Judges 5:31Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Douay-RheimsHebrew (Masoretic text)

So let all thy enemies perish, O Lord: but let them that love thee shine, as the sun shineth in his rising.
Douay-Rheims

כֵּ֠ן יֹאבְד֤וּ כָל־אוֹיְבֶ֙יךָ֙ יְהוָ֔ה וְאֹ֣הֲבָ֔יו כְּצֵ֥את הַשֶּׁ֖מֶשׁ בִּגְבֻרָת֑וֹ וַתִּשְׁקֹ֥ט הָאָ֖רֶץ אַרְבָּעִ֥ים שָׁנָֽה׃
Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

2 Church Fathers comment on this verse

John Chrysostom
Roshdestwenski W.G.

John Chrysostom

4th centuryChurch Father

This esteemed Devorah boldly declares the truth, saying, Lord, let those who cherish You as the dawn of the sun perish like the remnants upon the lampstand. Truly, those who hold You dear as the rising sun symbolize enduring love, while Your adversaries resemble the ashes upon a lampstand: the lamp provides illumination for a brief moment before being snuffed out. This speaks to fervor and devotion, as well as to the one who was born blind. The texts associated with St. John Chrysostom, categorized in the Minya edition as Spuria.

Roshdestwenski W.G.

Teacher of the Church

The wise woman from Devvora implores God for the downfall of His adversaries, declaring, "Let all your enemies perish, O Lord." The astute Prietocnik advises assistance towards one’s opponents, stating in Proverbs 25:22, "If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink." This sentiment is echoed by the Apostle Paul, who presents it as a testament to loving one’s enemies (Romans 12:19).

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In this context, we are called to perform acts of kindness towards our adversaries, who may take arms against us, desire our ruin, and strip us of peace and life. We are to refrain from speaking ill of them despite the wrongs they have committed against us. However, when it comes to the enemies of God—those who oppose Him and His Holy Law, who utter blasphemies against the Divine and the Sacred Faith, and who, in their rebelliousness, forsake His judgment and righteous retribution, showing no desire for repentance—their defiance urges us to seek God’s justice.

In the spirit of Christian love, although we must not wish harm upon anyone for specific grievances, regarding those who are blatant adversaries of the Lord, who ridicule the faith and blatantly violate His holy law, with no sign of hope for their redemption, our very zeal compels us to call upon the just God for His judgment and righteous retribution. This does not reflect a lack of Christian charity, but rather a stance in defense of God's name and glory.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.