Judges 5:28

The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through the lattice, Why is his chariot [so] long in coming? why tarry the wheels of his chariots?

The mother {H517} of Sisera {H5516} looked {H8259} out at a window {H2474}, and cried {H2980} through the lattice {H822}, Why is his chariot {H7393} so long {H954} in coming {H935}? why tarry {H309} the wheels {H6471} of his chariots {H4818}?

"Sisra's mother looks out the window; peering out through the lattice she wonders, 'Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why are his horses so slow to return?'

Sisera’s mother looked through the window; she peered through the lattice and lamented: ‘Why is his chariot so long in coming? What has delayed the clatter of his chariots?’

Through the window she looked forth, and cried, The mother of Siseracriedthrough the lattice, Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why tarry the wheels of his chariots?

Commentary

This verse from the "Song of Deborah and Barak" (Judges 5) offers a poignant and deeply ironic glimpse into the mind of Sisera's mother. While Israel celebrates a decisive victory, she remains oblivious, anxiously awaiting her son's triumphant return. Her repeated questions reveal a growing unease and dread, setting up a powerful contrast with the actual fate of Sisera, who was killed by Jael (Judges 4:21).

Context

This poetic verse is embedded within the "Song of Deborah and Barak," a powerful hymn of praise and thanksgiving to God for His deliverance of Israel from the oppressive Canaanite king Jabin and his formidable general, Sisera. The song follows the prose narrative of the battle in Judges 4. The inclusion of Sisera's mother's perspective serves as a literary device, heightening the dramatic irony and underscoring the completeness of Israel's victory and God's justice against their enemies.

Key Themes

  • Dramatic Irony: The most prominent theme is the stark contrast between Sisera's mother's hopeful anticipation of plunder and victory, and the grim reality of her son's ignominious death. Her confident questions, "Why is his chariot so long in coming? why tarry the wheels of his chariots?", resonate with tragic irony for the reader who knows Sisera's fate.
  • Maternal Anticipation and Anxiety: Beneath the irony, the verse also captures a universal human emotion: a mother's deep concern and longing for her child. Her questions convey a growing sense of worry and impatience as she waits for her son to return from battle.
  • Divine Justice and Sovereignty: The "delay" of Sisera's chariot is not accidental; it is part of God's sovereign plan to deliver Israel and bring judgment upon their oppressors. The mother's blindness to this divine purpose highlights the ultimate futility of human plans that oppose God's will.

Linguistic Insights

The term "lattice" (Hebrew: eshnab) refers to a window with a grill or screen, a common architectural feature in ancient Near Eastern homes, allowing air and light while maintaining privacy. This detail paints a vivid picture of the mother's anxious vigil. The repetitive questioning, "Why is his chariot so long in coming? why tarry the wheels of his chariots?", is a powerful example of Hebrew parallelism, emphasizing her growing impatience and dread. The verb "tarry" (Hebrew: boshesh) specifically implies an unusual and unwelcome delay, intensifying the mother's distress.

Related Scriptures

Practical Application

This verse serves as a profound reminder of God's ultimate sovereignty and justice. It illustrates that while humans may make plans and harbor expectations, God's purposes will always prevail, especially concerning the fate of those who oppose Him. For believers, it encourages trust in God's perfect timing and His ability to work behind the scenes, even when His actions are unseen by those who resist Him. It also highlights the vanity of relying on worldly power and strength against the will of the Almighty, ultimately leading to disappointment for those who stand against Him.

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

Cross-References

  • Song Of Solomon 8:14

    Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices.

  • Proverbs 7:6

    ¶ For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,

  • 2 Kings 1:2

    And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that [was] in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.

  • Judges 4:15

    And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all [his] chariots, and all [his] host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off [his] chariot, and fled away on his feet.

  • James 5:7

    Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

  • Song Of Solomon 2:9

    My beloved is like a roe or a young hart: behold, he standeth behind our wall, he looketh forth at the windows, shewing himself through the lattice.
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