsraeldative object of ἐν (indeclinable)Ισραηλ: indeclinable; 'in Israel' (the locative refrain) frames both the failure and the deliverance.
ἐξέλιπονfailed / ceasedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐκλείπωmain verb (anaphoric repetition)→ constative aoristἐκλείπω: the repeated ἐξέλιπον intensifies the lament through anaphora, a hallmark of the song's dirge-rhythm (cf. v. 6).
ἕωςuntilconjunction (with οὗ: 'until')ἕως οὗ: 'until'; a temporal conjunction (lit. 'until which [time]'); renders עַד שֶׁ / עַד; introduces the decisive turning-point of the lament.
οὗwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (with ἕως: 'until which time')ὅς (gen. οὗ): the relative pronoun in the fixed phrase ἕως οὗ ('until'); the genitive is governed by ἕως.
ἀναστῇaroseAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀνίστημιverb of temporal clause (with ἕως οὗ: 'until ... arose')→ aorist subjunctive (anticipated event within ἕως-clause)ἀνίστημι: 'rise / arise / stand up'; the aorist subjunctive ἀναστῇ with ἕως οὗ marks the awaited rise of Deborah; the verb is used of God's raising up of deliverers (cf. Judg 2:16, 18 ἀνέστησεν κύριος κριτάς).
ΔεββωραDeborahsubject of ἀναστῇ (indeclinable)Δεββωρα: indeclinable; the rise of Deborah is the answer to the era's desolation; she is named first, then characterized as 'a mother in Israel' in the parallel colon.
ἕωςuntilconjunction (repetition, parallel colon)ἕως οὗ: the repeated 'until' reproduces the synonymous parallelism, restating the turning-point with the maternal epithet.
οὗwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (with ἕως, repeated)οὗ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
ἀναστῇaroseAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀνίστημιverb of temporal clause (repetition)→ aorist subjunctiveἀνίστημι: the repeated ἀναστῇ binds the two parallel cola, restating Deborah's rise under the epithet μήτηρ.
μήτηρa motherNominativesubject of the second ἀναστῇ (apposition to Δεββωρα)μήτηρ: 'mother'; renders אֵם; the epithet μήτηρ ἐν Ισραηλ ('a mother in Israel') casts Deborah as a maternal protector and deliverer of the nation, paralleling her naming in the first colon.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΙσραηλIsraeldative object of ἐν (indeclinable)Ισραηλ: indeclinable; the closing 'in Israel' echoes the opening of the verse, framing the lament's reversal.
8

ἐξελέξαντο θεοὺς καινούς τότε ἐπολέμησαν πόλεις ἀρχόντων θυρεὸς ἐὰν ὀφθῇ καὶ λόγχη ἐν τεσσαράκοντα χιλιάσιν ἐν Ισραηλ

They chose new gods; then they made war on the cities of rulers. Shield was not to be seen, nor spear, among forty thousand in Israel.

Lament strophe: apostasy and military helplessnessἐξελέξαντο θεοὺς καινούς
The cause of the desolation is named: Israel 'chose new gods' (apostasy), and then war came to the gates. The final colon — θυρεὸς ἐὰν ὀφθῇ καὶ λόγχη ('if a shield were seen, or a spear') — is an obscure conditional lamenting that no shield or spear was to be found among Israel's forty thousand; the Greek is awkward, reflecting the difficult Hebrew. Apostasy and disarmament are paired as the marks of Israel's degradation.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ἐξελέξαντοthey choseAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἐκλέγομαιmain verb (apostasy)→ constative aoristἐκλέγομαι: 'choose / select (for oneself)'; the middle ἐξελέξαντο renders יִבְחַר ('they chose'); the choosing of 'new gods' is the root cause of Israel's plight — apostasy invites oppression (the Deuteronomistic logic of Judges).
θεοὺςgodsAccusativedirect object of ἐξελέξαντοθεός: 'god'; the accusative plural θεοὺς καινούς ('new gods') renders אֱלֹהִים חֲדָשִׁים; the worship of newly-adopted deities is Israel's covenant-breach (cf. Deut 32:17, 'new gods that came lately').
καινούςnewAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying θεοὺς)καινός: 'new / fresh'; renders חֲדָשִׁים; the 'newness' of the gods underscores Israel's faithlessness in abandoning YHWH for recently-adopted idols.
τότεthentemporal adverb (consequence)τότε: 'then / at that time'; renders אָז; marks the consequence of apostasy — war comes upon the gates; τότε is a key structuring adverb in the song (cf. vv. 11, 13, 19, 22).
ἐπολέμησανthey made warAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πολεμέωmain verb (with πόλεις: 'warred on cities')→ constative aoristπολεμέω: 'make war / fight'; the aorist ἐπολέμησαν renders לָחֶם ('fight'); the obscure Hebrew (לָחֶם שְׁעָרִים, 'war at the gates') is rendered with πόλεις ἀρχόντων ('cities of rulers') as the object/locus of the fighting.
πόλειςcitiesAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπολέμησανπόλις: 'city'; the accusative plural πόλεις ('cities') renders the obscure שְׁעָרִים ('gates'); 'cities of rulers' may render an attempt to make sense of the difficult Hebrew, the gates being the place of battle.
ἀρχόντωνof rulersGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying πόλεις)ἄρχων: 'ruler / commander'; the genitive plural ἀρχόντων ('of rulers') qualifies πόλεις; the phrase 'cities of rulers' renders the difficult underlying text.
θυρεὸςshieldNominativesubject of ὀφθῇ (in conditional)θυρεός: 'shield' (the large, door-shaped body-shield); renders מָגֵן; the absence of shields among Israel's host dramatizes their military helplessness — they cannot resist the Canaanite chariotry.
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (with ὀφθῇ)ἐάν: 'if'; takes the subjunctive (ὀφθῇ); the clause θυρεὸς ἐὰν ὀφθῇ ('if a shield should be seen') laments that scarcely a shield or spear could be found — the conditional underscores the rarity of weapons.
ὀφθῇshould be seenAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · ὁράωverb of conditional clause (with ἐάν)→ aorist passive subjunctive (hypothetical)ὁράω: 'see'; the aorist passive subjunctive ὀφθῇ ('should be seen / appear') with ἐάν renders the rarity of weapons (Hebrew אִם יֵרָאֶה); the point is that not a shield nor a spear was to be seen in all Israel.
καὶand / norcoordinate conjunction (linking θυρεὸς and λόγχη)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
λόγχηspear / lanceNominativesubject (coordinate with θυρεὸς under ὀφθῇ)λόγχη: 'spear-head / lance'; renders רֹמַח; coordinate with θυρεός under the verb ὀφθῇ; the pairing 'shield and spear' is a merism for armament generally — none was to be found.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (within a number)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τεσσαράκονταfortyindeclinable numeral (modifying χιλιάσιν)τεσσαράκοντα: 'forty'; indeclinable numeral; renders אַרְבָּעִים; 'forty thousand in Israel' is the muster-figure of the people, among whom — astonishingly — scarcely a weapon could be found.
χιλιάσινthousandsDativedative object of ἐν (with τεσσαράκοντα: 'forty thousand')χιλιάς: 'thousand / group of a thousand'; the dative plural χιλιάσιν with τεσσαράκοντα ('among forty thousands') renders אֶלֶף; the term may also denote military 'clans/units', heightening the picture of a disarmed host.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere, repeated)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΙσραηλIsraeldative object of ἐν (indeclinable)Ισραηλ: indeclinable; the closing 'in Israel' seals the lament over disarmament, the locative refrain recurring once more.
9

ἡ καρδία μου εἰς τὰ διατεταγμένα τῷ Ισραηλ οἱ ἑκουσιαζόμενοι ἐν λαῷ εὐλογεῖτε κύριον

My heart is toward the decrees appointed for Israel; you who volunteered among the people — bless the LORD!

Renewed call to praise (echo of v. 2 refrain)ἡ καρδία μου
The singer's heart turns to the commanders/decrees of Israel and to those who volunteered (οἱ ἑκουσιαζόμενοι, echoing ἑκουσιασθῆναι in v. 2). The refrain εὐλογεῖτε κύριον repeats verbatim from v. 2, marking the opening of the third major movement (the call to recount YHWH's righteous acts, vv. 9–11).
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
ἡtheNominativearticleἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίαheartNominativesubject (verbless clause)καρδία: 'heart'; renders לֵב; the singer's heart 'goes out to' (εἰς) Israel's commanders/decrees; the verbless clause ('my heart is toward...') expresses warm solidarity with those who served.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possessionἐγώ (gen. μου): the first-person possessive identifies the singer (Deborah) as the speaker, as at vv. 3, 21.
εἰςtowardpreposition + accusative (direction of affection)εἰς: 'to / toward'; here marks the direction of the heart's inclination — affectionate regard for Israel's leaders/decrees.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with participle)τὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διατεταγμέναthe things ordained / decreesPerf Pass Part Acc Neut Pl · διατάσσωsubstantivized participle (object of εἰς)διατάσσω: 'arrange / appoint / ordain'; the substantivized perfect passive participle τὰ διατεταγμένα ('the things ordained / the commanders' decrees') renders the obscure Hebrew לְחוֹקְקֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל ('the commanders of Israel'); the resultative perfect denotes settled ordinances or those who issue them.
τῷtheDativearticle (with Ισραηλ, dative of advantage)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙσραηλIsraeldative of advantage (indeclinable: 'for Israel')Ισραηλ: indeclinable; with the article τῷ it functions as a dative ('for / among Israel'); the decrees are those appointed for the nation's deliverance.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with participle)οἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑκουσιαζόμενοιthose who volunteerPres Mid Part Nom Masc Pl · ἑκουσιάζομαιsubstantivized participle (vocative-like address)ἑκουσιάζομαι: 'offer / volunteer willingly'; the present participle οἱ ἑκουσιαζόμενοι ('those who volunteer') deliberately echoes ἑκουσιασθῆναι (v. 2); these willing fighters are summoned, with the singer's heart, to bless the LORD.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
λαῷthe peopleDativedative object of ἐν ('among the people')λαός: 'people'; renders עָם; 'among the people' locates the volunteers within the covenant assembly of Israel.
εὐλογεῖτεblessPres Act Impv 2 Pl · εὐλογέωmain verb (imperative refrain, echo of v. 2)→ durative present imperativeεὐλογέω: the refrain εὐλογεῖτε κύριον repeats verbatim from v. 2, a structural marker opening the song's third movement; the volunteers are called to bless YHWH for the victory.
κύριονthe LORDAccusativedirect object of εὐλογεῖτεκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the object of blessing.
10

ἐπιβεβηκότες ἐπὶ ὄνου θηλείας μεσημβρίας καθήμενοι ἐπὶ κριτηρίου καὶ πορευόμενοι ἐπὶ ὁδοὺς συνέδρων ἐφ᾿ ὁδῷ

You who ride on a female donkey at midday, you who sit upon the judgment-seat, and you who travel on the roads of the councils — speak, on the road!

Tricolon of addressees: all social classes summoned to recount (vocative participles)ἐπιβεβηκότες ἐπὶ ὄνου
A tricolon of substantivized participles addresses three classes — the well-to-do riders on donkeys, the seated magistrates, and ordinary travelers — summoning all alike to consider and recount YHWH's deeds (the imperative διηγεῖσθε follows in v. 11). The phrase ὄνου θηλείας μεσημβρίας ('female donkey of midday') is an obscure rendering of the Hebrew 'white she-asses' (אֲתֹנוֹת צְחֹרוֹת), the translator construing צחר as 'noon/brightness'.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
ἐπιβεβηκότεςthose who ride / have mountedPerf Act Part Nom Masc Pl · ἐπιβαίνωsubstantivized participle (vocative-like address)ἐπιβαίνω: 'mount / go up on / ride'; the perfect active participle ἐπιβεβηκότες ('those mounted / riding') denotes the well-off who ride donkeys; renders רֹכְבֵי ('riders of'); the resultative perfect pictures them seated astride their mounts.
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (position)ἐπὶ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ὄνουdonkeyGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (mount ridden)ὄνος: 'donkey / ass'; renders אָתוֹן ('she-ass'); riding a donkey marks status and peaceable travel (cf. Judg 10:4; 12:14); the well-to-do are summoned alongside the poor.
θηλείαςfemaleGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying ὄνου)θῆλυς: 'female'; renders the feminine אֲתֹנוֹת ('she-asses'); the gender-specification reflects close adherence to the Hebrew noun.
μεσημβρίαςat midday / noonGenitivegenitive of time (with θηλείας: an obscure rendering)μεσημβρία: 'midday / noon' (also 'south'); the genitive μεσημβρίας renders the Hebrew צְחֹרוֹת ('white / tawny [she-asses]'), the translator deriving צחר from a root for brightness/noon — a crux; the resulting 'she-asses of noon' is an unintended product of the wooden rendering.
καθήμενοιthose who sitPres Mid Part Nom Masc Pl · κάθημαιsubstantivized participle (second addressee)κάθημαι: 'sit / be seated'; the present participle καθήμενοι ('those who sit') denotes the magistrates seated for judgment; renders יֹשְׁבֵי ('those who sit/dwell'); the seated judges are the second class summoned.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (position)ἐπὶ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
κριτηρίουjudgment-seat / tribunalGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (place of judging)κριτήριον: 'court / tribunal / judgment-seat'; renders the obscure מִדִּין ('on rich carpets' / 'in judgment'); the translator took it as the seat of legal authority — the magistrates who 'sit on the tribunal.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
πορευόμενοιthose who travelPres Mid Part Nom Masc Pl · πορεύομαιsubstantivized participle (third addressee)πορεύομαι: 'go / travel / walk'; the present participle πορευόμενοι ('those who travel / walk') denotes ordinary wayfarers; renders הֹלְכֵי ('those who walk on the way'); the third class — common travelers — completes the social tricolon.
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (route)ἐπὶ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ὁδοὺςroadsAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (route traveled)ὁδός: 'road / way'; renders דֶּרֶךְ; the roads now safe again (contrast v. 6, where they were abandoned) — order is restored.
συνέδρωνof councils / councillorsGenitivegenitive of relationship (modifying ὁδοὺς)σύνεδρος: 'councillor / one who sits in assembly' (or συνέδριον, 'council'); the genitive plural συνέδρων renders an obscure element of the Hebrew; 'roads of councils' may denote routes to places of assembly where deeds are recounted.
ἐφ᾿onpreposition + dative (elided ἐπί before rough breathing)ἐπί (ἐφ᾿ before rough breathing): 'on / upon'; the elided form before ὁδῷ; ἐφ᾿ ὁδῷ ('on the road') closes the verse, perhaps a refrain-tag linking to the imperative διηγεῖσθε of v. 11.
ὁδῷthe roadDativedative object of ἐφ᾿ ('on the road')ὁδός: 'road / way'; the dative with ἐπί; the closing 'on the road' rounds off the tricolon of travelers and leads into the summons to recount at the watering-places (v. 11).
11

διηγεῖσθε ἀπὸ φωνῆς ἀνακρουομένων ἀνὰ μέσον ὑδρευομένων ἐκεῖ δώσουσιν δικαιοσύνας κυρίῳ δικαιοσύνας αὔξησον ἐν Ισραηλ τότε κατέβη εἰς τὰς πόλεις λαὸς κυρίου

Recount it from the sound of those who strike up music among the water-drawers! There they will recount the righteous acts of the LORD — increase righteous acts in Israel! Then the people of the LORD went down to the gates.

