Boy Old & New Testament Known
Barak
thunder, or in vain
בָּרָק Βαράκ ba.raq
Barak (Hebrew: בָּרָק, ba.raq) means “thunder, or in vain”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 14 verses across 3 books of the Bible. In 2025 it was given to 8 children in the United States. Use is rising. Appears with Abinoam in Judges 5.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Barak
son of Abinoam
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 14 across 3 books
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Both
- Era
- Judges
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 8 | Rising |
| All-time total | 929 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 29 in 2006 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | CA | Highest share relative to births |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Judges 4:6 |
| Last appears | Hebrews 11:32 |
| Cross-references | 273 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Abinoam co-occurrence Appears with Abinoam in Judges 5.
- Deborah co-occurrence Appears with Deborah in Judges 5.
- Sisera co-occurrence Appears with Sisera in Judges 4.
- Jael co-occurrence Appears with Jael in Judges 4.
- Jephthah co-occurrence Appears with Jephthah in 1 Samuel 12.
- Zebulun co-occurrence Appears with Zebulun in Judges 4.
- Naphtali co-occurrence Appears with Naphtali in Judges 4.
- Gideon co-occurrence Appears with Gideon in 1 Samuel 12.
Origin & meaning
A man living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jdg.4.6;
son of: Abinoam (H0042)
§ Barak = "lightning" or "lightning flash"
son of Abinoam of Kedesh who, incited by Deborah, a prophetess of Ephraim, delivered the Israelites from the yoke of Jabin by routing the Canaanites in the plain of Jezreel
Barak, son of Abinoam, led the Israelites to victory against Canaanite forces under Deborah's leadership.
The biblical story
Barak was an Israelite commander from the tribe of Naphtali who played a significant role in the victory over the Canaanite forces led by Sisera (Judges 4). Deborah, a prophetess and judge of Israel, summoned Barak and instructed him to gather troops from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun to fight against Sisera's army. Barak agreed to go only if Deborah accompanied him, to which she consented but prophesied that the honor of the victory would go to a woman. Barak led the Israelite forces to Mount Tabor, where they decisively defeated Sisera's army. The victory was celebrated in the Song of Deborah and Barak (Judges 5), which praises their leadership and God's deliverance. Barak is later mentioned in 1Sa.12.11 as one of the deliverers sent by God to save Israel from their enemies. The New Testament also commends Barak's faith in Heb.11.32, listing him among the examples of those who through faith conquered kingdoms and administered justice.
Key verses
Barak appears in 14 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
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And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh–naphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the Lord God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?
Judges 4:6 -
And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.
Judges 4:8 -
And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.
Judges 4:9 -
And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him.
Judges 4:10 -
And they shewed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor.
Judges 4:12
Show all 14 references
Judges (12)
- Judges 4:6
- Judges 4:8
- Judges 4:9
- Judges 4:10
- Judges 4:12
- Judges 4:14
- Judges 4:15
- Judges 4:16
- Judges 4:22
- Judges 5:1
- Judges 5:12
- Judges 5:15
1 Samuel (1)
- 1 Samuel 12:11
Hebrews (1)
- Hebrews 11:32