Deborah

Deborah was truly a remarkable biblical character. Despite the fact that she was a woman, she was given the responsibility of leader of the Jewish people during the time of the judges in ancient Israel. Her role in defeating Yavin, the King of Canaan in the northern city of Hazor is told in the Book of Judges, Chapters 4 and 5.

The story of Deborah’s miraculous victory begins after the Israelites have been oppressed by Yavin for a period of 20 years. Barak, the general leading the Israelite forces, requests Deborah to accompany him to the battle field to inspire his troops to victory. Deborah agrees, but warns Barak that the upcoming victory will not result in Barak’s honor, but will instead end with the victory going to a woman. Which woman is not specified, and in the end we learn that the honor in fact did not pass from Barak to Deborah, but instead to Yael as we shall see.

According to the biblical tale, 10,000 Israelite warriors meet the 900 iron chariots of Sisera, the general of Yavin at the foot of Mount Tavor. The tide of the battle is turned when a sudden downpour turns the battlefield into a mud-trap for the chariots and horses, helping the Israelites to victory and causing Sisera to flee on foot. Sisera finds shelter in the tent of Yael, where she puts him to sleep with milk, and then hammers a tent pin through his skull, thus receiving the promised honor of Deborah’s prophecy.

Chapter 5 is the “Song of Deborah,” the retelling of the battle, with praise to God, and others added. “The Song of Devorah” is, according to many scholars, the oldest example we have of Hebrew poetry. It is also notable as one of the very oldest places which show independent, fighting women in significant leadership roles.

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