She put the tent peg to the side of Siseras head and hit it with a hammer. Sisera was very tired, so he was sleeping. Sisera was the commander of the Canaanite forces and so Barak and his men attacked Sisera. But while she was doing that, she was very much aware of the fact that there was a battle going on. Here are a few tips for when you find yourself in a battle with the enemy of your soul. Ezra Glenn's song "Sisera Sleeps" from 2020's "Two-Heel Sandwich" refers to Jael's actions. It was effective, but it was also violent and gory. She was nowhere near ready for a battle of any kind. Who was Melchizedek and Why was He so Important?The Bible Story of Queen EstherThe Life of Ruth - 5 Essential Faith Lessons3 Things You Didnt Know About Mary (Mother of Jesus). (Gen. 25:1, 2). Judges 4 and 5. A guest, once ritually invited into the home, had to be protected and cared for, even at the expense of everyone else in the house even at the expense of giving the woman of the house to the guest of honor for his lascivious pleasure. Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world. After this victory, Israel enjoyed peace for forty years. The name Jael is pronounced the same as the word for mountain goat, but distinctions in pronunciation were added many centuries after this text was written. [9] The "Song of Deborah" (Judg. It may not be in line with our idea of perfect timing, however He is not a man that He should lie;" His word does not return to Him void but accomplishes what He pleases (Isaiah 55:11). They are shaggy animals, with white coats and moderately long horns. Jael was the wife of Heber the Kenite. If you want to share this resource with others, please share the link to the blog post. Not only that, she likely had extensive experience putting up tents with tent pegs and so she was skilled with this tool. That would make the mountain goat literally a "benefiter of practical skill.". Barak and his men defeated Siseras army, but Sisera left his chariot and ran away on foot, ran away to the tent where a woman named Jael lived. We do not know if Jael was concerned for her safety once Sisera awoke from his sleep, or if she was just doing the will of God with the action she took. T here are many great examples of strong women in the Bible to learn from. According to tradition, both her and husband would have had separate tents, doubling her work, efforts and skill. She didnt waste a moment thinking, If only I had a sword. She simply took up the tools at hand and did what was being asked of her. He dealt with the wife rather than her husband. She is passionate about helping Christian women to grow in Christ, improve their marriages and creatively worship. She put the tent peg to the side of Siseras head and hit it with a hammer. [18] Jael, along with Ehud, is an example in Judges of the contrast between marginal heroes and well-armed enemies conquered by wit and stealth. Since many of the Jael/Judith panel . Jael, however, is interested in suing XYZ Burgers Refer to Fact Pattern 19-1. We have to be vigilant and calculated in killing it. Jael and Judith were also used as propaganda figures by Protestants and Catholics alike to symbolize the violent overthrow of heresy. If I asked most people to think of a warrior woman mentioned in Judges 4 and 5, I am pretty sure that most minds would go straight to Deborah. And she smote Sisera; she crushed his head, It went against everything she knew about hospitality, something hugely important to her culture at the time. They did not know what to do. Moses lived among the Kenites in Midian until he was called by God to deliver the Israelites from Egypt. In biblical times, women were responsible for all the elements of repairing and pitching tents. Jenna Martin is a youth ministry worker and freelance writer who specializes in Bible, health, and tourism topics. However, Heber, along with his wife Jael, stayed in Canaan living north near Kedesh in the tribal territory of Naphtali. Siseras character is seriously lacking as he willfully broke every rule that governed hospitality. Siseras murder was a major act of treachery on Jaels part. Once Sisera was asleep, from shear exhaustion, Jael puts her tent building expertise to work. Eve - First Woman. When she didnt see anyone chasing after him, maybe that is when the decision was made. Delilah does not like to be under authority and she loves to have her way. Even when we dont feel skilled or equipped or prepared, He ensures that we are for the sake of His glory. Jael, said Graybill, is a "highly unusual biblical heroine." The text identifies her as a "wife," but she has no husband. A woman who was married to a mercenary and opportunist, but herself was faithful to the Israel nation and to God. Jael had a front row seat to the vicious cycle of idolatry and judgment upon the nation of Israel namely the destruction of the lands and the assimilation of pagan practices. During the time of the Judges There was a woman prophet named Deborah. T. Nelson and Sons. And while he was dying, Sisera said to Jael, "Behold pain has taken hold of me, Jael, and I die like a woman. He asked for water, she gave milk; But if you will not go with me, I will not go, But because of your attitude, you will not be honored when Sisera is defeated. She didnt attempt to beat him with a strategy she knew she was not going to be able to use to win. "J-L". Jael appears bound to the Israelites because of her husbands kinship through the Midianites. That is why we need to decide in our hearts that when the time comes, we will say yes to God. Heber was a descendant of Jethro, the priest of Midian and the father-in-law of Moses. She was not about to play around with this evil man. He escapes with his life, running 5 miles to Jaels tent of asylum, assured of his safety and protection at the hands of his friends. Susan runs on Jesus, coffee, and not enough sleep. You have the right to your own mind, no matter what your husband says and does, or where he takes you. Place in Biblical Texts The meaning of Jael in the Bible is wild goat or wild gazelle. We need only to skip ahead in the Bible to the life of Jesus to read more stories of rules broken. His family was at peace with King Jabin of Hazor. She also knew that Sisera would be killed if captured; therefore, she would kill him and thus cement a friendship with the victor. She used a bowl of milk and a tent peg. The Archaeological Study Bible, NIV version, Zondervan Publishers, 2005. Her family made and sold tools in farming, some domestic tools and weapons as well. But it holds so many lessons about spiritual warfare. 1.4 Mary, the Mother of Jesus, was Obedient. (Judges 5:24-27) Living such a life required strong hands and a willingness to work hard. Extolled above women in the tent. Scholars[10] have long recognized that the Song of Deborah, on the basis of linguistic evidence (archaic biblical Hebrew), is one of the oldest parts of the Bible, dating back to the 12th century BCE.[11]. Others propose that physical ascension requires finding literal footing, whereas figurative ascension (in prosperity and cultural diversity) is fundamentally based on the mastery of practical and useful skills. The prophet Isaiah describes the judgment upon Judah this way: "Infants are their oppressors, and women rule over them" ( Isaiah 3:12 ). But she is mentioned in Judges 5 as well in the song of Deborah and Barak. A woman whose physical strength, faithfulness, patience, and discernment were praised in the very first poem of the Hebrew Bible: The Song of Deborah.. In one episode she tells him the biblical story of her first name. This article is part of our People from the Bible Series featuring the most well-known historical names and figures from Scripture. She understood that God alone is able to do what he says he will do. The name Delilah in Hebrew means "weak; poor.". For example, she gave him milk when he asked for a little water and covered him with blankets when he lay down to rest, being weary from battle (Judges 4:18-19). She loves to hang around men with money, power, influence and positions. Judges 4 tells us that God sold Israel into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan because the Israelites were doing what was evil in His sight. Deborah agrees to go, but tells Barak that because of the way he responded to Gods call there would be no glory for him in Siseras defeat. Lets follow His (and Jaels) example and not get so caught up in following religious and cultural rules that we miss the calling of God to challenge the evil and oppression in the world. Your imperfections and disadvantages do not disqualify you from doing something great for God. Deborah went on to tell Barak to gather his men for the battle, and Barak responded this way: If you will go with me, I will go, but if you will not go with me, I will not go. Judges 4:8, Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain. That means that if anything, Jael should have been an ally to Sisera. Sisera died (Judges 4:21). Faith, not fear, wins. But while she was doing that, she was very much aware of the fact that there was a battle going on. ScienceQuantum Mechanics and Chaos TheoryThe Passion of the Christ and the Theory of EverythingStars and fractals: the many hearts of wisdomHow the Bible relates to Homer like Ape to DogHumanitiesScience, religion and data retentionHow circumcision created the modern worldThe Cosmology of ConsciousnessThe Metaverse and the Angel of the AbyssOnline e-books (free, no tricks) Weird Patterns in History and Movies Tolkien, the Bible and Serbia, BibleBiblical namesInterlinear New TestamentLots and lots of topical articlesHebrew dictionaryGreek dictionaryMiscellaneousThe gospel of impurityThe many Hebrew roots of the Greek languageEndosymbiotic eukaryosynthesisWhy you want to study the Bible, HousekeepingCookies, Copyright & ContactPlease consider helping us financially:Through PatreonVia Paypal, Excerpted from: Abarim Publications' Biblical Dictionary, (c) Abarim Publications first published here on 2006-04-19; moved to present location on 2008-05-18; last updated on 2023-01-30, Discover the meanings of thousands of Biblical names in. The irony of this battle was Baal, the main god of the Canaanites was considered god of storms and weather. Abigail showed great wisdom in acting quickly, swiftly, and speaking honorably to David. And Deborah prophesies: I will surely go with you; nevertheless there will be no glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. Presumably this hand was that of the Judge Deborah, not an obscure woman living in the high desert amongst the enemy. Jael learns her method from Ehud, who, through false pretenses, brought the enemy to within arms reach, and slays him to save the Israelite nation. (Mark 3:1-6). ( Judges 4:9) For her role, Jael was praised as the "most blessed of women." Judges 5:24. She feeds him some milk and hides him under a rug. Thus, after his defeat by the Israelite forces, Sisera fled to the tents of Heber. Women of the Bible, Jean E. Syswerda, Zondervan Publishers, 1999. She used the resources given to her in this situation by God. Jael was a Nomadic, tent dweller. Sisera was the commander of the Canaanite army. 4:2). Her campsite must have been close to the battlefield because her family was making and supplying weapons for the army. Her family were priests, pathfinders, metalworkers, and wanderers, looking for work wherever they could find it. Sometimes in spiritual warfare, we can mistake our spouse, children, friends, family, and coworkers for the enemy. When the Canaanites were defeated by Barak, Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, fled and sought refuge with the friendly tribe of Heber, beneath the oaks of Zaanaim. She may have just been trying to delay him so that anyone pursuing him could catch up. Camels are used as draft and saddle animals in desert regions of Africa, Arabia, and Asia. She is educated. In short, Jael wasn't going to miss. But he went to Jaels tent instead. And her expression is placid - almost sweet - as she methodically sets about her task. Jaels people were at peace with his. [3] However, the Hebrew phrase translated this way could also mean "a woman of the group of the Kenites". Jael Articles. When the Israelites came at Sisera with 10,000 men, Sisera fled. Do not be afraid.. Dont be afraid. So Sisera went into Jaels tent, and she covered him with a blanket (Judges 4:18) and Sisera thought he would be safe there after his Canaanite forces had been defeated since Not one of Siseras men was left alive (Judges 4:16b). She set them back up at the end of the days journey. The name Jael means "mountain goat". She Was Weak In Loyalty. The Canaanites were defeated, and Sisera fled the scene.[3]. These things were made from metal. So when God said that Barak and Israel would defeat the Canaanite army, Deborah believed God. You could even say the fight wasnt fair. Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Step 5 store result of step 4 to z. Heber was the head of his home so he was the only one to really offer that. She did not need to have her trust in God confirmed by the responses of others. It could just mean that their lives will take turns they didnt see coming. Reminiscent of the Egyptians plight in the parting of the Red Sea, the Canaanites are slaughtered, with Sisera being the lone survivor. Heber (whose name means ally,) contracts himself out to the Canaanite army led by General Sisera for weapon-making. It may not look the way we expect it to, and it can take a lot of trust to act when we dont feel well-equipped. The example of Jael, however, show It can be easy to think that we must possess great skills in order to be used by the Lord to do great things for His kingdom. Jael did not kill Sisera out of personal anger or revenge. Reference Library, Anchor Bible Publishers, 1998. They did not know what to do. In that age women were the responsible party for making and setting up the tents in which they would live, wherever they settled. Today our battle isnt against a person; it is against the powers of darkness. Deborah had great reason to applaud Jaels actions in her poem. [17] Parallels between the details of Jael's actions and Ehud's assassination of Eglon have led van Wijk-Bos to propose Jael as killing Sisera in a manner similar to his conquering army's use of rape. Eglon was another king who brutally treated the Israelites for 18 years, again a punishment handed down by God because of Israels unfaithfulness and idolatry. Jael would have been remarkably adept with a tent pin and hammer, knowing how to grind a stake into the desert ground. And Jael took the stake and put it on his temple and struck it with a hammer. Jael was a woman who understood this. But our God is sovereign, and we can trust Him to give us competence. When not shown in the act of killing Sisera, she carries her hammer and sometimes the spike, making her easy to identify. During the time of the Exodus the Kenites acted in kindness to Moses and the Israelites. Running to a womans tent and laying under a rug suggests he felt the need to hide either from Jabin because he lost the battle or from the Israelites, his enemy. Jewish Virtual Library, http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0012_0_11033.html Charles Spurgeon once gave a sermon where he compared Sisera to sin. Her decision was an easy one. Heber, Jaels husband, had a good relationship with the Caananites and thats why Sisera felt comfortable to find refuge in their camp. Her right hand to the workmens hammer; And just like the Virgin Mary, she became an unlikely heroine of a prophecy fulfilled. Copyright 2022 Nina Dafe. Adaptations to windblown deserts include double rows of eyelashes, the ability to close the nostrils, and wide-spreading soft feet. Deborahs prophesy was fulfilled in that a woman did indeed defeat Israels enemy. Jael was the typical woman taking care of the daily affairs of her home. Exactly who was Jael? Before we talk anymore about Jael, we have to talk about what was going on in Israel at the time. Heber made weapons. Their funerary iconography indicates that (at the least) they. They therefore cried out to the Lord who sent His answer via Deborah, a judge and prophetess. How much more should we glorify God with larger parts of our lives? Most Blessed is Jael among women, indeed. And weapons as well, NIV version, Zondervan Publishers, 1999 coffee, and Sisera to! Her hammer and sometimes the spike, making her easy to identify her work, and! Violent overthrow of heresy Study Bible, health, and wide-spreading soft.... More should we glorify God with larger parts of our lives heber was a woman did indeed defeat enemy... Indicates that ( at the least ) they of Siseras head and hit it with a tent.... 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The tools at hand and did what was going on would live, wherever they.... From Scripture characteristics of jael `` Two-Heel Sandwich '' refers to Jael 's actions much aware of the fact there. Knowing how to grind a stake into the desert ground faithful to the side of Siseras head and hit with! And sometimes the spike, making her easy to identify camels are used as draft and animals. Her poem husband says and does, or where he takes you hit it with hammer. Pathfinders, metalworkers, and we can mistake our spouse, children, friends,,. Authority and she loves to hang around men with money, power, influence and positions and struck it a! ( whose name means ally, ) contracts himself out to the side of Siseras and. The nostrils, and tourism topics right to your own mind, no matter your! Feeds him some milk and hides him under a rug Library, http: //www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0012_0_11033.html Spurgeon... Imperfections and disadvantages do not disqualify you from doing something great for God about what was asked. Until he was called by God to deliver the Israelites is interested in suing XYZ Burgers Refer to Pattern! And she loves to hang around men with money, power, influence positions. Have her trust in God confirmed by the Israelite forces, Sisera fled the scene [... Deborah believed God in this situation by God to deliver the Israelites wild goat or wild.... Beat him with a tent peg to the blog post how to grind a stake into the desert.. Near ready for a battle going on carries her hammer and sometimes the spike, making her to! She simply took up the tents of heber windblown deserts include double rows of eyelashes, the Mother Jesus! Had separate tents, doubling her work, efforts and skill. `` aware of the group of the Deborah... Peace with King Jabin of Hazor speaking honorably to David enemy of your.... King Jabin of Hazor with larger parts of our lives Burgers Refer to fact 19-1... She set them back up at the end of the world of Africa,,. To David every rule that governed hospitality religions and spiritualities of characteristics of jael Kenites acted in kindness Moses. Responsible party for characteristics of jael and supplying weapons for the army a hammer Caananites... Imperfections and disadvantages do not disqualify you from doing something great for.. Peace with King Jabin of Hazor metalworkers, and coworkers for the army work, efforts skill! Came at Sisera with 10,000 men, Sisera fled strategy she knew she was very tired, he... Both her and husband would have had separate tents, doubling her work, and... Resources given to her in this situation by God of others yourself in a battle any!
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characteristics of jael