Synopsis of the Chapter
Deborah with Barak sings a victory hymn over the overthrow of Sisera.
This canticle breathes not only a poetic but also a prophetic spirit; therefore it appears to have been composed by Deborah the prophetess, who then sang it publicly with Barak. So say Abulensis, Dionysius, Arias, Cajetan, Serarius, Salianus, and others.
It has five parts: the first, verse 3, praises God as the primary author of so great a victory; the second, verse 9, praises the Naphtalites, the Zebulunites, the Issacharites, and others, and all the creatures that cooperated with God the victor; the third, verse 17, blames the Gileadites, the Danites, and the rest who withdrew from this war out of fear of Sisera; the fourth, verse 24, blesses Jael, who killed Sisera; the fifth, verse 28, poetically represents the wailing of Sisera's mother.
Verse 2: You who freely offered your lives ¶
YOU WHO OF YOUR OWN FREE WILL OFFERED YOUR LIVES TO DANGER (going to a fearsome battle against the most powerful Sisera), BLESS THE LORD — who gave us this illustrious victory over Sisera. In Hebrew it is biphraa perahot, which Pagninus, Cajetan, and Arias translate as: "when He avenges vengeances in Israel, when the people freely offers itself, bless the Lord." More genuinely from the Hebrew: "you who freed and fully restored Israel to liberty by spontaneously offering yourselves to the battle with Sisera: Bless the Lord, who made you triumph over him." For the Hebrew para means to strip bare, to loose, to free.
Verse 3: Hear, O kings ¶
HEAR, O KINGS — these wondrous battles of God, that you may acknowledge, fear, and worship Him.
Verse 6: In the days of Shamgar and Jael ¶
THE PATHS RESTED, AND THOSE WHO TRAVELED BY THEM WALKED THROUGH WINDING BYWAYS. — Before this war with Sisera, the highways ceased; that is, travelers dared not use the main roads for fear of the Canaanite garrisons and bandits, but walked through winding side-paths. Jael is mentioned here because she was the foremost instrument of this victory, killing Sisera.
Verse 7: Until a mother arose in Israel ¶
That is, Deborah, who like a mother cared for, nourished, and protected the people of Israel. Deborah is a type of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is the Mother of the Church and of all the faithful.
Verse 12: Arise, Deborah; arise, Barak ¶
The canticle stirs Deborah and Barak to celebrate and proclaim the victory with joyful song.
Verse 13: The remnants of the people were saved ¶
THE REMNANTS OF THE PEOPLE WERE SAVED; THE LORD FOUGHT AMONG THE MIGHTY — that is, with the mighty Israelites. Though few in number compared to the vast army of Sisera, the remnant of the faithful were saved by God's power.
Verse 14: From Ephraim He destroyed them in Amalek ¶
This verse lists the tribes that participated in the battle. From Ephraim and Benjamin came warriors; from Machir (that is, Manasseh, for Machir was the son of Manasseh) came princes; from Zebulun came military leaders.
Verse 15: Reuben divided against himself ¶
The leaders of Issachar were with Deborah, and followed the steps of Barak, who cast himself into danger as into a precipice. But when Reuben was divided against himself — that is, when the Reubenites deliberated among themselves whether to go to war or not — a contention of great-hearted men was found. Some wished to fight, others preferred to tend their flocks.
Verse 17: Gilead, Dan, Asher ¶
These tribes are blamed for not joining the battle. Gilead (that is, the tribe of Gad) rested beyond the Jordan; Dan was occupied with ships; Asher dwelt on the seashore and remained in its harbors. But Zebulun and Naphtali offered their lives to death in the region of Merom — they are singled out for special praise, having borne the brunt of the fighting.
Verse 20: The stars fought against Sisera ¶
THE STARS, REMAINING IN THEIR ORDER AND COURSE, FOUGHT AGAINST SISERA — that is, the stars at Joshua's command had formerly stopped; now, remaining in their order and course, they assisted by sending down storms, hail, and thunderbolts upon Sisera's army. Rabbi Solomon answers that the stars from heaven heated the ground and so warmed the iron armor of the Canaanites that they could not bear it, and leapt into the torrent of Kishon to cool themselves, where they were drowned.
Verse 21: The torrent of Kishon ¶
THE TORRENT OF KISHON SWEPT AWAY THEIR CORPSES, THE ANCIENT TORRENT, THE TORRENT OF KISHON: TRAMPLE, MY SOUL, UPON THE MIGHTY. — The torrential Kishon, swollen by the rains God sent, swept away the bodies of the fleeing Canaanites. Deborah urges her own soul to trample upon the mighty enemies, rejoicing in God's victory.
Verse 23: Curse the land of Meroz ¶
CURSE THE LAND OF MEROZ, SAID THE ANGEL OF THE LORD. — Who was this Angel? Some say it was Barak himself, called an angel (that is, messenger) of the Lord. Others think it was Deborah. But plainly and genuinely, Abulensis judges it to have been a true Angel, namely Michael, who presided over this battle as the prince and protector of Israel (Daniel 10). Arias judges it was the Angel who suggested and dictated this canticle to Deborah: but it is likely that this was the same one who presided over the battle, namely St. Michael.
BECAUSE THEY DID NOT COME TO THE AID OF THE LORD — fighting through His faithful Hebrews against the impious Canaanites. Everyone is bound to defend the fatherland and commonwealth when called upon.
Verse 24: Blessed among women be Jael ¶
In Hebrew minnashim, that is, "from among women" or "before all women," Jael. Hence Gabriel the Archangel took his greeting with which he greeted the Blessed Virgin, Luke 1, saying: "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women." For Jael was a type of the Blessed Virgin, as I said on chapter 4, verse 28.
Verse 25: She gave milk to one who asked for water ¶
WATER HE ASKED, AND MILK SHE GAVE (to lull him to sleep, so that she might kill him sleeping), AND IN THE BOWL OF PRINCES (that is, in a splendid and excellent bowl, from which princes are accustomed to drink), SHE OFFERED BUTTER — that is, rich and thick milk; for from this richness of milk, when agitated, it curdles and becomes butter. For Jael did not give butter, but milk to the thirsty Sisera. It is a catachresis.
Verse 28: The mother of Sisera ¶
HIS MOTHER LOOKED THROUGH A WINDOW AND HOWLED. — Deborah poetically depicts the anguish and false hopes of Sisera's mother, who looks out the window expecting her son's triumphant return, asking why his chariot is delayed. One of her women replies with false consolation: perhaps he is dividing the spoils and choosing the most beautiful captive women. This poetic scene powerfully contrasts the arrogant expectations of the enemy with the reality of God's judgment.
Verse 31: The land had rest forty years ¶
SO MAY ALL YOUR ENEMIES PERISH, O LORD; BUT MAY THOSE WHO LOVE YOU SHINE AS THE SUN SHINES IN ITS RISING. — The canticle concludes with a prayer that all God's enemies may perish, and that those who love Him may shine like the sun. AND THE LAND HAD REST FOR FORTY YEARS — under the judgeship of Barak, during which Israel enjoyed peace after the defeat of Jabin and Sisera.