Judges 5:16

Judges 5:16 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.
• New International Version (NIV)Why did you stay among the sheep pens to hear the whistling for the flocks? In the districts of Reuben there was much searching of heart.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Why did you sit still among the sheepfolds, to hear the whistling for the flocks? Among the clans of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Why did you sit among the sheepfolds, To hear the pipings for the flocks? The divisions of Reuben have great searchings of heart.

Context of Judges 5:16

14Some came from Ephraim, with their roots in Amalek; Benjamin came with your people after you. The commanders came down from Machir, the bearers of the marshal’s staff from Zebulun. 15The princes of Issachar were with Deborah, and Issachar was with Barak, rushing into the valley at his heels. In the clans of Reuben there was great indecision. Why did you sit among the sheepfolds to hear the whistling for the flocks? In the clans of Reuben there was great indecision. 17Gilead remained beyond the Jordan. Dan, why did you linger by the ships? Asher stayed at the coast and remained in his harbors. 18Zebulun was a people who risked their lives; Naphtali, too, on the heights of the battlefield.

Judges 5:16 word by word

לָ֣מָּה יָשַׁ֗בְתָּ בֵּ֚ין הַֽמִּשְׁפְּתַ֔יִם לִשְׁמֹ֖עַ שְׁרִק֣וֹת עֲדָרִ֑ים לִפְלַגּ֣וֹת רְאוּבֵ֔ן גְּדוֹלִ֖ים חִקְרֵי־לֵֽב׃Read the interlinear

• Whyמָהmâh mah mâ ma meh · what?H4100
• did you sitיָשַׁבyâshab · to dwellH3427
• amongבַּ֫יִןbêyn · between: amongH996
• the sheepfoldsמִשְׁפְּתַ֫יִםmishpâth · fire-placesH4942
• to hearשָׁמַעshâma‛ · to hear: hearH8085
• the whistlingשְׁרִיקָהsherûqâh sherîyqâh · pipingH8292
• for the flocksעֵ֫דֶר‛êder · flockH5739
• In the clansפְּלֻגָּהpelûggâh · divisionH6391
• of Reubenרְאוּבֵןre'ûbên · ReubenH7205
• there was greatגָּדוֹלgâdôl gâdôl · great: largeH1419
• indecisionחֵ֫קֶרchêqer · searchH2714
• indecisionלֵבlêb · heartH3820

Cross-references for Judges 5:16

• Numbers 32:1Now the Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, surveyed the lands of Jazer and Gilead, and they saw that the region was suitable for livestock.
• Philippians 2:21For all the others look after their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
• Philippians 3:19Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.
• Judges 5:15The princes of Issachar were with Deborah, and Issachar was with Barak, rushing into the valley at his heels. In the clans of Reuben there was great indecision.
• Psalms 4:4Be angry, yet do not sin; on your bed, search your heart and be still. Selah
• Psalms 77:6At night I remembered my song; in my heart I mused, and my spirit pondered:
• Lamentations 3:40Let us examine and test our ways, and turn back to the LORD.

Commentaries on Judges 5:16

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16Great searchings - (thoughts, Judges 5:15) of heart Deborah means to say that at first the Reubenites made magnanimous resolutions to help their brethren against Jabin. But they stayed at home, and let the opportunity slip.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-23Verses 12-23 Deborah called on her own soul to be in earnest. He that will set the hearts of other men on fire with the love of Christ, must himself burn with love. Praising God is a work we should awake to, and awake ourselves unto. She notices who fought against Israel, who fought for them, and who kept away. Who fought against them. They were obstinate enemies to God's people, therefore the more dangerous. Who fought for them. The several tribes that…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 14-18These verses honor those who volunteered and shame those who did not. Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh (represented by Makir) came from the south. Issachar, where the battle took place, was joined by Zebulun and Naphtali, the two tribes closest to Barak’s home base. The tribes that were too hesitant and fearful to join the fight included Reuben, Gad (represented by Gilead), Dan, and Asher.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-311. Then sang Deborah and Barak ... on that day--This noble triumphal ode was evidently the composition of Deborah herself.Read the comment

Topics related to Judges 5:16

• Chiding
• Country
• Lukewarmness
• Patriotism
• Reubenites
• Servant

In the dictionaries

• Reuben
• Barak
• Deborah
• Fight
• Lattice
• Poetry
• Rehearse
• Reuben, Tribe of
• Searching
• Songs

Commentaries on Judges 5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• Darby Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings