This verse concludes the first major section of the poem by closing the inclusio begun at verse 5.2 through the repetition of two phrases: offered themselves willingly and Bless the LORD. Most believe that Deborah continues to speak. Strong emotions are expressed here, as is typical of poetic speech.
My heart goes out to the commanders of Israel is literally “My heart [is] with….” Revised Standard Version supplies the verb goes out. This expression means that Deborah appreciates the leaders of Israel. The pronoun My refers to Deborah speaking about herself, as she did in verse 5.7. In Hebrew the heart is the seat of the emotions and will, but in other languages it is rather in the liver or the stomach where these emotions are based. In some languages it may be better to render My heart as “I” (Contemporary English Version) since this phrase represents the person. When someone’s heart “is with” someone, it means that person “cares about,” “supports,” and “encourages” someone else. Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh are literal with “My heart is with….” However, in some languages this will have no meaning, so translators might say “I salute…,” “I support…,” or “I want to honor….” Contemporary English Version has “I am grateful for…,” which may not be strong enough. In some African languages “I greet…” may convey the idea here.
The commanders of Israel refers to the leaders of the Israelite clans who took part in the battle. They seem to be the same people mentioned in verse 5.2, but the Hebrew term used here for commanders is different. This term is linked with the root that refers to decrees and laws and thus refers to those who make laws or who issue orders. It can mean “commander,” “lawgiver,” or “ruler.” In this military setting a word such as “generals” might be appropriate, though some versions say simply “leaders” (Contemporary English Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).
Who offered themselves willingly among the people: See the comments on verse 5.2. This clause could modify the commanders. However, most versions see two sets of people here: the leaders and those who “volunteered” or “came forward” to serve God and their country (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). If there are two sets of people, then this clause would refer to those among the people who volunteered. The Hebrew word for people (ʿam) is the term often used to refer to God’s chosen people, the Israelites (see comments on verse 2.4). However, if this clause is taken as modifying the commanders, then it would refer to the leaders who volunteered for service from among the people. Translators will have to decide on one interpretation. If desired, the alternative meaning can be included in a footnote.
Bless the LORD closes this section. See the comments on verse 5.2. Though this clause occurs at the end of the verse in Hebrew, translators may place it at the beginning if necessary, as in Contemporary English Version. However, the same expression should be used here as in verse 5.2.
Translation models for this verse are:
• Bless the LORD!
My heart rejoices
for the military leaders of Israel
and all those people who volunteered to fight.
• Military commanders in Israel,
I greet you!
You offered yourselves gladly
to lead the people into battle.
Praise the LORD!
Quoted with permission from Zogbo, Lynell and Ogden, Graham S. A Handbook on Judges. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .