Judges 5:24 kjv
Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent.
Judges 5:24 nkjv
"Most blessed among women is Jael, The wife of Heber the Kenite; Blessed is she among women in tents.
Judges 5:24 niv
"Most blessed of women be Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, most blessed of tent-dwelling women.
Judges 5:24 esv
"Most blessed of women be Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, of tent-dwelling women most blessed.
Judges 5:24 nlt
"Most blessed among women is Jael,
the wife of Heber the Kenite.
May she be blessed above all women who live in tents.
Judges 5 24 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lk 1:28 | And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" | Mary blessed among women |
| Lk 1:42 | ...and exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!" | Elizabeth pronounces Mary's blessedness |
| Ruth 3:10 | And he said, "May you be blessed by the LORD, my daughter..." | Ruth praised for faithfulness |
| Prov 31:28-29 | Her children rise up and call her blessed... "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." | Praises of a virtuous woman |
| Josh 2:6, Heb 11:31 | But she had brought them up to the roof and hid them... by faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish... | Rahab aided God's people, included in hall of faith |
| 1 Sam 17:45-47 | Then David said to the Philistine... that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. | God grants victory through unlikely means |
| Judg 7:7 | The LORD said to Gideon, "With the three hundred men who lapped I will save you..." | God's power manifest through few or weak |
| 2 Cor 12:9-10 | My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness... | God's strength perfected in human weakness |
| 1 Cor 1:27-29 | But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise... | God uses the weak/humble to confound the strong |
| Gen 12:3 | I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse... | Principle of divine blessing and curse |
| Deut 28:1-14 | If you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God... all these blessings shall come upon you... | Covenant blessings for obedience |
| Ps 23:5 | You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies... | God's provision even amidst danger |
| Ps 27:5-6 | For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent. | Tent/shelter as a place of refuge from God |
| Exod 15:20-21 | Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine... singing: "Sing to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously..." | Song of victory after divine deliverance |
| Ps 68:1-2 | God shall arise; his enemies shall be scattered... As smoke is driven away, so you shall drive them away... | Psalm of God's victorious power over enemies |
| Ps 112:1-2 | Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in his commandments! His offspring will be mighty in the land... | General principle of blessing |
| Jer 1:9-10 | "Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms..." | God raises up and empowers chosen instruments |
| Joel 3:9-10 | Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears... | Transformation of instruments for war |
| Num 24:9 | "Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you." | Balaam's prophecy: blessing for Israel |
| Gen 9:20-27 | Noah becomes drunk and is exposed in his tent; curses Ham, blesses Shem & Japheth. | Tent setting for a pivotal familial event |
Judges 5 verses
Judges 5 24 Meaning
Judges 5:24 declares Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, to be most blessed and honored above all women for her decisive action in defeating Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army. Her blessing is pronounced as extraordinary, highlighting the unique and pivotal role she played in securing Israel's victory from within the confines of her own dwelling.
Judges 5 24 Context
Judges chapter 5 is known as the Song of Deborah, a poetic rendition and celebration of Israel's decisive victory over the Canaanites led by Sisera, following the events detailed in Judges chapter 4. The song serves as an ancient victory hymn, praising God for His deliverance and recounting the specific acts of individuals who contributed to the triumph, while also condemning those who failed to assist. Jael's specific act, though occurring in the domestic setting of her tent and seemingly an act of hospitality, was crucial for fulfilling Deborah's prophecy that Sisera would fall by the hand of a woman (Jdg 4:9). The song starkly contrasts Jael's courageous initiative with the inaction of the town of Meroz, highlighting the supreme praise for one who boldly participates in God's battle. This verse in particular elevates Jael's status, not just as a heroine, but as uniquely favored and blessed.
Judges 5 24 Word analysis
- Most blessed: (Hebrew: bārûkhāh mi-nnāshîm) The intensive comparative construction, using the preposition "from" (min) instead of the expected "among" or "above," creates an emphatic statement. It means "blessed from women," implying she draws her blessing from among all other women, setting her uniquely apart as supremely blessed. This goes beyond mere favor, signaling a divine pronouncement of distinction.
- among women / above women: This is an intensifying phrase that stresses the singular honor Jael receives. It elevates her act above typical acts of heroism or contribution, indicating her action was truly exceptional and divinely sanctioned.
- shall Jael be: Jael's name (Hebrew: Ya'el) means "mountain goat" or "wild goat." This may hint at her character – sure-footed, agile, perhaps independent, or capable of decisive, sudden action, fitting the description of her swift, impactful blow. Her identity is foregrounded.
- the wife of Heber the Kenite: This specifies Jael's social and tribal affiliation. The Kenites were a nomadic clan often associated with the Israelites (e.g., descendants of Moses' father-in-law Jethro). Heber had strategically distanced his tent from the main Kenite clan (Jdg 4:11), maintaining peace with Sisera's king Jabin. Jael's act of slaying Sisera therefore transcended traditional tribal alliances and hospitality customs, showcasing her singular devotion to God's purpose for Israel, irrespective of her husband's specific political leanings. This emphasizes her independent conviction and faith-driven action.
- blessed shall she be: Repetition for emphasis, echoing the initial "Most blessed." This double blessing underscores the significance and divine approval of her act. It highlights the lasting nature of this blessing and her revered status in the song.
- above women in the tent: (Hebrew: ba'ōhel) The specific location, "in the tent," is crucial. This was Sisera's place of presumed refuge and safety, a domestic setting where hospitality was expected. Jael, acting within this intimate space and using domestic implements (tent peg and hammer), demonstrates how God uses ordinary means and unexpected settings to bring about His extraordinary deliverance. The tent, symbolic of shelter and vulnerability, becomes the site of divine judgment. This also contrasts with traditional battlefields, elevating her unique courage.
Judges 5 24 Bonus section
- The dramatic irony in Jael's action: Sisera sought refuge in what he thought was a neutral and safe haven, only to meet his end there at the hand of a woman who offered him hospitality.
- Jael's deed fulfilled Deborah's earlier prophecy in Judges 4:9, that Sisera would be delivered into the hand of a woman, validating the divine nature of the entire victory.
- The specific tools used – a tent peg and a hammer – are mundane items, underscoring that God empowers ordinary people with common resources to perform extraordinary acts in His service. This domestic act of violence takes on profound theological significance within the context of divine judgment against an oppressor of God's people.
- The song implicitly contrasts Jael's active heroism with Sisera's mother's naive expectation of his triumphant return in Judges 5:28-30, further magnifying Jael's decisive role.
Judges 5 24 Commentary
Judges 5:24 pronounces an exceptional blessing upon Jael, celebrating her pivotal role in Israel's deliverance from Canaanite oppression. Her act, performed in the domestic space of her tent, using tools of everyday life, stands in stark contrast to conventional warfare, showcasing God's ability to use the most unexpected and seemingly unassuming individuals and means to accomplish His will. The Song of Deborah, through this verse, portrays Jael not merely as a resourceful individual but as a divinely appointed agent who executes divine justice. This passage affirms that God's blessing is bestowed upon those who courageously align with His purposes, even if their actions challenge conventional expectations or societal norms. Her radical loyalty to God's cause, surpassing clan loyalties or hospitality traditions, earned her this supreme praise. This specific commendation on a non-Israelite woman for such an act emphasizes that God can raise up and honor anyone, irrespective of their background, who actively participates in His divine plan.