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

14Those who had settled in Amalek’s country came down from Ephraim. Benjamin came with its troops after Ephraim. Commanders from Machir went into battle. The officers from Zebulun also went. 15Issachar’s commanders were with Deborah. They were also with Barak, sent into the valley under his command. Among Reuben’s divisions important men had second thoughts. Why did you sit between the saddlebags? Was it to listen to the shepherds playing their flutes? Reuben’s divisions of important men had second thoughts. 17Gilead remained east of the Jordan River. And Dan … Why did he stay by the ships? Asher sat on the seashore and remained along the inlets. 18But Zebulun mocked death, and Naphtali risked his life on the battlefield.

Judges 5:16 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• Why abodestיָשַׁבyâshab · to dwellH3427
• thou amongבַּ֫יִןbêyn · between: amongH996
• the sheepfoldsמִשְׁפְּתַ֫יִםmishpâth · fire-placesH4942
• to hearשָׁמַעshâma‛ · to hear: hearH8085
• the bleatingsשְׁרִיקָהsherûqâh sherîyqâh · pipingH8292
• of the flocksעֵ֫דֶר‛êder · flockH5739
• For the divisionsפְּלַגָּהpelaggâh · streamH6390
• of Reubenרְאוּבֵןre'ûbên · ReubenH7205
• greatגָּדוֹלgâdôl gâdôl · great: largeH1419
• searchingsחֵ֫קֶרchêqer · searchH2714
• of heartלֵבlêb · heartH3820

Cross-references for Judges 5:16

• Numbers 32:1The tribes of Reuben and Gad had a large number of livestock. They saw that the regions of Jazer and Gilead were a good place for livestock.
• Philippians 2:21Everyone else looks after his own interests, not after those of Jesus Christ.
• Philippians 3:19In the end they will be destroyed. Their own emotions are their god, and they take pride in the shameful things they do. Their minds are set on worldly things.
• Judges 5:15Issachar’s commanders were with Deborah. They were also with Barak, sent into the valley under his command. Among Reuben’s divisions important men had second thoughts.
• Psalms 4:4Tremble and do not sin. Think about this on your bed and remain quiet. Selah
• Psalms 77:6I remember my song in the night and reflect ⌞on it⌟. My spirit searches ⌞for an answer⌟:
• Lamentations 3:40Let us look closely at our ways and examine them and then return 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