Judges 4 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Disparate in this chapter: MT 4:21
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
Judges 4
Prophetic courage: hearing God’s word on the way to Christ
Apostolic reception: Hebrews 11:32 includes Barak among remembered figures of faith [NT]. Deborah’s prophetic leadership and Jael’s actions are translated as the narrative gives them.
4:1–10 | Deborah summons Barak
Verse MT 4:1 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 4:1
The sons of Israel again did evil in YHWH’s eyes, and Ehud was dead.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 4:1
The sons of Israel again did evil before the Lord.
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: The Hebrew death notice is absent here in Greek; Greek 3:30 already mentioned Ehud’s death.
Verse MT 4:2 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 4:2
YHWH sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. His army commander was Sisera, who dwelt in Harosheth of the Nations.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 4:2
The Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. His army commander was Sisera, who dwelt in Arisoth of the Nations.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The sale into Jabin’s power and Sisera’s command correspond; the place-name forms differ.
Verse MT 4:3 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 4:3
The sons of Israel cried out to YHWH, for he had nine hundred iron chariots, and he oppressed the sons of Israel severely for twenty years.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 4:3
The sons of Israel cried out to the Lord, because he had nine hundred iron chariots, and he oppressed Israel mightily for twenty years.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both specify nine hundred iron chariots and twenty years of oppression. Greek names Israel as the oppressed object without repeating sons.
Verse MT 4:4 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 4:4
Deborah, a woman who was a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 4:4
Deborah, a woman who was a prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Her prophetic and judicial roles agree.
Rabbinic: Rashi connects Lappidoth with Deborah’s preparation of sanctuary wicks [R4, 4:4]. This wordplay is reception; both translation columns retain wife of Lappidoth.
Verse MT 4:5 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 4:5
She sat beneath Deborah’s palm between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim. The sons of Israel went up to her for judgment.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 4:5
She sat beneath Deborah’s palm between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim. The sons of Israel went up to her there to be judged.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Greek places there with the people’s ascent to be judged; it adds no separate finite clause saying she judged them. Both describe Deborah’s location and the people seeking judgment.
Rabbinic: Following Jonathan’s rendering, Rashi understands the locations as sources of Deborah’s wealth rather than a literal description of her seat [R4, 4:5]. The columns retain their own location statements.
Verse MT 4:6 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 4:6
She sent and called Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “Has not YHWH, the God of Israel, commanded, ‘Go, draw toward Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men from the sons of Naphtali and from the sons of Zebulun?
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 4:6
Deborah sent and called Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “Has not the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded you, ‘Go to Mount Tabor and take with you ten thousand men from the sons of Naphtali and the sons of Zebulun?
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Greek explicitly names Deborah. Hebrew’s command to draw toward Tabor is expressed in Greek as going there; the force and tribes agree.
Verse MT 4:7 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 4:7
I will draw Sisera, Jabin’s army commander, his chariots, and his multitude toward you at the Kishon torrent, and I will give him into your hand.’”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 4:7
I will lead away to you at the Kishon torrent Sisera, Jabin’s army commander, his chariots, and his multitude, and I will hand him into your hand.’”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Both promise delivery of Sisera into Barak’s singular hand; Greek uses lead away where Hebrew has draw.
Verse MT 4:8 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 4:8
Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you do not go with me, I will not go.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 4:8
Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you do not go with me, I will not go, because I do not know the day on which the Lord gives the messenger success with me.”
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek adds uncertainty about the day and the messenger’s success. Angelos may mean messenger or angel; its precise referent is not settled here.
Verse MT 4:9 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 4:9
She said, “I will certainly go with you. Nevertheless, glory will not be yours on the journey you are taking, for YHWH will sell Sisera into a woman’s hand.” Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 4:9
Deborah said to him, “I will certainly go with you. But know that the advantage will not be yours on the journey you are taking, for the Lord will sell Sisera into a woman’s hands.” Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Greek explicitly names Deborah and addresses him. Hebrew glory and Greek advantage or preeminence describe the honor denied Barak; both predict a woman’s agency.
Verse MT 4:10 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 4:10
Barak summoned Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh. Ten thousand men went up at his feet, and Deborah went up with him.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 4:10
Barak summoned Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh. Ten thousand men went up at his feet, and Deborah went up with him.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The summons, force, and accompaniment agree.
4:11–16 | The battle at the Kishon
Verse MT 4:11 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 4:11
Heber the Kenite had separated from Kain, from the sons of Hobab, Moses’ father-in-law. He pitched his tent as far as the oak at Bezaanannim, near Kedesh.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 4:11
The neighbors of the Kenite had separated from the sons of Jobab, Moses’ in-law. He pitched his tent near the Oak of the Resters, near Kedesh.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek has neighbors rather than the personal name Heber here, Jobab rather than Hobab, and a translated oak-name. Its shift from plural neighbors to singular he is retained. Greek gambros denotes a male relation by marriage.
Verse MT 4:12 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 4:12
They told Sisera that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up Mount Tabor.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 4:12
They told Sisera that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up Mount Tabor.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The report agrees.
