Albert Barnes Commentary Judges 5:7

"The rulers ceased in Israel, they ceased, Until that I Deborah arose, That I arose a mother in Israel." — Judges 5:7 (ASV)

Render the word “villages” (here and in Judges 5:11) as judgment, rule, or judges, rulers. The sense is, “The princes (or magistrates) ceased in Israel,” that is, there was no one to do justice in the gate, or defend people from their oppressors.