She sent and summoned Barak: Though many versions continue the same paragraph as far as 4.10, the introduction of a new character here (Barak) may signal a paragraph break (Contemporary English Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). This verse begins with a Hebrew waw conjunction, which may be rendered “One day” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version) to help set the scene. The name “Deborah” can be reintroduced also in place of the pronoun She. The use of both sent and summoned may be due to the fact that Barak is at some distance from Deborah, or they may have the force of an order “had him summoned.” The Hebrew verb for sent (shalach) is a keyword throughout this book (for example, verse 3.15, 18, 21; verse 6.8; verse 7.24; verse 9.23). The verb for summoned is simply the verb meaning “call.” In some languages it may not be necessary to render the two verbs. Translators should find an appropriate expression in their language, such as “sent for.” For the whole clause Contemporary English Version says “Deborah sent word for him to come.”

The name Barak means “lightning” in Hebrew. A few biblical scholars have proposed that the names Barak (“lightning”) and Lappidoth (“torches”) refer to the same person, but there is no evidence to support this claim. Many others suggest that Barak’s name is significant, since it reflects the exact opposite of his personality. Lightning strikes quickly, but Barak is neither quick nor effective.

The son of Abino-am from Kedesh in Naphtali: As with other military heroes, Barak is introduced first through the name of his father, Abino-am. Both father and son come from Kedesh, a town in Naphtali, which was a tribal region northwest of the Sea of Galilee (see verse 1.33). This is the area where the oppression was taking place (verse 4.2-3). Deborah is farther south, sending a message north to Barak.

And said to him: As in other passages (for example, verse 1.15), some of the movement is left implicit. The narrator does not say that Barak responds after being summoned by Deborah. However, in some languages it will be necessary to include this implicit information by saying “When Barak arrived, Deborah said to him.”

The LORD, the God of Israel, commands you: Deborah is functioning as the LORD’s spokesperson in typical prophetic style. This address to Barak is actually a rhetorical question in Hebrew, which is literally “Has not Yahweh, God of Israel, commanded…?” (New Jerusalem Bible). The pronoun you does not occur in Hebrew here. Many translations render this clause as an emphatic statement, as Revised Standard Version has done. Contemporary English Version does so but is somewhat flat: “I have a message for you from the LORD God of Israel!” The negative rhetorical form in Hebrew sounds slightly reproachful and may imply that Barak already knew about this command, but had refused to carry it out. This is possible since it soon becomes clear that Barak is reluctant to go to battle (verse 4.8). Translators can render this clause either in question form or as an emphatic statement.

The LORD, the God of Israel is a long phrase but is appropriate in this prophetic context. It is a common expression in Joshua and Jeremiah, and is used throughout this book (verse 5.3, 5; verse 6.8; verse 11.21, 23; verse 21.3). Commands renders a Hebrew verb that can also mean “commission” or “appoint” (see comments on verse 3.4). It underlines the fact that Barak really has no choice in the matter. The pronoun you is implicit and can be added if need be.

In Hebrew the instructions from the LORD can be characterized as “a quote within a quote.” The narrator quotes Deborah, who is quoting the LORD directly. In some languages quotes within quotes are easily processed, while in others it becomes quite complicated to know who is speaking. Translators can cast part of this verse in indirect or semi-direct speech if this makes comprehension easier. See the introductory comments on verse 2.1-5.

Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor is literally “Go and proceed to Mount Tabor.” Go renders the general Hebrew verb, appearing here in imperative form. Though Revised Standard Version says gather your men, the Hebrew verb translated gather (mashak) means “march [into battle]” or “lead into battle.” Revised Standard Version combines this word with the following verb for “take,” rendering gather your men. However, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh is closer to the Hebrew, saying “Go, march up to Mount Tabor.” New Revised Standard Version is similar with “Go, take position at Mount Tabor.” Mount Tabor was located on the northeastern edge of the Plain of Esdraelon, south of Kedesh and Hazor. It was located right where the territories of Naphtali, Zebulun, and Issachar met.

Taking ten thousand men from the tribe of Naphtali and the tribe of Zebulun: Taking translates a Hebrew verb that shows Barak is to assemble or gather men together for battle. For ten thousand men, see verse 1.4 and verse 3.29. Translators can say “10,000 soldiers” or “10 military units.” From the tribe of Naphtali and the tribe of Zebulun is literally “from the children [or, sons] of Naphtali and from the children [or, sons] of Zebulun.” These were northern tribes, in tribal areas oppressed by Jabin of Hazor. The Hebrew is repetitive here, and translators can combine the phrases if need be. It would appear that there are ten thousand warriors in all, and not ten thousand from each of the tribes. Good News Translation rearranges God’s instructions to Barak in this verse by saying “Take ten thousand men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun and lead them to Mount Tabor.”

Translation suggestions for this verse are:

• One day, Deborah sent for Barak, the son of Abinoam, who lived in the town of Kedesh in the region of Naphtali. She said to him, “The LORD, the God of Israel, orders you to take 10,000 soldiers from the clans of Naphtali and Zebulun and march to Mount Tabor.

• Deborah summoned the son of Abinoam, named Barak, who lived in Kedesh in the region of Naphtali. When he arrived, she said, “Hasn’t the LORD, the God of Israel, commanded you to march to Mount Tabor with ten units of soldiers from Naphtali and Zebulun?

Quoted with permission from Zogbo, Lynell and Ogden, Graham S. A Handbook on Judges. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .