Deborah, Hannah and Mary Sing

By Monica West

An analysis of the songs of biblical women Deborah, Hannah, and Mary. Commonalities and contrasts give understanding of application for modern readers. The three songs examined for historical perspective as well as praise to God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Monica West
• Release date: May 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463063514

Monica West

I am a wife, mother, and grandmother. I taught Family and Consumer Science for thirty years and after retiring decided to go to seminary. Now, I write, teach and preach whenever given a chance. My husband of over forty years and I enjoy many activities together. I love nature, cooking, reading and gathering with family and friends.

Book preview

DEBORAH, HANNAH AND MARY SING

Monica A. West

Published by Monica A. West

Smashword Edition

Copywright 2020 Monica West

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Contents

Contents

Introduction

Chapter One: Backgrounds of the Women

Chapter Two: Hebrew Poetry and Songs

Chapter Three: The Song of Deborah

Chapter Four: The Song of Hannah

Chapter Five: The Song of Mary

Chapter Six: Commonalities in All Three Songs

Chapter Seven: Conclusion

Chapter Eight: Notes

Bibliography

Acknowledgements

About Monica West

DEBORAH, HANNAH AND MARY SING

The goal of this book is to examine the songs written by three biblical women in different times, regions of Israel, and stations in life. These songs contain similar wording and subject matter but differ strongly in style and aspect. The songs of Deborah, Hannah, and Mary are connected through praise to God and descent heritage of the chosen people of God, but are responses to different situations in the nation, the person, and the occasion.

Chapter One: Backgrounds of the Women

The first song to be examined, recorded in Judges 5 and attributed to Deborah, may be one of the most ancient recorded works.¹ Deborah, a judge, prophetess, and leader, in the pre-monarchic era, during the general time of the Iron I age, resided between Ramah and Bethel in the mountains of Ephraim, not in Shiloh where the ark of Yahweh was kept.² The estimated time frame is 1200 BC, consistent with the archaic form of Judges 5:2-31 which follows Ugaritic forms of poetry.³ The Canaanite society is commonly accepted to have open villages and gated cities with specific occupations as lawgivers or judges, (v. 10) archers, (v. 11) shepherds, (v. 16) sailors, (v. 11) cloth manufacturers, chariot makers, builders, and those holding the recruiter’s staff (v. 15). Israelite society was more tribal with a pastoral agricultural economy which included sheep, goats, cattle, and vineyards. The extended family formed the basic social and economic unit. Trade was not emphasized. Tribes were more important than national Israel. Pillared four room houses built of rough-hewn blocks were specific to Israelites. The city state, decentralized tribal society lent continuous warring for land and control.⁴

Judges 4-5 relates the times and situation of the only female to be