Deborah

Deborah accompanied Rebekah from her father's house in Padan-aram when she traveled to marry Isaac (Genesis 24:59). She remained in service for many years. At her death, she was buried at Bethel beneath an oak tree, which became known as *"Allon-bachuth"* (the oak of weeping) in her honor (Genesis 35:8).

Deborah emerged as a prophetess during a dark period when Jabin, king of Hazor, had subjugated Israel for twenty years. She sat under a palm tree between Ramah and Bethel in Mount Ephraim, where the people came to her seeking judgment and guidance. Her prophetic gifting gave her command that transcended ordinary judicial authority. She summoned the military commander Barak from Kadesh and directed him to gather 10,000 men from Zebulun and Naphtali to Mount Tabor. Acting on her prophetic word, Barak led Israel to overwhelming victory against Sisera's Canaanite army (Judges 4:6–14).

To commemorate Israel's deliverance, Deborah composed a triumphal ode celebrating God's intervention (Judges 5). This inspired poetry reflects her role as prophetess—a title encompassing both prophecy and divinely-inspired artistic expression. The song preserves her voice and vision, making her one of Israel's most memorable spiritual leaders and earning her the title "a mother in Israel" (Judges 5:7).