Bible Dictionary
Barak
Barak was the Israelite commander who, summoned by Deborah, led Israel against Jabin and Sisera. God gave victory through him, and his faith is commended in Hebrews.
Definition
Barak, whose name means “lightning,” was the son of Abinoam of Kedesh in Mount Naphtali. At Deborah’s summons he led Israel against Jabin and Sisera and routed the Canaanite army in the plain of Jezreel.
Biblical Usage
Barak’s victory is commemorated in Deborah’s song, and his faith is commended in Hebrews. Though described as pious rather than naturally heroic, he illustrates how God made the weak strong.
Historical Background
Barak gathered an army principally from Zebulun and Naphtali, with other tribes also represented in Deborah’s account. The wooded slopes of Mount Tabor helped Israel against the Canaanite chariots, while heavy rain made the plain difficult for them. Sisera fled and was killed by Jael.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Lightning, the son of Abinoam (Judg. 4:6). At the summons of Deborah he made war against Jabin. She accompanied him into the battle, and gave the signal for the little army to make the attack; in which the host of Jabin was completely routed. The battle was fought (Judg. 4:16) in the plain of Jezreel (q.v.). This deliverance of Israel is commemorated in Judg. 5. Barak’s faith is commended (Heb. 11:32). “The character of Barak, though pious, does not seem to have been heroic. Like Gideon, and in a sense Samson, he is an illustration of the words in Heb. 11:34, ’Out of weakness were made strong.’” (See DEBORAH.)
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(lightning), son of Abinoam of Kedesh, a refuge city in Mount Naphtali, was incited by Deborah, a prophetess of Ephraim, to deliver Israel from the yolk of Jabin. Judges 4. He utterly routed the Canaanites int eh plain of Jezreel (Esdraelon). (B.C. 1291-1251.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ba'-rak (baraq, "lightning flash"): The name occurs in Sabeanbarqac, in Palmyrene baraq, and in Punic Barcas, as surname of Hamilcar; and as Divine name in Assyrian Ramman-Birqu and Gibil-Birqu (Del. Assyrian, HWB, 187). Barak was the son of Abinoam of Kedesh, a refuge city in Mt. Naphtali. He was summoned by the prophetess Deborah to lead his countrymen to war against the Canaanites under the leadership of Sisera. From the celebrated ode of Deborah we gather that Israel suffered at the hand of the enemy; the caravan roads were in danger, traffic almost ceased; the cultivated country was plundered (Jud 5:6,7). The fighting men in Israel were disarmed, a shield was not to be seen nor a spear among forty thousand men (Jud 5:8). The prophetess raised the signal of struggle for independence. Soon Barak came to her aid. With an army of 10,000 men-- according to Jud 4:10 they were all drawn from Zebulun and Naphtali, whereas Jud 5:13-18 adds Benjamin, Machir and Issachar to the list of faithful tribes--Barak, accompanied by Deborah, rushed to the summit of Mt. Tabor. This location was very favorable to the rudely armed Israelites in warding off the danger of the well-armed enemy. The wooded slopes protected them against the chariots of the Canaanites. In addition they were within striking distance should the enemy expose himself on the march. Under the heavy rainfall the alluvial plain became a morass, in which the heavy-armed troops found it impossible to move. Soon the little stream Kishon was filled with chariots, horses and Canaanites. Sisera abandoned his chariot and fled on foot. Barak pursued him and found him murdered by Jael in her tent. This completed the victory. See BEDAN; Moore, "Judges," at the place.</p><p>Samuel Cohon</p>