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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Why did you sit at home among the sheepfolds— to hear the shepherds whistle for their flocks? Yes, in the tribe of Reuben there was great indecision.

Context of Judges 5:16

14Some came from Ephraim, whose roots were in Amalek; Benjamin was with the people who followed you. From Makir captains came down, from Zebulun those who bear a commander’s staff. 15The princes of Issachar were with Deborah; yes, Issachar was with Barak, sent under his command into the valley. In the districts of Reuben there was much searching of heart. 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. 17Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan. And Dan, why did he linger by the ships? Asher remained on the coast and stayed in his coves. 18The people of Zebulun risked their very lives; so did Naphtali on the terraced fields.

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 Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, saw that the lands of Jazer and Gilead were suitable for livestock.
• Philippians 2:21For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
• Philippians 3:19Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.
• Judges 5:15The princes of Issachar were with Deborah; yes, Issachar was with Barak, sent under his command into the valley. In the districts of Reuben there was much searching of heart.
• Psalms 4:4Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.
• Psalms 77:6I remembered my songs in the night. My heart meditated and my spirit asked:
• Lamentations 3:40Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us 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