Before long, Israel again does evil in the eyes of the Lord, resulting in the Lord’s selling them into the hands of the Canaanite king Jabin and his commander Sisera. Possessing superior technology in the form of iron chariots, they oppress Israel for twenty years (4:1–3).
Israel’s cry to the Lord is followed immediately by the appearance of Deborah (4:4–5). This and the description of her as “leading” (literally “judging”; see RSV) Israel give the impression that Deborah must be the next judge in focus. But Deborah’s role within the narrative, primarily having to do with speaking (4:5–6, 9, 14), is more consistent with her being a prophetess (4:4) than a judge. In addition, although she is said to be “judging” Israel, this “judging” is immediately qualified in 4:5 as judicial in nature.…