Translations
Original
Notes
The milk was likely the curds that the Arabs favored (compare "curds," Judges 5:25). Many believe it causes sleepiness.
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.
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.
Events
Glossary
Armageddon Asher (Tribe) Barak Deborah Education Family Life and Relations Food and Food Preparation Hazor Heber Jabin Jael Judges, Book of Kishon Leather Mount Tabor Sisera Song of Deborah Tribe of Naphtali Woman Zaanannim
Topics
Bottles used for Holding: Milk Canaanites: Defeated by the Israelites Courage: Personal Bravery: Jael, in Killing Sisera Hypocrisy: Jael Jael: Wife of Heber, and the One Who Killed Sisera Kenites: Jael, One of The, Betrays and Kills Sisera Milk used for Food Milk: Kept by the Jews in Bottles Treachery of Jael