Atomic Bible

Wife of Heber; killed Sisera, the Canaanite commander.

Jael

Named in 6 verses of Judges, first in Judges 4:17.

יָעֵלJael

The name means “he that ascends; a kid.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869

Married to
Heber

About Jael Written by AI

Jael was the wife of Heber the Kenite, an ally of the Israelites during the time of the judges. She is best known for her role in the defeat of Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army under King Jabin of Hazor (Judges 4:2). After the Israelite victory over the Canaanites led by Deborah and Barak, Sisera fled on foot and sought refuge in Jael's tent (Judges 4:17). Jael welcomed him, offering him milk and a place to rest. Sisera, exhausted from the battle, fell asleep in her tent (Judges 4:18 to 19). While Sisera slept, Jael took a tent peg and a hammer, and drove the peg through his temple, killing him (Judges 4:21). When Barak came in pursuit of Sisera, Jael showed him the dead commander, thus confirming the Israelite victory (Judges 4:22). Jael's actions are also celebrated in the Song of Deborah (Jdg.5), where she is praised as "most blessed of women" for her bravery and decisive role in the defeat of the Canaanites (Judges 5:24 to 27). Jael's story highlights the significant role that women played in the history of Israel, as well as the importance of cunning and courage in the face of enemy threats. Her actions, though violent, are portrayed as an act of loyalty to the Israelites and a means of bringing about God's deliverance for His people.

Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.

Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897

Mountain-goat, the wife of Heber the Kenite (Judg. 4:17-22). When the Canaanites were defeated by Barak, Sisera, the captain of Jabin’s army, fled and sought refuge with the friendly tribe of Heber, beneath the oaks of Zaanaim. As he drew near, Jael invited him to enter her tent. He did so, and as he lay wearied on the floor he fell into a deep sleep. She then took in her left hand one of the great wooden pins (“nail”) which fastened down the cords of the tent, and in her right hand the mallet, or “hammer,” used for driving it into the ground, and stealthily approaching her sleeping guest, with one well-directed blow drove the nail through his temples into the earth (Judg. 5:27). She then led Barak, who was in pursuit, into her tent, and boastfully showed him what she had done. (See SISERA; DEBORAH.)

M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.

GenesisMatthewRevelation

Where the Bible names her

  1. Judges 4:17

    Meanwhile, Sisera had fled on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, because there was peace between Jabin king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.

  2. Judges 4:18

    Jael went out to greet Sisera and said to him, “Come in, my lord. Come in with me. Do not be afraid.” So he entered her tent, and she covered him with a blanket.

  3. Judges 4:21

    But as he lay sleeping from exhaustion, Heber’s wife Jael took a tent peg, grabbed a hammer, and went silently to Sisera. She drove the peg through his temple and into the ground, and he died.

  4. Judges 4:22

    When Barak arrived in pursuit of Sisera, Jael went out to greet him and said to him, “Come, and I will show you the man you are seeking.” So he went in with her, and there lay Sisera dead, with a tent peg through his temple.

  5. Judges 5:6

    In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were deserted and the travelers took the byways.

  6. Judges 5:24

    Most blessed among women is Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, most blessed of tent-dwelling women.

From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.