Комментарий к Шофтим 5:8

When they chose new gods—there was war in the cities. When the Yisroelites preferred modern Deities, then they needed to engage in battle in their cities. But, take note, now, when they volunteered, was a shield or battle ax in sight among the Yisroelites when they needed to do battle with the forty thousand field marshals the idolators flung against them? The Omnipresent overwhelmed them all with celestial warfare, and the Kishon stream swept them away.

They chose new gods: For when Israel chooses new gods, then war comes to their cities on account of the punishment; but not when they better their ways. As was it not that in the days of Yehoshua, it was stated (Joshua 4:13), "About forty thousand, etc. went across, etc. to the steppes of Yericho?" And was there any shield and spear seen with these forty thousand? For was it not by a miracle that they captured Yericho, and not through war and with a shield and a spear?

from the language of war

They chose When Israel chooses new gods, then war comes to their gates and they are not able to show a shield or a spear to fight with their enemies. And even though the Israelites were very numerous - forty thousand and more, and that is the total of the count - nevertheless, they would flee from before their enemies and seal themselves up in their cities, and their enemies would pursue them until the gates. But some explain, "no shield was seen," as positive. Meaning, when Israel would do the will of the Creator, may He be exalted, and did not follow other gods - and that was in the days of Yehoshua - they did not need a shield nor a spear for the forty thousand Children of Gad and Children of Reuven. And even though they were the army's vanguard, they did not need to show a shield nor a spear, since the Lord fought for them. So they went [to war] with their brothers, and returned in peace. There was no adversary and no bad incident, since they were doing the will of the Creator. And Yonatan translated (in the Targum), "When they became evil, etc." And the word, lachem, is unusual in its vocalization, as it is vocalized with a segol for the [letter], chet. And it is a noun, like war. And it is in the form of [the words,] chametz, akev, chatzer; except that this is with a segol, which is not customary.

Cities. As in, "If there should be found in your midst, in one of your cities".¹¹Devarim, 17:2. Although generally translated as “gates”, שְׁעָרִים is translated here as “cities”.

cities, as in Deuteronomy 17:2 "in one of your cities."

Cover

Javelin