Imperative climax of the call to recount, with the τότε-refrain of descentδιηγεῖσθε
The imperative διηγεῖσθε ('recount!') commands the rehearsal of YHWH's δικαιοσύναι ('righteous/saving acts') at the watering-places where the people gather. The repeated δικαιοσύνας frames the central theme. The closing τότε κατέβη ... λαὸς κυρίου ('then the people of the LORD went down') anticipates the muster of the tribes (vv. 12–18), the τότε echoing v. 8 and recurring at v. 13.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
διηγεῖσθεrecount / tellPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · διηγέομαιmain verb (imperative summons to narrate)→ durative present imperative (keep recounting)διηγέομαι: 'narrate / recount in full'; the present imperative διηγεῖσθε commands the ongoing rehearsal of YHWH's deeds; renders the obscure Hebrew (יְתַנּוּ / שִׂיחוּ); the summoned classes (v. 10) are to tell of the deliverance.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)ἀπὸ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
φωνῆςthe sound / voiceGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (source of the recounting)φωνή: 'voice / sound'; renders קוֹל; 'from the sound of those who strike up music' locates the recounting amid the festive noise at the wells; renders the obscure מִקּוֹל מְחַצְצִים.
ἀνακρουομένωνof those who strike up musicPres Mid Part Gen Masc Pl · ἀνακρούωsubstantivized participle (genitive with φωνῆς)ἀνακρούω: 'strike up (a tune) / play music'; the present middle participle ἀνακρουομένων ('those striking up music') renders the obscure Hebrew מְחַצְצִים ('archers' or 'those who divide flocks'); the translator understood it as musicians making festive noise at the wells.
ἀνὰamongpreposition (with μέσον: 'among / between')ἀνὰ μέσον: 'in the midst of / among / between'; a LXX prepositional idiom rendering בֵּין; here 'among the water-drawers.'
μέσονmidstAccusativeaccusative (in the idiom ἀνὰ μέσον)μέσος: 'middle / midst'; part of the fixed phrase ἀνὰ μέσον ('among').
ὑδρευομένωνof those who draw waterPres Mid Part Gen Masc Pl · ὑδρεύομαιsubstantivized participle (genitive with ἀνὰ μέσον)ὑδρεύομαι: 'draw water'; the present participle ὑδρευομένων ('the water-drawers') renders מַשְׁאַבִּים ('places of drawing water'); the wells were communal gathering-places where deeds were recounted (cf. Gen 24:11; Exod 2:16).
ἐκεῖthereadverb of placeἐκεῖ: 'there'; renders שָׁם; points to the watering-places as the locus of recounting YHWH's righteous deeds.
δώσουσινthey will give / recountFut Act Indic 3 Pl · δίδωμιmain verb (with δικαιοσύνας: 'render the righteous acts')→ predictive / gnomic futureδίδωμι: 'give'; here δώσουσιν δικαιοσύνας ('they will render / rehearse the righteous acts') renders יְתַנּוּ צִדְקוֹת ('they recount the righteous deeds'); the idiom 'give righteousnesses' = proclaim YHWH's saving acts.
δικαιοσύναςrighteous actsAccusativedirect object of δώσουσινδικαιοσύνη (pl. δικαιοσύνας): 'righteousness / righteous act / saving deed'; the plural renders צִדְקוֹת ('saving / vindicating acts'); in the song these are YHWH's victories that vindicate his people — the central theme of the recounting.
κυρίῳof the LORDDativedative of relationship/possession (the LORD's righteous acts)κύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the dative marks the acts as YHWH's own saving deeds (rendering צִדְקוֹת יהוה).
δικαιοσύναςrighteous actsAccusativedirect object of αὔξησον (repetition)δικαιοσύνη: the repeated δικαιοσύνας frames the theme; here as the object of the imperative αὔξησον ('increase the righteous acts in Israel').
αὔξησονincreaseAor Act Impv 2 Sg · αὐξάνωmain verb (imperative petition)→ ingressive aorist imperativeαὐξάνω: 'increase / make to grow'; the aorist imperative αὔξησον renders the obscure פִּרְזוֹנוֹ ('his villagery / leadership'), the translator deriving it from a root for increase; thus 'increase the righteous acts in Israel' — a petition for the multiplication of YHWH's saving deeds.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΙσραηλIsraeldative object of ἐν (indeclinable)Ισραηλ: indeclinable; the locative refrain 'in Israel' (cf. vv. 2, 7, 8, 9).
τότεthentemporal adverb (transition to muster)τότε: 'then'; renders אָז; the structuring adverb marks the descent of the people to the gates — the muster that v. 12 will summon; it echoes τότε at v. 8 and recurs at v. 13.
κατέβηwent downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καταβαίνωmain verb (with λαὸς κυρίου: 'the people went down')→ constative aoristκαταβαίνω: 'go down / descend'; the aorist κατέβη renders יָרַד ('went down'); the people of the LORD 'went down' to the gates/cities for battle; the verb recurs (twice) at v. 13.
εἰςto / intopreposition + accusative (goal of descent)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (plural)τὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλειςthe gates / citiesAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (goal)πόλις: 'city'; the accusative plural πόλεις renders שְׁעָרִים ('gates') — the gates of the cities being the place of assembly and battle; the people go down to muster (cf. v. 8).
λαὸςthe peopleNominativesubject of κατέβηλαός: 'people'; the subject λαὸς κυρίου ('the people of the LORD') renders עַם יהוה; the covenant designation stresses that the muster is YHWH's own host going to war.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of relationship (with λαὸς: 'people of the LORD')κύριος: rendering of יהוה; 'the people of the LORD' identifies Israel's army as the host of YHWH himself.
12

ἐξεγείρου ἐξεγείρου Δεββωρα ἐξεγείρου ἐξεγείρου λάλησον ᾠδήν ἀνάστα Βαρακ καὶ αἰχμαλώτισον αἰχμαλωσίαν σου υἱὸς Αβινεεμ

Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, utter a song! Arise, Barak, and lead captive your captivity, O son of Abinoam!

Self-summons opening the muster strophe (fourfold imperative)ἐξεγείρου ἐξεγείρου
The fourfold ἐξεγείρου ('awake!') rouses Deborah to song and the imperatives ἀνάστα ('arise') and αἰχμαλώτισον ('lead captive') rouse Barak to battle. The cognate figure αἰχμαλώτισον αἰχμαλωσίαν σου ('take captive your captivity') is a Hebraism (calquing שְׁבֵה שֶׁבְיְךָ), the same idiom cited at Ps 68:18 (67:19 LXX) and Eph 4:8. The strophe opens the muster of the tribes (vv. 12–18).
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
ἐξεγείρουawakePres Mid Impv 2 Sg · ἐξεγείρωmain verb (imperative self-summons)→ durative present imperative (rouse yourself!)ἐξεγείρω (mid.): 'rouse / wake up'; the present imperative ἐξεγείρου ('awake!') renders עוּרִי; the fourfold repetition is a wooden reproduction of the Hebrew doubled עוּרִי עוּרִי, an emphatic summons to action.
ἐξεγείρουawakePres Mid Impv 2 Sg · ἐξεγείρωmain verb (emphatic repetition)→ durative present imperativeἐξεγείρω: the doubled ἐξεγείρου intensifies the summons, calquing the Hebrew עוּרִי עוּרִי.
ΔεββωραDeborahvocative of address (indeclinable)Δεββωρα: indeclinable; addressed by name and summoned to take up the song of victory.
ἐξεγείρουawakePres Mid Impv 2 Sg · ἐξεγείρωmain verb (third repetition)→ durative present imperativeἐξεγείρω: the third ἐξεγείρου opens the second pair of imperatives, leading to λάλησον ('utter a song').
ἐξεγείρουawakePres Mid Impv 2 Sg · ἐξεγείρωmain verb (fourth repetition)→ durative present imperativeἐξεγείρω: the fourth ἐξεγείρου completes the emphatic anaphora before the command to sing.
λάλησονutter / speakAor Act Impv 2 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (with ᾠδήν: 'utter a song')→ ingressive aorist imperativeλαλέω: 'speak / utter'; the aorist imperative λάλησον ᾠδήν ('utter a song') renders דַּבְּרִי שִׁיר; Deborah is to give voice to the victory-song that she and Barak sing.
ᾠδήνa songAccusativedirect object of λάλησονᾠδή: 'song / ode'; renders שִׁיר; the cognate object of λάλησον; the very song that constitutes Judges 5.
ἀνάσταariseAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀνίστημιmain verb (imperative to Barak)→ ingressive aorist imperative (athematic form)ἀνίστημι: 'rise / stand up'; the athematic aorist imperative ἀνάστα ('arise!') renders קוּם; the same root used of Deborah's rise (ἀναστῇ, v. 7); now Barak is summoned to rise for battle and to lead captives away.
ΒαρακBarakvocative of address (indeclinable)Βαρακ: indeclinable; the commander summoned to rise and take the spoils of victory.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
αἰχμαλώτισονlead captiveAor Act Impv 2 Sg · αἰχμαλωτίζωmain verb (cognate construction with αἰχμαλωσίαν)→ ingressive aorist imperativeαἰχμαλωτίζω: 'take captive / lead into captivity'; the aorist imperative with cognate object αἰχμαλώτισον αἰχμαλωσίαν σου ('take captive your captivity') is a Hebraism rendering שְׁבֵה שֶׁבְיְךָ; the figura etymologica intensifies the command and is famously quoted at Ps 68:18 (67:19 LXX) and Eph 4:8.
αἰχμαλωσίανcaptivity / band of captivesAccusativecognate accusative (object of αἰχμαλώτισον)αἰχμαλωσία: 'captivity / body of captives'; the cognate accusative with αἰχμαλώτισον; 'your captivity' = the captives you take; the abstract noun stands for the concrete band of prisoners led away in triumph.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying αἰχμαλωσίαν)σύ (gen. σου): 'your'; the captives that belong to Barak as victor — the spoils of his triumph over Sisera's host.
υἱὸςsonNominativenominative for vocative (apposition to Βαρακ)υἱός: 'son'; the nominative υἱὸς Αβινεεμ ('son of Abinoam') in apposition to the vocative Βαρακ; the patronymic (cf. v. 1) lends solemn, epic address.
ΑβινεεμAbinoamgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'son of Abinoam')Αβινεεμ: indeclinable; the patronymic of Barak, repeated from v. 1, closing the summons with epic formality.
13

τότε κατέβη κατάλειμμα τοῖς ἰσχυροῖς λαὸς κυρίου κατέβη αὐτῷ ἐν τοῖς κραταιοῖς

Then a remnant went down to the mighty; the people of the LORD went down for him among the strong.

Muster strophe: the remnant descends to battle (τότε-refrain)τότε κατέβη κατάλειμμα
The τότε-refrain (cf. vv. 8, 11) and the doubled κατέβη ('went down') open the catalogue of the tribes. A 'remnant' (κατάλειμμα) of the people of the LORD goes down to join the mighty warriors. The obscure colon prepares for the tribal roll-call of vv. 14–18, where each tribe's response — march or stay — is recorded.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
τότεthentemporal adverb (refrain)τότε: 'then'; renders אָז; the structuring refrain (cf. vv. 8, 11) opening the tribal muster.
κατέβηwent downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καταβαίνωmain verb (with κατάλειμμα: 'a remnant went down')→ constative aoristκαταβαίνω: 'go down / descend'; the aorist κατέβη renders יְרַד; the descent to the gates/battle (cf. v. 11); the verb is doubled in this verse for emphasis.
κατάλειμμαa remnantNominativesubject of the first κατέβηκατάλειμμα: 'remnant / what is left over'; renders שָׂרִיד ('survivor / remnant'); the 'remnant' that went down to the nobles may denote the small force that answered the muster — a recurring biblical theme of the faithful few.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with ἰσχυροῖς)τοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἰσχυροῖςthe mightyDativedative (goal: 'down to the mighty')ἰσχυρός: 'strong / mighty'; substantivized dative τοῖς ἰσχυροῖς ('to the mighty / nobles'); renders אַדִּירִים ('nobles / mighty ones'); the remnant goes down to join the warriors.
λαὸςthe peopleNominativesubject of the second κατέβηλαός: 'people'; λαὸς κυρίου ('the people of the LORD', cf. v. 11) is the subject of the parallel colon — YHWH's host marching to war.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of relationship (with λαὸς)κύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; 'the people of the LORD' as YHWH's army (cf. v. 11).
κατέβηwent downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καταβαίνωmain verb (repetition, parallel colon)→ constative aoristκαταβαίνω: the repeated κατέβη binds the two parallel cola, reinforcing the descent of YHWH's people to battle.
αὐτῷfor himDativedative of advantage (for YHWH)αὐτός (dat. αὐτῷ): 'for him'; the dative of advantage refers to YHWH — the people went down 'for him', i.e. as his host in his cause; renders the Hebrew לוֹ ('for me/him', textually disputed).
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with κραταιοῖς)τοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κραταιοῖςthe strong / mightyDativedative object of ἐν (substantivized: 'among the strong')κραταιός: 'strong / mighty'; substantivized τοῖς κραταιοῖς ('among the strong/mighty'); renders גִּבּוֹרִים ('warriors / mighty men'); synonym of ἰσχυροῖς, completing the parallelism.
14

ἐξ ἐμοῦ Εφραιμ ἐξερρίζωσεν αὐτοὺς ἐν τῷ Αμαληκ ὀπίσω σου Βενιαμιν ἐν τοῖς λαοῖς σου ἐν ἐμοὶ Μαχιρ κατέβησαν ἐξερευνῶντες καὶ ἀπὸ Ζαβουλων ἕλκοντες ἐν ῥάβδῳ διηγήσεως γραμματέως

From me Ephraim rooted them out in Amalek; after you, Benjamin, among your peoples; from me Machir — they came down searching out — and from Zebulun those who draw with the staff of a scribe's narration.

