Judges 5 25

Judges 5:25 kjv

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

Judges 5:25 nkjv

He asked for water, she gave milk; She brought out cream in a lordly bowl.

Judges 5:25 niv

He asked for water, and she gave him milk; in a bowl fit for nobles she brought him curdled milk.

Judges 5:25 esv

He asked for water and she gave him milk; she brought him curds in a noble's bowl.

Judges 5:25 nlt

Sisera asked for water,
and she gave him milk.
In a bowl fit for nobles,
she brought him yogurt.

Judges 5 verses

Judges 5 25 Meaning

Judges 5:25 depicts a pivotal moment in the defeat of Sisera. When Sisera, exhausted and fleeing, asked Jael for water, she responded by offering him milk, and then further, rich curds served in a noble, princely bowl. This act, while outwardly appearing as gracious hospitality, was a calculated deception designed to disarm and ultimately facilitate his assassination, thus securing Israel's deliverance from oppression. It showcases a deliberate act of treacherous hospitality that contrasts with conventional societal expectations but is celebrated in the Song of Deborah as part of God's victory.

Judges 5 25 Context

Judges 5 is known as the Song of Deborah, a triumphant ode celebrating Israel's victory over the Canaanite forces led by King Jabin of Hazor and his formidable general, Sisera. The song serves as a poetic recounting of the events detailed in Judges chapter 4. For twenty years, Sisera's forces had cruelly oppressed Israel, especially the tribes in the north. God raised up the prophetess and judge Deborah, who, alongside commander Barak, led Israel's armies to a decisive victory. Sisera fled on foot, seeking refuge in the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, a nomadic tribe allied with Jabin. Judges 5:25 specifically narrates Jael's deceptively welcoming act toward the weary Sisera just before she assassinates him with a tent peg, fulfilling Deborah's earlier prophecy that a woman would bring about Sisera's downfall. The entire chapter is a song of praise to the LORD for His deliverance, with a focus on unexpected heroes and the humiliation of mighty enemies.

Judges 5 25 Word analysis

• He asked: (Sisera) This signifies the state of a once mighty general now reduced to desperation and vulnerability. He is the one making the request, implying a position of weakness and dependence.
• for water: (mayim) A basic necessity, indicative of extreme exhaustion and thirst after battle and flight. His request is simple, expecting simple hospitality.
• and she gave him milk: (chalav - חָלָב) Jael's initial response goes beyond the request. Milk, in the ancient Near East, was considered more sustaining and a higher act of hospitality than mere water. It immediately establishes a false sense of welcoming care and a level of comfort, beginning the deception.
• she brought him curds: (chem'ah - חֶמְאָה) Curds (or sometimes rendered "butter") are a richer, more substantial form of dairy, thicker and more nourishing than liquid milk. This is an escalation of the hospitable gesture, moving from provision to luxury, further lulling Sisera into a false sense of security and honor. This detail emphasizes the profound betrayal to follow.
• in a noble bowl: (saphali - סֵפֶל) The Hebrew word refers to a "bowl" or "dish," but often context suggests a large, costly, or magnificent vessel, literally a "princely bowl" or a "lordly bowl." This particular detail dramatically amplifies the irony and deception. Sisera, a princely general, is served in a manner befitting his former status, but the very vessel signifying honor is used in the prelude to his ignoble demise. It highlights the stark contrast between the apparent reverence and the treacherous intent.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "He asked for water and she gave him milk": This opening phrase immediately sets up the contrast. Sisera's desperate plea for survival is met with Jael's apparent generosity, signaling an unexpected level of hospitality that quickly begins to lull Sisera into a false sense of security. It highlights Jael's immediate and strategic deviation from his simple request.
• "she brought him curds in a noble bowl": This phrase marks an escalation of the deceptive hospitality. The introduction of "curds" signifies a richer provision, while the "noble bowl" indicates an almost royal treatment. This combination reinforces the illusion of honor and safe haven, ensuring Sisera is completely disarmed, unaware that this lavish reception is merely a prelude to his inglorious end. The "noble bowl" ultimately becomes a symbol of ultimate humiliation for the general it was meant to honor.

Judges 5 25 Bonus section

• The deliberate contrast between the simple "water" requested and the luxurious "milk and curds" given reflects the reversal of power and status orchestrated by God. Sisera is debased, while Jael, a tent-dwelling Kenite woman, is elevated to the status of a hero celebrated in a divine song.
• This act by Jael, though involving a grave breach of the ancient Near Eastern code of hospitality (where the host was obligated to protect a guest, especially one under their tent), is celebrated because it is an act against an enemy of God and His people, demonstrating a higher loyalty to Yahweh. It highlights the context of a "holy war," where conventional moral codes can be suspended for the sake of divine judgment and liberation.
• The scene foreshadows the humiliating death Sisera will soon suffer: a powerful warrior brought low not in battle by a male adversary, but subtly overcome by a woman through apparent hospitality. This magnifies God's power in achieving victory through unconventional means.

Judges 5 25 Commentary

Judges 5:25 is rich with irony and divine reversal. Sisera, the formidable oppressor of Israel, seeks humble water and finds himself receiving an abundance of provisions from a woman, Jael, who belongs to an allied tribe. The offering of milk, followed by rich curds served in a princely bowl, epitomizes a deceptive kindness that creates a powerful illusion of safety and honor. This lavish welcome, instead of providing succor, sets the stage for his utter humiliation and death, fulfilling God's promise that he would be defeated by a woman. The seemingly minor details – the type of drink, its richness, and the noble vessel – all serve to highlight Sisera's extreme vulnerability and Jael's cunning. The song celebrates not only Jael's daring but also God's unexpected ways of delivering His people, using what seems insignificant (a woman, pastoral hospitality) to overthrow the mighty, proving that true power and victory belong solely to Him.