Judges 5:28

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

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}?

Complete Jewish Bible

"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?'

Berean Standard Bible

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?’

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Judges 5:28 captures a moment of profound dramatic irony within the "Song of Deborah and Barak," portraying the anxious anticipation of Sisera's mother. Unaware of her son's ignominious death at the hands of Jael, she peers through her window, repeatedly questioning the prolonged delay of his chariot. Her lament, filled with growing impatience and dread, serves as a stark contrast to the celebratory victory song of Israel, powerfully underscoring God's decisive justice against His enemies and the complete reversal of human expectations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This poignant verse is situated within the "Song of Deborah and Barak," a triumphant poetic recounting of Israel's victory over the Canaanite general Sisera and King Jabin. Following the prose narrative of the battle in [Judges 4](/judges/4 "Judges 4 - Sisera's Defeat and Jael's Act"), the song in [Judges 5](/judges/5 "Judges 5 - The Song of Deborah and Barak") offers a theological and celebratory interpretation of the events. Verse 28, specifically, marks a shift in perspective, moving from the celebration of Israel's triumph to the poignant, yet ironic, scene of Sisera's mother. This sudden shift serves as a powerful literary device, heightening the dramatic tension and emphasizing the totality of God's victory by showing the despair of the defeated. The song concludes shortly after this scene, reinforcing the finality of Sisera's demise.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Judges 4 and 5 take place during a turbulent period in Israel's history, characterized by cycles of apostasy, oppression, and divine deliverance, as described throughout the [Book of Judges](/judges "The Book of Judges - Cycles of Disobedience and Deliverance"). The Canaanites, under King Jabin and his formidable general Sisera, had oppressed Israel for twenty years ([Judges 4:3](/judges/4-3 "Judges 4:3 - Canaanite Oppression")). Sisera's army was renowned for its 900 iron chariots, a significant technological advantage that instilled fear in the Israelites. The cultural expectation for a victorious general returning from battle would involve a grand procession, laden with spoils. Sisera's mother's anxious vigil reflects the common practice of women awaiting the return of their male relatives from war, often from an elevated vantage point like a rooftop or window. Her anticipation of "spoil" (mentioned in the following verse, [Judges 5:29-30](/judges/5-29 "Judges 5:29-30 - Sisera's Mother's Anticipation of Spoil")) further highlights the cultural norms of warfare and plunder.

* **Key Themes:** Judges 5:28 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the Song of Deborah and Barak and the wider [Book of Judges](/judges "The Book of Judges"). The most prominent is **Dramatic Irony**, where the reader's knowledge of Sisera's death at Jael's hand ([Judges 4:21](/judges/4-21 "Judges 4:21 - Jael Kills Sisera")) creates a stark contrast with his mother's hopeful, yet increasingly anxious, expectation of his triumphant return. This irony underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, as God's plan for Israel's deliverance unfolds precisely, despite human expectations or opposition. The "delay" of Sisera's chariot is not accidental but divinely ordained. Furthermore, the verse subtly touches on **Maternal Anticipation and Anxiety**, a universal human emotion, even as it is subverted by the grim reality of the narrative. It also highlights the **Reversal of Fortunes**, where the oppressor's anticipated victory turns into utter defeat, and the seemingly weak (Israel, and specifically Jael) are used by God to bring down the mighty.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lattice (Hebrew, _'eshnab'_):** This term refers to a window, often with a grill or screen, common in ancient Near Eastern architecture. It allowed for air circulation and observation while maintaining a degree of privacy or security. The specific detail of Sisera's mother looking "through the lattice" paints a vivid picture of her strained, perhaps even furtive, vigil, peering out from within her home, emphasizing her confinement to the domestic sphere while her son is engaged in the public sphere of war.
* **Tarry (Hebrew, _boshesh'_):** This verb implies an unusual, unwelcome, and frustrating delay. It conveys a sense of being late or lagging behind. The repetition of this word in her question, "why tarry the wheels of his chariots?", intensifies the mother's growing impatience, unease, and ultimately, dread. It's not just a simple delay, but one that is becoming increasingly inexplicable and concerning, hinting at something being fundamentally wrong.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through the lattice":** This opening clause immediately establishes the scene and the central character: Sisera's mother. Her action of "looking out" and "crying through the lattice" vividly portrays her anxious state. The "lattice" emphasizes a sense of peering, perhaps with difficulty or through a barrier, mirroring her inability to see the true situation. Her "crying" is not necessarily weeping, but a loud, perhaps impatient or questioning, utterance.
* **"Why is his chariot [so] long in coming?":** This is the first of two rhetorical questions, revealing her growing impatience and concern. The chariot, a symbol of Sisera's military might and status, is expected to return swiftly and victoriously. Its prolonged absence is perplexing and alarming to her, as it defies all expectations of a successful general's return.
* **"why tarry the wheels of his chariots?":** This second question, a parallel to the first, reinforces her distress and the specific nature of her concern. The focus on the "wheels" highlights the expected speed and efficiency of the chariots. The repetition emphasizes the unusual and unsettling nature of the delay, building a sense of foreboding for the reader who already knows Sisera's fate.

#### Literary Devices
Judges 5:28 is rich in **Dramatic Irony**, which is the primary literary device at play. The audience knows Sisera has been killed by Jael ([Judges 4:21](/judges/4-21 "Judges 4:21 - Jael Kills Sisera")), yet his mother remains oblivious, anxiously awaiting his triumphant return. Her questions, "Why is his chariot [so] long in coming? why tarry the wheels of his chariots?", are therefore laden with tragic significance for the reader. This irony serves to underscore the completeness of God's victory and the utter defeat of His enemies. The verse also employs **Parallelism**, a hallmark of Hebrew poetry, particularly in the repeated questions "Why is his chariot [so] long in coming? why tarry the wheels of the wheels of his chariots?". This repetition emphasizes the mother's growing anxiety and the perceived abnormality of the delay. Furthermore, the scene itself functions as **Foreshadowing** for the mother's ultimate despair, as her hopeful anticipation will soon be shattered by the news of her son's death. The vivid imagery of her "looking out at a window, and cried through the lattice" creates a powerful **Visual Metaphor** for her limited perspective and inability to grasp the divine judgment unfolding beyond her sight.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Judges 5:28 serves as a potent theological statement about divine sovereignty and the ultimate futility of human plans that oppose God's will. The mother's anxious vigil and rhetorical questions highlight a profound human blindness to God's unfolding purposes. Her expectation of a triumphant return, laden with plunder, stands in stark contrast to the divine judgment that has already been executed. This scene underscores that God's timing and methods are often beyond human comprehension, and His justice, though sometimes delayed from a human perspective, is always certain. It also powerfully illustrates the theme of the reversal of fortunes, where the proud and powerful are brought low by God's hand, often through unexpected means.

* [Judges 4:21](/judges/4-21 "Judges 4:21 - Jael Kills Sisera with a Tent Peg")
* [Psalm 7:15-16](/psalm/7-15 "Psalm 7:15-16 - The Wicked Fall into Their Own Pit")
* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - The Lord Directs Our Steps")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene of Sisera's mother's anxious wait is a powerful reminder that while humans make plans and harbor expectations, God's sovereign purposes will always prevail. Her poignant questions, born of ignorance and hope, highlight the stark reality that those who oppose God's people will ultimately face His judgment, often in ways they least expect. For believers, this verse encourages profound trust in God's perfect timing and His ability to work behind the scenes, even when His actions are unseen or misunderstood by the world. It challenges us to align our expectations with His will, rather than clinging to worldly hopes that may be contrary to His divine plan. It also serves as a sobering warning against pride and reliance on human strength or worldly power, reminding us that all such things are ultimately futile when set against the Almighty. Our true hope and security lie not in the strength of chariots or armies, but in the unwavering faithfulness and justice of God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you anxiously waiting for an outcome, and how might this verse encourage you to trust in God's sovereign timing, even when it differs from your expectations?**
* **How does the dramatic irony of this verse challenge your perspective on apparent delays or setbacks in your own life or in the broader work of God?**
* **What does Sisera's mother's blindness to her son's true fate teach us about the importance of spiritual discernment and aligning our perspective with God's truth?**

### FAQ
**Why is this seemingly sympathetic scene included in a song of triumph?**

Answer: The inclusion of Sisera's mother's lament in the "Song of Deborah and Barak" serves a crucial literary and theological purpose. It is a masterful use of dramatic irony, heightening the sense of triumph for Israel by contrasting it with the utter despair and ignorance of the enemy. While Israel celebrates God's decisive victory, Sisera's mother remains oblivious, anticipating a glorious return that will never come. This stark juxtaposition underscores the completeness of God's judgment against Sisera and the Canaanites, emphasizing that their defeat was total and irreversible. It also highlights the theme of divine sovereignty, showing that God's plans unfold irrespective of human expectations or desires, especially those that oppose His will. The scene adds a layer of depth, transforming a simple victory song into a profound meditation on divine justice and the reversal of fortunes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Judges 5:28, with its poignant depiction of a mother's anxious wait for a son who will never return, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the stark contrast between human expectations and God's divine plan, particularly concerning the Messiah. Sisera's mother awaited a conquering hero returning with spoils, a typical worldly expectation of power and victory. Yet, the true conquering hero, Jesus Christ, did not come in the way the world expected. He came not on a chariot of war, but humbly, riding on a donkey ([Matthew 21:5](/matthew/21-5 "Matthew 21:5 - Jesus Enters Jerusalem on a Donkey")), and His ultimate victory was achieved not through military might, but through self-sacrifice on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humiliation and Obedience")). While the world, like Sisera's mother, often waits for a visible, powerful display of might, God's greatest triumph was accomplished through apparent weakness and suffering. The "delay" of Sisera's chariot foreshadows the "delay" of Christ's second coming, where those who reject Him will likewise face an unexpected and irreversible judgment, just as Sisera's mother faced the grim reality of her son's fate. However, for those who await Him in faith, His return will be one of glorious triumph, bringing ultimate deliverance and eternal spoils, far surpassing any earthly plunder ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ's Return as King of Kings")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.