Comentário sobre Juízes 5:17

Is ensconced beyond the Yardein and never arrived at the battle front. Similarly, Dan hoarded his money into sea vessels, poised to escape.

Gilead, etc. That is to say, that if we would think that it is because of this that Reuven did not come to the war - because his inheritance is on the other side of the Jordan, far away from the location of the war - does not Gilead also dwell on the other side of the Jordan? Nevertheless, they still came to the war, as it is written above (Judges 5:14), "from Machir, etc." - and that is Gilead.

To be gathered in as in Tehelim 59:4 "fierce men plot against me."

And likewise,

At his exposures. To defend his exposed territory.

And Dan, etc.: That is to say, also about Dan should we be very angry. For why should he gather all that he has, to place it in his ships, and flee? Is his inheritance not very close to the location of the war? And if so, why did Asher flee and not come to the war, etc.? That is to say, if Asher also did not come here - it did not do so blameworthily, but rather only because his inheritance is on the sea and his cities are open and spread out without a wall. So as a result, he stayed near his open cities, so that the nations close to the border not go into them.

In ships

Gilead who dwelt beyond the Jordan and did not come to the war. And one should wonder: And did not Makhir say that he was coming to the war? And Makhir was the father of of Gilead. So the Gilead (region) went to the House of Makhir, as it stated (Numbers 32:40), "And he gave the Gilead to Makhir, the son of Menashe." But it can be explained that that which it said, Gilead dwelt beyond the Jordan, was about the House of Yair, the son of Menashe, as his portion was also in the land of Gilead, as it stated (Numbers 32:41), "And Yair, the son of Menashe, went and conquered their villages." And it can further be explained that what it stated, that Gilead dwelt beyond the Jordan, is by way of a question. And it is saying it to Reuven - why did you sit in your house and not come to the war: Gilead did like you and settled on the other side of the Jordan. Did he not tremble and come to help in Israel's war? So why did you not do so? And even though you are from the other side of the Jordan, is he not also from the other side of the Jordan? But it can also be explained with the same idea as this understanding, not by way of a question. That is to say, does not Gilead also dwell on the other side of the Jordan like you and his portion and inheritance is there? Nevertheless, he crossed over and came to the help of Israel. But you, why did you not do this?

The bank of the sea as in Deuteronomy 1:7 "on the bank of the sea."

And Dan, why did he linger by the ships: It is not speaking about ships of the sea, since his portion was not on the sea. For Zevulun's portion was there, as it states (Genesis 49:13), "Zevulun will dwell upon the shore of the seas." And even though it is written about his portion (Yehoshua 19:26), "across from Yafo" - nevertheless, Yafo was not in his portion. Rather it is river boats, meaning to say that he crossed the Jordan and fled out of fear of the enemy and took his possessions across the Jordan. And so did Yonatan translate (in the Targum), "they swiftly crossed the Jordan, etc."

Asher remained at the seacoast: Since his portion and his lot were there, as it is written (Joshua 19:26), "and it reaches the Carmel towards the sea." And it stated (Joshua 19:29), "and then its boundaries towards the sea, to Mechebel towards Achziv."

And dwelt at his breaches: He dwelt at the breached places in his cities, due to the fear of the enemies. Hence he will not come to the war, so that he will not leave his unwalled towns alone (undefended). And Yonatan (in the Targum) translated, "the towns of nations, etc.."