This verse has two parts. The first two lines give more information about how the forces of nature worked in favor of Israel. The last line is another call, seemingly addressed by Deborah to herself. As is often the case in poetry, there are no conjunctions here.

The torrent Kishon swept them away: In the previous verse the stars fought. Now almost immediately the rivers begin to flood the area. Some scholars suggest these verses may reflect the belief that the stars did affect storms and rain. The torrent Kishon opens and closes the first two poetic lines, so this flooding river is in focus here. The Hebrew word for torrent (nachal) occurs three times in quick succession (see comments on verse 4.7, where it is rendered “river”). It is clear that something exceptional is happening, so translators should try to find a word that is different from a simple “river.” They may say “raging river” or “flood” (Good News Translation). Here this word is qualified by the proper name Kishon (see verse 4.7).

Swept them away pictures the raging waters of the Kishon River destroying the enemy army. This line provides a link back to another important victory of the LORD, when the waves swept away Pharaoh’s army and they drowned in the Sea of Reeds (Exo 14.28). Many languages will appreciate this kind of figurative language. Thus an expression such as “washed them away” would be better than saying “drowned them.” The pronoun them could refer to Sisera and his troops or more generally to all the Canaanite kings. If this pronoun poses a problem, it may be rendered “his troops,” “the army,” or even “the enemies.”

The onrushing torrent, the torrent Kishon: This line is an example of stairstep parallelism, since it builds on the previous line, adding the idea of onrushing. The Hebrew word for onrushing is not known elsewhere in the Old Testament. We might say “raging” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). In some languages an ideophone will be the best way to express this notion. However, many versions interpret the Hebrew root used here to mean “old.” For example, New Jerusalem Bible renders the onrushing torrent as “the torrent of old,” while New International Version speaks of the “the age-old river.” Contemporary English Version says “the ancient Kishon River.” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project gives this reading a {B} rating. Some scholars believe there is a copyist’s error here. They make a small change to the Hebrew word for onrushing to read “overwhelmed them” (Boling). Translators will have to make a decision concerning the reading here and convey it in a poetic manner. Alternative readings can be put in a footnote.

Translators should try to find poetic ways to express the first two lines of this verse. Possible models are:

• The Kishon River flooded over,
and swept them all away.
Yes, swept them away completely!

• The raging Kishon River covered them over,
and washed them all away.

March on, my soul, with might!: This is another direct quote with no introductory speech formula, so translators should place a blank line between what precedes and this line. Most scholars believe these words reflect Deborah encouraging herself here to continue on in battle. But another possibility is that these words are addressed to Israel, being personified as one individual. However, the specific call to Deborah in verse 5.7 would indicate that the first interpretation is more likely.

March on renders a feminine imperative or jussive Hebrew verb form, issuing an order or calling for some action. The verb literally means “tread,” a verb that can be used in the context of wine-making or making a path. However, here it has a military meaning, which Revised Standard Version expresses well. It is not the same Hebrew verb rendered “down … marched” in verse 5.11. Translators can follow ver RSVver* or be more specific by saying “March on into battle.”

My soul renders the Hebrew word nefesh, which has many meanings, ranging from “throat” or “neck,” extending to a person in general and even beyond to life itself. In poetry this word is often used by the poet to refer to him or herself (see Psalm 103.1). NET Bible uses the sense of “neck” here by rendering this line as “Step on the necks of the strong,” but this translation seems unlikely. Most versions think Deborah is exhorting herself, a viewpoint supported by the feminine marking on the Hebrew imperative. The literal expression my soul (also New Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh) is not idiomatic in most languages, and often gives an incorrect meaning. In many languages it is more natural, though perhaps less poetic, to simply say “I” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version). Bible en français courant interprets the singular “I” as a plural and has Deborah rallying the crowd around her by saying “Let’s go on with courage into the combat!”

In Hebrew this line is literally “you will march my soul might,” but like Revised Standard Version, most versions place a preposition before “might.” For example, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “with courage.” However, several versions use an idiomatic expression, such as “be brave” in Contemporary English Version. Translators should use idiomatic expressions of encouragement in their own language.

Since the last line of this verse is a kind of battle cry, it can be separated from the first two lines and the following verse by blank lines (so Contemporary English Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). Translation possibilities for this line are:

• “Be strong and march on!

• “I will march on and be brave.

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 .