5:7a Life in the villages ceased; it ended in Israel,

The villages of Israel were abandoned.
-or-
There were no people in the villages of Israel. ⌊They had all fled to the cities for safety.⌋

5:7b until I, Deborah, arose,

They were empty until I, Deborah, became their leader.
-or-
There were no people in the villages until I, Deborah, took command.

5:7c a mother in Israel.

I became like a mother for Israel.
-or-
I took command ⌊to defend⌋ Israel ⌊like⌋ a mother ⌊defends her children⌋ .

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