Judges 4:22

20 “Stand at the entrance to the tent,” he said, “and if anyone comes and asks you, ‘Is there a man here?’ say, ‘No.’”

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.

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.

23 On that day God subdued Jabin king of Canaan before the Israelites.

24 And the hand of the Israelites grew stronger and stronger against Jabin king of Canaan until they destroyed him.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
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.
KJV
And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples.
WEB
Behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said to him, “Come, and I will show you the man whom you seek.” He came to her; and behold, Sisera lay dead, and the tent peg was in his temples.
ASV
And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will show thee the man whom thou seekest. And he came unto her; and, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the tent-pin was in his temples.
DARBY
And behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael went out to meet him, and said to him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And he went into her [tent], and behold, Sisera lay dead, and the pin was in his temples.
BLB
And behold, Barak pursued Sisera, and Jael came out to meet him and said to him, “Come, and I will show you the man whom you seek.” And he went with her, and there Sisera lay dead, with the peg in his temple.
ÅB
Da nå Barak forfulgte Sisera, gikk Jael ut imot ham og sa til ham: Kom, så skal jeg vise deg den mann du søker etter. Og han gikk inn til henne, og se, der lå Sisera død med pluggen gjennom tinningen.
OTB
Akkurat da kom Barak i forfølgelsen av Sisera, og Jael gikk ut for å møte ham. Hun sa: “Kom, jeg vil vise deg mannen du leter etter.” Så han gikk inn med henne, og der lå Sisera med teltpluggen gjennom tinningen—død.
B1930
Da nu Barak forfulgte Sisera, gikk Jael ut imot ham og sa til ham: Kom, så skal jeg vise dig den mann du søker efter. Og han gikk inn til henne, og se, der lå Sisera død med pluggen gjennem tinningen.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 2 Samuel 17:3

    and bring all the people back to you as a bride returning to her husband. You seek the life of only one man; then all the people will be at peace.”

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 17:10–15

    Then even the most valiant soldier with the heart of a lion will melt with fear, because all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man who has valiant men with him.

    Read in context