Tribal roll-call (a): the tribes that musteredἐξ ἐμοῦ Εφραιμ
The catalogue of the responsive tribes begins: Ephraim, Benjamin, Machir (= Manasseh), and Zebulun. The verse is among the most obscure in the song; the Greek renders the archaic Hebrew woodenly (ἐξ ἐμοῦ ... ἐν ἐμοὶ, 'from me ... among me'). The closing image — those 'drawing with the staff of a scribe's narration' (ἐν ῥάβδῳ διηγήσεως γραμματέως) — depicts Zebulun's officers wielding the muster-officer's staff.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (source)ἐξ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive object of ἐξ ('from me')ἐγώ (gen. ἐμοῦ): 'me'; ἐξ ἐμοῦ ('from me / out of me') woodenly renders the obscure Hebrew מִנִּי ('from'); the speaker (Deborah or Ephraim personified) may be in view; the awkward Greek mirrors the difficult source.
ΕφραιμEphraimsubject of ἐξερρίζωσεν (indeclinable)Εφραιμ: transliteration of Hebrew אֶפְרַיִם; indeclinable; the leading central tribe, first in the roll-call of those who mustered against the foe.
ἐξερρίζωσενrooted out / uprootedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκριζόωmain verb (Ephraim's action)→ constative aoristἐκριζόω: 'root out / uproot / extirpate'; the aorist ἐξερρίζωσεν renders the obscure שָׁרְשָׁם ('their root'), the translator deriving a verb 'uproot'; Ephraim 'rooted out' the enemy — perhaps the Amalekites associated with the hill-country.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of ἐξερρίζωσεναὐτός (acc. pl. αὐτούς): 'them'; the enemy uprooted by Ephraim; the antecedent is the foe implied in the battle-context.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τῷtheDativearticle (with Αμαληκ)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑμαληκAmalekdative object of ἐν (indeclinable, with article)Αμαληκ: transliteration of Hebrew עֲמָלֵק; indeclinable; the article τῷ marks it as dative; 'in Amalek' renders the Hebrew בַּעֲמָלֵק (perhaps the hill-country once held by Amalekites, Judg 12:15), the locus of Ephraim's action.
ὀπίσωafter / behindimproper preposition + genitiveὀπίσω: 'after / behind'; renders אַחֲרֶיךָ ('after you'); Benjamin marches 'after you' (i.e. behind Ephraim) among the peoples — the tribes advance in formation.
σουyouGenitivegenitive object of ὀπίσω ('after you')σύ (gen. σου): 'you'; the addressee is Ephraim, with Benjamin following behind.
ΒενιαμινBenjaminsubject (indeclinable, in apposition)Βενιαμιν: transliteration of Hebrew בִּנְיָמִין ('son of the right hand'); indeclinable; the small southern tribe marching after Ephraim.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with λαοῖς)τοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαοῖςpeoplesDativedative object of ἐν ('among your peoples')λαός (pl. λαοῖς): 'people / kinsfolk'; renders עֲמָמֶיךָ ('your kinsmen/clans'); Benjamin marches among the assembled clans of Israel.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with λαοῖς)σύ (gen. σου): 'your'; the peoples/clans belonging to Ephraim or to the addressed tribe.
ἐνin / frompreposition + dative (source, parallel to ἐξ ἐμοῦ)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ἐμοὶmeDativedative object of ἐν ('from/among me')ἐγώ (dat. ἐμοί): 'me'; ἐν ἐμοὶ ('among me / from me') parallels ἐξ ἐμοῦ above, another wooden rendering of מִנִּי; introduces Machir.
ΜαχιρMachirsubject (indeclinable)Μαχιρ: transliteration of Hebrew מָכִיר; indeclinable; the firstborn of Manasseh, here standing for the western half-tribe of Manasseh that joined the muster (Num 26:29; Josh 17:1).
κατέβησανthey came downAor Act Indic 3 Pl · καταβαίνωmain verb (Machir's contingent descends)→ constative aoristκαταβαίνω: 'go down / descend'; the aorist plural κατέβησαν renders יָרְדוּ; Machir's leaders 'came down' to the muster (cf. the refrain κατέβη in vv. 11, 13).
ἐξερευνῶντεςsearching outPres Act Part Nom Masc Pl · ἐξερευνάωcircumstantial participle (modifying the subject of κατέβησαν)ἐξερευνάω: 'search out / examine thoroughly'; the present participle ἐξερευνῶντες ('searching out') renders the obscure מְחֹקְקִים ('commanders / those who decree'), the translator construing the root חקק as 'investigate'; the leaders came down inquiring/leading.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)ἀπὸ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΖαβουλωνZebulungenitive object of ἀπό (indeclinable)Ζαβουλων: transliteration of Hebrew זְבוּלֻן; indeclinable; the northern tribe that, with Naphtali, bore the brunt of the fighting (cf. vv. 18, and Judg 4:6, 10).
ἕλκοντεςthose who draw / wieldPres Act Part Nom Masc Pl · ἕλκωsubstantivized participle (Zebulun's officers)ἕλκω: 'draw / drag / pull'; the present participle ἕλκοντες ('those who draw/wield') renders מֹשְׁכִים ('those who handle/wield'); the men of Zebulun 'draw' (wield) the muster-officer's staff; the image is of military scribes marshalling the troops.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrument)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ῥάβδῳstaff / rodDativedative of instrument (with ἕλκοντες)ῥάβδος: 'rod / staff / scepter'; renders שֵׁבֶט ('staff / rod', also 'tribe'); the muster-officer's staff (the staff of office) with which Zebulun's leaders marshal the troops.
διηγήσεωςof narration / accountGenitivegenitive of quality (with ῥάβδῳ)διήγησις: 'narration / account / recounting'; the genitive renders an attempt at the Hebrew סֹפֵר ('scribe / muster'); 'the staff of narration of a scribe' = the writing-staff/baton of the muster-officer who enrolls the troops.
γραμματέωςof a scribeGenitivegenitive of relationship (with ῥάβδῳ διηγήσεως)γραμματεύς: 'scribe / clerk / muster-officer'; renders סֹפֵר; in a military context the γραμματεύς is the officer who enrolls and marshals the host (cf. 2 Kgs 25:19); Zebulun supplies these enrolling-officers for the muster.
15

καὶ ἀρχηγοὶ ἐν Ισσαχαρ μετὰ Δεββωρας καὶ Βαρακ οὕτως Βαρακ ἐν κοιλάσιν ἀπέστειλεν ἐν ποσὶν αὐτοῦ εἰς τὰς μερίδας Ρουβην μεγάλοι ἐξικνούμενοι καρδίαν

And the chiefs in Issachar were with Deborah and Barak; so Barak in the valleys sent forth at his feet. To the divisions of Reuben were great searchings of heart.

Tribal roll-call (b): Issachar mustered; pivot to Reuben's hesitationκαὶ ἀρχηγοὶ ἐν Ισσαχαρ
Issachar's chiefs march with Deborah and Barak (note the declined genitive Δεββωρας, contrasting with the indeclinable Δεββωρα elsewhere). Barak rushes into the valleys 'at his feet' (on foot, in pursuit). The verse then pivots to the first rebuke: εἰς τὰς μερίδας Ρουβην ('to the divisions of Reuben') belong μεγάλοι ἐξικνούμενοι καρδίαν ('great reachings/searchings of heart') — Reuben's irresolution, restated at v. 16.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀρχηγοὶchiefs / leadersNominativesubject (verbless clause: 'chiefs were with...')ἀρχηγός: 'leader / chief / commander'; renders שָׂרַי ('my princes / chiefs'); the leaders of Issachar joined the muster with Deborah and Barak.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (with Ισσαχαρ)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΙσσαχαρIssachardative object of ἐν (indeclinable)Ισσαχαρ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשָּׂשכָר; indeclinable; the tribe whose chiefs sided with Deborah (cf. Gen 49:14–15).
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)μετὰ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΔεββωραςDeborahGenitivegenitive object of μετά (declined form)Δεββωρα (gen. Δεββωρας): here the name is declined as a first-declension genitive (Δεββωρας), unlike the indeclinable Δεββωρα at vv. 1, 7, 12 — a striking inconsistency typical of the song's textual handling of proper names.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ΒαρακBarakgenitive object of μετά (indeclinable)Βαρακ: indeclinable; coordinate with Δεββωρας under μετά; Issachar's chiefs are 'with Deborah and Barak.'
οὕτωςso / thusadverb (resumptive)οὕτως: 'so / thus'; renders כֵּן; resumes the narrative of Barak's action — 'so Barak [rushed] into the valleys.'
ΒαρακBaraksubject of ἀπέστειλεν (indeclinable)Βαρακ: indeclinable; the subject of ἀπέστειλεν, here pictured plunging into the valley in pursuit.
ἐνin / intopreposition + dative (locative)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
κοιλάσινvalleysDativedative object of ἐν ('in the valleys')κοιλάς: 'hollow / valley'; renders עֵמֶק ('valley'); Barak charges into the valley (the plain of Jezreel/Esdraelon) where the battle is joined.
ἀπέστειλενsent forth / rushedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (Barak's action)→ constative aoristἀποστέλλω: 'send / send forth'; the aorist ἀπέστειλεν renders שֻׁלַּח ('was sent / let loose'); the sense is that Barak 'sent himself / rushed forth at his feet' (on foot) into the valley — a vivid picture of headlong pursuit.
ἐνat / withpreposition + dative (means/manner)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ποσὶνfeetDativedative of means (with αὐτοῦ: 'at his feet')πούς (dat. pl. ποσίν): 'foot'; ἐν ποσὶν αὐτοῦ ('at his feet / on foot') renders בְּרַגְלָיו; Barak rushed forward on foot into the valley — the foot-soldiers behind him.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with ποσὶν)αὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'his'; refers to Barak; 'at his feet' = following hard upon him.
εἰςto / amongpreposition + accusative (reference)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (plural)τὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μερίδαςdivisions / portionsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the clans of Reuben)μερίς: 'portion / division / clan'; renders פְּלַגּוֹת ('divisions / clans'); the 'divisions of Reuben' are the tribe's clans, whose hesitation is now rebuked.
ΡουβηνReubengenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'divisions of Reuben')Ρουβην: transliteration of Hebrew רְאוּבֵן; indeclinable; the Transjordanian tribe whose failure to join the battle is the song's chief rebuke (vv. 15b–16).
μεγάλοιgreatNominativepredicate adjective (with ἐξικνούμενοι: 'great searchings')μέγας (pl. μεγάλοι): 'great'; renders גְּדֹלִים ('great'); modifies the 'reachings/searchings of heart' — Reuben's deliberation was great, but it produced no action; the phrase is echoed at v. 16 (μεγάλοι ἐξετασμοὶ καρδίας).
ἐξικνούμενοιreaching / searchingPres Mid Part Nom Masc Pl · ἐξικνέομαιsubstantivized participle (with μεγάλοι and καρδίαν)ἐξικνέομαι: 'reach / extend to / attain'; the present participle ἐξικνούμενοι ('reaching / searching') renders חִקְקֵי לֵב ('searchings/resolves of heart'); the idiom describes Reuben's protracted inner deliberation that never issued in deeds.
καρδίανheartAccusativeaccusative of respect (with ἐξικνούμενοι: 'reaching in heart')καρδία: 'heart'; the accusative of respect with ἐξικνούμενοι; 'great searchings of heart' = deep but fruitless deliberation; the heart-imagery anticipates v. 16's ἐξετασμοὶ καρδίας.
16

εἰς τί ἐκάθισαν ἀνὰ μέσον τῆς διγομίας τοῦ ἀκοῦσαι συρισμοῦ ἀγγέλων εἰς διαιρέσεις Ρουβην μεγάλοι ἐξετασμοὶ καρδίας

Why did they sit between the two saddlebags, to hear the piping of the messengers? To the divisions of Reuben were great searchings of heart.

