Deborah
Biblical, reputedly flourished circa 1293–1257 B.C.E., ancient Israel
Deborah was a prophet, poet, and the only female judge of Israel named in the Old Testament. Legend states that based on a vision, she called up General Barak and the forces of Israel to battle against the Canaanite general Sisera. Deborah foresaw that it would not be Barak who defeated Sisera, but a woman. Her prophecy proved correct: Jael, a female tentmaker, drove a tent stake into Sisera’s head while he was sleeping.
