LORD, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water.

JUDGES 5:4KJV
Know the Bible

Judges 5:4 (KJV)

What does Judges 5:4 mean?

Judges 5:4 describes the LORD’s powerful appearance coming from the region of Seir and Edom, causing the earth to tremble and the heavens to pour down rain. The verse uses vivid language to picture God’s presence as overwhelming and awe-inspiring, affecting both the land and the sky.

This verse is part of the song of Deborah, where Deborah and Barak are singing about God’s mighty acts in Israel’s history. They recall a time when God intervened dramatically for His people, using natural forces to show His power. The mention of Seir and Edom points to the southern regions near Israel, suggesting God’s help came from unexpected places and brought dramatic change.

The Hebrew behind Judges 5:4

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of Israel’s God, emphasizing that it is the God of Israel who acts so powerfully here, not just a generic deity.
  • trembled (רָעַשׁ, ra‘ash): This word means to quake or shake, highlighting the idea that God’s presence is so strong that it physically shakes the earth.
  • dropped (נָזַל, nazal): Used twice, this word means to drip or flow, describing the heavens and clouds releasing water. It paints a picture of heavy, abundant rain, not just a light shower.

Why Judges 5:4 matters

  • Judges 5:4 helps the reader see that God’s interventions in Israel’s history were not just spiritual but involved dramatic changes in nature itself, reinforcing the idea of God’s overwhelming power.
  • The verse connects the story of Deborah and Barak to earlier events in Israel’s journey, reminding listeners that God has acted in similar ways before, building trust in His continued help.
  • The specific mention of Seir and Edom shows that God’s reach and care for Israel extended beyond their immediate land, hinting at His sovereignty over all regions and peoples.

Where else these words appear

“out” Hebrew H6805 · used in 8 verses

  • Genesis 49:22 Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall:
  • Job 18:14 His confidence shall be rooted out of his tabernacle, and it shall bring him to the king of terrors.
  • Proverbs 7:8 Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,

“dropped” Hebrew H5197 · used in 14 verses

  • Job 29:22 After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them.
  • Song of Solomon 5:5 I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock.
  • Joel 3:18 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.

“trembled” Hebrew H7493 · used in 30 verses

  • 2 Samuel 22:8 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.
  • Isaiah 14:16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;
  • Ezekiel 27:28 The suburbs shall shake at the sound of the cry of thy pilots.

“clouds” Hebrew H5645 · used in 32 verses

  • Exodus 19:9 And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD.
  • Job 36:29 Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?
  • Ecclesiastes 11:3 If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth: and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.