Rebuke of Reuben: rhetorical question and refrainεἰς τί ἐκάθισαν
The rhetorical εἰς τί ('why?') sharpens the rebuke of Reuben for staying among the sheepfolds. The crux τῆς διγομίας ('the two saddlebags / double burden') is a rare calque of the Hebrew מִשְׁפְּתַיִם (the dual of 'sheepfolds / hearths'), and συρισμοῦ ἀγγέλων ('piping of messengers') renders the Hebrew 'pipings/whistlings for the flocks.' The verse closes by repeating the refrain μεγάλοι ἐξετασμοὶ καρδίας, sealing Reuben's indictment.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
εἰςfor / whypreposition (with τί: 'for what / why')εἰς τί: 'for what reason / why?'; an interrogative idiom rendering לָמָּה; introduces the reproachful question to Reuben.
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (with εἰς: 'why')τίς, τί: the interrogative; in εἰς τί ('why') it forms a reproachful rhetorical question expecting no justification.
ἐκάθισανdid they sitAor Act Indic 3 Pl · καθίζωmain verb (rhetorical question)→ constative aorist (reproachful)καθίζω: 'sit / settle'; the aorist ἐκάθισαν renders יָשַׁבְתָּ ('you sat / stayed'); the sitting among the sheepfolds is the very inaction the song condemns — contrast the active tribes who 'went down' (vv. 13–15).
ἀνὰbetween / amongpreposition (with μέσον: 'between')ἀνὰ μέσον: 'between / in the midst of'; renders בֵּין; 'between the two saddlebags / sheepfolds.'
μέσονmidstAccusativeaccusative (in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον)μέσος: 'middle / midst'; part of the prepositional idiom ἀνὰ μέσον ('between').
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with διγομίας)τῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διγομίαςthe two saddlebags / double burdenGenitivegenitive object of ἀνὰ μέσον (crux)διγομία: 'double load / two saddlebags' (from δι- + γόμος, 'load/cargo'); a rare word coined to render the Hebrew dual מִשְׁפְּתַיִם ('two sheepfolds / saddle-packs / ash-heaps' — itself obscure); the picture is of Reuben lounging among the pack-saddles or sheepfolds instead of fighting.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with articular infinitive of purpose)τοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀκοῦσαιto hearAor Act Inf · ἀκούωarticular infinitive of purpose (τοῦ + inf.)→ constative aorist infinitive (the act of obeying)ἀκούω: 'hear'; the articular infinitive τοῦ ἀκοῦσαι ('to hear / in order to hear') expresses purpose, renders the Hebrew לִשְׁמֹעַ; Reuben sat idly 'to hear the piping' — listening to shepherds' tunes rather than the trumpet of war.
συρισμοῦpiping / whistlingGenitivegenitive object of ἀκοῦσαισυρισμός: 'hissing / whistling / piping (on a reed-pipe)'; renders שְׁרִקוֹת ('pipings / whistlings'); the shepherd's pipe-call to the flocks — Reuben preferred its peaceful sound to the battle-summons.
ἀγγέλωνof messengersGenitivegenitive of relationship (with συρισμοῦ)ἄγγελος: 'messenger / angel'; the genitive plural ἀγγέλων renders the Hebrew עֲדָרִים ('flocks'), the translator apparently reading a different word; thus 'the piping of messengers' stands where the Hebrew has 'the pipings for the flocks' — another sign of the song's textual difficulty.
εἰςto / amongpreposition + accusative (reference)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
διαιρέσειςdivisionsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the clans of Reuben)διαίρεσις: 'division / partition'; renders פְּלַגּוֹת ('divisions / clans', cf. μερίδας at v. 15); the 'divisions of Reuben' — the tribe's irresolute clans.
ΡουβηνReubengenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Ρουβην: indeclinable; the repeated naming (cf. v. 15) drives home the rebuke of the Transjordanian tribe.
μεγάλοιgreatNominativepredicate adjective (with ἐξετασμοὶ)μέγας (pl. μεγάλοι): 'great'; the refrain echoes v. 15; Reuben's deliberations were 'great' but barren of action.
ἐξετασμοὶsearchings / examinationsNominativesubject (verbless clause: 'great searchings of heart')ἐξετασμός: 'examination / scrutiny / searching'; renders the Hebrew חִקְקֵי לֵב ('searchings of heart'); the phrase μεγάλοι ἐξετασμοὶ καρδίας ('great searchings of heart') is the song's memorable indictment of Reuben's irresolution — much soul-searching, no commitment.
καρδίαςof heartGenitivegenitive of relationship (with ἐξετασμοὶ)καρδία: 'heart'; the genitive καρδίας ('of heart') completes the idiom; Reuben's inner searchings replaced outward deeds — the heart deliberated while the hands stayed idle.
17

Γαλααδ ἐν τῷ πέραν τοῦ Ιορδάνου ἐσκήνωσεν καὶ Δαν εἰς τί παροικεῖ πλοίοις Ασηρ ἐκάθισεν παραλίαν θαλασσῶν καὶ ἐπὶ διεξόδοις αὐτοῦ σκηνώσει

Gilead encamped beyond the Jordan; and Dan — why does he sojourn in ships? Asher sat on the seacoast and will encamp at his harbors.

Rebuke continued: the tribes that stayed away (Gilead, Dan, Asher)Γαλααδ ἐν τῷ πέραν
The catalogue of the absent tribes continues: Gilead stayed across the Jordan, Dan lingered by his ships (εἰς τί παροικεῖ, 'why does he sojourn?' — echoing the reproachful εἰς τί of v. 16), and Asher remained on the seacoast. Each verb of dwelling (ἐσκήνωσεν, παροικεῖ, ἐκάθισεν, σκηνώσει) underscores their failure to march to battle.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
ΓαλααδGileadsubject of ἐσκήνωσεν (indeclinable)Γαλααδ: transliteration of Hebrew גִּלְעָד; indeclinable; the Transjordanian region (here for the tribes east of the Jordan, esp. Gad) that stayed home beyond the river.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τῷtheDativearticle (substantivizing πέραν)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πέρανbeyond / acrossadverb substantivized by the article ('the region beyond')πέραν: 'beyond / across / on the other side'; an indeclinable adverb; with the article τῷ πέραν τοῦ Ιορδάνου ('the region beyond the Jordan') it renders בְּעֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן, the standard term for Transjordan.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with Ιορδάνου)τοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Ιορδάνουof the JordanGenitivegenitive of relationship (with πέραν)Ιορδάνης (gen. Ιορδάνου): transliteration of Hebrew יַרְדֵּן, here fully declined as a first-declension noun (gen. Ιορδάνου) — unlike many names in the song; the river forms the boundary of the absent Transjordanian tribes.
ἐσκήνωσενencamped / dweltAor Act Indic 3 Sg · σκηνόωmain verb (Gilead's inaction)→ constative aoristσκηνόω: 'pitch a tent / encamp / dwell'; the aorist ἐσκήνωσεν renders שָׁכֵן ('dwelt'); Gilead 'stayed encamped' east of the Jordan rather than crossing to fight — settled comfort instead of battle.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ΔανDansubject of παροικεῖ (indeclinable)Δαν: transliteration of Hebrew דָּן; indeclinable; the tribe associated with seafaring (cf. its coastal/northern location); rebuked for staying with its ships.
εἰςwhypreposition (with τί: 'why')εἰς τί: 'why?'; the reproachful interrogative echoes v. 16, now aimed at Dan.
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (with εἰς: 'why')τίς, τί: the interrogative in εἰς τί ('why'); rebukes Dan's preoccupation with shipping.
παροικεῖsojourns / lingersPres Act Indic 3 Sg · παροικέωmain verb (rhetorical question)→ descriptive present (reproachful)παροικέω: 'dwell as a stranger / sojourn / linger'; renders יָגוּר ('dwell / abide'); the present tense vividly depicts Dan still loitering among his ships while Israel fights.
πλοίοιςin shipsDativedative of place (with παροικεῖ: 'among ships')πλοῖον: 'ship / boat'; the dative πλοίοις ('in/among ships') renders אֳנִיּוֹת; Dan's maritime commerce kept him from the battle — preoccupation with trade over covenant duty.
ΑσηρAshersubject of ἐκάθισεν (indeclinable)Ασηρ: transliteration of Hebrew אָשֵׁר; indeclinable; the northern coastal tribe, likewise rebuked for staying by the sea.
ἐκάθισενsat / remainedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καθίζωmain verb (Asher's inaction)→ constative aoristκαθίζω: 'sit / settle / remain'; the aorist ἐκάθισεν (cf. ἐκάθισαν of Reuben, v. 16) renders יָשַׁב; Asher 'sat still' on the coast — the verb of culpable inaction recurs.
παραλίανthe seacoastAccusativeaccusative of place (extent: 'along the coast')παράλιος / παραλία: 'coastline / seacoast'; renders לְחוֹף יַמִּים ('at the shore of the seas'); the accusative marks the place where Asher remained — the Phoenician littoral.
θαλασσῶνof seasGenitivegenitive of relationship (with παραλίαν)θάλασσα (gen. pl. θαλασσῶν): 'sea'; renders יַמִּים; 'the coast of the seas' = the Mediterranean shore where Asher dwelt.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐπὶat / bypreposition + dative (locative)ἐπὶ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
διεξόδοιςharbors / outletsDativedative object of ἐπί ('at his outlets/harbors')διέξοδος: 'outlet / passage / inlet'; the dative plural διεξόδοις renders מִפְרָצָיו ('his harbors / landing-places'); Asher settled at his coastal inlets/harbors, tending trade rather than war.
αὐτοῦhis / itsGenitivegenitive of possession (with διεξόδοις)αὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'his / its'; refers to Asher (or its coastline); the harbors that kept the tribe occupied.
σκηνώσειwill encamp / dwellFut Act Indic 3 Sg · σκηνόωmain verb (Asher's continued staying)→ predictive / gnomic futureσκηνόω: 'encamp / dwell'; the future σκηνώσει ('will dwell') renders יִשְׁכּוֹן; the verb of v. 17a (ἐσκήνωσεν) returns, framing the absent tribes who 'dwell' rather than fight — Asher will simply remain at his harbors.
18

Ζαβουλων λαὸς ὠνείδισεν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ εἰς θάνατον καὶ Νεφθαλι ἐπὶ ὕψη ἀγροῦ

Zebulun is a people that exposed its life to death, and Naphtali, on the heights of the field.

Praise of the valiant tribes (climax of the muster, contrast to vv. 15b–17)Ζαβουλων λαὸς
After the rebukes, the song's praise climaxes with Zebulun and Naphtali, who risked their very lives (ψυχὴν ... εἰς θάνατον, 'jeopardized its soul unto death') on the heights of the battlefield. These are the two tribes Barak originally summoned (Judg 4:6, 10); their courage is the foil to Reuben's hesitation and the coastal tribes' absence.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
ΖαβουλωνZebulunsubject (indeclinable)Ζαβουλων: indeclinable; the gallant northern tribe (cf. v. 14) praised for its self-sacrifice in battle.
λαὸςa peopleNominativepredicate noun / apposition to Ζαβουλωνλαός: 'people'; in apposition to Ζαβουλων ('Zebulun, a people that...'); renders עַם; characterizes the whole tribe by its valor.
ὠνείδισενexposed to scorn / riskedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὀνειδίζωmain verb (with ψυχὴν: 'risked its life')→ constative aoristὀνειδίζω: 'reproach / scorn / despise'; the aorist ὠνείδισεν here renders חֵרֵף ('exposed / scorned / put at risk'); the idiom ὠνείδισεν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ εἰς θάνατον means Zebulun 'held its life in contempt unto death' — i.e. recklessly risked its life in battle.
ψυχὴνlife / soulAccusativedirect object of ὠνείδισενψυχή: 'soul / life'; renders נֶפֶשׁ; the 'life' that Zebulun held cheap, risking it to death for the sake of the deliverance.
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession (with ψυχὴν)αὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'its'; refers to Zebulun (the people); 'its life' risked for the cause.
εἰςto / untopreposition + accusative (extent/result)εἰς θάνατον: 'unto death'; renders לָמוּת ('to die'); marks the extremity of Zebulun's self-sacrifice — risking life to the point of death.
θάνατονdeathAccusativeaccusative object of εἰςθάνατος: 'death'; renders מָוֶת; the term of Zebulun's risk — they faced death without flinching.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ΝεφθαλιNaphtalisubject (indeclinable, parallel to Ζαβουλων)Νεφθαλι: transliteration of Hebrew נַפְתָּלִי; indeclinable; the second valiant tribe, paired with Zebulun (cf. Judg 4:6, 10), fighting on the open heights.
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (place)ἐπὶ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ὕψηheightsAccusativeaccusative of place (with ἐπί: 'on the heights')ὕψος (pl. ὕψη): 'height / high place'; renders מְרוֹמֵי ('the heights of'); Naphtali fought on the exposed high ground of the battlefield — risking life like Zebulun.
ἀγροῦof the fieldGenitivegenitive of relationship (with ὕψη)ἀγρός: 'field / open country'; renders שָׂדֶה; 'the heights of the field' = the high places of the battle-plain; the same noun appeared at v. 4 (ἀγροῦ Εδωμ).
19

ἦλθον αὐτῶν βασιλεῖς παρετάξαντο τότε ἐπολέμησαν βασιλεῖς Χανααν ἐν Θανααχ ἐπὶ ὕδατι Μεγεδδω δῶρον ἀργυρίου οὐκ ἔλαβον

Their kings came, they drew up for battle; then the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the water of Megiddo; they took no spoil of silver.

Battle strophe: the Canaanite kings engage (τότε-refrain)ἦλθον αὐτῶν βασιλεῖς
The battle proper opens. The Canaanite kings come and deploy (παρετάξαντο, a key verb repeated three times in vv. 19–20); the τότε ('then') marks the engagement at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo on the plain of Jezreel. The terse closing — δῶρον ἀργυρίου οὐκ ἔλαβον ('they took no spoil of silver') — declares the enemy's defeat: they gained nothing from the fight.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ἦλθονcameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (the kings' arrival)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come / go'; the aorist ἦλθον renders בָּאוּ ('they came'); the Canaanite kings advance to battle — the opening of the combat narrative.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (with βασιλεῖς)αὐτός (gen. pl. αὐτῶν): 'their'; refers to the enemy coalition; 'their kings' = the Canaanite kings led by Sisera's overlord Jabin (Judg 4:2).
βασιλεῖςkingsNominativesubject of ἦλθονβασιλεύς: 'king'; renders מְלָכִים; the allied Canaanite kings who came to fight against Israel.
παρετάξαντοthey drew up for battleAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · παρατάσσωmain verb (battle deployment)→ constative aoristπαρατάσσω (mid.): 'draw up in battle array / deploy for battle'; the aorist middle παρετάξαντο renders נִלְחָמוּ ('they fought / arrayed'); the technical military verb is the keyword of the battle-strophe, recurring in v. 20 (×2) of the stars who fight.
τότεthentemporal adverb (refrain)τότε: 'then'; renders אָז; the structuring refrain (cf. vv. 8, 11, 13) marks the moment of the battle's joining.
ἐπολέμησανthey fought / made warAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πολεμέωmain verb (the kings' fighting)→ constative aoristπολεμέω: 'make war / fight'; the aorist ἐπολέμησαν (cf. v. 8) renders נִלְחֲמוּ; the kings of Canaan join battle at Taanach.
βασιλεῖςkingsNominativesubject of ἐπολέμησανβασιλεύς: the repeated βασιλεῖς Χανααν ('kings of Canaan') specifies the enemy as the Canaanite coalition.
ΧαναανCanaangenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'kings of Canaan')Χανααν: transliteration of Hebrew כְּנַעַן; indeclinable; the land and its native kingdoms, Israel's oppressors in the Judges-era.
ἐνat / inpreposition + dative (locative)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΘανααχTaanachdative object of ἐν (indeclinable place-name)Θανααχ: transliteration of Hebrew תַּעְנַךְ; indeclinable; a fortified city on the southern edge of the Jezreel plain, near Megiddo — the battle-site.
ἐπὶby / atpreposition + dative (locative)ἐπὶ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ὕδατιwaterDativedative object of ἐπί ('by the water')ὕδωρ (dat. ὕδατι): 'water'; renders מֵי ('the waters of'); 'the water of Megiddo' is the stream/springs by the plain of Jezreel, near the torrent Kishon (v. 21).
ΜεγεδδωMegiddogenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'water of Megiddo')Μεγεδδω: transliteration of Hebrew מְגִדּוֹ; indeclinable; the famous fortress-city guarding the Jezreel pass; the waters of Megiddo are the battle's locale (cf. the later 'Armageddon', Har-Megiddo).
δῶρονgift / spoilAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβονδῶρον: 'gift / present / spoil'; renders בֶּצַע ('gain / plunder'); 'gift/spoil of silver' = the plunder the Canaanites hoped to seize; the point is that they got none.
ἀργυρίουof silverGenitivegenitive of material (with δῶρον)ἀργύριον: 'silver / money'; renders כֶּסֶף; the silver-spoil the enemy coveted but failed to take — their defeat was total and profitless.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἔλαβον)οὐ (οὐκ before vowels): the negative; emphatic in final position of the clause-sense — 'no spoil of silver did they take.'
ἔλαβονthey tookAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (negated: defeat of the enemy)→ constative aorist (with οὐκ: total failure)λαμβάνω: 'take / receive / seize'; the aorist ἔλαβον with οὐκ renders לֹא לָקָחוּ ('they took not'); the enemy seized no plunder — a terse declaration of their rout, setting up the cosmic battle of v. 20.
20

ἐξ οὐρανοῦ παρετάξαντο οἱ ἀστέρες ἐκ τρίβων αὐτῶν παρετάξαντο μετὰ Σισαρα

From heaven the stars drew up for battle; from their courses they fought against Sisera.

