King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"Ya'el will be blessed more than all women. The wife of Hever the Keini will be blessed more than any woman in the tent.
Berean Standard Bible:
Most blessed among women is Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, most blessed of tent-dwelling women.
American Standard Version:
Blessed above women shall Jael be, The wife of Heber the Kenite; Blessed shall she be above women in the tent.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Blessed{H1288} above women{H802} shall Jael{H3278} the wife{H802} of Heber{H2268} the Kenite{H7017} be, blessed{H1288} shall she be above women{H802} in the tent{H168}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Luke 1:42
- And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed [art] thou among women, and blessed [is] the fruit of thy womb.
Luke 1:28
- And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, [thou that art] highly favoured, the Lord [is] with thee: blessed [art] thou among women.
Genesis 14:19
- And he blessed him, and said, Blessed [be] Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
Judges 4:17
- ¶ 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.
Proverbs 31:31
- Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
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Commentary for Judges 5:24
Judges 5:24 is part of the Song of Deborah, an ancient poem found in the Book of Judges, which celebrates the victory of the Israelites over the Canaanite forces led by Sisera. The verse specifically praises Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, for her role in the defeat of Sisera. In the context of the story, after Sisera fled from the battlefield, he sought refuge in Jael's tent, believing it to be a safe place since the Kenites were not at war with the Canaanites. However, Jael welcomed him and then, while he was sleeping, she drove a tent peg through his temple, killing him. This act is seen as a decisive blow to the Canaanite military leader and his forces, and it is celebrated in Deborah's song as a crucial moment in the Israelite victory.
The themes of this verse include the reversal of expectations, where a woman, traditionally seen as weaker or less significant in the society of the time, becomes the hero. It also touches on the theme of hospitality and its limits, as Jael offers shelter but ultimately chooses to side with the Israelites, God's people, against their enemy. Additionally, the verse reflects the broader theme of divine intervention in human affairs, as Jael's actions are seen as part of God's plan to deliver Israel from its oppressors.
Historically, this verse and the surrounding narrative are set during a time when the Israelites were often engaged in cycles of oppression and deliverance, as described throughout the Book of Judges. The Song of Deborah is one of the oldest passages in the Bible and provides a rare example of a woman, Deborah, serving as a judge and prophetess, leading the people of Israel. Jael's actions are celebrated not only for their tactical impact but also as an example of courage and cunning in the service of God's will. Jael is thus praised as being "blessed above women" for her role in this significant event in Israel's history.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1288
There are 289 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָרַךְ
Transliteration: bârak
Pronunciation: baw-rak'
Description: a primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, as treason); [idiom] abundantly, [idiom] altogether, [idiom] at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, [idiom] greatly, [idiom] indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, [idiom] still, thank. - Strong's Number: H802
There are 729 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִשָּׁה
Transliteration: ʼishshâh
Pronunciation: ish-shaw'
Description: feminine of אִישׁ or אֱנוֹשׁ; irregular plural, נָשִׁים;(used in the same wide sense as אֱנוֹשׁ); a woman; (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. - Strong's Number: H3278
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָעֵל
Transliteration: Yâʻêl
Pronunciation: yaw-ale'
Description: the same as יָעֵל; Jael, a Canaanite; Jael. - Strong's Number: H2268
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֶבֶר
Transliteration: Cheber
Pronunciation: kheh'-ber
Description: the same as חֶבֶר; community; Cheber, the name of a Kenite and of three Israelites; Heber. - Strong's Number: H7017
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קֵינִי
Transliteration: Qêynîy
Pronunciation: kay-nee'
Description: or קִינִי; (1 Chronicles 2:55), patronymic from קַיִן; a Kenite or member of the tribe of Kajin; Kenite. - Strong's Number: H168
There are 369 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֹהֶל
Transliteration: ʼôhel
Pronunciation: o'-hel
Description: from אָהַל; a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance); covering, (dwelling) (place), home, tabernacle, tent.