Lexical Summary Yael: Jael Original Word: יָעֵל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jael The same as ya'el; Jael, a Canaanite -- Jael. see HEBREW ya'el NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as yael Definition a Canaanite woman NASB Translation Jael (6). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. יָעֵל proper name, feminine wife of Heber the Kenite, slayer of Sisera Judges 4:17,18,21,22; Judges 5:24, probably also Judges 5:6 (others find here name of a man, a 'judge'). Topical Lexicon Occurrences and Narrative Setting Yael appears six times, exclusively in the narrative of Judges 4–5 (Judges 4:17; Judges 4:18; Judges 4:21; Judges 4:22; Judges 5:6; Judges 5:24). She is introduced as “Heber’s wife” (Judges 4:17), a Kenite woman living in a tent settlement near Kedesh-naphtali. Her decisive action during Israel’s conflict with Canaan’s king Jabin and his general Sisera forms the climax of the account of Deborah and Barak. Historical Background The Kenites were descendants of Hobab (Jethro), Moses’ Midianite relative (Numbers 10:29). Though ethnically distinct from Israel, they often lived in proximity to the tribes and showed covenant loyalty to the God of Israel (1 Samuel 15:6). During the time of the Judges, northern Israel suffered oppression under Jabin. Deborah’s prophetic word foretold Sisera’s fall “at the hand of a woman” (Judges 4:9). Yael, dwelling on the battle’s periphery, became that instrument. Character and Actions 1. Hospitable Approach: “Jael went out to greet Sisera and said to him, ‘Come in, my lord…’” (Judges 4:18). Her welcome disarmed the fleeing commander, exploiting the honored Near-Eastern code of hospitality. Theological and Moral Significance • Divine Sovereignty in Human Choices: Yael’s initiative illustrates God’s governance over free human actions to accomplish foretold outcomes. Prophetic and Typological Foreshadowing Yael’s crushing of Sisera’s head echoes Genesis 3:15 and anticipates Psalm 110:6 and Romans 16:20, where the defeat of God’s enemies is pictured as head-wounding. Her act becomes a type of the ultimate victory of Christ over Satan—unexpected, decisive, and final. Lessons for Ministry and Discipleship • Availability Over Status: God often employs those outside conventional leadership structures. Ministry readiness is a matter of faith and courage, not position. Cross-References and Intertextual Echoes Psalm 83:9 recalls Sisera’s downfall as a paradigm for future deliverance. Judges 5:6 links her name with Shamgar, suggesting a period marked by insecurity when God raised unexpected deliverers. Proverbs 31:21–22 describes the capable woman using household skills for her family’s welfare, paralleling Yael’s use of familiar tools for national welfare. Summary Yael stands as a model of faith-driven courage, demonstrating that God can effect monumental victory through those who, though seemingly peripheral, are devoted to His purposes. Her account encourages believers to combine attentiveness, hospitality, and decisive action in the service of the Lord’s redemptive mission. Forms and Transliterations יָעֵ֔ל יָעֵ֕ל יָעֵ֣ל יָעֵל֙ יָעֵל֮ יעל yā‘êl yā·‘êl yaElLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Judges 4:17 HEB: אֶל־ אֹ֣הֶל יָעֵ֔ל אֵ֖שֶׁת חֶ֣בֶר NAS: to the tent of Jael the wife KJV: to the tent of Jael the wife INT: to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber Judges 4:18 Judges 4:21 Judges 4:22 Judges 5:6 Judges 5:24 6 Occurrences |
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