Deborah
the prophetess under the palm tree
Who was Deborah?
- A prophetess and judge of Israel. She sat under a palm tree, and the Israelites came up to her for judgment. Judges 4:4-5
- In the Lord’s name, she sent Barak to fight against Sisera, the commander of King Jabin’s army. Judges 4:6-7
- She went with Barak to Kedesh. After the victory, the two of them sang a song to the Lord. Judges 4:9-10; Judges 5:1
What the Bible says
Judges 4:4-5
4And there was at that time Debbora a prophetess the wife of Lapidoth, who judged the people, 5And she sat under a palm tree, which was called by her name, between Rama and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for all judgment.
Judges 4:6-7
6And she sent and called Barac the son of Abinoem out of Cedes in Nephtali: and she said to him: The Lord God of Israel hath commanded thee: Go, and lead an army to mount Thabor, and thou shalt take with thee ten thousand fighting men of the children of Nephtali, and of the children of Zabulon: 7And I will bring unto thee in the place of the torrent Cison, Sisara the general of Jabin’s army, and his chariots, and all his multitude, and will deliver them into thy hand.
Judges 4:9-10; Judges 5:1
9She said to him: I will go indeed with thee, but at this time the victory shall not be attributed to thee, because Sisara shall be delivered into the hand of a woman. Debbora therefore arose, and went with Barac to Cedes. 10And he called unto him Zabulon and Nepbtali, and went up with ten thousand fighting men, having Debbora in his company.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
More people
All the people of the Bible · The Twelve Apostles · Women of the Bible