Song of Deborah as Polemic 5 purpose of the song may in fact be polemical. But how is this polemical purpose reflected through the structure and content of the song? The first hint that supports an interpretation of the song as a polemic against non-participation is found in what seems to be a refrain that occurs in Judg 5,2 and 5,9. For as have been frequently pointed out, not only are these two verses both marked by the same occurrence of hwhy wkrb, this call to bless YHWH is also immediately preceded in each case by a phrase that contains a Hithpael of bdn and the noun µ[. Furthermore, although the initial colon of v. 2 and v. 9 do not resemble each other, the name larçy is nonetheless found in both, as each seems to make reference to those in leadership position within Israel (12). In addition, both these calls to bless YHWH are also immediately followed by respective commands to listen and ponder as praises to YHWH (v. 3) and songs about YHWH and His people (vv. 10-11c) are sung (13). Such linguistic and contextual similarities thus led Vincent to conclude that v. 2 and v. 9 are likely a refrain that marks the beginning of two major sections within the song (14). But if v. 2 and v. 9 indeed function as a refrain that introduces two major sections, then it is noteworthy that in this refrain, the explicit call to bless YHWH is linked not so much to the victory itself, but to the demonstration of leadership and the voluntary participation of the people in battle (15). Since this focus on participation seems to be an (12) While larçy yqqwj in v. 9a clearly refers to Israel’s rulers or commanders, LINDARS, Judges, 225-227, and others have argued that larçyb tw[rp in v. 2a also most likely refers to those who led in Israel. (13) Admittedly, the exact meaning of wnzrp in v. 11c is unclear. But if it indeed refers to YHWH’s people as LINDARS, Judges, 247, and L.E. STAGER, “Archaeology, Ecology, and Social History: Background Themes to the Song of Deborah”, Congress Volume: Jerusalem, 1986 (ed. J.A. EMERTON) (Leiden 1988) 224-226, suggest, then the fact that the people are mentioned together with YHWH would add weight to argument that the song of Deborah is not just about celebrating a victory but about the role YHWH’s people can and should play in contributing to that victory. (14) VINCENT, “Song”, 69-70. Likewise, LINDARS, Judges, 224-225, also considers both verses headings to their respective sections, although he also understands them chiastically as inclusios to an introductory sequence. (15) It is generally accepted that the similarly phrased second colon in both v. 2 and v. 9 refers to the people’s willingness to offer themselves to participate in battle. In fact, G. GERLEMAN, “The Song of Deborah in the Light of Stylistics”, VT 1 (1951) 176, n. 2, and P.C. CRAIGIE, “A Note on Judges V 2”, VT 18 (1968) 399, both argue for a specific interpretation of the initial colon of v. 2 on the basis of parallelism with the second colon, which is understood by both as referring to the people’s willingness to offer themselves.