Verse MT 4:13 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 4:13
Sisera summoned all his chariots—nine hundred iron chariots—and all the people with him, from Harosheth of the Nations to the Kishon torrent.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 4:13
Sisera summoned all his chariots—nine hundred iron chariots—and all the people with him, from Arisoth of the Nations to the Kishon torrent.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The assembly and destination agree.
Verse MT 4:14 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 4:14
Deborah said to Barak, “Arise! This is the day on which YHWH has given Sisera into your hand. Has not YHWH gone out before you?” Barak went down Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 4:14
Deborah said to Barak, “Arise! This is the day on which the Lord has handed Sisera into your hand. Look, will not the Lord go before you?” Barak went down Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Both use a rhetorical question about the Lord preceding Barak. Hebrew asks whether YHWH has gone out; Greek asks whether the Lord will go before him. Both use singular hand.
Saints: Hebrews 11:32 includes Barak in its remembrance of faith [NT]. The apostolic list does not give a separate assessment of every event in his story.
Verse MT 4:15 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 4:15
YHWH threw Sisera, all his chariots, and all his camp into confusion before Barak at the edge of the sword. Sisera got down from his chariot and fled on foot.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 4:15
The Lord threw Sisera, all his chariots, and all his camp into confusion before Barak at the edge of the sword. Sisera got down from his chariot and fled on foot.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both describe the rout and Sisera’s escape on foot.
Verse MT 4:16 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 4:16
Barak pursued the chariots and the camp as far as Harosheth of the Nations. All Sisera’s camp fell by the edge of the sword; not even one remained.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 4:16
Barak pursued the chariots and the camp as far as the Woodland of the Nations. All Sisera’s camp fell by the edge of the sword; not even one remained.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek renders the destination as Woodland of the Nations, rather than its earlier Arisoth name-form.
4:17–24 | Jael, Sisera, and the end of Jabin’s power
Verse MT 4:17 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 4:17
Sisera fled on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, for there was peace between Jabin king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 4:17
Sisera fled on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, for there was peace between Jabin king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The refuge and peace agreement correspond. Here the Greek also presents Heber as a personal name.
Verse MT 4:18 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 4:18
Jael went out to meet Sisera and said to him, “Turn aside, my lord; turn aside to me. Do not fear.” He turned aside to her into the tent, and she covered him with a blanket.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 4:18
Jael went out to meet Sisera and said to him, “Turn aside, my lord; turn aside to me. Do not fear.” He turned aside to her into the tent, and she covered him with her hide covering.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew semikhah is an otherwise unattested covering, conventionally a blanket; Greek specifies a covering made of skin.
Verse MT 4:19 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 4:19
He said to her, “Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty.” She opened a skin of milk, gave him a drink, and covered him.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 4:19
Sisera said to her, “Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty.” She opened a skin of milk, gave him a drink, and covered his face.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek explicitly names Sisera as speaker and specifies his face as what she covered.
Verse MT 4:20 Divergent
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 4:20
He said to her, “Stand at the tent entrance. If anyone comes and asks you, ‘Is there a man here?’ say, ‘No.’”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 4:20
He said to her, “Stand at the tent entrance. If anyone comes and asks you, ‘Is there a man here?’ say, ‘No.’” And she covered him with her hide covering.
Classification & Notes
Divergent
Text: Greek adds another covering action after his instructions.
Verse MT 4:21 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 4:21
Jael, Heber’s wife, took a tent peg and put the mallet in her hand. She came to him quietly and drove the peg into his temple, and it went down into the ground. He was fast asleep and exhausted, and he died.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 4:21
Jael, Heber’s wife, took a tent peg and put the mallet in her hand. She came to him quietly and drove the peg into his jaw, and it passed through into the ground. He convulsed between her knees, breathed his last, and died.
Classification & Notes
Disparate
Text: Hebrew locates the blow at the temple and describes sleep and exhaustion; Greek locates it at the jaw and depicts convulsions between her knees. The physical account differs substantially.
Verse MT 4:22 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 4:22
Now Barak was pursuing Sisera. Jael went out to meet him and said to him, “Come, and I will show you the man you are seeking.” He entered with her, and there lay Sisera, dead, with the peg in his temple.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 4:22
Now Barak was pursuing Sisera. Jael went out to meet him and said to him, “Come, and I will show you the man you are seeking.” He entered with her, and there lay Sisera, dead, with the peg in his jaw.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: The temple/jaw distinction continues in the discovery of the body.
Verse MT 4:23 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 4:23
On that day God subdued Jabin king of Canaan before the sons of Israel.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 4:23
On that day the Lord God subdued Jabin king of Canaan before the sons of Israel.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Greek has Lord God where Hebrew has God.
Verse MT 4:24 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 4:24
The hand of the sons of Israel grew harder and harder against Jabin king of Canaan, until they cut off Jabin king of Canaan.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 4:24
The hand of the sons of Israel grew stronger and stronger against Jabin king of Canaan, until they destroyed him.
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: The progressive defeat and final destruction agree; Greek closes with a pronoun rather than repeating the royal title.