Jael
Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, killed Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army, by driving a tent peg through his temple.
The name Jael means “he that ascends; a kid”
FemaleOld Testament1 book11 verses
Summary
A woman living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Judges 4:17; only referred to as Jael (יָעֵל); wife of Heber.
Glossary entries
Family members
- Spouse
Alternative names
- יָעֵלJael
Mentions
Includes 5 verses that refer to Jael without naming them, as “he”, “she”, or the subject of a verb.
- 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.
- Jael went out to greet Sisera and said to him, “Come in, my lord. Come in with me. Do not be afraid.” So he entered her tent, and she covered him with a blanket.
- Judges 4:19Referred to, not namedSisera said to her, “Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty.” So she opened a container of milk, gave him a drink, and covered him again.
- Judges 4:20Referred to, not named“Stand at the entrance to the tent,” he said, “and if anyone comes and asks you, ‘Is there a man here?’ say, ‘No.’”
- But as he lay sleeping from exhaustion, Heber’s wife Jael took a tent peg, grabbed a hammer, and went silently to Sisera. She drove the peg through his temple and into the ground, and he died.
- When Barak arrived in pursuit of Sisera, Jael went out to greet him and said to him, “Come, and I will show you the man you are seeking.” So he went in with her, and there lay Sisera dead, with a tent peg through his temple.
- In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were deserted and the travelers took the byways.
- Most blessed among women is Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, most blessed of tent-dwelling women.
- Judges 5:25Referred to, not namedHe asked for water, and she gave him milk. In a magnificent bowl she brought him curds.
- Judges 5:26Referred to, not namedShe reached for the tent peg, her right hand for the workman’s hammer. She struck Sisera and crushed his skull; she shattered and pierced his temple.
- Judges 5:27Referred to, not namedAt her feet he collapsed, he fell, there he lay still; at her feet he collapsed, he fell; where he collapsed, there he fell dead.