Keraia
Judges 4

Judges 4:11

Deborah and Barak · Judges 4:1–16
Read Judges 4

Translations

Modern
Now Heber the Kenite had moved away from the Kenites, the descendants of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, and had pitched his tent by the great tree of Zaanannim, which was near Kedesh.
Traditional
Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.
Literal
And Heber the Kenite had separated himself from the Kenites of the sons of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, and he pitched his tent near a great tree in Zaanannim, which is beside Kedesh.
Latin
Haber autem Cinæus recesserat quondam a ceteris Cinæis fratribus suis, filiis Hobab cognati Moysi: et tetenderat tabernacula usque ad vallem, quæ vocatur Sennim, et erat juxta Cedes.

Original

Hebrew
English
Now Heber the Kenite had moved away from the Kenites, the descendants of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, and had pitched his tent by the great tree of Zaanannim, which was near Kedesh.

Notes

Judges 4:11

The Kenites were related to the family of Moses by marriage. They had settled in Judah (Judges 1:16), in the southern desert (Exodus 2:16–22). They settled near the Amalekites in the mountains close to Moab (Numbers 24:21–22). Part of the tribe had apparently moved north and settled near the Sea of Galilee.

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 Jethro (Reuel)

Events

People

Heber: A Kenite; husband of Jael Hobab: Moses' brother-in-law, a Midianite Kenites: A nomadic tribe friendly to the Israelites Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Places

Kedesh: A Canaanite city, later a Levitical city of refuge in Naphtali Zaanannim: A place near Kedesh in Naphtali

Glossary

Abinoam Armageddon Asher (Tribe) Barak Deborah Family Life and Relations Harosheth-Haggoyim Hazor Heber Hobab Ironsmith Jabin Jethro Judges, Book of Kain (Tribe) Kenites Kishon Mount Tabor Oak of Zaanannim Sisera Song of Deborah Tribe of Naphtali Valley of Jezreel Woman Zaanaim Zaanannim

Topics

Canaanites: Defeated by the Israelites Deborah: The Prophetess, a Judge of Israel: Inspires Barak to Defeat Sisera Heber: Husband of Jael Hobab: Son of Raguel Hypocrisy: Jael Kedesh: Also Called Kedesh-Naphtali: Home of Barak and Heber Kenites: Join the Israelites and Live at Jericho The Kenites: Connected with the Midianites The Kenites: Part of, Dwelt with Israel Zaanaim: A Plain Near Kedesh