Easton's Bible Dictionary Lightning, the son of Abinoam (Judges 4:6). At the summons of Deborah he made war against Jabin. She accompanied him into the battle, and gave the signal for the little army to make the attack; in which the host of Jabin was completely routed. The battle was fought (Judges 4:16) in the plain of Jezreel (q.v.). This deliverance of Israel is commemorated in Judges 5. Barak's faith is commended (Hebrews 11:32). "The character of Barak, though pious, does not seem to have been heroic. Like Gideon, and in a sense Samson, he is an illustration of the words in Hebrews 11:34, 'Out of weakness were made strong.'" (see DEBORAH.) Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia BARAK ba'-rak (baraq, "lightning flash"): The name occurs in Sabeanbarqac, in Palmyrene baraq, and in Punic Barcas, as surname of Hamilcar; and as Divine name in Assyrian Ramman-Birqu and Gibil-Birqu (Del. Assyrian, HWB, 187). Barak was the son of Abinoam of Kedesh, a refuge city in Mt. Naphtali. He was summoned by the prophetess Deborah to lead his countrymen to war against the Canaanites under the leadership of Sisera. From the celebrated ode of Deborah we gather that Israel suffered at the hand of the enemy; the caravan roads were in danger, traffic almost ceased; the cultivated country was plundered (Judges 5:6, 7). The fighting men in Israel were disarmed, a shield was not to be seen nor a spear among forty thousand men (Judges 5:8). The prophetess raised the signal of struggle for independence. Soon Barak came to her aid. With an army of 10,000 men-according to Judges 4:10 they were all drawn from Zebulun and Naphtali, whereas Judges 5:13-18 adds Benjamin, Machir and Issachar to the list of faithful tribes-Barak, accompanied by Deborah, rushed to the summit of Mt. Tabor. This location was very favorable to the rudely armed Israelites in warding off the danger of the well-armed enemy. The wooded slopes protected them against the chariots of the Canaanites. In addition they were within striking distance should the enemy expose himself on the march. Under the heavy rainfall the alluvial plain became a morass, in which the heavy-armed troops found it impossible to move. Soon the little stream Kishon was filled with chariots, horses and Canaanites. Sisera abandoned his chariot and fled on foot. Barak pursued him and found him murdered by Jael in her tent. This completed the victory. See BEDAN; Moore, "Judges," at the place. Samuel Cohon

Multi-Version Concordance Barak (14 Occurrences) Hebrews 11:32 What more shall I say? For the time would fail me if I told of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets; (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) Judges 4:6 She sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh Naphtali, and said to him, "Hasn't Yahweh, the God of Israel, commanded,'Go and draw to Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) Judges 4:8 Barak said to her, "If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go." (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) Judges 4:9 She said, "I will surely go with you: nevertheless, the journey that you take shall not be for your honor; for Yahweh will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman." Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) Judges 4:10 Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali together to Kedesh; and there went up ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV) Judges 4:12 They told Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to Mount Tabor. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) Judges 4:14 Deborah said to Barak, "Go; for this is the day in which Yahweh has delivered Sisera into your hand. Hasn't Yahweh gone out before you?" So Barak went down from Mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) Judges 4:15 Yahweh confused Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his army, with the edge of the sword before Barak; and Sisera alighted from his chariot, and fled away on his feet. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) Judges 4:16 But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the army, to Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword; there was not a man left. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) Judges 4:22 Behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said to him, "Come, and I will show you the man whom you seek." He came to her; and behold, Sisera lay dead, and the tent peg was in his temples. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) Judges 5:1 Then Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) Judges 5:12 'Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, utter a song! Arise, Barak, and lead away your captives, you son of Abinoam.' (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) Judges 5:15 The princes of Issachar were with Deborah. As was Issachar, so was Barak. They rushed into the valley at his feet. By the watercourses of Reuben, there were great resolves of heart. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) 1 Samuel 12:11 So the Lord sent Jerubbaal and Barak and Jephthah and Samuel and took you out of the power of those who were fighting against you on every side, and made you safe. (BBE RSV NIV)