Judges 5:16 Meaning and Explanation
“Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Reuben is gently rebuked for staying among the sheepfolds, listening to the flocks instead of joining the battle.
What Does Judges 5:16 Mean?
The song presses Reuben with a question: why did you linger among the sheepfolds, content to listen to the bleating of the flocks, while your brothers fought? Again it names those great searchings of heart that ended in nothing.
The comfort of familiar work and quiet routine can keep us from answering a costly call. Reuben was not wicked, only absent; he chose the safety of the fold over the risk of the field. God's causes ask us to leave our ease and come down into the valley where the real need lies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 5:16
What does Judges 5:16 mean?
Reuben is gently rebuked for staying among the sheepfolds, listening to the flocks instead of joining the battle.