Battle strophe: the cosmic powers fight for Israelἐξ οὐρανοῦ παρετάξαντο
The decisive turn: the very stars of heaven join the battle on Israel's side. The verb παρετάξαντο ('drew up for battle', from v. 19) is repeated twice, now with the stars as subject — heaven's host arrayed against Sisera. The motif of celestial powers fighting for YHWH's people frames the victory as a cosmic event, not merely a human one (cf. Josh 10:11–13).
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (source)ἐξ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
οὐρανοῦheavenGenitivegenitive object of ἐξ ('from heaven')οὐρανός: 'heaven / sky'; renders שָׁמַיִם (cf. v. 4); the stars fight 'from heaven', i.e. the cosmic realm itself is mobilized against the enemy.
παρετάξαντοdrew up for battleAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · παρατάσσωmain verb (the stars deploy)→ constative aoristπαρατάσσω (mid.): 'draw up in battle array'; the same verb as in v. 19 (the Canaanite kings), now applied to the stars — heaven's army deploys against Sisera; renders נִלְחֲמוּ.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἀστέρες)οἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀστέρεςstarsNominativesubject of παρετάξαντοἀστήρ (pl. ἀστέρες): 'star'; renders כּוֹכָבִים; the stars as heaven's host fighting for Israel — the celestial powers (perhaps with the storm they herald) overwhelm Sisera's chariotry, swelling the Kishon (v. 21).
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)ἐκ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τρίβωνcourses / pathsGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ ('from their courses')τρίβος (gen. pl. τρίβων): 'path / track / course'; renders מְסִלּוֹתָם ('their highways/courses'); the stars fight 'from their orbits' — even the fixed celestial courses are marshalled for battle.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (with τρίβων)αὐτός (gen. pl. αὐτῶν): 'their'; refers to the stars; their appointed courses become battle-lines against the enemy.
παρετάξαντοthey fought / drew upAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · παρατάσσωmain verb (repetition for emphasis)→ constative aoristπαρατάσσω: the repeated παρετάξαντο (now 'against Sisera') drives home the cosmic onslaught; the threefold use of the verb in vv. 19–20 binds the human and celestial battle-lines.
μετὰagainst / withpreposition + genitive (hostile engagement)μετά + gen.: usually 'with', but here in a hostile sense 'against' (rendering עִם in the sense of 'in conflict with'); the stars deploy 'against Sisera.'
ΣισαραSiseragenitive object of μετά (indeclinable)Σισαρα: transliteration of Hebrew סִיסְרָא; indeclinable; the commander of the Canaanite army of Jabin (Judg 4:2); named here for the first time in the song as the target of heaven's hosts; his death is narrated in vv. 24–27.
21

χειμάρρους Κισων ἐξέσυρεν αὐτούς χειμάρρους ἀρχαίων χειμάρρους Κισων καταπατήσει αὐτὸν ψυχή μου δυνατή

The torrent Kishon swept them away — the ancient torrent, the torrent Kishon. March on, my soul, in strength! It will trample him down.

Battle strophe: the torrent Kishon sweeps the enemy awayχειμάρρους Κισων
The flooded Kishon — swollen by the storm the stars heralded (v. 20) — sweeps away the Canaanite chariotry. The threefold χειμάρρους ('torrent') with the epithet ἀρχαίων ('ancient') gives the flood an almost primordial, mythic force. The first-person interjection ψυχή μου δυνατή ('my soul, [be] strong' / 'march on, my soul, in might') is the singer's self-exhortation amid the triumph.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
χειμάρρουςtorrent / wadiNominativesubject of ἐξέσυρενχείμαρρος (Att. χειμάρρους): 'winter-stream / torrent / wadi'; renders נַחַל; the Kishon, normally a dry or shallow streambed, became a raging torrent in the storm, drowning Sisera's chariots — the central instrument of the victory.
ΚισωνKishonapposition to χειμάρρους (indeclinable)Κισων: transliteration of Hebrew קִישׁוֹן; indeclinable; the river draining the Jezreel plain into the Mediterranean; its flooding routed the Canaanite chariotry (cf. Judg 4:7).
ἐξέσυρενswept away / dragged offAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκσύρωmain verb (the torrent's action)→ constative aoristἐκσύρω: 'drag out / sweep away'; the aorist ἐξέσυρεν renders גְּרָפָם ('swept them away'); the torrent dragged the enemy's chariots and warriors to destruction — the violence of the flood is vivid in the compound ἐκ-σύρω.
αὐτούςthemAccusativedirect object of ἐξέσυρεναὐτός (acc. pl. αὐτούς): 'them'; the Canaanite host swept away by the Kishon.
χειμάρρουςtorrentNominativeapposition (repetition)χείμαρρος: the repeated χειμάρρους builds an incantatory, hymnic intensity; the threefold naming of the torrent reproduces the Hebrew's emphatic repetition (נַחַל קִישׁוֹן ... נַחַל קְדוּמִים נַחַל קִישׁוֹן).
ἀρχαίωνof ancient / of oldGenitivegenitive of quality (with χειμάρρους: 'ancient torrent')ἀρχαῖος: 'ancient / primeval'; the genitive plural ἀρχαίων renders קְדוּמִים ('of ancient times / onrushing'); 'the torrent of ancient days' lends the flood a primordial, mythic grandeur — as old as creation, now serving YHWH.
χειμάρρουςtorrentNominativeapposition (third repetition)χείμαρρος: the third χειμάρρους Κισων completes the triple naming, the hymnic refrain emphasizing the river as YHWH's chosen weapon.
ΚισωνKishonapposition (indeclinable, repetition)Κισων: indeclinable; the repeated naming of the Kishon fixes attention on the instrument of victory.
καταπατήσειwill trample downFut Act Indic 3 Sg · καταπατέωmain verb (the soul / torrent tramples the foe)→ volitive / gnomic futureκαταπατέω: 'tread down / trample'; the future καταπατήσει renders תִּדְרְכִי ('you shall tread'); the subject may be the singer's soul (ψυχή μου) trampling the enemy in triumph, or the torrent crushing them — the syntax is ambiguous, reflecting the Hebrew.
αὐτὸνhim / itAccusativedirect object of καταπατήσειαὐτός (acc. αὐτόν): 'him / it'; the trampled foe — perhaps Sisera or the enemy host collectively.
ψυχήsoulNominativesubject / vocative (self-address of the singer)ψυχή: 'soul / self'; renders נֶפֶשׁ; the interjection ψυχή μου δυνατή ('my soul, [be] strong' / 'march on, O my soul, in might') is the singer's self-exhortation amid the triumph — a vivid first-person outburst (cf. Ps 103:1).
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (with ψυχή)ἐγώ (gen. μου): 'my'; identifies the soul as the singer's own — Deborah rousing herself to the strength of the moment.
δυνατήstrong / mightyNominativepredicate adjective (with ψυχή: 'my soul is/be mighty')δυνατός (fem. δυνατή): 'strong / mighty / powerful'; renders עֹז ('strength'); the singer summons her own soul to march on 'in strength' — a hymnic burst of resolve in the heat of the victory-song.
22

τότε ἐνεποδίσθησαν πτέρναι ἵππου σπουδῇ ἔσπευσαν ἰσχυροὶ αὐτοῦ

Then the horse's hooves were entangled; his mighty ones hastened away in haste.

Battle strophe: the rout of the chariotry (τότε-refrain)τότε ἐνεποδίσθησαν
The τότε ('then') marks the climactic rout: the horses' hooves are entangled (in the mire of the flooded plain), and Sisera's mighty warriors flee in panicked haste (σπουδῇ ἔσπευσαν, a cognate intensification, 'they hastened in haste'). The proud chariotry — the enemy's chief advantage (Judg 4:3) — is undone.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
τότεthentemporal adverb (refrain)τότε: 'then'; renders אָז; the structuring refrain (cf. vv. 8, 11, 13, 19) now marks the moment of the chariots' downfall.
ἐνεποδίσθησανwere entangled / hamperedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἐμποδίζωmain verb (the hooves hampered)→ constative aoristἐμποδίζω: 'entangle / hamper / hinder' (lit. 'put something in the feet'); the aorist passive ἐνεποδίσθησαν renders הָלְמוּ ('beat / pounded' — textually difficult); the horses' hooves were 'hampered/entangled' in the mire of the flooded battlefield, immobilizing the chariots.
πτέρναιheels / hoovesNominativesubject of ἐνεποδίσθησανπτέρνα: 'heel / hoof'; renders עִקְּבֵי ('hooves / heels'); the horses' hooves, the source of the chariotry's speed, are now mired and useless — the rout of Sisera's elite force.
ἵππουof a horseGenitivegenitive of relationship (with πτέρναι)ἵππος: 'horse'; the genitive ἵππου ('of the horse') renders סוּס; the chariot-horse, emblem of Canaanite military might (the 900 iron chariots of Judg 4:3), now floundering.
σπουδῇin hasteDativedative of manner (with ἔσπευσαν, cognate intensifier)σπουδή: 'haste / speed / eagerness'; the dative σπουδῇ with the cognate verb ἔσπευσαν ('they hastened in haste') is a Hebraizing figura etymologica intensifying the panic of the flight (rendering דָּהֲרוֹת דָּהֲרוֹת, 'galloping, galloping').
ἔσπευσανthey hastened / fledAor Act Indic 3 Pl · σπεύδωmain verb (the mighty flee, cognate with σπουδῇ)→ constative aoristσπεύδω: 'hasten / hurry / be eager'; the aorist ἔσπευσαν with the cognate dative σπουδῇ intensifies the headlong flight of Sisera's warriors — the proud charge has become a panicked rout.
ἰσχυροὶmighty ones / warriorsNominativesubject of ἔσπευσαν (substantivized)ἰσχυρός: 'strong / mighty'; substantivized ἰσχυροὶ αὐτοῦ ('his mighty ones'); renders אַבִּירָיו ('his stallions / mighty ones'); Sisera's elite warriors (or his stallions) flee in disarray — the proud are humbled (cf. ἰσχυροῖς, v. 13).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with ἰσχυροὶ)αὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'his'; refers to Sisera; 'his mighty ones / stallions' — the commander's own forces routed.
23

καταρᾶσθε Μηρωζ εἶπεν ἄγγελος κυρίου καταρᾶσθε ἐπικατάρατος πᾶς ὁ κατοικῶν αὐτήν ὅτι οὐκ ἤλθοσαν εἰς βοήθειαν κυρίου εἰς βοήθειαν ἐν δυνατοῖς

Curse Meroz, said the angel of the LORD; curse, bitterly curse her inhabitants, every one — because they did not come to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD among the mighty.

Curse of Meroz: the angel's imprecation (climax of the battle-strophe)καταρᾶσθε Μηρωζ
The battle-strophe ends with the angel of the LORD's curse on Meroz, the town that failed to join the fight. The imperative καταρᾶσθε ('curse!') is doubled, and ἐπικατάρατος ('accursed') intensifies the imprecation. The reason (ὅτι) is the inverse of the praised tribes' valor (v. 18): they 'did not come to the help of the LORD among the mighty' — the gravest of failures in a holy war.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καταρᾶσθεcursePres Mid Impv 2 Pl · καταράομαιmain verb (imperative imprecation)→ durative present imperativeκαταράομαι: 'curse / call down a curse'; the present imperative καταρᾶσθε renders אֹרוּ ('curse!'); the imprecation against Meroz contrasts with the blessing of Jael (v. 24) — curse and blessing frame the two responses to YHWH's battle.
ΜηρωζMerozdirect object of καταρᾶσθε (indeclinable)Μηρωζ: transliteration of Hebrew מֵרוֹז; indeclinable; an otherwise unknown town (perhaps near the battlefield) cursed for failing to aid Israel; its obscurity makes its condemnation all the more pointed.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: 'say'; the aorist εἶπεν introduces the speaker of the curse — the angel of the LORD; renders אָמַר; the curse carries divine authority.
ἄγγελοςangel / messengerNominativesubject of εἶπενἄγγελος: 'messenger / angel'; ἄγγελος κυρίου ('the angel of the LORD') renders מַלְאַךְ יהוה; the curse on Meroz is pronounced by YHWH's own messenger, giving it the force of a divine decree (cf. Judg 2:1; 6:11).
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of relationship (with ἄγγελος)κύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the angel belongs to and speaks for YHWH; the curse is therefore divine, not merely human.
καταρᾶσθεcursePres Mid Impv 2 Pl · καταράομαιmain verb (emphatic repetition)→ durative present imperativeκαταράομαι: the repeated καταρᾶσθε intensifies the imprecation, reproducing the Hebrew doubled אֹרוּ אָרוֹר ('curse, bitterly curse').
ἐπικατάρατοςaccursedNominativepredicate adjective (with πᾶς ὁ κατοικῶν)ἐπικατάρατος: 'accursed / under a curse'; renders אָרוֹר; the verbal adjective declares the inhabitants of Meroz to be objects of the curse — the same word used in the covenant curses (Deut 27:15–26) and cited at Gal 3:10, 13.
πᾶςevery / allNominativesubject (with ὁ κατοικῶν: 'everyone dwelling')πᾶς: 'every / all'; πᾶς ὁ κατοικῶν ('everyone who dwells') extends the curse to all the town's inhabitants without exception — collective guilt for collective failure.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with participle κατοικῶν)ὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατοικῶνdwelling / inhabitantPres Act Part Nom Masc Sg · κατοικέωsubstantivized participle (with πᾶς: 'every inhabitant')κατοικέω: 'dwell / inhabit'; the present participle ὁ κατοικῶν ('the one dwelling / inhabitant') renders יֹשֵׁב ('inhabitant'); every resident of Meroz falls under the curse for the town's neutrality.
αὐτήνher / itAccusativedirect object of κατοικῶν (Meroz as feminine)αὐτός (acc. fem. αὐτήν): 'her / it'; the feminine refers to Meroz (cities are feminine); 'those who inhabit her' = the townsfolk of Meroz.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (ground of the curse)ὅτι: 'because / that'; renders כִּי; introduces the ground of the curse — Meroz's failure to come to YHWH's aid.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἤλθοσαν)οὐ (οὐκ): the negative; the failure to act is the heart of the indictment.
ἤλθοσανthey cameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb of causal clause (negated)→ constative aorist (with οὐκ: culpable failure)ἔρχομαι: 'come'; the aorist ἤλθοσαν (Hellenistic 3 pl. form with -οσαν ending, common in the LXX) renders בָאוּ ('they came'); negated with οὐκ — Meroz 'did not come' to the battle, the opposite of the valiant tribes (v. 18).
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (purpose/goal)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
βοήθειανhelp / aidAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς ('to the help')βοήθεια: 'help / aid / succour'; renders עֶזְרַת ('the help of'); 'the help of the LORD' — the holy war is YHWH's own cause, and to withhold aid is to fail YHWH himself.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of relationship (with βοήθειαν)κύριος: rendering of יהוה; the battle is 'the help of the LORD' — to aid Israel is to aid YHWH; Meroz's neutrality is treason against the divine warrior.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (repetition)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
βοήθειανhelp / aidAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (repetition for emphasis)βοήθεια: the repeated εἰς βοήθειαν reproduces the Hebrew's emphatic doubling (לְעֶזְרַת יהוה ... בַּגִּבּוֹרִים), underscoring the gravity of the failure to help.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
δυνατοῖςthe mightyDativedative object of ἐν (substantivized: 'among the mighty')δυνατός: 'mighty / powerful'; substantivized τοῖς δυνατοῖς ('among the mighty / warriors'); renders בַּגִּבּוֹרִים ('among the mighty men'); Meroz failed to stand 'among the mighty' who fought for YHWH (cf. δυνατοὶ, v. 7).
24

εὐλογηθείη ἐν γυναιξὶν Ιαηλ γυνὴ Χαβερ τοῦ Κιναίου ἀπὸ γυναικῶν ἐν σκηναῖς εὐλογηθείη

Blessed among women be Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite; above women in tents may she be blessed.

Blessing of Jael: counterpart to the curse of Meroz (new strophe)εὐλογηθείη ἐν γυναιξὶν Ιαηλ
In sharp antithesis to the cursed Meroz (v. 23), Jael is blessed 'among women.' The optative εὐλογηθείη ('may she be blessed') frames the verse as an inclusio (it opens and closes the line). The double blessing-formula (ἐν γυναιξὶν ... ἀπὸ γυναικῶν ἐν σκηναῖς) elevates Jael above all tent-dwelling women — preparing for the graphic account of her deed (vv. 25–27).
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
εὐλογηθείηmay she be blessedAor Pass Opt 3 Sg · εὐλογέωmain verb (optative of blessing)→ optative of wish (benediction)εὐλογέω: 'bless'; the aorist passive optative εὐλογηθείη ('may she be blessed') renders תְּבֹרַךְ ('let her be blessed'); the optative of wish pronounces a benediction on Jael, the exact counterpart to the curse (καταρᾶσθε) on Meroz.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere of comparison)ἐν γυναιξίν: 'among women'; a Hebraism (rendering מִנָּשִׁים) functioning as a superlative — 'most blessed of women' (cf. Luke 1:42, εὐλογημένη σὺ ἐν γυναιξίν, of Mary).
γυναιξὶνwomenDativedative object of ἐν ('among women')γυνή (dat. pl. γυναιξίν): 'woman'; renders נָשִׁים; 'blessed among women' marks Jael as supremely blessed for her deed; the phrase is famously echoed of Mary at Luke 1:42.
ΙαηλJaelsubject of εὐλογηθείη (indeclinable)Ιαηλ: indeclinable (cf. v. 6); the Kenite woman who killed Sisera (Judg 4:17–22); now blessed above all women for her decisive act.
γυνὴwifeNominativeapposition to Ιαηλγυνή: 'woman / wife'; here 'wife (of Heber)'; renders אֵשֶׁת; the apposition identifies Jael by her household — that of Heber the Kenite, at peace with Jabin (Judg 4:17), which makes her act the more startling.
ΧαβερHebergenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'wife of Heber')Χαβερ: transliteration of Hebrew חֶבֶר; indeclinable; the Kenite whose wife Jael was (Judg 4:11, 17); the clan had ties to Moses' father-in-law and dwelt apart from Israel.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with Κιναίου)τοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Κιναίουthe KeniteGenitivegenitive in apposition to Χαβερ (gentilic adjective)Κιναῖος: 'Kenite'; the gentilic, here declined (gen. τοῦ Κιναίου), renders הַקֵּינִי; the Kenites were a nomadic clan associated with Midian and friendly to Israel (Judg 1:16; 4:11); Heber's branch had made peace with Jabin, heightening the drama of Jael's deed.
ἀπὸabove / frompreposition + genitive (comparative Hebraism)ἀπὸ γυναικῶν: 'above / more than women'; a comparative Hebraism (rendering מִנָּשִׁים) reinforcing the superlative — 'most blessed of all tent-dwelling women'; parallel to ἐν γυναιξίν.
γυναικῶνwomenGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (comparison)γυνή (gen. pl. γυναικῶν): 'woman'; renders נָשִׁים; the comparison-group above which Jael is exalted.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
σκηναῖςtentsDativedative object of ἐν ('among women in tents')σκηνή: 'tent'; renders אֹהֶל; 'women in tents' = the nomadic, tent-dwelling women among whom Jael is most blessed; her tent will be the scene of Sisera's death (vv. 25–27).
εὐλογηθείηmay she be blessedAor Pass Opt 3 Sg · εὐλογέωmain verb (optative, closing inclusio)→ optative of wish (benediction)εὐλογέω: the repeated εὐλογηθείη closes the verse, forming an inclusio around Jael's name and titles — a doubled benediction emphasizing the completeness of her blessing.
25

ὕδωρ ᾔτησεν γάλα ἔδωκεν ἐν λεκάνῃ ὑπερεχόντων προσήνεγκεν βούτυρον

He asked for water; she gave milk; in a lordly bowl she brought him curds.

Jael's deed (a): the deceptive hospitalityὕδωρ ᾔτησεν
The terse, fast-moving cola narrate Jael's deceptive hospitality: Sisera asks water, she gives milk; in a 'lordly bowl' (λεκάνῃ ὑπερεχόντων, 'a dish of nobles') she brings curds. The escalation — water requested, but milk and curds given in a noble vessel — lulls the exhausted commander into security before the killing-blow (v. 26). The asyndetic, staccato style heightens the suspense.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
ὕδωρwaterAccusativedirect object of ᾔτησενὕδωρ: 'water'; renders מַיִם; Sisera, fleeing and exhausted, asks only for water (cf. Judg 4:19); the modesty of the request contrasts with the lavish reply.
ᾔτησενhe askedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · αἰτέωmain verb (Sisera's request)→ constative aoristαἰτέω: 'ask / request'; the aorist ᾔτησεν renders שָׁאַל ('he asked'); the subject is Sisera; his simple request for water sets up the irony of Jael's overgenerous, fatal hospitality.
γάλαmilkAccusativedirect object of ἔδωκενγάλα: 'milk'; renders חָלָב; Jael gives milk instead of water — richer, soporific fare; the generosity disarms Sisera's suspicion (cf. Judg 4:19).
ἔδωκενshe gaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (Jael's response)→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give'; the aorist ἔδωκεν renders נָתָנָה ('she gave'); the subject is Jael; her giving of milk for water is the first step of the lethal ruse.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (instrument/container)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
λεκάνῃbowl / dishDativedative of container (with ὑπερεχόντων)λεκάνη: 'basin / bowl / dish'; renders סֵפֶל ('bowl'); the vessel in which Jael serves the curds; qualified as a 'bowl of nobles' (lordly bowl), it flatters Sisera with royal treatment.
ὑπερεχόντωνof nobles / the eminentPres Act Part Gen Masc Pl · ὑπερέχωsubstantivized participle (genitive of quality with λεκάνῃ)ὑπερέχω: 'surpass / be superior / excel'; the substantivized participle ὑπερεχόντων ('of those who excel / nobles') renders אַדִּירִים ('nobles / lordly ones'); 'a bowl of nobles' = a lordly, magnificent dish — Jael honours Sisera lavishly to disarm him.
προσήνεγκενshe brought / offeredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προσφέρωmain verb (Jael presents the curds)→ constative aoristπροσφέρω: 'bring to / offer / present'; the aorist προσήνεγκεν renders הִקְרִיבָה ('she brought near / presented'); Jael's solicitous presentation of curds completes the picture of overwhelming hospitality masking lethal intent.
βούτυρονcurds / butterAccusativedirect object of προσήνεγκενβούτυρον: 'butter / curds / cream' (lit. 'cow-cheese'); renders חֶמְאָה ('curds / curdled milk'); the rich, sleep-inducing food given to the weary Sisera — the last comfort before his death.
26

χεῖρα αὐτῆς ἀριστερὰν εἰς πάσσαλον ἐξέτεινεν καὶ δεξιὰν αὐτῆς εἰς σφῦραν κοπιώντων καὶ ἐσφυροκόπησεν Σισαρα διήλωσεν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπάταξεν διήλωσεν κρόταφον αὐτοῦ

She stretched out her left hand to the tent-peg, and her right hand to the workman's mallet; and she hammered Sisera, she pierced his head, and she struck, she pierced his temple.

Jael's deed (b): the killing of Sisera (climax)χεῖρα αὐτῆς ἀριστερὰν
The killing is narrated with brutal, accumulating verbs: left hand to the peg, right hand to the workman's hammer; then a torrent of strokes — ἐσφυροκόπησεν ('she hammered'), διήλωσεν ('she nailed/pierced through', twice), ἐπάταξεν ('she struck'). The rare compounds ἐσφυροκόπησεν and διήλωσεν heighten the violence. The piling-up of near-synonymous blows reproduces the Hebrew's relentless poetic intensity.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
χεῖραhandAccusativedirect object of ἐξέτεινενχείρ: 'hand'; renders יָד; Jael's hand reaching for the tent-peg — the first of the paired left/right hand actions.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession (with χεῖρα)αὐτός (gen. fem. αὐτῆς): 'her'; refers to Jael; the repeated αὐτῆς (here and with δεξιὰν) keeps her the relentless agent of the killing.
ἀριστερὰνleftAccusativeattributive adjective (with χεῖρα: 'left hand')ἀριστερός: 'left'; renders יָד ... לַיָּתֵד (the hand to the peg); the left hand takes the peg while the right wields the hammer — a precise, deliberate choreography of the killing.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
πάσσαλονtent-peg / pinAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the peg seized)πάσσαλος: 'peg / pin / tent-stake'; renders יָתֵד ('tent-peg'); the ordinary tent-pin becomes the murder weapon — a domestic implement turned instrument of judgment (cf. Judg 4:21).
ἐξέτεινενshe stretched outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκτείνωmain verb (Jael reaches for the peg)→ constative aoristἐκτείνω: 'stretch out / extend'; the aorist ἐξέτεινεν renders תִּשְׁלַחְנָה ('she put forth'); Jael deliberately extends her hand to grasp the peg — the calm precision of the act is chilling.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
δεξιὰνright (hand)Accusativedirect object (parallel to χεῖρα ἀριστερὰν)δεξιός (fem. δεξιά): 'right'; substantivized 'right hand'; renders יְמִינָהּ ('her right hand'); the right hand takes the heavier hammer for the blow.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession (with δεξιὰν)αὐτός (gen. fem. αὐτῆς): 'her'; Jael's right hand wielding the workman's hammer.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
σφῦρανhammer / malletAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the hammer seized)σφῦρα: 'hammer / mallet'; renders הַלְמוּת ('workmen's mallet'); the tool used to drive tent-pegs, now the instrument of Sisera's death.
κοπιώντωνof workmen / laborersPres Act Part Gen Masc Pl · κοπιάωsubstantivized participle (genitive of quality with σφῦραν)κοπιάω: 'toil / labor / grow weary'; the substantivized participle κοπιώντων ('of laborers / workmen') renders עֲמֵלִים ('laborers'); 'a workman's mallet' — the heavy hammer of those who toil, fitting Jael's decisive, laborer-like blow.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐσφυροκόπησενshe hammered / struck with a malletAor Act Indic 3 Sg · σφυροκοπέωmain verb (the killing-blow)→ constative aoristσφυροκοπέω: 'strike with a hammer / hammer down' (a rare compound from σφῦρα + κόπτω); the aorist ἐσφυροκόπησεν renders הָלְמָה ('she struck/hammered'); the vivid compound — perhaps coined for this verse — conveys the force of the mallet-blow.
ΣισαραSiseradirect object of ἐσφυροκόπησεν (indeclinable)Σισαρα: indeclinable; the object of Jael's hammer-blow; the dreaded commander, undone by a tent-dwelling woman.
διήλωσενshe pierced through / nailedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διηλόωmain verb (with κεφαλὴν)→ constative aoristδιηλόω: 'nail through / pierce through' (from διά + ἧλος, 'nail'); a rare compound; the aorist διήλωσεν renders מָחֲקָה / מָחֲצָה ('she shattered / pierced'); Jael drove the peg clean through Sisera's head — the gruesome detail of Judg 4:21.
κεφαλὴνheadAccusativedirect object of διήλωσενκεφαλή: 'head'; renders רֹאשׁוֹ ('his head'); the peg pierced through Sisera's head, pinning it to the ground (Judg 4:21).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with κεφαλὴν)αὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'his'; refers to Sisera; 'his head' pierced by the peg.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐπάταξενshe struckAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πατάσσωmain verb (the blow)→ constative aoristπατάσσω: 'strike / smite / beat'; the aorist ἐπάταξεν renders מָחֲצָה ('she smote'); a standard verb for a fatal blow (cf. the smiting of the Egyptian firstborn); part of the accumulating description of the killing.
διήλωσενshe pierced throughAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διηλόωmain verb (repetition with κρόταφον)→ constative aoristδιηλόω: the repeated διήλωσεν (now of the temple) intensifies the violence; the doubling reproduces the Hebrew's piled-up verbs of striking (מָחֲצָה ... וְחָלְפָה).
κρόταφονtemple (of the head)Accusativedirect object of the second διήλωσενκρόταφος: 'temple (side of the head)'; renders רַקָּתוֹ ('his temple'); the peg pierced through the temple (Judg 4:21, 22) — the precise anatomical detail underscores the lethal accuracy of Jael's blow.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with κρόταφον)αὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'his'; refers to Sisera; 'his temple' pierced through — the death-stroke complete.
27

ἀνὰ μέσον τῶν ποδῶν αὐτῆς κατεκυλίσθη ἔπεσεν καὶ ἐκοιμήθη ἀνὰ μέσον τῶν ποδῶν αὐτῆς κατακλιθεὶς ἔπεσεν καθὼς κατεκλίθη ἐκεῖ ἔπεσεν ἐξοδευθείς

Between her feet he sank, he fell, he lay still; between her feet he sank, he fell; where he sank, there he fell, undone.

