Matthew Poole and continuators on Judges 5:14

14 Out of Ephraim was there a root of them against Amalek , after thee Benjamin , among thy people : out of Machir came down governors , and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the Writers .

Now she relates the carriage and miscarriage of the several tribes in this expedition, and she begins with Ephraim.

Either First, of the Ephraimites: or Secondly, of them that came forth to this Expedition. By root she seems to mean a branch, as that word is sometimes used, as Isa. 11. 10. and 53. 2. By which also she may note the fewness of those that came out of Ephraim, that fruitful bough consisting of many branches, Gen. 49. 22. yielding but one branch, or an handful of Men to this service.

The constant and sworn enemy of the Israelites, who were confederate with their last oppressors the Moabites, Judg. 3. 13. And in all probability took their advantage now against the Israelites in the southern or middle parts of Canaan, whilest their main Force was drawn Northward against Iabin and Sisera. Against these therefore Ephram sent forth a Party, and so did Benjamin, as it here follows; and these hindred their conjunction with Iabin's Forces, and gave their brethren the advantage of sighting with Sisera alone.

Benjamin followed Ephraim's Example. Or, After thee, O Benjamin: and thus the preeminence is here given to Benjamin in two respects; First, That he was first in this Expedition, as indeed he lay nearer the Amalekites, and by his example incouraged the Ephraimites. Secondly, That the whole Tribe of Benjamin, though now but small, came forth to this War, when the numerous Tribe of Ephraim sent only an handful to it▪

Either First, among the people of Benjamin, with whom those few Ephraimites united themselves in this Expedition. Or, Secondly, among the People or Tribes of Israel; to wit, those who ingaged themselves in this War.

i. e. Out of the Tribe of Manasseh, which are elsewhere called by the name of Machir, as Ios. 13. 31. to wit, out of the half Tribe which was within Iordan; for of the other she speaks, v. 17.

Either civil Governours, the Princes and great Persons, who were as ready to hazard themselves, and their ample Estates, as the meanest: or Military Officers, valiant and expert Commanders, such as some of Machir's Posterity are noted to have been.

i. e. Even the Scribes, who gave themselves to Study and Writing, whereby they were exempted from Military Service, did voluntarily enter into this Service. Or, they that drew, to wit, The People after them, as that Verb is used, Iudg. 4. 6. With the pen of the scribe or writer, i. e. Who did not only go themselves, but by their Letters invited and engaged others to go with them to the Battel.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word] with the [illegible: 1 word]