Then were the horsehoofs broken by the means of the pransings, the pransings of their mighty ones.

JUDGES 5:22KJV
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Judges 5:22 (KJV)

What does Judges 5:22 mean?

Judges 5:22 describes how the horses’ hooves were broken as they galloped fiercely, highlighting the chaos and intensity of the enemy’s defeat in battle. The verse uses vivid imagery to show the powerful and frantic movement of the enemy’s strongest warriors as they tried to flee or fight.

This verse is part of the Song of Deborah, where Deborah and Barak are singing about Israel’s victory over Sisera’s army. The description focuses on the confusion and destruction that overtook the enemy’s cavalry, emphasizing how even their best and strongest forces were overwhelmed during the battle.

The Hebrew behind Judges 5:22

  • The word “horsehoofs” comes from פַּרְסָה (parsah, H6119) and סוּס (sus, H5483), meaning the hooves of horses. This detail draws attention to the chaos affecting even the animals in the enemy’s army, not just the soldiers.
  • “Broken” is from הָלַם (halam, H1986), which often means to strike or crush. This suggests a violent, forceful shattering, not just a minor injury.
  • “Pransings” is from דָּהַר (dahar, H1726), meaning a rushing or stampeding motion. The repetition in the verse (“the pransings, the pransings”) emphasizes the wild, uncontrolled movement.
  • “Ones” is from אַבִּיר (abir, H47), which means mighty or strong ones, often referring to powerful warriors or horses. Here it underscores that even the mightiest were swept up in the confusion.

Why Judges 5:22 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that the enemy’s defeat was minor; the vivid language shows a total rout, affecting even the strongest horses and warriors.
  • The focus on the horses’ hooves and the wild movement connects to the earlier verses describing the storm and flooding, suggesting the battlefield was chaotic and difficult to escape.
  • Understanding these details helps the reader appreciate the poetic style of Deborah’s song, which uses strong imagery to celebrate God’s deliverance and the completeness of the victory.

Where else these words appear

“broken” Hebrew H1986 · used in 9 verses

  • Judges 5:26 She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen's hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through his temples.
  • Psalms 74:6 But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers.
  • Isaiah 16:8 For the fields of Heshbon languish, and the vine of Sibmah: the lords of the heathen have broken down the principal plants thereof, they are come even unto Jazer, they wandered through the wilderness: her branches are stretched out, they are gone over the sea.

“horsehoofs” Hebrew H6119 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
  • Joshua 8:13 And when they had set the people, even all the host that was on the north of the city, and their liers in wait on the west of the city, Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley.
  • Psalms 77:19 Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.

“ones” Hebrew H47 · used in 17 verses

  • 1 Samuel 21:7 Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the LORD; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul.
  • Psalms 68:30 Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war.
  • Isaiah 46:12 Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness:

“horsehoofs” Hebrew H5483 · used in 131 verses

  • Genesis 47:17 And they brought their cattle unto Joseph: and Joseph gave them bread in exchange for horses, and for the flocks, and for the cattle of the herds, and for the asses: and he fed them with bread for all their cattle for that year.
  • 2 Kings 18:23 Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.
  • Jeremiah 12:5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?