Jael's deed (c): the death-throes of Sisera (incantatory repetition)ἀνὰ μέσον τῶν ποδῶν αὐτῆς
The death is rendered in a hypnotic, repetitive incantation: 'between her feet he sank, fell, lay still ... where he sank, there he fell, undone.' The fourfold ἔπεσεν ('he fell') and the verbs of collapse (κατεκυλίσθη, ἐκοιμήθη, κατακλιθεὶς, κατεκλίθη) build a slow-motion tableau of the warrior's end. The final participle ἐξοδευθείς ('having expired / been dispatched') is the song's grim full stop on Sisera.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (with μέσον: 'between')ἀνὰ μέσον: 'between / in the midst of'; renders בֵּין ('between'); 'between her feet' — at Jael's feet Sisera collapses, an image of utter subjugation.
μέσονmidstAccusativeaccusative (in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον)μέσος: 'middle / midst'; part of the prepositional idiom ἀνὰ μέσον.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ποδῶν)τῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποδῶνfeetGenitivegenitive object of ἀνὰ μέσον ('between the feet')πούς (gen. pl. ποδῶν): 'foot'; renders רַגְלֶיהָ ('her feet'); Sisera falls at Jael's feet — the mighty commander brought low before a woman, the song's central reversal.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession (with ποδῶν)αὐτός (gen. fem. αὐτῆς): 'her'; Jael's feet, between which Sisera collapses and dies.
κατεκυλίσθηhe sank / rolled downAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · κατακυλίωmain verb (first verb of collapse)→ constative aoristκατακυλίω: 'roll down / sink down'; the aorist passive κατεκυλίσθη renders כָּרַע ('he sank / bowed down'); the first in the series of falling-verbs depicting Sisera's slow collapse.
ἔπεσενhe fellAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πίπτωmain verb (second verb of collapse)→ constative aoristπίπτω: 'fall'; the aorist ἔπεσεν renders נָפַל ('he fell'); repeated four times in this verse, the verb is the drumbeat of Sisera's death.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐκοιμήθηhe lay still / sleptAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · κοιμάωmain verb (third verb of collapse)→ constative aoristκοιμάω (pass. 'lie down / sleep / die'); the aorist ἐκοιμήθη renders שָׁכָב ('he lay'); a euphemism for death — Sisera 'lay still' in the sleep of death at Jael's feet.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (repetition of ἀνὰ μέσον)ἀνὰ μέσον: the repeated 'between her feet' builds the incantatory rhythm of the death-tableau.
μέσονmidstAccusativeaccusative (in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον, repetition)μέσος: part of the repeated prepositional idiom.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ποδῶν, repetition)τῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποδῶνfeetGenitivegenitive object of ἀνὰ μέσον (repetition)πούς: the repeated 'feet' fixes the image of Sisera prostrate before Jael.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession (with ποδῶν, repetition)αὐτός (gen. fem. αὐτῆς): 'her'; Jael's feet, the place of Sisera's death.
κατακλιθεὶςhaving sunk down / collapsedAor Pass Part Nom Masc Sg · κατακλίνωcircumstantial participle (with ἔπεσεν)κατακλίνω: 'lay down / make recline'; the aorist passive participle κατακλιθεὶς ('having sunk down / collapsed') renders כָּרַע ('bowing/sinking'); the participle adds to the slow-motion accumulation of Sisera's fall.
ἔπεσενhe fellAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πίπτωmain verb (third ἔπεσεν)→ constative aoristπίπτω: the repeated ἔπεσεν drives the relentless rhythm of the death-scene.
καθὼςas / wherecomparative/temporal conjunctionκαθώς: 'as / just as / where'; renders בַּאֲשֶׁר ('where / in the place that'); 'where he sank, there he fell' — the place of collapse is the place of death.
κατεκλίθηhe sank downAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · κατακλίνωverb of καθὼς-clause→ constative aoristκατακλίνω: 'lie down / sink down'; the aorist passive κατεκλίθη renders כָּרַע ('he sank'); the cognate of κατακλιθεὶς above, completing the cluster of sinking-verbs.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (with ἔπεσεν)ἐκεῖ: 'there'; renders שָׁם; 'there he fell' — the spot of his collapse is the spot of his death; the deictic seals the finality.
ἔπεσενhe fellAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πίπτωmain verb (fourth and final ἔπεσεν)→ constative aoristπίπτω: the fourth ἔπεσεν closes the incantation of collapse; the relentless repetition (cf. the Hebrew's fivefold use of related verbs) makes Sisera's death the rhythmic climax of the song.
ἐξοδευθείςhaving expired / been dispatchedAor Pass Part Nom Masc Sg · ἐξοδεύωcircumstantial participle (result: 'destroyed/dead')ἐξοδεύω: 'go out / depart / die' (lit. 'make an exodus'); the aorist passive participle ἐξοδευθείς ('having expired / been done away with') renders שָׁדוּד ('destroyed / despoiled'); the grim final word — Sisera 'departed' from life, utterly undone; note the play on ἔξοδος (cf. v. 4).
28

διὰ τῆς θυρίδος παρέκυψεν μήτηρ Σισαρα ἐκτὸς τοῦ τοξικοῦ διότι ᾐσχύνθη ἅρμα αὐτοῦ διότι ἐχρόνισαν πόδες ἁρμάτων αὐτοῦ

Through the window the mother of Sisera peered out beyond the lattice: 'Why is his chariot ashamed to come? Why do the hooves of his chariots delay?'

The mother of Sisera at the window (new strophe: dramatic pathos)διὰ τῆς θυρίδος παρέκυψεν
The scene shifts to Sisera's home: his mother peers through the window-lattice, anxiously awaiting his return. The doubled διότι ('because / why') voices her growing alarm at the chariot's delay — pathos sharpened by the reader's knowledge (vv. 26–27) that Sisera lies dead. The crux τοῦ τοξικοῦ ('the lattice') and the personification ᾐσχύνθη ἅρμα ('the chariot is ashamed [to come]') are notable touches.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (through which)διὰ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with θυρίδος)τῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυρίδοςwindowGenitivegenitive object of διά ('through the window')θυρίς: 'window / lattice-opening'; renders חַלּוֹן ('window'); the window through which Sisera's mother watches — the domestic setting that intensifies the pathos of her vain hope.
παρέκυψενshe peered out / leaned outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παρακύπτωmain verb (the mother looks out)→ constative aoristπαρακύπτω: 'stoop to look / peer / lean over'; the aorist παρέκυψεν renders נִשְׁקְפָה ('she looked down / out'); the mother leans out the window scanning the horizon for her son — a poignant image of maternal anxiety (the same verb at John 20:5 of looking into the tomb).
μήτηρmotherNominativesubject of παρέκυψενμήτηρ: 'mother'; renders אֵם; 'the mother of Sisera' — the figure whose tragic hope dominates the closing strophe; contrast Deborah as 'mother in Israel' (v. 7).
Σισαραof Siseragenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'mother of Sisera')Σισαρα: indeclinable; the dead commander, whose mother watches in vain; the dramatic irony — she waits for one already slain — is the heart of the scene.
ἐκτὸςbeyond / outsideimproper preposition + genitive ('beyond the lattice')ἐκτός: 'outside / beyond'; an improper preposition + genitive; 'beyond the lattice' — she peers past the window-screen, straining for a sight of the returning chariot.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with τοξικοῦ)τοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τοξικοῦthe lattice / window-screenGenitivegenitive object of ἐκτὸς (crux)τοξικόν: lit. 'pertaining to the bow / archer's' (from τόξον, 'bow'); here used for the latticed window-screen, rendering the Hebrew אֶשְׁנָב ('lattice / window-frame'); a crux — the translator chose an unusual word, perhaps construing the lattice as a cross-hatched, bow-like frame.
διότιbecause / whyconjunction (introducing the mother's anxious question)διότι: 'because / for what reason'; renders מַדּוּעַ ('why?'); introduces the mother's lament/question over the chariot's delay; the doubled διότι voices her mounting dread.
ᾐσχύνθηis ashamed / delaysAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · αἰσχύνωmain verb (the chariot 'ashamed' to come)→ constative aoristαἰσχύνω (pass. 'be ashamed'); the aorist passive ᾐσχύνθη renders בֹּשֵׁשׁ ('tarried / was ashamed/late'); the chariot is personified as 'ashamed' (i.e. shamefully late) to return — a poignant euphemism for the delay that means defeat.
ἅρμαchariotNominativesubject of ᾐσχύνθηἅρμα: 'chariot'; renders רִכְבּוֹ ('his chariot'); the chariot whose return the mother awaits — the very chariotry that lies destroyed by the Kishon (vv. 21–22).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with ἅρμα)αὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'his'; refers to Sisera; 'his chariot' — the object of his mother's vain hope.
διότιbecause / whyconjunction (repetition: parallel question)διότι: the repeated 'why' (rendering מַדּוּעַ) intensifies the mother's anxious questioning, reproducing the Hebrew's doubled lament.
ἐχρόνισανthey delayed / tarriedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · χρονίζωmain verb (the hooves delay)→ constative aoristχρονίζω: 'delay / tarry / take a long time'; the aorist ἐχρόνισαν renders אֶחֱרוּ ('they delayed'); the chariot-hooves 'tarry' — the delay the mother cannot yet understand, but the reader knows it is the silence of death.
πόδεςfeet / hoovesNominativesubject of ἐχρόνισανπούς (pl. πόδες): 'foot / hoof'; renders פַּעֲמֵי ('the hoofbeats / steps of'); the chariot-horses' hooves whose sound the mother strains to hear — but they will never come (cf. the mired hooves of v. 22).
ἁρμάτωνof chariotsGenitivegenitive of relationship (with πόδες)ἅρμα (gen. pl. ἁρμάτων): 'chariot'; renders מַרְכְּבוֹתָיו ('his chariots'); the hooves 'of his chariots' that delay — the destroyed chariotry that will never return home.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with ἁρμάτων)αὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'his'; refers to Sisera; 'his chariots' whose hoofbeats his mother will never hear again.
29

αἱ σοφαὶ ἄρχουσαι αὐτῆς ἀπεκρίθησαν πρὸς αὐτήν καὶ αὐτὴ ἀπέστρεψεν λόγους αὐτῆς ἑαυτῇ

Her wisest princesses answered her, and she herself returned her words to herself.

The princesses' reassurance (continuation of the window-scene)αἱ σοφαὶ ἄρχουσαι αὐτῆς
The mother's wisest attendants answer her anxious question with comforting explanations (spelled out in v. 30), and she repeats their reassuring words to herself. The irony deepens: the 'wise' ladies' confident answer (spoils are being divided) is utterly false — Sisera lies dead. The self-soothing of the mother ('she returned her words to herself') heightens the pathos.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
αἱtheNominativearticle (with σοφαὶ ἄρχουσαι)αἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σοφαὶwiseNominativeattributive adjective (with ἄρχουσαι: 'wise princesses')σοφός (fem. σοφαί): 'wise / skilled'; renders חַכְמוֹת ('wise women'); the mother's wisest attendants — their 'wisdom' is bitterly ironic, since their confident explanation is wholly mistaken.
ἄρχουσαιprincesses / noble ladiesPres Act Part Nom Fem Pl · ἄρχωsubstantivized participle (subject: 'her ruling ladies')ἄρχω: 'rule / govern'; the feminine present participle ἄρχουσαι ('ruling women / princesses') renders שָׂרוֹתֶיהָ ('her princesses / ladies'); the noble attendants of Sisera's mother, here speaking false comfort.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession (with ἄρχουσαι)αὐτός (gen. fem. αὐτῆς): 'her'; the princesses belonging to the mother's household.
ἀπεκρίθησανansweredAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb (the princesses reply)→ constative aoristἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer / reply'; the aorist ἀπεκρίθησαν (deponent, passive form) renders תַּעֲנֶינָה ('they answered'); the ladies respond to the mother's anxious question with the false reassurance of v. 30.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)πρὸς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
αὐτήνherAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the mother addressed)αὐτός (acc. fem. αὐτήν): 'her'; the mother of Sisera, to whom the princesses speak their comforting words.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
αὐτὴshe herselfNominativeintensive pronoun (subject of ἀπέστρεψεν)αὐτός (fem. nom. αὐτή): 'she herself'; the intensive pronoun emphasizes that the mother repeats the words to herself — a self-consoling echo of the princesses' reassurance.
ἀπέστρεψενreturned / repeatedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστρέφωmain verb (the mother repeats the words)→ constative aoristἀποστρέφω: 'turn back / return'; the aorist ἀπέστρεψεν renders תָּשִׁיב ('she returned'); 'she returned her words to herself' = she repeated the reassuring answer over to herself, clinging to false hope.
λόγουςwordsAccusativedirect object of ἀπέστρεψενλόγος (acc. pl. λόγους): 'word / saying'; renders אֲמָרֶיהָ ('her words'); the reassuring words the mother repeats to console herself.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession (with λόγους)αὐτός (gen. fem. αὐτῆς): 'her'; the words belonging to the mother (or echoed from the princesses).
ἑαυτῇto herselfDativereflexive dative (indirect object: 'to herself')ἑαυτοῦ (dat. fem. ἑαυτῇ): 'to herself'; the reflexive renders לָהּ ('to herself'); the mother soothes her own anxiety by rehearsing the false comfort — a poignant, tragic self-deception.
30

οὐχ εὑρήσουσιν αὐτὸν διαμερίζοντα σκῦλα οἰκτίρμων οἰκτιρήσει εἰς κεφαλὴν ἀνδρός σκῦλα βαμμάτων τῷ Σισαρα σκῦλα βαμμάτων ποικιλίας βάμματα ποικιλτῶν αὐτά τῷ τραχήλῳ αὐτοῦ σκῦλα

Will they not find him dividing the spoil? A compassionate one will surely take pity for the head of each man: spoil of dyed cloths for Sisera, spoil of dyed and embroidered cloths, embroidered garments — these for his neck as spoil.

