Judges 4:4

Deborah, a prophetess i.e. a woman inspired to declare the divine will, and on this occasion to deliver her country from oppression; as a prophetess she announces the command of Jehovah (Judges 4:6) and the moment for action (Judges 4:14). We are reminded of Joan of Arc; Moore also compares the German Veleda, who instigated Civilis by her prophecies to throw off the Roman yoke, Tacitus Hist.iv. 61. Other prophetesses in the O.T. are Miriam (Exodus 15:20), Huldah (2 Kings 22:14), Noadiah (Nehemiah 6:14). Debôrah = -bee," Lappîdoth = -torches."

she judged Israel i.e. in the sense of Judges 2:16; Judges 3:10 (see notes); -delivered Israel," though in the Hebr. the verb is vocalized as a ptcp. she was judging, perhaps on account of the following at that time; it can hardly mean that Deborah exercised authority as -judge" before the deliverance, for everywhere else it is the deliverance which establishes the judgeship, according to the Dtc. compiler. The next verse, however, interprets she was judging in the legal sense, and therefore adds that during the period of the oppression the Israelites came up to her for judgement; it would appear that Judges 4:5 is an explanatory insertion.