The purpose of this paper is to evaluate Deborah’s leadership. Deborah was a judge during the pre-monarchic period. Deborah’s leadership is evaluated according to three requirements for a good leader. These requirements imply that a good leader maintains a God-oriented perspective, keeps sound relationship with God and humans, and gives priority to communal interests over personal interests. According to these requirements, Deborah is rated as a successful leader. In the Deborah narrative, Deborah’s leadership was revealed when Deborah participated in the war against the Canaanites. Before the war, Deborah prepared for it by obeying God’s words and by encouraging faint-hearted Barak to go to war. When the war broke, Deborah was sure of the Israelites’ victory even though the Israelites were weaker then the Canaanites. After the war, Deborah was not interested in taking the plunder and spoils, but praised God. Therefore, Deborah’s attitude before the war indicates her good relationships with God and humans. Her attitude during the war indicates her God-oriented perspective. Her attitude after war indicates her precedence over communal interest.
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