Judges 5:12 Meaning and Explanation
“Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The song rouses itself, calling Deborah to sing and Barak to march out and lead the captives away.
What Does Judges 5:12 Mean?
The poem turns and addresses its own singers. Deborah is stirred four times over to wake and sing; Barak is summoned to rise and lead away those he has taken captive. The call is to action and to praise in the same breath.
Awake, awake is the language of a soul shaking off slumber to do God's work. The victory once won, the captor is now led captive. Long afterward this very phrase, leading captivity captive, would be lifted up to describe Christ's greater triumph, who led captivity itself captive and gave gifts to His people.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 5:12
What does Judges 5:12 mean?
The song rouses itself, calling Deborah to sing and Barak to march out and lead the captives away.