“Adonai gives the command; the women with the good news are a mighty army. Kings and their armies are fleeing, fleeing, while the women at home divide the spoil” (Complete Jewish Bible).
The Hebrew word for Adonai is the memorial name יהוה yod-hey-vav-hey, Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh, I Am as given to Moses in Exodus 3:14-15. In this case, however, it is specifically Yeshua, the Commander of Adonai’s army giving the command.
‘Gives the command’ in the Hebrew is ‘utters speech.’ These two Hebrew words are נתן or nathan and or omer. Nathan means ‘to give, put, or set.’ It can also mean ‘personally deliver by hand.’ Omer means ‘promise, speech, or word.’
‘Women with the good news’ in Hebrew is ‘those who proclaimed it.’ ‘Those’ is אמ or am and means ‘people.’ The Hebrew word basar means ‘to bear tidings’ or ‘announce, carry, preach something fresh.’ This word implies there is a ‘bearer’ who brings ‘glad tidings’ as in the birth of a child, or the salvation of Adonai. The word basar is used for praising Adonai and for the Messianic servant (Messiah ben Yosef) who preaches ‘glad tidings’ to the meek. In this specific instance, the word is basarot which is the plural feminine meaning ‘women bearers of good news.’
‘Army’ comes from the Hebrew tzava and means ‘army, war, warfare.’ One of the character traits of Adonai is Tzva’ot or the Captain of the ‘hosts in the army of heaven.’ Tzava also translates as ‘hardship’ or ‘struggle.’
The Hebrew word for ‘flee’ is nadad and means ‘retreat,’ ‘depart,’ and even ‘wander.’
‘Women’ in this verse is the Hebrew word naveh and means ‘comely.’ It also means ‘abode of the shepherd’ or ‘habitation.’ The feminine of naveh is navah and means ‘home’ and ‘beautify.’ In other words, naveh/navah is a pleasant place, a beautiful dwelling.’
The Hebrew word for ‘home’ is bayit or ‘house,’ ‘home.’ Perhaps it is because of being a ‘shepherd in the home,’ the Complete Jewish Bible translates naveh as ‘woman.’ Also, in the time, culture, land in which this was written, women did remain home during times of war. They were the keepers of the home and though they were not part of the army, they had a role.
The Hebrew word for ‘divide’ is chalak and means ‘to share’ or ‘distribute’ as food during a festival.
The Hebrew word for ‘spoil’ is shalal and means ‘booty,’ or ‘possessions.’ In the event of war, these items would include garments, gold, silver, flocks, herds, food, and drink.
Here are other versions’ translation of the verse:
“The Lord gives the word— a great company of women proclaims the good news. “Kings of armies, flee, flee!” She who stays at home divides the spoil” (Tree of Life Bible).
“The Lord gives the command; The women who proclaim the good tidings are a great host: “Kings of armies flee, they flee, And she who remains at home will divide the spoil!” (New American Standard).
“The Lord announces the word, and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng: “Kings and armies flee in haste; the women at home divide the plunder” (New International Version).
“Adonoi gave the word; rav (great) was the tzava (company, army) of the mevaserot (heralds, those that published it, the lady evangelists). Melachim of tzeva’ot (armies) shall flee, they flee; and she that tarried at home shall divide the plunder” (Orthodox Jewish Bible).
“Yeshua personally hand delivers and speaks forth the promise [of resurrection]. Women are called to bring forth the good news of salvation as a large army who have done spiritual warfare. Kings of the nations, peoples around them retreat, depart, while these beautiful women who have remained in their homes are called to distribute garments, gold, silver, flocks, herds, food, and drink.”
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