Old Testament
Judges 5:13
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Then he made the one who remained have dominion over the nobles among the people; the LORD made me have dominion over the mighty.
Compare translations
Then he made him that remaineth have dominion over the nobles among the people: the LORD made me have dominion over the mighty.
What Judges 5:13 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In Judges 5:13, the speaker reflects on how God has empowered those who remain faithful to Him, granting them authority over the influential and powerful. This verse highlights the theme of divine intervention, where God elevates the humble and faithful, allowing them to lead and influence others. The context of this verse is found in the Song of Deborah, celebrating a victory over oppression. It emphasizes that true strength and leadership come from God, not merely from human might or status. The mention of 'nobles' and 'the mighty' suggests a contrast between worldly power and the power bestowed by God. This serves as a reminder that God can use anyone, regardless of their status, to accomplish His purposes and bring about justice and deliverance for His people.
How to apply Judges 5:13 to your life
This verse encourages us to trust in God's ability to empower us, regardless of our circumstances. It reminds us that true leadership comes from faithfulness to God. We should seek to be instruments of His will, influencing others positively and standing firm in our faith, even when we feel insignificant.
Curated for this public verse page. Judges Summary
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Deborah's story: The Song of Deborah (Judges 5:1–31)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Deborah
Photo: Diego Delso, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Source. Location: Tell es-Sultan, Jericho, West Bank. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Jericho
The city of palm trees, whose walls fell in Joshua's day.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Judges 5:13
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Judges 5:13
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Judges
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Samuel
- Written
- Around 1050-1000 BC
- Genre
- Historical narrative
- Original Audience
- The Israelites living under the judges
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Judges 5:13 mean?
Judges 5:13 reflects on how God empowers those who remain faithful, granting them authority over influential people. It emphasizes that true strength and leadership come from God, contrasting worldly power with divine empowerment.
What is the meaning of 'dominion over the mighty' in Judges 5:13?
The phrase 'dominion over the mighty' indicates that God gives authority to those who trust in Him, allowing them to lead and influence even the powerful. It highlights God's ability to elevate the humble.
How does Judges 5:13 relate to leadership?
Judges 5:13 shows that true leadership is rooted in faithfulness to God rather than human status or power. It encourages believers to trust in God's ability to empower them for leadership roles.
What themes are present in Judges 5:13?
Key themes in Judges 5:13 include divine authority, faithfulness, empowerment, and the contrast between worldly power and God's intervention. It highlights how God can use anyone to fulfill His purposes.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.