“Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.”
King James Version (KJV)
5:16 Why abodest - Why wast thou so unworthy and cowardly, that thou wouldest not engage thyself in so just, so necessary, and so noble a cause, but didst prefer the care of this sheep, and thy own ease and safety, before this generous undertaking? Reuben thought neutrality their wisest course; being very rich in cattle, #Numb 32:1|. They were loath to run the hazard of so great a loss, by taking up arms against so potent an enemy as Jabin: and the bleatings of their sheep were so loud in their ears, that they could not hear the call of Deborah and Barak.
Why abodest thou among the sheepefolds, to heare the bleatings of the flocks? for the diuisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan
"Why did you sit among the sheepfolds, To hear the piping for the flocks? Among the divisions of Reuben {There were} great searchings of heart.
- New American Standard Version (1995)
Why sattest thou among the sheepfolds, To hear the pipings for the flocks? At the watercourses of Reuben There were great searchings of heart.
- American Standard Version (1901)
Why did you keep quiet among the sheep, hearing nothing but the watchers piping to the flocks?
- Basic English Bible
Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, To hear the bleating of the flocks? In the divisions of Reuben there were great deliberations of heart!
- Darby Bible
Why abodest thou among the sheep-folds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.
- Webster's Bible
Why did you sit among the sheepfolds, To hear the whistling for the flocks? At the watercourses of Reuben There were great searchings of heart.
- World English Bible
Why hast thou abode between the boundaries, To hear lowings of herds? For the divisions of Reuben, Great [are] the searchings of heart!
- Youngs Literal Bible
Why sattest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the pipings for the flocks? At the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible