Judges 4:19

And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him.

And he said {H559} unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little {H4592} water {H4325} to drink {H8248}; for I am thirsty {H6770}. And she opened {H6605} a bottle {H4997} of milk {H2461}, and gave him drink {H8248}, and covered {H3680} him.

He said to her, "Please give me a little water to drink - I'm thirsty." She opened a goatskin of milk, gave him some to drink, and covered him up again.

Sisera said to her, โ€œPlease give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty.โ€ So she opened a container of milk, gave him a drink, and covered him again.

And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him.

Commentary

Judges 4:19 captures a pivotal moment in the dramatic narrative of Sisera's flight and ultimate demise. This verse describes the Canaanite general, commander of King Jabin's army, seeking refuge and refreshment from Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. His plea for water and her unexpected response set the stage for a decisive act in Israel's deliverance.

Context

This verse is situated immediately after the decisive victory of the Israelite forces, led by the prophetess Deborah and General Barak, against King Jabin's powerful army. Sisera, whose chariots had been rendered useless, fled on foot, exhausted and desperate. He sought asylum in the tent of Jael, whose husband, Heber the Kenite, had a peace treaty with King Jabin. Sisera's request for "a little water to drink" highlights his extreme vulnerability and thirst after the battle. Jael's response, offering milk and then covering him, appears to be an act of hospitality, but it is a calculated move that leads directly to his death (Judges 4:21).

Key Themes

  • Deceptive Hospitality: Jael's actions appear to be the epitome of ancient Near Eastern hospitality, offering shelter and refreshment to a weary guest. However, her offering of milk instead of water, and then covering him, is a strategic act designed to lull Sisera into a false sense of security and induce deeper sleep. This deceptive hospitality serves a higher purpose within the divine plan for Israel.
  • Vulnerability and Trust: Sisera, the formidable commander, is reduced to a desperate, thirsty man seeking refuge from a woman. His request for water and acceptance of her offering signifies his complete exhaustion and his trust in Jael, making him utterly vulnerable.
  • Divine Providence and Unexpected Agents: This verse highlights how God often uses unexpected individuals and unconventional means to accomplish His purposes. Jael, a non-Israelite woman, becomes an instrument in Israel's deliverance, fulfilling Deborah's prophecy that Sisera would be delivered into the hand of a woman.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "bottle of milk" is significant. The Hebrew word for "bottle" here, nฤ“'ลd (ื ึตืึนื“), refers to a skin-bottle, commonly used for transporting liquids. The choice of `แธฅฤlฤแธ‡` (ื—ึธืœึธื‘), or milk, over `mayim` (ืžึทื™ึดื), water, is crucial. In ancient cultures, milk, especially fermented milk like yogurt or curds, was often more substantial than water and could have a mildly soporific effect, contributing to Sisera's drowsiness and eventual deep sleep. This was not just a hospitable offering but a strategic one.

Practical Application

Judges 4:19, within its larger narrative, reminds us that God's plans can unfold through diverse and sometimes surprising circumstances and people. It challenges us to look beyond conventional expectations for how God might work, emphasizing that God often chooses the weak things of the world to confound the mighty. While Jael's actions are part of a specific historical and cultural context of warfare and divine judgment, the broader narrative underscores God's sovereignty and His ability to use any means to bring about justice and deliverance for His people.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Judges 5:25

    He asked water, [and] she gave [him] milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish.

  • Judges 5:26

    She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen's hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through his temples.

  • Genesis 24:43

    Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw [water], and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink;

  • John 4:7

    There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.

  • 1 Kings 17:10

    So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman [was] there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.

  • Isaiah 41:17

    [When] the poor and needy seek water, and [there is] none, [and] their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
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