Deborah and Moses

Abstract

Deborah, a respected leader, judge, and prophet who gives orders to Barak, a military commander, is similar in many ways to Moses—indeed, far more similar than either traditional or modern commentators acknowledge. Moreover, the story of the battle at Mount Tabor has remarkable parallels with the crossing of the Sea of Reeds. Nonetheless, Deborah is typically linked with Miriam and her story regarded as at best an aberration in the predominantly patriarchal world of ancient Israel. A full examination of the parallels, however, yields a reading that significantly raises the status of Deborah and sees her as an avatar of Moses himself.