Strong And Proud Deborah

1. Strong And ProudDeborah By Iris Pierce and Brianna Marsing

2. Problem/Thesis • The purpose of this project is to analyze the story of Deborah (Judges 4) from a literary perspective, in order to determine how this episode contributes to the characterization of women in the book of Judges.

3. Methodology • Carefully read text • Delineate voices • Identify repetition • Highlight key words • Look for other rhetorical devices • Outline structure • Place narrative in the larger story • Summarize implications

4. Description • In this story a pattern previously seen in Judges chapter 2 and 3 is seen • The people do evil (v. 1) • Yahweh oppresses them (v. 2) • The sons of Israel cry to Yahweh (v. 3) • An unexpected character is judge in Israel

5. Description (cont.) • Dialogue appears in vv. 6-9; between Deborah and Barak. • Deborah goes to war with Barak essentially leading him to victory and telling him he will not get the glory at the same time. • The story ends where it began, with Barak hearing Deborah’s prophesy and seeing it coming true (vv. 9 & 22).

6. Key Words/Repetition • The repetition in this story seems to be with the fact that the people who are designed to “deliver” are actually woman. • Deborah, a prophetess and wife of Lappidoth. (v. 4) • Jael, Heber’s wife… (v. 21) • The repetition of this emphasizes how unusual a it is for a woman to have such a role.

7. Point of View • This story is told with distinct details, such as, there is much emphasis on the fact that Deborah is a women. ( v. 4) • Another area of great detail is Sisera’s chariots of iron, indicating an advanced degree of technology. (Klein 1989, 40) • Through the actions of both Deborah (vv. 5-16) and Jael (vv. 17-22) you can see that the story is told from their points of view respectively

8. Narrative Analogy • With Narrative Analogy, the story teller draws a sharp contrast between the male and female characters: • Deborah is enigmatic as deliverer, she catalyzes others to acts of delivery. (see Klein 1989, 42) • Barak refuses to comply with Yahweh’s call to lead Israel against enemy oppression • Sisera runs away from his military responsibilities • Jael conquered them both: “Sisera, by depriving him of his life, and Barak, by depriving him of the honour that should have been his as the chosen deliverer” (see Webb 1987, 135)

9. Structure of Judges 4 A. “Yahweh sold the sons of Israel into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan.” (v. 2) B. Deborah summons Barak to face his enemy (v. 6-7) C. Deborah makes a prophesy about Sisera (v. 9) D. Barak goes to fight his enemy (v. 9-10) X. The Battle ensues (v. 14-15) D’.Barak pursues his enemy (v. 16) C’. Deborah’s prophesy about Sisera comes true (v. 21) B’. Jael summons Barak to show him his enemy (v. 22) A’. “Yahweh subdued Jabin king of Canaan before the people of Israel.” (v. 23)

10. Characterization • Deborah and Jaelare portrayed as strong powerful women. • In what they say: • Deborah questioned Barak: “Has not the Lord commanded you…” (v. 6) • Jael tells Barak: “Come, and I will show you the man whom you are seeking” (v. 22) • In what they do: • Deborah goes with Barak to the mountain. (v. 9) • Jael kills Sisera. (v. 21) • In contrast to both Barak and Sisera.

11. Conclusions • A literary reading of Judges 4 brings out the creative artistry in the narrative. • The various rhetorical devices together highlight the role-reversal between men and women. • Through dialogue, action, and with narrative analogy, the more powerful male characters show weakness and the weaker female characters show strength.

12. References Webb, Barry G. The Book of the Judges: An Integrated Reading. England: Sheffield Academic Press, 1987 Klein, Lillian R. The Triumph of Irony in the Book of Judges. Sheffield: Almond Press, 1988