According to Christianity.com, Deborah — or Devorah/D’vorah in Hebrew — translates to “bee,” and the animal is like the Jewish people in several ways. For example, bees follow their leader, and the Jews look to sages and prophets for knowledge. Elsewhere, like a bee, God can sting those not living by the Ten Commandments, but he can also sweetly reward his followers — just like the bee provides honey.

The Book of Judges emphasizes the rewards God offered to followers. Deborah appears during a time when Israelites strayed from the right path, and the Canaan King Jabin sought to oppress them. In particular, Deborah helped the Israelites defeat Jabin after God warned her of the threat. She told the warrior Barack to lead a group to Mount Tabor for battle. But Barack’s faith faltered, and he demanded that Deborah come as well to inspire the soldiers. Although she traveled with him, she prophesized that Barack’s victory would never be acknowledged. And she was right: Sisera was killed by a woman, Jael, a clan leader’s wife, who took a mallet and drove a tent peg into his head when he appeared at her tent asking for help (pictured above).

When their forces overcame King Jabin’s troops, they sang a hymn that praised God. In chapter 5 of the Book of Judges, the faithful judge is honored in the Song of Deborah. Ultimately, Deborah’s part in the battle gave the Israelites a 40-year peace before other challenges came (via Learn Religions).