Barak

Barak (ברק "Lightning", Standard Hebrew Baraq, Tiberian Hebrew Bārāq) is one of the judges from the Book of Judges in the Bible.

Barak was the son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali. For twenty years Israel was oppressed by the Canaanites, whose army had chariots with iron scythes.

The story of the victory of the Israelites under the prophetic leadership of Deborah and the military leadership of Barak, her commander, is related in prose (chapter 4) and repeated in poetry (chapter 5, which is known as the "Song of Deborah"). Chapter 4 makes the chief enemy Jabin, king of Hazor (present Tell el-Qedah, about three miles southwest of Hula Basin), though a prominent part is played by his commander in chief, Sisera of Harosheth-ha-goiim (possibly Tell el-'Amr, approximately 12 miles (19 kilometres) northwest of Megiddo).

Deborah said that Barak would win, but Sisera would be killed by a woman. In the battle at Mount Tabor, a cloudburst occurred, causing the river to flood, thus limiting the manoeuvrability of the Canaanite chariots. Sisera fled, seeking refuge in the tent of a Kenite woman, Jael. Jael gave Sisera a drink of milk and he fell asleep from weariness. Then she pounded a tent peg through his head. When Barak came along, she let him see Sisera dead in her tent. Later Israel slew King Jabin.

Barak is remembered in the New Testament as one who "through faith defeated kingdoms in conflict". (Hebrews 11:32-34)

Preceded by: Deborah

Judge of Israel

Succeeded by: Gideon