BARAC (Heb. bāraq, “lightning”). - Debora (v.), son of Abinoam, born at Cades of Nephtali (Iudc. 4, 5). Summoned by Debora, in the name of Jahweh, to free the Israelites of the plain of Esdrelon from the yoke of the Canaanites, B., who had personally suffered at their hands (Iudc. 5, 12), accepted, however, on condition that she should accompany and assist him in battle.
Debora goes with B.; in response to their call, besides Nephtali and Zabulon, who were more directly concerned, Ephraim, Beniamin, Issachar, and Machir, an important clan of Manasse, responded, in all about 40,000 men (Iudc. 5, 8), but poorly armed. Of these, 10,000 were with Debora and B. on Thabor (Iudc. 4, 10); the others stood ready on the hills of Ephraim, which surround the plain. Sisara, general of the Canaanites, gathered his 900 chariots and infantry between Mageddo and Thanach, along the Cison. Perhaps at night (Iudc. 5, 20), B. attacked him by surprise, while the Lord sent a great storm, which swelled the torrent
and made the ground slippery. Confused and terrified, the Canaanites perished in the waters of the Cison, or were pursued and killed by the victors. B. IAHEL (v.).