In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through byways.
In the time when Shamgar son of Anath lived, and in Jael's time, the main roads were empty and dangerous. Travelers had to sneak along hidden back paths instead of using the highways.
This verse describes a time of such danger and oppression that people couldn't even travel safely on the main roads.
📚 Historical Context
In the time of the Judges, Israel was often oppressed by neighboring peoples due to their unfaithfulness to God, leading to cycles of chaos and deliverance. Shamgar is mentioned as a judge who defeated the Philistines, while Jael played a key role in the victory over the Canaanites by killing their commander Sisera. This verse from the Song of Deborah describes the lawlessness of that era, where main roads were unsafe, forcing people to take hidden paths to avoid danger.
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