Deborah and Barak's Victory Over Sisera
Judges 4:1-24
Jud.4.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויספו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- הרע: ADJ,m,sg,def
- בעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ואהוד: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מת: ADJ,m,sg
Parallels
- Judges 2:11 (verbal): Uses the same refrain (’the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD’) that opens the cyclical pattern of sin, judgment, and deliverance throughout Judges.
- Judges 6:1 (thematic): Another statement of Israel’s apostasy (‘they did evil in the sight of the LORD’) leading to oppression by the Midianites—illustrates the recurring pattern begun in Judg 4:1.
- Judges 10:6 (verbal): Repeats the same language about Israel’s evil in the LORD’s sight and functions structurally to introduce a new cycle of punishment and deliverance, as in Judg 4:1.
- Judges 13:1 (thematic): Records Israel’s relapse into evil and subsequent subjugation (to the Philistines), paralleling Judg 4:1’s role in marking the end of one judge’s era and the start of another cycle.
Alternative generated candidates
- The Israelites again did evil in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD handed them over to Ehud.
- The Israelites again did evil in the sight of the LORD; and Ehud died.
Jud.4.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וימכרם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg+PRON,3,m,pl
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יבין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- כנען: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בחצור: PREP
- ושר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צבאו: NOUN,m,sg,suff-3m
- סיסרא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- יושב: VERB,qal,ptcp,1,m,sg
- בחרשת: PREP
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- Judg.3.8 (verbal): Same formula 'וַיִּמְכְּרֵם יְהוָה בְּיַד…' — God 'sold' Israel into the hand of an oppressor (Cushan‑rishathaim), reflecting the recurring covenantal pattern of sin → divine handing over → deliverance.
- Judg.6.1 (verbal): Again uses the language of Yahweh delivering Israel into an enemy's hand ('וַיִּמְכְּרֵם יְהוָה בְּיַד מִדְיָן'), paralleling the theological motif of oppression found in Judg 4:2.
- Joshua 11:1-11 (verbal): Names the same royal title and city (Jabin king of Hazor) earlier defeated by Joshua; a verbal/historical link to Hazor and a tradition of a Canaanite ruler called Jabin.
- Judg.5:6-9 (thematic): The Song of Deborah recounts the same oppression under Jabin and Sisera (and mentions Harosheth of the nations), offering a poetic retelling and thematic parallel to the prose report in Judg 4:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- So the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned at Hazor; and the commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth of the nations.
- And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned at Hazor; and the commander of his army was Sisera, who lived at Harosheth of the nations.
Jud.4.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצעקו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- תשע: NUM,card
- מאות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- רכב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ברזל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- לחץ: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בחזקה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עשרים: NUM,card,pl
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 4:2 (structural): Immediate narrative context: identifies Jabin king of Hazor and Sisera as the oppressor whose military power (chariots) brings Israel under heavy oppression, directly linked to v.3.
- Judges 5:6-7 (thematic): Deborah’s song reflects the social collapse and fear described in v.3—people stayed in their homes and refused to venture out, showing prolonged oppression before deliverance.
- Judges 5:19-21 (verbal): The victory-song recounts the fate of Sisera and the role of the Kishon river against 'their mighty ones' and chariots, echoing the chariot imagery and military threat of v.3.
- Exodus 3:7-9 (thematic): God’s response to Israel’s cry in Egypt parallels the motif here: Israel cries to the LORD under harsh oppression, and God promises to hear and act to deliver them.
- Exodus 2:23-25 (thematic): Earlier instance where the Israelites 'cried out' under prolonged oppression and God 'remembered' and took action—parallel pattern of suffering, crying to Yahweh, and forthcoming deliverance.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the Israelites cried out to the LORD; for he had nine hundred iron chariots, and he oppressed the Israelites severely for twenty years.
- The Israelites cried out to the LORD, for he had nine hundred iron chariots, and he harshly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years.
Jud.4.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ודבורה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נביאה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשת: NOUN,f,sg,cns
- לפידות: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היא: PRON,dem,3,f,sg
- שפטה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ההיא: DEM,f,sg
Parallels
- Exod.15.20 (verbal): Miriam is explicitly called 'a prophetess' (נְבִיאָה), paralleling Deborah’s designation as a female prophet and public leader.
- 2 Kgs.22.14 (verbal): Huldah is named 'the prophetess' and exercises authoritative prophetic function—another instance of a woman prophet consulted in Israel.
- 1 Sam.7.15 (structural): Samuel is said to 'judge Israel all the days of his life,' paralleling Deborah’s combined role as judge and prophet, i.e., judicial and prophetic leadership.
- Judg.5.7 (thematic): The Song of Deborah recalls and amplifies her leadership ('I arose— a mother in Israel'), directly related to her description as prophetess and judge in Judges 4:4.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now Deborah, a woman prophet, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time.
- Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time.
Jud.4.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והיא: CONJ+PRON,3,f,sg
- יושבת: VERB,qal,ptc,3,f,sg
- תחת: PREP
- תמר: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- דבורה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בין: PREP
- הרמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ובין: CONJ+PREP
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- בהר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויעלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אליה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למשפט: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 18:13-26 (structural): Moses sits to decide disputes and the people come to him for judgment; Jethro recommends appointing judges—parallels the pattern of a central adjudicator hearing cases (like Deborah under the palm).
- Ruth 4:1-11 (structural): Boaz sits at the city gate to settle a legal/land issue and the community witnesses the decision—another instance of public adjudication at a recognized place.
- 1 Samuel 7:15-17 (thematic): Samuel serves as Israel's judge and has a fixed residence (Ramah) while administering justice—parallel in the role of a prophetic-judge associated with a specific location.
- Deuteronomy 16:18-20 (thematic): Law prescribes appointment of judges and public administration of justice, reflecting the institutional expectation that people bring disputes to appointed adjudicators.
Alternative generated candidates
- She used to sit under the palm-tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites came up to her for judgment.
- She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the Israelites came up to her for judgment.
Jud.4.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ותשלח: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- ותקרא: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- לברק: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבינעם: NOUN,m,sg,cs
- מקדש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נפתלי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- הלא: PART
- צוה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- ומשכת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- בהר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- תבור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולקחת: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
- עשרת: NUM,card,ten,cons
- אלפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מבני: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cs
- נפתלי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומבני: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cs
- זבלון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judg.4.4 (structural): Identifies Deborah as a prophetess and judge — background context for her authority to send and call Barak in 4:6.
- Judg.4.8 (verbal): Barak's immediate reply to Deborah's summons; shows the conditional obedience and Deborah's role accompanying the military command issued in 4:6.
- Judg.5.1 (thematic): The Song of Deborah and Barak celebrates and narrates the same divine commissioning and military action called for in 4:6.
- Judg.6.14 (thematic): Gideon's commissioning by the LORD to lead Israel against oppressors parallels Deborah's prophetic command to Barak to rise and fight.
- Josh.1.6 (thematic): God's charge to Joshua to be strong and take the land echoes the pattern of divine commissioning of a military leader as in Deborah's command to Barak.
Alternative generated candidates
- She sent and summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh of Naphtali, and said to him, “Has not the LORD, the God of Israel, commanded you: ‘Go, draw up at Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and of Zebulun;
- She sent and summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh of Naphtali and said to him, 'Has not the LORD, the God of Israel, commanded you, “Go; draw up on Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and of Zebulun”?'
Jud.4.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ומשכתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg
- אליך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- נחל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קישון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- סיסרא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צבא: NOUN,m,sg,const
- יבין: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- רכבו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- המונו: NOUN,m,sg,def,prs:3,m,sg
- ונתתיהו: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg,obj:3,m,sg
- בידך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suff,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Judg.5:19-21 (allusion): The Song of Deborah celebrates the same victory and explicitly names the river Kishon and the rout of Sisera’s forces, echoing the setting and outcome invoked in 4:7.
- Judg.4:15 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel: the battle at the Kishon results in Sisera’s army being defeated and Sisera fleeing—fulfillment of the promise that he would be delivered into Barak’s hand.
- Josh.10:8 (verbal): God’s assurance to Joshua that He has given the enemy into Israel’s hand (‘I have delivered them into your hand’) parallels the formulaic promise of divine deliverance found in Judg.4:7.
- 1 Sam.17:46-47 (verbal): David’s declaration that the Lord will deliver Goliath into his hand and that the battle belongs to the Lord echoes the motif of God granting an enemy into the hands of a chosen human agent, as in 4:7.
Alternative generated candidates
- and I will draw out to you at the river Kishon Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude, and I will give him into your hand.’”
- 'I will draw out to you Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his host to the Kishon stream, and I will give him into your hand.'
Jud.4.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- ברק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אם: CONJ
- תלכי: VERB,qal,impf,2,f,sg
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- והלכתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- ואם: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- תלכי: VERB,qal,impf,2,f,sg
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- לא: PART_NEG
- אלך: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
Parallels
- Judg 4:9 (quotation): Immediate reply from Deborah to Barak’s conditional: she agrees to go with him but warns the honor will not be his—direct conversational parallel and textual continuation.
- Judg 4:14 (structural): Narrative outcome in which Deborah accompanies Barak into battle and he goes because she goes; shows the structural role of her presence in enabling the military action.
- Exod 33:15 (thematic): Moses’ insistence that the LORD’s presence must go with Israel (‘If Your presence does not go with us, do not bring us up…’) parallels the theme of refusing to proceed without a decisive companion or presence.
- Ruth 1:16 (thematic): Ruth’s pledge ‘Where you go I will go’ functions as an inverse but related motif of accompaniment and loyalty—decisions to go or stay hinge on relational commitment.
- Matt 28:20 (allusion): Jesus’ promise ‘I am with you always’ echoes the broader biblical theme that presence (divine or leaderly) enables mission and action, paralleling Barak’s dependence on Deborah’s presence.
Alternative generated candidates
- Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.”
- Barak said to her, 'If you will go with me, I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.'
Jud.4.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- הלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלך: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
- אפס: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- תהיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- תפארתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+2fs
- על: PREP
- הדרך: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- הולך: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ימכר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- סיסרא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותקם: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- דבורה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ותלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- עם: PREP
- ברק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קדשה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 4:14 (verbal): Deborah repeats and applies the same prophecy — 'the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman' — immediately prior to the battle, echoing 4:9's declaration.
- Judges 4:21 (structural): Narrative fulfillment: Jael kills Sisera by driving a tent peg through his temple, concretely realizing Deborah's statement that Sisera would be delivered into a woman's hand.
- Judges 5:24-27 (quotation): The Song of Deborah celebrates Jael's deed ('Most blessed of women be Jael...'), commemorating the woman who brought about Sisera's downfall and thus echoing 4:9.
- Esther 4:14 (thematic): Theme of God using a woman to bring national deliverance: Mordecai's appeal to Esther that she may have been made queen 'for such a time as this' parallels the motif of a woman's decisive role in salvation.
Alternative generated candidates
- And she said, “I will surely go with you; nevertheless the honor will not be yours on the way that you are going, for the LORD will give Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Then Deborah rose and went with Barak to Kedesh.
- She said, 'I will surely go with you; nevertheless the road on which you are going will not be your glory, for the LORD will deliver Sisera into the hand of a woman.' Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.
Jud.4.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויזעק: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ברק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- זבולן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- נפתלי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קדשה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויעל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ברגליו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- עשרת: NUM,card,ten,cons
- אלפי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותעל: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- דבורה: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 4:6 (structural): Deborah summons Barak and gives the command to confront Sisera—this is the narrative antecedent to Barak's own call to Zebulun and Naphtali in 4:10.
- Judges 4:14 (verbal): Reports the same military movement and number: Barak advances (from Mount Tabor) with ten thousand men, echoing the 'ten thousand' mobilized in 4:10 and noting Deborah's role in the campaign.
- Judges 4:16 (thematic): Describes the battle's outcome—Sisera's flight and Barak's pursuit—showing the immediate military consequence of the muster of Zebulun and Naphtali in 4:10.
- Judges 5:18 (verbal): The Song of Deborah celebrates Zebulun and Naphtali for risking their lives in the battle; a poetic echo of their summons and participation reported in 4:10.
Alternative generated candidates
- Barak summoned Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men on foot; and Deborah went up with him.
- Barak summoned Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and ten thousand men went up on foot under his command, and Deborah went up with him.
Jud.4.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וחבר: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- הקיני: NOUN,m,sg,def
- נפרד: VERB,nip,perf,3,m,sg
- מקין: PREP
- מבני: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cs
- חבב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- חתן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויט: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- אהלו: NOUN,m,sg,construct+3,m,suf
- עד: PREP
- אלון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בצעננים: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- את: PRT,acc
- קדש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 1:16 (verbal): Mentions the descendants of Hobab (the father‑in‑law of Moses) and the Kenites, linking the same family background and migration tradition as Heber in Judg 4:11.
- Numbers 10:29–32 (allusion): Moses' invitation to Hobab (his father‑in‑law) to come with Israel identifies Hobab and establishes the familial tie later attributed to Heber the Kenite in Judges 4:11.
- Judges 5:24–27 (thematic): The Song of Deborah celebrates Jael wife of Heber the Kenite and recounts her killing of Sisera; it echoes and interprets the narrative setting introduced in Judg 4:11 (Heber’s tent/locale).
- Judges 4:17–22 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: these verses describe Heber’s household (Jael) and the killing of Sisera, directly developing the人物 and location introduced in Judg 4:11.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now Heber the Kenite had separated from the Kenites, the descendants of Hobab, Moses’ son-in-law; and he had pitched his tent by the oak at Zaanaim that is near Kadesh.
- Now Heber the Kenite had separated himself from the Kenites, from the descendants of Hobab, Moses' father-in-law; and he had pitched his tent by the terebinth in Zaanannim that is near Kedesh.
Jud.4.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויגדו: VERB,piel,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- לסיסרא: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- עלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ברק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבינעם: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הר: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- תבור: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judg.4.6 (structural): Deborah summons Barak and instructs him to muster ten thousand men and go up to Mount Tabor — the command that leads to the movement reported in 4:12.
- Judg.4.8 (verbal): Barak tells Deborah he will go only if she accompanies him; this exchange explains the presence and role of the forces that go up to Tabor.
- Judg.4.13 (structural): Immediately after 4:12, Sisera assembles his chariots at Harosheth‑hagoyim — the enemy's response to the news that Barak has gone up to Mount Tabor.
- Judg.4.14 (thematic): Deborah's exhortation 'Up! For this is the day...' frames the ascent to battle and affirms that the LORD goes before them, directly relating to Barak's movement to Tabor reported in 4:12.
- Judg.5.20-21 (allusion): The Song of Deborah celebrates the battle on Tabor and the defeat of Sisera (cosmic imagery and Jael's action), reflecting the same event announced in 4:12.
Alternative generated candidates
- When Sisera was told that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor,
- It was told Sisera that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor.
Jud.4.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויזעק: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- סיסרא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- רכבו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- תשע: NUM,card
- מאות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- רכב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ברזל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- כל: DET
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- מחרשת: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אל: NEG
- נחל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קישון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judg.4.3 (verbal): Essentially the same report earlier in the narrative: Sisera is said to have nine hundred iron chariots. Verbal overlap in the description of Sisera's force.
- Judg.5.19-21 (structural): Deborah and Barak's song recounts the same battle—Sisera's host is routed and Kishon sweeps them away—poetic parallel to the march to the river Kishon in 4:13.
- Judg.1.19 (verbal): Uses the phrase "chariots of iron" as the decisive military advantage preventing Israelites from driving out inhabitants; echoes the technical detail and theme of iron chariots in Judges 4:13.
- Exod.14.9 (thematic): Pharaoh's chariots pursue Israel to the sea; parallels the motif of a superior chariot force pursuing or confronting Israel near a body of water (pursuit to a river/sea).
- 1 Sam.13.5 (thematic): The Philistines' chariots and charioteers appear as Israel's principal military threat; thematically parallels the portrayal of Sisera's iron chariots as dominant military power.
Alternative generated candidates
- he summoned all his chariots—nine hundred chariots of iron—and all the people who were with him from Harosheth of the nations to the river Kishon.
- And Sisera summoned all his chariot commanders—nine hundred iron chariots—and all the people who were with him from Harosheth of the nations to the Kishon stream.
Jud.4.14 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- דברה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- ברק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קום: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- סיסרא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בידך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suff,2,m,sg
- הלא: PART
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- יצא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לפניך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- וירד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ברק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מהר: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- תבור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועשרת: CONJ+NUM,ten,cons
- אלפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחריו: PREP,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Judges 4:6-7 (structural): Deborah's prior command telling Barak that the LORD will deliver Sisera into his hand; provides the promise motivating her summons to 'rise' in 4:14.
- Judges 4:9 (verbal): Barak's condition that Deborah accompany him; explains his reliance on her presence and the context for Deborah's leadership role in the engagement described in 4:14.
- Judges 4:15 (structural): The immediate outcome of the encounter—Sisera's defeat as Barak pursues him—fulfils Deborah's declaration that 'this is the day' the LORD gives Sisera into his hand.
- Exodus 14:14 (thematic): 'The LORD will fight for you' echoes the motif that God goes before Israel in battle and secures victory—parallel to 'the LORD has gone out before you' in 4:14.
- 2 Chronicles 20:15 (thematic): 'The battle is not yours but God's' (and the command not to fear) parallels the assurance in 4:14 that God has taken the initiative and will deliver the enemy into Israel's hands.
Alternative generated candidates
- Deborah said to Barak, “Up! For this is the day in which the LORD has given Sisera into your hand; does not the LORD go out before you?” So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men after him.
- Then Deborah said to Barak, 'Up! For this is the day in which the LORD has given Sisera into your hand; has not the LORD gone out before you?' So Barak went down from Mount Tabor, with ten thousand men following him.
Jud.4.15 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהם: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- סיסרא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- כל: DET
- הרכב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- כל: DET
- המחנה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לפי: PREP
- חרב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לפני: PREP
- ברק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וירד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- סיסרא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מעל: PREP
- המרכבה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וינס: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ברגליו: NOUN,f,pl,abs+POSS,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Judg.5:19-22 (verbal): The Song of Deborah recounts the same event: Sisera's chariots are overwhelmed (Kishon sweeps them away) and Sisera flees on foot—direct poetic parallel to the narrative report in Judg 4:15.
- Exod.14:24-28 (thematic): God intervenes to rout an enemy chariot force (the Egyptians): he confuses them, disables/destroys their chariots and secures Israel's deliverance—a structural/theological parallel of divine action against chariots.
- 2 Kgs.7:6-7 (thematic): The LORD causes panic in the Aramean camp so horses and chariots are left behind and the enemy flees—another motif of Yahweh routing a militarily superior force by supernatural panic.
- 1 Sam.7:10 (thematic): The LORD thunders against Israel's foes and throws the Philistines into confusion, giving them into Israel's hand—parallel emphasis on divine intervention in battle leading to enemy rout and flight.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his host by the edge of the sword before Barak; and Sisera got down from his chariot and fled away on foot.
- And the LORD threw Sisera and all his chariots and all his army into a panic before the edge of the sword at the hand of Barak; and Sisera dismounted from his chariot and fled away on foot.
Jud.4.16 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וברק: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רדף: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- אחרי: PREP
- הרכב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואחרי: CONJ
- המחנה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- עד: PREP
- חרשת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויפל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- מחנה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- סיסרא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לפי: PREP
- חרב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- נשאר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
Parallels
- Judg.4.15 (structural): Immediate narrative predecessor: Barak attacks and the routed flight of Sisera’s forces leading directly into the defeat described in 4:16.
- Judg.4.22 (structural): Narrative follow-up showing Jael’s killing of Sisera, which completes the annihilation of Sisera’s command implied by ‘not a man was left.’
- Judg.5.20-21 (quotation): Deborah’s Song poetically recounts the battle—images of chariots being thrown down and the stars fighting—recounting the same defeat of Sisera’s army.
- Exod.14.27-28 (thematic): The destruction of pursuing chariots and drivers in the Red Sea; a thematic parallel of decisive annihilation of an enemy chariot force.
Alternative generated candidates
- Barak pursued the chariots and the host to Harosheth of the nations; and all the host of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword; not a man was left.
- Barak pursued the chariots and the army to Harosheth of the nations; and all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword; not one was left.
Jud.4.17 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וסיסרא: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נס: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- ברגליו: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- אהל: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- יעל: VERB,qal,impf,juss,3,m,sg
- אשת: NOUN,f,sg,cns
- חבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הקיני: ADJ,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- שלום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בין: PREP
- יבין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- חצור: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ובין: CONJ+PREP
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הקיני: ADJ,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Judges 5:24-27 (quotation): The Song of Deborah retells the same episode: Sisera seeks refuge in Jael's tent and she kills him—poetic parallel and close verbal correspondence to the prose account in Judg 4:17–22.
- Judges 4:21 (verbal): Immediate prose parallel: Jael's killing of Sisera is described in detail (driving a tent peg through his temple), completing the action begun when he fled to her tent in 4:17.
- Judges 4:11 (structural): Introduces Heber the Kenite and notes the peace between his household and King Jabin—provides the background explaining why Sisera fled to the tent of Jael (wife of Heber) in 4:17.
- Judges 5:19-22 (thematic): The Song of Deborah describes the rout of Sisera's forces at the Kishon and his subsequent flight, thematically linking the battle narrative to Sisera's arrival at Jael's tent in 4:17.
Alternative generated candidates
- But Sisera fled away on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite; for there was peace between Jabin king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.
- But Sisera fled on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, for there was peace between Jabin king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.
Jud.4.18 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ותצא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,sg
- יעל: VERB,qal,impf,juss,3,m,sg
- לקראת: PREP
- סיסרא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- סורה: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- סורה: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- אל: NEG
- תירא: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ויסר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אליה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- האהלה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ותכסהו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,sg+PRON,3,m,sg
- בשמיכה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 4:21 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: Jael, after bringing Sisera into her tent and covering him with a rug, drives a tent peg through his temple—directly completes the episode begun in 4:18.
- Judges 5:24-27 (quotation): Deborah’s song recounts and celebrates Jael’s actions (inviting Sisera in, offering rest/covering, and slaying him); a poetic retelling and theological interpretation of the same scene.
- 1 Samuel 19:11-13 (verbal): Michal deceives Saul’s messengers by placing a household idol in David’s bed and covering it (וַתָּשֶׂם וַתְּכַסּוּ), a similar motif of using a bed/covering to hide or deceive pursuers.
- Ruth 3:9-11 (thematic): Ruth’s bold approach at the threshing floor and Boaz’s response (covering/embracing imagery—'spread your skirt/cover me') parallels the motif of a woman exercising initiative in a man’s fate and using bed/covering symbolism to secure protection or resolution.
Alternative generated candidates
- Jael went out to meet Sisera and said to him, “Turn aside, my lord; turn aside to me; do not be afraid.” So he turned aside to her into the tent, and she covered him with a blanket.
- Jael went out to meet Sisera and said to him, 'Turn aside, my lord; turn aside to me; do not be afraid.' He turned aside to her into the tent, and she covered him with a rug.
Jud.4.19 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- השקיני: VERB,hiph,impv,2,m,sg,1cs
- נא: PART
- מעט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כי: CONJ
- צמאתי: ADJ,m,sg,abs,pronsuff,1,sg
- ותפתח: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- נאוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- החלב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ותשקהו: VERB,hiph,perf,3,f,sg+obj3m
- ותכסהו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,sg,obj,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Judges 5:25 (verbal): The Song of Deborah explicitly recalls the same incident: ‘He asked for water, she gave him milk’—a near-verbatim poetic retelling of Jael’s act and its irony.
- Genesis 18:8 (thematic): Abraham serves curds and milk to his divine visitors; both passages use dairy (milk/curds) as a gesture of hospitality to unexpected guests.
- Genesis 24:18 (thematic): Rebekah’s offer of water to Abraham’s servant and his camels parallels the motif of providing refreshment to a weary traveler as an act of welcome and service.
- Proverbs 25:25 (thematic): The image of cool water refreshing a thirsty soul resonates with the thirst/request motif in Judges 4:19—water/milk as relief for physical need and a literary symbol of hospitality.
Alternative generated candidates
- He said to her, “Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty.” She opened a skin of milk and gave him a drink, and she covered him.
- He said to her, 'Please give me some water to drink, for I am thirsty.' She opened a jar of milk and gave him a drink and covered him.
Jud.4.20 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- עמד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- פתח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האהל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- אם: CONJ
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יבוא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ושאלך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg,obj2
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- היש: PART,exist
- פה: ADV
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואמרת: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- אין: PART,neg
Parallels
- Joshua 2:4-6 (thematic): Rahab hides Israelite spies in her house and lies to the king’s men about their departure — like Jael’s instruction to conceal a man in the tent and deny his presence to questioners.
- 1 Samuel 19:11-13 (thematic): Michal hides David and deceives Saul’s messengers (placing a substitute in the bed and saying he is sick) — a parallel instance of protecting a wanted man by denying his presence.
- Genesis 12:11-13 (thematic): Abraham instructs Sarah to say she is his sister to protect himself from danger — another case of advising deception to safeguard a man’s life.
- 1 Samuel 21:10-15 (thematic): David feigns madness before Achish to avoid detection and capture — another example of deliberate concealment and deceptive behavior to protect oneself.
Alternative generated candidates
- He said to her, “Stand at the opening of the tent, and if a man comes and asks you, ‘Is there a man here?’ say, ‘No.’”
- He said to her, 'Stand at the tent entrance, and if any man comes and says to you, “Is there anyone here?” you shall say, “No.”'}
Jud.4.21 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ותקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- יעל: VERB,qal,impf,juss,3,m,sg
- אשת: NOUN,f,sg,cns
- חבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- יתד: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- האהל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ותשם: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- המקבת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- בידה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+3,f,sg
- ותבוא: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- בלאט: ADV
- ותתקע: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- היתד: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ברקתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- ותצנח: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- נרדם: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- ויעף: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- וימת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Judges 5:24-27 (quotation): The poetic retelling in the Song of Deborah recounts Jael's act almost verbatim (tent‑peg, hammer, striking Sisera's temple) and celebrates the deed as Israel's deliverance.
- Judges 4:22-24 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation and eyewitness detail of Sisera's death and Barak's arrival—completes the prose account of the same event described in v.21.
- Judges 4:9 (allusion): Deborah's prophecy that the LORD would deliver Sisera 'into a woman's hand' anticipates and is fulfilled by Jael's killing of Sisera in v.21.
- Judges 3:21-22 (thematic): Ehud's clandestine assassination of King Eglon with a concealed blade (striking while the victim is unguarded) parallels the theme of a single, stealthy killing of an enemy leader.
- 1 Samuel 26:7-12 (thematic): David and Abishai's infiltration of Saul's sleeping camp (removal of spear/intent to slay) echoes the motif of entering an enemy's sleeping quarters and the moral/strategic implications of killing or sparing a sleeping leader.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Jael, Heber’s wife, took a tent peg and took a hammer in her hand, and quietly she went to him and drove the peg into his temple; it pierced his skull. He sank, he fell, he lay there—exhausted—and he died.
- Then Jael Heber's wife took a tent peg and took a hammer in her hand, and she came softly to him and drove the peg into his temple; it went into the ground while he was lying fast asleep and weary, and he died.
Jud.4.22 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והנה: ADV
- ברק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רדף: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- סיסרא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותצא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,sg
- יעל: VERB,qal,impf,juss,3,m,sg
- לקראתו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- ואראך: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg+OBJ:2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- מבקש: VERB,qal,ptc,ms,sg
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אליה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- והנה: ADV
- סיסרא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נפל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מת: ADJ,m,sg
- והיתד: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,def
- ברקתו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Judg.4.21 (verbal): Immediate narrative parallel: the same episode describing Jael's act of inviting Sisera in and driving the tent peg into his temple — essentially the same action recounted in the previous verse.
- Judg.5.24-27 (quotation): Poetic retelling in the Song of Deborah that celebrates Jael's deed; uses the same imagery of piercing Sisera's temple and killing him, echoing the narrative details.
- Judg.4.9 (structural): Deborah's prophecy that Sisera will be given into a woman's hand; this earlier prediction frames and is fulfilled by Jael's killing of Sisera in 4:22.
- Judg.9.53-54 (thematic): A parallel theme: a woman brings about the death of a rival leader (Abimelech struck by a woman at Thebez). Both episodes highlight women as unexpected agents of a man's downfall and the violent, decisive character of those deaths.
Alternative generated candidates
- And behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him and said to him, “Come, I will show you the man whom you are seeking.” So he went into her tent, and there lay Sisera dead with the tent peg in his temple.
- And behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael went out to meet him and said, 'Come, and I will show you the man whom you seek.' He went into her tent, and there lay Sisera dead with the tent peg in his temple.
Jud.4.23 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויכנע: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- יבין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- כנען: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לפני: PREP
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 4:15 (verbal): Same episode and closely parallel language: the LORD routs Sisera and defeats the forces of Jabin, attributing the victory directly to God's action in battle.
- Judges 5:31 (allusion): Deborah's victory song celebrates and interprets the same overthrow of Jabin and Sisera, echoing the deliverance described in 4:23 and giving liturgical/theological commentary on it.
- 1 Samuel 7:10–11 (thematic): God directly intervenes to rout Israel's enemies (here the Philistines), reflecting the recurring theme of divine military deliverance on Israel's behalf.
- Judges 2:16–19 (structural): Summarizes the book's pattern: when Israel is oppressed the LORD raises judges who deliver them by subduing oppressors—the theological framework for the victory over Jabin in 4:23.
Alternative generated candidates
- That day God subdued Jabin king of Canaan before the Israelites.
- So God subdued Jabin king of Canaan before the people of Israel on that day.
Jud.4.24 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ותלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- יד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הלוך: VERB,qal,part,3,m,sg
- וקשה: VERB,qal,wayy,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- יבין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- כנען: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הכריתו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- יבין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- כנען: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judg.3.30 (verbal): After Ehud's victory the narrator says Moab was "subdued that day under the hand of Israel"—a near-verbal parallel to the language of Israel's hand prevailing and destroying an enemy king.
- Judg.5.31 (thematic): Deborah's victory-song celebrates the rout of Canaan and prays that Israel's enemies perish; it echoes the theme of decisive victory over Jabin and the resulting peace.
- Josh.11.23 (structural): As with Judges 4:24, Joshua's summary of conquest emphasizes the complete defeat of Canaanite kings and that the land had rest after their overthrow—similar conquest motif and outcome.
- 1 Sam.7.11 (thematic): After Samuel's prayer Israel pursues and routs the Philistines; like Judges 4:24 it links a divinely-granted victory with Israel's hand prevailing and the crushing of an oppressor.
Alternative generated candidates
- The hand of the Israelites pressed harder and harder against Jabin king of Canaan until they cut off Jabin king of Canaan.
- And the hand of the Israelites pressed harder and harder against Jabin king of Canaan until they destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.
The Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. Ehud died. And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned at Hazor; and the commander of his army was Sisera, who lived at Harosheth of the nations. So the Israelites cried out to the LORD, for he had nine hundred iron chariots; and he severely oppressed the Israelites for twenty years. Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time.
She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites came up to her for judgment.
She sent and summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh of Naphtali and said to him, "Has not the LORD, the God of Israel, commanded you: Go, draw up at Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men of Naphtali and of Zebulun?"
"I will draw out to you Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his troops to the River Kishon, and I will give him into your hand."
Barak said to her, "If you will go with me, I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go."
She said, "I will surely go with you; nevertheless the honor of the journey shall not be yours, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman." Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.
Barak summoned Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he mustered ten thousand men and went up on foot, and Deborah went up with him. Now Heber the Kenite had separated from the other Kenites, the descendants of Hobab, Moses' father-in-law; he had pitched his tent by the oak in Zaanannim that is near Kedesh.
When Sisera was told that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor,
Sisera called together all his chariots—nine hundred iron chariots—and all the people who were with him from Harosheth of the nations to the River Kishon.
Deborah said to Barak, "Up! For this is the day on which the LORD has given Sisera into your hand. Has not the LORD gone out before you?" So Barak went down from Mount Tabor, with ten thousand men following him.
Then the LORD routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army with the edge of the sword before Barak; Sisera dismounted from his chariot and fled away on foot.
Barak pursued the chariots and the army as far as Harosheth of the nations, and all Sisera's army fell by the sword; not one was left. But Sisera fled on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, for there was peace between Jabin king of Hazor and the household of Heber the Kenite.
Jael went out to meet Sisera and said to him, "Turn aside, my lord; turn aside to me; do not be afraid." He turned aside to her into the tent, and she covered him with a blanket.
He said to her, "Please give me a little water, for I am thirsty." She opened a skin of milk, gave him milk to drink, and covered him.
He said to her, "Stand in the tent opening; and if any man comes and asks you, 'Is there a man here?' you shall say, 'No.'"
Then Jael, the wife of Heber, took a tent peg and took a hammer in her hand. She came softly to him and drove the peg into his temple, and he sank down and died—he was fast asleep and weary. And behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael went out to meet him and said, "Come, and I will show you the man you seek." He went in with her, and there lay Sisera dead, with the tent peg in his temple. So God subdued Jabin king of Canaan before the Israelites on that day. And the hand of the Israelites grew strong against Jabin king of Canaan until they destroyed him.