Les jugesFather of BarakIsraelite from Naphtalic. 1200s BCE
Abinoam is known from the Book of Judges as the father of Barak, the military leader from Kedesh in Naphtali who liberated Israel from Canaanite oppression. The name Abinoam means 'my father is grace' and reflects a Semitic naming tradition where positive traits were woven into family identity. Although Scripture tells us nothing about Abinoam's own deeds, his name lives on through the patronymic 'Barak son of Abinoam'. The family lived in Kedesh in Naphtali, a Levitical city of refuge strategically located in northern Israel near the border with Canaanite territory.
Abinoam is mentioned as the father of Barak when the prophetess Deborah calls Barak to gather an army against Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite forces. Barak lived in Kedesh in Naphtali.
6She sent for Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, "Has not the LORD, the God of Israel, commanded you: 'Go, march to Mount Tabor and take with you ten thousand men from Naphtali and Zebulun.
Abinoam's son Barak led Israel's army to a decisive victory over Sisera's forces at the Kishon River. Throughout the account, Barak is identified by his patronymic 'son of Abinoam'.
14Then Deborah said to Barak, "Up! This is the day the LORD has given Sisera into your hand. Has not the LORD gone out before you?" So Barak charged down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men behind him.
15And the LORD routed Sisera and all the chariots and all the army by the edge of the sword before Barak. Sisera got down from his chariot and fled on foot.
In the song of victory that Deborah and Barak sang after their triumph over Sisera, Barak is identified as the son of Abinoam. The song is considered among the oldest poetic texts in the Hebrew Bible.