Judges 4:17

Translations

Modern

Meanwhile, Sisera had fled on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, because there was peace between Jabin king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.

Traditional

Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.

Literal

And Sisera had fled on foot to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite, for there was peace between Jabin king of Hazor and between the house of Heber the Kenite.

Latin

Sisara autem fugiens pervenit ad tentorium Jahel uxoris Haber Cinæi. Erat enim pax inter Jabin regem Asor, et domum Haber Cinæi.

Original

Hebrew

English

Meanwhile, Sisera had fled on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, because there was peace between Jabin king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.

Notes

Judges 4:17–20

Sisera believed he was among friends (see Judges 4:11). A woman whose husband was away would typically invite a man into her tent only for intimate reasons. However, Sisera saw this invitation as a chance for safety. Jael did not disturb his trust as she hid and refreshed him.

Judges 4:1–5:31

The story of Deborah and Barak, found in both prose (Judges 4) and poetry (Judges 5), describes a major military operation against a significant Canaanite enemy after the initial conquest. Another king named Jabin, who also ruled in Hazor, was defeated earlier by Joshua along with a large northern alliance, and Hazor was burned (see Joshua 11:1–15). Although Joshua 11 and Judges 4–5 are often compared, they have too many differences to be considered accounts of the same battle. Instead, Jabin is likely a dynastic name; it appears in the Mari texts for an even earlier king of Hazor, around 1800 BC.

Theme notes and profiles

Deborah

Events

Deliverance by Barak And Deborah

Related verses

Isaiah 57:21
“There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”
Psalm 37:35–36
I have seen a wicked, ruthless man flourishing like a well-rooted native tree,
Psalm 69:22
May their table become a snare; may it be a retribution and a trap.
Job 12:19–21
He leads priests away barefoot and overthrows the established.
Judges 5:24
Most blessed among women is Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, most blessed of tent-dwelling women.
Job 40:11–12
Unleash the fury of your wrath; look on every proud man and bring him low.
Amos 5:19–20
It will be like a man who flees from a lion, only to encounter a bear, or who enters his house and rests his hand against the wall, only to be bitten by a snake.
Psalm 107:40
He pours out contempt on the nobles and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland.
Job 18:7–12
His vigorous stride is shortened, and his own schemes trip him up.
Proverbs 29:23
A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.
Judges 5:6
In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were deserted and the travelers took the byways.

People

Heber: A Kenite; husband of Jael Jabin: Canaanite king who oppressed Israel; defeated by Deborah and Barak Jael: Wife of Heber; killed Sisera, the Canaanite commander Kenites: A nomadic tribe friendly to the Israelites Sisera: Canaanite commander defeated by Deborah and Barak

Places

Hazor: Major Canaanite city conquered by Joshua

Glossary

Armageddon Asher (Tribe) Barak Deborah Family Life and Relations Hazor Heber Jabin Jael Judges, Book of Kishon Mount Tabor Sisera Song of Deborah Tribe of Naphtali Woman Zaanannim

Topics

Canaanites: Defeated by the Israelites Hazor: A Fortified City of Naphtali Heber: Husband of Jael Hypocrisy: Jael Jabin: Names of Two Kings of Hazor Jael: Wife of Heber, and the One Who Killed Sisera Kenites: Jael, One of The, Betrays and Kills Sisera

Judges 4:17

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Related verses?