Barak the Judge (בָּרָק, baraq). Son of Abinoam of Kedesh in Naphtali, who was summoned by the prophetess Deborah to lead his countrymen to war against Sisera’s force of Canaanites (Judg 4–5).

When Deborah called Barak, he replied that he would not go unless she accompanied him. She agreed, but foretold that Sisera would be slain by a woman instead of by him (Judg 4:6–9). Barak then mustered 10,000 men from Zebulun and Naphtali (Judg 4:10). The Song of Deborah also mentions troops from Benjamin, Machir, and Issachar (Judg 5:14).

This force went to Mount Tabor in obedience to divine command (Judg 4:6), where they routed Sisera (Judg 4:12–16). The references to the heavens and the torrent at Kishon in the Song of Deborah may indicate that rain—and subsequent flooding—helped the Israelites against the superiorly equipped Canaanites (Judg 5:20–21). Sisera fled from the battle and was murdered by Jael (Judg 4:17–22).

Later in the Bible, Samuel mentions Barak among the heroes of Israel (1 Sam 12:11). Hebrews 11:32 also mentions Barak as an example of faith.