📖 Biblical Definition
Barak son of Abinoam was the military commander summoned by Deborah the prophetess to lead Israel against Sisera and the army of Jabin king of Canaan (Judges 4-5). He refused to go without Deborah: "If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go" (4:8). Deborah agreed but warned that the glory for the kill would go to a woman — fulfilled when Jael drove the tent peg through Sisera’s temple. The LORD gave Israel the victory at Mount Tabor and the brook Kishon. Yet despite the qualified reluctance, Barak is listed among the great in Hebrews 11:32’s faith-roll — proof that imperfect faith, joined to God’s call, still receives commendation.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Israel's general under Deborah; defeated Sisera.
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The military commander Deborah called to lead Israel against Sisera, captain of Jabin's Canaanite army (Judg 4-5). Hesitated to go without her: "If thou wilt go with me, then I will go." The Lord gave the victory; Sisera fled and was killed by Jael. The Song of Deborah and Barak (Judg 5) celebrates the deliverance. Listed in Hebrews 11:32 among the faithful.
📖 Key Scripture
Judges 4:8-9 — "And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go. And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman."
Judges 5:12 — "Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam."
Hebrews 11:32 — "And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Often dismissed as the man-who-needed-a-woman; Hebrews 11 names him as faithful regardless.
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Modern commentators sometimes mock Barak's dependence on Deborah. Hebrews 11 is more generous: he is named among the faithful. There is no shame in needing the prophet's accompanying word; the shame would be ignoring her summons.
Recover the partnership: Deborah and Barak together brought deliverance. Faith sometimes goes alone; sometimes it goes with the prophet who called you.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew Barak.
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['Hebrew', 'H1301', 'Baraq', 'Barak, lightning']
Usage
"Barak partnered with Deborah's prophetic word."
"Hebrews 11 names him among the faithful."
"Faith sometimes goes accompanied."