"And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Barak Meaning in the Bible
Barak
boy
Barak means "lightning," a Hebrew name. Judges 4:14 sends him down Mount Tabor at Deborah's word, and Hebrews 11:32 lists Barak among those commended for faith.
Is Barak in the Bible?
Yes — Barak appears in the King James Bible, including Judges 4:14.
Pronunciation:/BAIR-ak/
OriginHebrew
MeaningLightning; Thunder
What does Barak mean?
Barak is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "Lightning; Thunder". Barak was the military commander who, with the prophetess Deborah, defeated the Canaanite army under Sisera. He refused to go into battle without Deborah, showing both humility and dependence on God's prophetic word.
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Editor’s reflection
'Lightning' — a commander who would not go to battle unless a woman went with him.
Barak (Hebrew בָּרָק) means 'lightning' or 'flash,' the same word used for the lightning of a storm. It is unrelated to the Arabic/Swahili baraka, 'blessing,' which lies behind other modern names that look similar in English.
Deborah, judge and prophetess, summons Barak son of Abinoam and relays the command to take ten thousand men to mount Tabor against Sisera's nine hundred chariots of iron. His answer is candid: 'If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go' (Judges 4:8). Deborah goes, and tells him the journey he is taking will not be for his honour, because 'the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.'
The battle is won, the chariots are useless in the flooded Kishon, and Sisera flees on foot to Jael's tent, where the prophecy is fulfilled with a tent peg. Barak and Deborah then sing the song of Judges 5, one of the oldest poems in the Hebrew Bible.
The reading of Barak as a coward is too quick. Hebrews 11:32 lists him by name among those who 'through faith subdued kingdoms,' and his condition was that the word of God, carried by Deborah, be present on the field. As a name it is short, strong and easy in English.
“And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.”
What does Barak mean in the Bible?
Barak means "Lightning; Thunder" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Where does Barak appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Barak is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with Judges 4:14. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak."
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Which books of the Bible mention Barak?
Barak is mentioned across 2 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Barak?
Barak demonstrates that seeking godly counsel before battle isn't weakness — it's wisdom that earns a place in the Hall of Faith.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Barak:
God Promises to Be Faithful
Bible promises about God's unwavering faithfulness in every situation.
God Promises Contentment Through Him
Bible promises about finding true satisfaction and contentment in God.
God Promises to Answer Prayer
Bible promises that God hears and answers the prayers of His people.
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What names are related to Barak?
Names like Barak
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Lightning; Thunder" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Gideon
"Mighty warrior; Great destroyer; Feller of trees"
boy
Gideon
"Hewer; Mighty warrior; Destroyer"
boy
Gideon
"Mighty warrior; Hewer"
boy
Gideon
"Mighty warrior; Hewer; Great destroyer"
boy
Gideon
"Mighty warrior; Hewer; Feller of trees"
boy
Liora
"My light; Light for me"
girl
Liora
"My light; Light for me"
girl
Tobias
"God is good"
boy
Names that pair well with Barak
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Barak
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Barak name meaning: frequently asked questions
Barak is Hebrew for 'lightning.' He was the commander who, with the prophetess Deborah, defeated Sisera's chariot army at the Kishon (Judges 4-5), and he is named among the faithful in Hebrews 11:32. The name is unrelated to the Arabic baraka, 'blessing.'
Yes — Barak appears in the King James Bible, including Judges 4:14.
Barak means "Lightning; Thunder." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in Judges 4:14, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Common questions about the name Barak
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Barak?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Barak?
You can read every verse where Barak appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.