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In the days of Shamgar, son of Anath,(A)
    in the days of Jael, caravans ceased:
Those who traveled the roads
    now traveled by roundabout paths.(B)
Gone was freedom beyond the walls,
    gone indeed from Israel.
When I, Deborah, arose,
    when I arose, a mother in Israel.[a]
New gods were their choice;
    then war was at the gates.
No shield was to be found, no spear,
    among forty thousand in Israel!

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Footnotes

  1. 5:7 A mother in Israel: the precise meaning of the term “mother” is unclear, except that it seems to indicate Deborah’s position of leadership, and so may be a title (cf. 2 Sm 20:19).

“In the days of Shamgar son of Anath,(A)
    in the days of Jael,(B) the highways(C) were abandoned;
    travelers took to winding paths.(D)
Villagers in Israel would not fight;
    they held back until I, Deborah,(E) arose,
    until I arose, a mother in Israel.
God chose new leaders(F)
    when war came to the city gates,(G)
but not a shield or spear(H) was seen
    among forty thousand in Israel.

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