Judges 5:18 Meaning and Explanation
“Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →In sharp contrast, Zebulun and Naphtali risked their very lives, fighting to the death on the heights of the battlefield.
What Does Judges 5:18 Mean?
After the list of those who held back, the song lifts up two tribes for special honor. Zebulun and Naphtali did not count their lives dear; they hazarded everything, fighting to the death on the exposed high ground of the field.
Here is the courage the others lacked: a willingness to risk all for the people of God. Such whole-hearted self-offering shines all the brighter against the background of those who stayed safe. The Lord remembers and honors those who spend themselves for His cause.
Judges 5:18 in the Original Language
naphsho (נַפְשׁוֹ), 'their lives' -- the whole living self, the very soul a person lays on the line.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 5:18
What does Judges 5:18 mean?
In sharp contrast, Zebulun and Naphtali risked their very lives, fighting to the death on the heights of the battlefield.