The princesses' false comfort: the imagined spoil (dramatic irony)οὐχ εὑρήσουσιν αὐτὸν
The content of the reassurance: surely Sisera is delayed because he is dividing the plunder — captive girls, dyed and embroidered garments for his neck. The dramatic irony is total: the audience knows Sisera lies dead at Jael's feet. The cognate figure οἰκτίρμων οἰκτιρήσει ('a compassionate one will surely have compassion') is a Hebraism calquing the infinitive absolute, and the fourfold σκῦλα ('spoil') with βαμμάτων / ποικιλίας evokes a fantasy of rich plunder that will never be claimed.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
οὐχnotnegative particle (in rhetorical question expecting 'yes')οὐ (οὐχ before rough breathing): the negative in a rhetorical question ('will they not find...?') expecting an affirmative — 'surely they are finding him dividing spoil'; renders the Hebrew הֲלֹא ('do they not...?').
εὑρήσουσινwill they findFut Act Indic 3 Pl · εὑρίσκωmain verb (rhetorical question)→ predictive future (in confident question)εὑρίσκω: 'find / discover'; the future εὑρήσουσιν renders יִמְצְאוּ ('they will find'); the confident question imagines Sisera busy dividing plunder — the delay innocently explained, with crushing dramatic irony.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of εὑρήσουσιναὐτός (acc. αὐτόν): 'him'; Sisera, imagined alive and victorious — though dead.
διαμερίζονταdividingPres Act Part Acc Masc Sg · διαμερίζωsupplementary participle (with εὑρήσουσιν αὐτὸν: 'find him dividing')διαμερίζω: 'divide / distribute / share out'; the present participle διαμερίζοντα ('dividing') renders יְחַלְּקוּ / מְחַלֵּק ('dividing'); the imagined Sisera distributing the spoils of victory — the false picture the mother clings to.
σκῦλαspoils / plunderAccusativedirect object of διαμερίζοντασκῦλον (pl. σκῦλα): 'spoil / plunder / booty'; renders שָׁלָל ('spoil'); the fourfold σκῦλα in this verse evokes the imagined riches of victory — a fantasy that mocks the reality of defeat.
οἰκτίρμωνa compassionate oneNominativesubject (cognate figure with οἰκτιρήσει)οἰκτίρμων: 'compassionate / merciful'; the substantivized adjective with the cognate verb forms a figura etymologica οἰκτίρμων οἰκτιρήσει ('a compassionate one will have compassion') — a Hebraism rendering the obscure Hebrew רַחַם רַחֲמָתַיִם ('a girl or two', lit. 'a womb, two wombs'); the LXX read רחם as the root for 'compassion', producing this very different sense.
οἰκτιρήσειwill have compassionFut Act Indic 3 Sg · οἰκτίρωmain verb (cognate with οἰκτίρμων)→ predictive future (cognate intensification)οἰκτίρω: 'pity / have compassion'; the future οἰκτιρήσει with cognate οἰκτίρμων is a Hebraizing figura etymologica ('a compassionate one will surely have compassion'); the LXX's misreading of רַחֲמָתַיִם ('two maidens' as spoil) as 'compassion' yields a wholly different line from the Hebrew — a notable crux.
εἰςfor / uponpreposition + accusative (goal/reference)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
κεφαλὴνheadAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς ('for the head of a man')κεφαλή: 'head'; renders רֹאשׁ ('head'); 'for the head of each man' may mean 'for each warrior' (per capita distribution of spoil); ironic, given that Sisera's own head was pierced (v. 26).
ἀνδρόςof a manGenitivegenitive of relationship (with κεφαλὴν)ἀνήρ (gen. ἀνδρός): 'man / warrior'; renders גֶּבֶר ('man / strong man'); 'the head of a man' = each fighting man receiving his share of spoil.
σκῦλαspoilAccusativeaccusative (apposition: the plunder enumerated)σκῦλον: the repeated σκῦλα begins the enumeration of the imagined plunder — dyed cloths for Sisera.
βαμμάτωνof dyed clothsGenitivegenitive of material (with σκῦλα)βάμμα (gen. pl. βαμμάτων): 'dyed stuff / dyed garment'; renders צְבָעִים ('dyed cloths'); luxury textiles, prized war-plunder; 'spoil of dyed cloths for Sisera.'
τῷthe / forDativearticle (with Σισαρα, dative of advantage)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Σισαραfor Siseradative of advantage (indeclinable, with article τῷ)Σισαρα: indeclinable; with the article τῷ it functions as a dative ('for Sisera'); the spoil imagined as his share — a cruel irony, since he is dead.
σκῦλαspoilAccusativeaccusative (third repetition)σκῦλον: the third σκῦλα continues the enumeration — dyed cloths of embroidery.
βαμμάτωνof dyed clothsGenitivegenitive of material (with σκῦλα, repetition)βάμμα: the repeated βαμμάτων heaps up the imagined luxury-spoil; renders צֶבַע רִקְמָה ('dyed embroidery').
ποικιλίαςof embroidery / variegationGenitivegenitive of quality (with βαμμάτων)ποικιλία: 'variegation / embroidery / many-coloured work'; renders רִקְמָה ('embroidery'); 'dyed cloths of embroidery' = richly worked, multicoloured garments, the finest of plunder.
βάμματαdyed garmentsAccusativeaccusative (apposition: the embroidered cloths)βάμμα (pl. βάμματα): 'dyed garments'; renders רִקְמָתַיִם ('two pieces of embroidery'); the embroidered cloths imagined as neck-adornment for the victors.
ποικιλτῶνof embroiderersGenitivegenitive of relationship (with βάμματα)ποικιλτής: 'embroiderer / weaver of coloured work'; renders רֹקֵם ('embroiderer'); 'garments of embroiderers' = professionally worked, costly textiles — the height of imagined plunder.
αὐτάthese / themAccusativedemonstrative/intensive pronoun (resumptive: 'these')αὐτός (neut. pl. αὐτά): 'them / these'; resumptive, pointing back to the embroidered garments — 'these for his neck as spoil.'
τῷthe / forDativearticle (with τραχήλῳ)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τραχήλῳneckDativedative of advantage/place ('for his neck')τράχηλος: 'neck'; renders צַוְּארֵי ('necks'); the embroidered garments imagined draped on the victor's neck — perhaps Sisera's, perhaps the spoilers'; the irony is that his neck/temple was pierced (v. 26).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with τραχήλῳ)αὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'his'; refers to Sisera (or the victor); 'his neck' adorned with imagined plunder.
σκῦλαspoilAccusativeaccusative (fourth and final repetition, closing the enumeration)σκῦλον: the fourth and final σκῦλα closes the catalogue of imagined plunder; the relentless repetition of 'spoil' underscores the mother's fantasy — riches that will never come, for Sisera is dead.
31

οὕτως ἀπόλοιντο πάντες οἱ ἐχθροί σου κύριε καὶ οἱ ἀγαπῶντες αὐτὸν ὡς ἔξοδος ἡλίου ἐν δυνάμει αὐτοῦ καὶ ἡσύχασεν ἡ γῆ τεσσαράκοντα ἔτη

So perish all your enemies, O LORD! But let those who love him be as the going-forth of the sun in its strength. And the land had rest forty years.

Closing doxology and narrative coda (climax and frame-closure)οὕτως ἀπόλοιντο
The song closes with an antithetical doxology: 'so perish all your enemies' (the optative ἀπόλοιντο, a malediction echoing the fate of Sisera) versus 'those who love him be as the sunrise in its strength' (a benediction echoing the theophany of vv. 4–5). The narrator's prose coda — καὶ ἡσύχασεν ἡ γῆ τεσσαράκοντα ἔτη ('and the land had rest forty years') — closes the frame begun at v. 1 and rejoins the Judges-cycle formula (cf. Judg 3:11, 30; 8:28).
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
οὕτωςso / thusadverb (introducing the maledictory wish)οὕτως: 'so / thus / in this way'; renders כֵּן; 'so [as Sisera perished] may all your enemies perish' — the death just narrated becomes the pattern for the fate of all YHWH's foes.
ἀπόλοιντοmay they perishAor Mid Opt 3 Pl · ἀπόλλυμιmain verb (optative of imprecation)→ optative of wish (malediction)ἀπόλλυμι (mid. 'perish'); the aorist middle optative ἀπόλοιντο ('may they perish') renders יֹאבְדוּ ('let them perish'); the optative of wish pronounces a curse on all YHWH's enemies — the dark counterpart to the blessing on those who love him.
πάντεςallNominativeadjective (with οἱ ἐχθροί: 'all your enemies')πᾶς (pl. πάντες): 'all / every'; renders כָּל; the malediction is universal — every enemy of YHWH is to share Sisera's fate.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἐχθροί)οἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐχθροίenemiesNominativesubject of ἀπόλοιντοἐχθρός: 'enemy / foe'; substantivized οἱ ἐχθροί ('the enemies'); renders אֹיְבֶיךָ ('your enemies'); YHWH's foes — those who, like Sisera and the cursed Meroz, set themselves against his people and his cause.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (with ἐχθροί)σύ (gen. σου): 'your'; addressed to YHWH (κύριε); the enemies are specifically YHWH's, not merely Israel's — the holy-war theology of the song.
κύριεO LORDVocativevocative of address (apostrophe)κύριος (voc. κύριε): rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the closing apostrophe addresses YHWH directly, framing the doxology as prayer; the vocative echoes the theophany-address of v. 4.
καὶand / butcoordinate conjunction (antithetical: curse vs. blessing)καί: 'and / but'; here introduces the antithetical second member — over against the perishing enemies stand those who love YHWH, blessed as the sunrise.
οἱthoseNominativearticle (with ἀγαπῶντες)οἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀγαπῶντεςthose who lovePres Act Part Nom Masc Pl · ἀγαπάωsubstantivized participle (subject of the implied wish)ἀγαπάω: 'love'; the present participle οἱ ἀγαπῶντες αὐτόν ('those who love him') renders אֹהֲבָיו ('those who love him'); the lovers of YHWH — the counterpart to his enemies; the same phrase recurs in covenant-love contexts (Exod 20:6; Deut 7:9).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἀγαπῶντεςαὐτός (acc. αὐτόν): 'him'; refers to YHWH (the shift from second-person σου/κύριε to third-person αὐτόν is a common feature of Hebrew poetry's enallage of person).
ὡςas / likecomparative particle (introducing the simile)ὡς: 'as / like'; renders כְּ; introduces the simile of the rising sun — the lovers of YHWH shine in triumphant strength.
ἔξοδοςgoing-forth / risingNominativepredicate (in the simile: 'as the rising of the sun')ἔξοδος: 'going out / rising'; renders צֵאת ('the going forth of'); 'the going-forth of the sun' = the sunrise; the noun deliberately echoes ἐξόδῳ at v. 4 (YHWH's 'going forth') and ἐξοδευθείς at v. 27, binding the song's frame: YHWH's enemies make their 'exodus' into death, but his lovers rise like the sun.
ἡλίουof the sunGenitivegenitive of relationship (with ἔξοδος)ἥλιος: 'sun'; renders שֶׁמֶשׁ; 'the going-forth of the sun' = the dawn; the image of the sunrise in full strength conveys the radiant, victorious destiny of those who love YHWH.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner/state)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
δυνάμειpower / strengthDativedative of manner (with ἔξοδος ἡλίου: 'in its strength')δύναμις: 'power / strength / might'; renders גְּבֻרָתוֹ ('its strength'); the sun rising 'in its strength' = at full, blazing power (cf. the noonday sun); the lovers of YHWH share this triumphant radiance.
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession (with δυνάμει)αὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'its'; refers to the sun; 'in its strength' — the sun's full radiant power, the figure of the faithful's glory.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the prose coda)καί: 'and'; the conjunction shifts from the poetic doxology to the narrator's prose coda, closing the frame opened at v. 1.
ἡσύχασενhad rest / was quietAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἡσυχάζωmain verb (narrative coda)→ constative aoristἡσυχάζω: 'be still / rest / be quiet'; the aorist ἡσύχασεν renders וַתִּשְׁקֹט ('and [the land] had rest'); the standard Judges-cycle formula marking the period of peace after a deliverance (cf. Judg 3:11, 30; 8:28).
ἡtheNominativearticle (with γῆ)ἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆthe landNominativesubject of ἡσύχασενγῆ: 'land / earth'; renders הָאָרֶץ ('the land'); the land of Israel that 'had rest' after the victory — the same noun that 'quaked' in the theophany (v. 4), now at peace.
τεσσαράκονταfortyindeclinable numeral (with ἔτη: 'forty years')τεσσαράκοντα: 'forty'; indeclinable numeral; renders אַרְבָּעִים; the conventional span of a generation of peace in the Judges cycle (cf. Judg 3:11; 8:28); echoes the τεσσαράκοντα of v. 8.
ἔτηyearsAccusativeaccusative of duration (with τεσσαράκοντα: 'forty years')ἔτος (pl. ἔτη): 'year'; the accusative of extent of time; renders שָׁנָה; 'forty years' of rest — the closing note of the deliverance, sealing the song and the chapter.