Out of Ephraim [was there] a root of them against Amalek; after thee, Benjamin, among thy people; out of Machir came down governors, and out of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer.
Ver. 14. Out of Ephraim was there a root a of them.] Deborah, an Ephraimite, was the root and rise of this expedition against the Canaanites, and the Amalakites their auxiliaries.
After thee, Benjamin,] i.e., After thee, O Ephraim, came Benjamin.
Out of Maehir,] i.e., Out of that half tribe of Manasseh which dwelt within Canaan: for the other half tribe beyond Jordan are afterwards, under the name of Gilead, blamed for their backwardness Jdg 5:17
That handle the pen of the writer.] Scribes and scholars took up arms to help the Lord against the mighty.
a By "root" some understand Joshua, and others the tribes of Judah and Simeon.