Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Why did you stay among the sheep pens to hear the whistling for the flocks? In the districts of Reuben there was much searching of heart. New Living Translation Why did you sit at home among the sheepfolds— to hear the shepherds whistle for their flocks? Yes, in the tribe of Reuben there was great indecision. English Standard Version Why did you sit still among the sheepfolds, to hear the whistling for the flocks? Among the clans of Reuben there were great searchings of heart. Berean Standard Bible Why did you sit among the sheepfolds to hear the whistling for the flocks? In the clans of Reuben there was great indecision. King James Bible Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart. New King James Version Why did you sit among the sheepfolds, To hear the pipings for the flocks? The divisions of Reuben have great searchings of heart. New American Standard Bible “Why did you sit among the sheepfolds, To hear the piping for the flocks? Among the divisions of Reuben There were great searchings of heart. NASB 1995 “Why did you sit among the sheepfolds, To hear the piping for the flocks? Among the divisions of Reuben There were great searchings of heart. NASB 1977 “Why did you sit among the sheepfolds, To hear the piping for the flocks? Among the divisions of Reuben There were great searchings of heart. Legacy Standard Bible Why did you sit among the sheepfolds, To hear the whistling for the flocks? Among the divisions of Reuben There were great probings of the heart. Amplified Bible “Why [Reuben] did you linger among the sheepfolds, To hear the piping for the flocks? Among the divisions of Reuben There were great searchings of heart. Christian Standard Bible Why did you sit among the sheep pens listening to the playing of pipes for the flocks? There was great searching of heart among the clans of Reuben. Holman Christian Standard Bible Why did you sit among the sheepfolds listening to the playing of pipes for the flocks? There was great searching of heart among the clans of Reuben. American Standard Version Why sattest thou among the sheepfolds, To hear the pipings for the flocks? At the watercourses of Reuben There were great searchings of heart. Contemporary English Version Reuben, why did you stay among your sheep pens? Was it to listen to shepherds whistling for their sheep? No one could figure out why Reuben wouldn't come. English Revised Version Why satest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the pipings for the flocks? At the watercourses of Reuben there were great searchings of heart. GOD'S WORD® Translation Why did you sit between the saddlebags? Was it to listen to the shepherds playing their flutes? Reuben's divisions of important men had second thoughts. Good News Translation Why did they stay behind with the sheep? To listen to shepherds calling the flocks? Yes, the tribe of Reuben was divided; they could not decide to come. International Standard Version Why did you sit down among the sheepfolds? To hear the bleating of the flocks? Among the divisions of the army of Reuben there was great searching of heart. Majority Standard Bible Why did you sit among the sheepfolds to hear the whistling for the flocks? In the clans of Reuben there was great indecision. NET Bible Why do you remain among the sheepfolds, listening to the shepherds playing their pipes for their flocks? As for the clans of Reuben--there was intense searching of heart. New Heart English Bible Why did you sit among the sheepfolds, to hear the piping for the flocks? At the divisions of Reuben there were Great Searchings of heart. Webster's Bible Translation Why abodest thou among the sheep-folds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart. World English Bible Why did you sit among the sheepfolds? To hear the whistling for the flocks? At the watercourses of Reuben, there were great searchings of heart. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWhy have you abided between the boundaries, "" To hear lowings of herds? For the divisions of Reuben, "" The searchings of heart [are] great! Young's Literal Translation Why hast thou abode between the boundaries, To hear lowings of herds? For the divisions of Reuben, Great are the searchings of heart! Smith's Literal Translation Wherefore didst thou dwell in the midst of the folds, To hear the pipings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben, great searching's of heart. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleWhy dwellest thou between two borders, that thou mayest hear the bleatings of the flocks? Ruben being divided against himself, there was found a strife of courageous men. Catholic Public Domain Version Why do you live between two borders, so that you hear the bleating of the flocks? Reuben was divided against himself. Contention was found among great souls. New American Bible Why did you stay beside your hearths listening to the lowing of the herds? Among the clans of Reuben great were the searchings of heart! New Revised Standard Version Why did you tarry among the sheepfolds, to hear the piping for the flocks? Among the clans of Reuben there were great searchings of heart. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhy abodest thou on the highways to hear the bleatings of the wild asses? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Why do you dwell in the streets to hear the breathing of wild donkeys, for the divisions of Rubil, great restorers of heart? OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Why sattest thou among the sheep-folds, To hear the pipings for the flocks? At the divisions of Reuben There were great searchings of heart. Brenton Septuagint Translation Why did they sit between the sheep-folds to hear the bleating of flocks for the divisions of Ruben? there were great searchings of heart. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Song of Deborah and Barak…15The princes of Issachar were with Deborah, and Issachar was with Barak, rushing into the valley at his heels. In the clans of Reuben there was great indecision. 16Why did you sit among the sheepfolds to hear the whistling for the flocks? In the clans of Reuben there was great indecision. 17Gilead remained beyond the Jordan. Dan, why did you linger by the ships? Asher stayed at the coast and remained in his harbors.… Cross References Genesis 49:14-15 Issachar is a strong donkey, lying down between the sheepfolds. / He saw that his resting place was good and that his land was pleasant, so he bent his shoulder to the burden and submitted to labor as a servant. Numbers 32:1-5 Now the Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, surveyed the lands of Jazer and Gilead, and they saw that the region was suitable for livestock. / So the Gadites and Reubenites came to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders of the congregation, and said, / “Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon, ... Numbers 32:16-19 Then the Gadites and Reubenites approached Moses and said, “We want to build sheepfolds here for our livestock and cities for our little ones. / But we will arm ourselves and be ready to go ahead of the Israelites until we have brought them into their place. Meanwhile, our little ones will remain in the fortified cities for protection from the inhabitants of the land. / We will not return to our homes until every Israelite has taken possession of his inheritance. ... Joshua 22:9-10 So the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh left the Israelites at Shiloh in the land of Canaan to return to their own land of Gilead, which they had acquired according to the command of the LORD through Moses. / And when they came to Geliloth near the Jordan in the land of Canaan, the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an imposing altar there by the Jordan. Joshua 22:11-12 Then the Israelites received the report: “Behold, the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh have built an altar on the border of the land of Canaan, at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side.” / And when they heard this, the whole congregation of Israel assembled at Shiloh to go to war against them. Joshua 22:21-25 Then the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh answered the leaders of the clans of Israel: / “The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! He knows, and may Israel also know. If this was in rebellion or breach of faith against the LORD, do not spare us today. / If we have built for ourselves an altar to turn away from Him and to offer burnt offerings and grain offerings on it, or to sacrifice peace offerings on it, may the LORD Himself hold us accountable. ... Joshua 22:26-29 That is why we said, ‘Let us take action and build an altar for ourselves, but not for burnt offerings or sacrifices. / Rather, let it be a witness between us and you and the generations to come, that we will worship the LORD in His presence with our burnt offerings, sacrifices, and peace offerings.’ Then in the future, your descendants cannot say to ours, ‘You have no share in the LORD!’ / Therefore we said, ‘If they ever say this to us or to our descendants, we will answer: Look at the replica of the altar of the LORD that our fathers made, not for burnt offerings or sacrifices, but as a witness between us and you.’ ... 1 Chronicles 12:32 From Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do: 200 chiefs with all their kinsmen at their command. Psalm 68:13 Though you lie down among the sheepfolds, the wings of the dove are covered with silver, and her feathers with shimmering gold.” Proverbs 6:6-11 Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise. / Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, / it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food at harvest. ... Proverbs 24:30-34 I went past the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment. / Thorns had grown up everywhere, thistles had covered the ground, and the stone wall was broken down. / I observed and took it to heart; I looked and received instruction: ... Matthew 25:24-30 Finally, the servant who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. / So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what belongs to you.’ / ‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed. ... Luke 10:38-42 As they traveled along, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. / She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His message. / But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me!” ... Luke 12:47-48 That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows. / But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded. Luke 14:18-20 But one after another they all began to make excuses. The first one said, ‘I have bought a field, and I need to go see it. Please excuse me.’ / Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out. Please excuse me.’ / Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, so I cannot come.’ Treasury of Scripture Why stayed you among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart. sheepfolds Numbers 32:1-5,24 Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of cattle: and when they saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead, that, behold, the place was a place for cattle; … Philippians 2:21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. Philippians 3:19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) for, or in Judges 5:15 And the princes of Issachar were with Deborah; even Issachar, and also Barak: he was sent on foot into the valley. For the divisions of Reuben there were great thoughts of heart. great Psalm 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. Psalm 77:6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. Lamentations 3:40,41 Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD… Jump to Previous Abode Boundaries Campfires Clans Districts Divisions Hear Hearing Heart Piping Quiet Reuben Sattest Searching Sheep Sheepfolds Sheep-Folds Sit Tarry Watercourses WhistlingJump to Next Abode Boundaries Campfires Clans Districts Divisions Hear Hearing Heart Piping Quiet Reuben Sattest Searching Sheep Sheepfolds Sheep-Folds Sit Tarry Watercourses WhistlingJudges 5 1. The Song of Deborah and BarakWhy did you sit among the sheepfolds This phrase questions the tribe of Reuben's decision to remain with their flocks rather than join the battle. The Hebrew word for "sheepfolds" is "mishpethayim," which refers to enclosures for sheep. This imagery suggests a place of comfort and routine, contrasting with the call to action. Historically, the tribes of Israel were often agrarian, and their livelihoods depended on livestock. The rhetorical question implies a rebuke for choosing comfort over duty, highlighting a spiritual lesson about the dangers of complacency in the face of God's call. to hear the whistling for the flocks? In the clans of Reuben there was great searching of heart The bleatings of the flocks.--Rather, the sounds of shepherds' flutes or pastoral pipings ("Shepherds delighting in syrinx-pipes," Hom., Il. xviii. 525). There is a contrast between these peaceful flutings and the battle-horns to which they ought to have been listening. It is as though Deborah would say to Reuben-- "Sound, sound the clarion, shrill the fife; To all the sensual world proclaim, One crowded hour of glorious life Is worth an age without a name." For the divisions.--It should be, as before, "By the streams of Reuben." Searchings of heart.--Reuben sent magnanimous debates and promises, but they only ended in sloth and vacillation. They decided to go, and--stayed at home. Hebrew Whyלָ֣מָּה (lām·māh) Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what did you sit יָשַׁ֗בְתָּ (yā·šaḇ·tā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry among בֵּ֚ין (bên) Preposition Strong's 996: An interval, space between the sheepfolds הַֽמִּשְׁפְּתַ֔יִם (ham·miš·pə·ṯa·yim) Article | Noun - md Strong's 4942: Perhaps fireplaces, ash heaps to hear לִשְׁמֹ֖עַ (liš·mō·a‘) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently the whistling שְׁרִק֣וֹת (šə·ri·qō·wṯ) Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 8292: Hissing, whistling, piping for the flocks? עֲדָרִ֑ים (‘ă·ḏā·rîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 5739: An arrangement, muster In the clans לִפְלַגּ֣וֹת (lip̄·lag·gō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 6391: A division of Reuben רְאוּבֵ֔ן (rə·’ū·ḇên) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 7205: Reuben -- 'behold a son!' oldest son of Jacob, also his desc was great גְּדוֹלִ֖ים (gə·ḏō·w·lîm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent indecision. חִקְרֵי־ (ḥiq·rê-) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 2714: A searching, a thing (to be) searched out Links Judges 5:16 NIVJudges 5:16 NLT Judges 5:16 ESV Judges 5:16 NASB Judges 5:16 KJV Judges 5:16 BibleApps.com Judges 5:16 Biblia Paralela Judges 5:16 Chinese Bible Judges 5:16 French Bible Judges 5:16 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 5:16 Why did you sit among the sheepfolds (Jd Judg. Jdg) |