Barak בָּרָק
An Israelite commander who defeated Canaanite forces with Deborah.
Who is Barak in the Bible?
Barak, son of Abinoam from the tribe of Naphtali, was an Israelite military commander who led forces against the Canaanite army under Sisera during the period of the judges (Judges 4). Summoned by the prophetess Deborah, Barak gathered troops from Naphtali and Zebulun and agreed to fight only if Deborah accompanied him into battle. Though Deborah consented, she prophesied that the glory of victory would belong to a woman, a prediction fulfilled when Jael killed the fleeing Sisera. Barak's decisive military victory at Mount Tabor liberated Israel from Canaanite oppression and is memorialized in the Song of Deborah and Barak (Judges 5), which celebrates both leaders as instruments of God's deliverance. His significance lies in demonstrating how God worked through both male and female leaders to accomplish His purposes for Israel.
Biography
Barak was an Israelite commander from the tribe of Naphtali who played a significant role in the victory over the Canaanite forces led by Sisera (Judges 4). Deborah, a prophetess and judge of Israel, summoned Barak and instructed him to gather troops from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun to fight against Sisera's army. Barak agreed to go only if Deborah accompanied him, to which she consented but prophesied that the honor of the victory would go to a woman. Barak led the Israelite forces to Mount Tabor, where they decisively defeated Sisera's army. The victory was celebrated in the Song of Deborah and Barak (Judges 5), which praises their leadership and God's deliverance. Barak is later mentioned in 1Sa.12.11 as one of the deliverers sent by God to save Israel from their enemies. The New Testament also commends Barak's faith in Heb.11.32, listing him among the examples of those who through faith conquered kingdoms and administered justice.
Family
In Scripture
3 biblical books ; 1 with study contentJudges 5 verses
- Judges 4:6
"She summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “Surely the LORD, the God of Israel, is commanding you: ‘Go and march to Mount Tabor, taking with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and Zebulun."
- Judges 4:8
"Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.”"
- Judges 4:9
"“I will certainly go with you,” Deborah replied, “but the road you are taking will bring you no honor, because the LORD will be selling Sisera into the hand of a woman.” So Deborah got up and went with Barak to Kedesh,"
- Judges 4:10
"where he summoned Zebulun and Naphtali. Ten thousand men followed him, and Deborah also went with him."
- Judges 4:12
"When Sisera was told that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up Mount Tabor,"
1 Samuel 1 verse
- 1 Samuel 12:11
"So the LORD sent Jerubbaal, Barak, Jephthah, and Samuel, and He delivered you from the hands of your enemies on every side, and you dwelt securely."
Hebrews 1 verse
- Hebrews 11:32
"And what more shall I say? Time will not allow me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets,"
Study Hebrews →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | בָּרָק |
| Spelled | Hebrew | בְּדָן |
| Greek | Greek | Βαράκ |
Barak
. Barak was the son of Abinoam of Kedesh, a refuge city in Mt. Naphtali. He was summoned by the prophetess Deborah to lead his countrymen to war against the Canaanites under the leadership of Sisera. From the celebrated ode of Deborah we gather that Israel suffered at the hand of the enemy; the caravan roads were in danger, traffic almost ceased; the cultivated country was plundered (Jud 5:6,7). The fighting men in Israel were disarmed, a shield was not to be seen nor a spear among forty thousand men (Jud 5:8). The prophetess raised the signal of struggle for independence. Soon Barak came to her aid. With an army of 10,000 men-- according to Jud 4:10 they were all drawn from Zebulun and Naphtali, whereas Jud 5:13-18 adds Benjamin, Machir and Issachar to the list of faithful tribes--Barak, accompanied by Deborah, rushed to the summit of Mt. Tabor. This location was very favorable to the rudely armed Israelites in warding off the danger of the well-armed enemy. The wooded slopes protected them against the chariots of the Canaanites. In addition they were within striking distance should the enemy expose himself on the march. Under the heavy rainfall the alluvial plain became a morass, in which the heavy-armed troops found it impossible to move. Soon the little stream Kishon was filled with chariots, horses and Canaanites. Sisera abandoned his chariot and fled on foot. Barak pursued him and found him murdered by Jael in her tent. This completed the victory. See BEDAN; Moore, "Judges," at the place.
Samuel Cohon
bar-ba'-ri-an, bar'-ba-rus (barbaros): A word probably formed by imitation of the unintelligible sounds of foreign speech, and hence, in the mouth of a Greek it meant anything that was not Greek, language