Judges 5:29
New International Version
The wisest of her ladies answer her; indeed, she keeps saying to herself,

New Living Translation
“Her wise women answer, and she repeats these words to herself:

English Standard Version
Her wisest princesses answer, indeed, she answers herself,

Berean Standard Bible
Her wisest ladies answer; indeed she keeps telling herself,

King James Bible
Her wise ladies answered her, yea, she returned answer to herself,

New King James Version
Her wisest ladies answered her, Yes, she answered herself,

New American Standard Bible
“Her wise princesses would answer her, Indeed she repeats her words to herself,

NASB 1995
“Her wise princesses would answer her, Indeed she repeats her words to herself,

NASB 1977
“Her wise princesses would answer her, Indeed she repeats her words to herself,

Legacy Standard Bible
Her wise princesses would answer her, Indeed she repeats her words to herself,

Amplified Bible
“Her wise ladies answered her, Indeed, she repeated her words to herself,

Christian Standard Bible
Her wisest princesses answer her; she even answers herself:

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Her wisest princesses answer her; she even answers herself:”

American Standard Version
Her wise ladies answered her, Yea, she returned answer to herself,

Contemporary English Version
She and her wisest women gave the same answer:

English Revised Version
Her wise ladies answered her, yea, she returned answer to herself,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Her wisest servants gave her an answer. But she kept repeating to herself,

Good News Translation
Her wisest friends answered her, and she told herself over and over,

International Standard Version
Her wise attendants find an answer for her; in fact, she tells the same words to herself:

Majority Standard Bible
Her wisest ladies answer; indeed she keeps telling herself,

NET Bible
The wisest of her ladies answer; indeed she even thinks to herself,

New Heart English Bible
Her wise princesses answered her; indeed, she answers herself,

Webster's Bible Translation
Her wise ladies answered her, yes, she returned answer to herself.

World English Bible
Her wise ladies answered her, Yes, she returned answer to herself,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The wise ones, her princesses, answer her, "" Indeed, she returns her sayings to herself:

Young's Literal Translation
The wise ones, her princesses, answer her, Yea, she returneth her sayings to herself:

Smith's Literal Translation
Her wise chiefs will answer, Surely, will she turn back words to herself,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
One that was wiser than the rest of his wives, returned this answer to her mother in law:

Catholic Public Domain Version
One who was wiser than the rest of his wives responded to her mother-in-law with this:

New American Bible
The wisest of her princesses answers her; she even replies to herself,

New Revised Standard Version
Her wisest ladies make answer, indeed, she answers the question herself:
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Her wise ladies answered her, saying,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
A wise maiden also answered and said to her:
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The wisest of her princesses answer her, Yea, she returneth answer to herself:

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Her wise ladies answered her, and she returned answers to herself, saying,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Song of Deborah and Barak
28Sisera’s mother looked through the window; she peered through the lattice and lamented: ‘Why is his chariot so long in coming? What has delayed the clatter of his chariots?’ 29Her wisest ladies answer; indeed she keeps telling herself, 30‘Are they not finding and dividing the spoil—a girl or two for each warrior, a plunder of dyed garments for Sisera, the spoil of embroidered garments for the neck of the looter?’…

Cross References
Proverbs 31:10-31
A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. / The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. / She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life. ...

1 Kings 10:1-13
Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions. / She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, gold in great abundance, and precious stones. And she came to Solomon and spoke to him all that was on her mind. / And Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too difficult for the king to explain. ...

1 Samuel 25:3
His name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings.

2 Samuel 20:16-22
a wise woman called out from the city, “Listen! Listen! Please tell Joab to come here so that I may speak with him.” / When he had come near to her, the woman asked, “Are you Joab?” “I am,” he replied. “Listen to the words of your servant,” she said. “I am listening,” he answered. / Then the woman said, “Long ago they used to say, ‘Seek counsel at Abel,’ and that is how disputes were settled. ...

Esther 1:13-18
Then the king consulted the wise men who knew the times, for it was customary for him to confer with the experts in law and justice. / His closest advisors were Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media who had personal access to the king and ranked highest in the kingdom. / “According to law,” he asked, “what should be done with Queen Vashti, since she refused to obey the command of King Xerxes delivered by the eunuchs?” ...

2 Chronicles 9:1-12
Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon, she came to test him with difficult questions. She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, gold in abundance, and precious stones. And she came to Solomon and spoke with him about all that was on her mind. / And Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too difficult for him to explain. / When the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon, the palace he had built, ...

Proverbs 14:1
Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.

Proverbs 11:22
Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion.

Proverbs 12:4
A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.

Proverbs 19:14
Houses and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

Proverbs 21:9
Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

Proverbs 21:19
Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.

Proverbs 25:24
Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

Proverbs 27:15-16
A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike— / restraining her is like holding back the wind or grasping oil with one’s right hand.

Ecclesiastes 7:26
And I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a net, and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is ensnared.


Treasury of Scripture

Her wise ladies answered her, yes, she returned answer to herself,

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Judges 5
1. The Song of Deborah and Barak














Her wisest ladies answer;
This phrase refers to the attendants or ladies-in-waiting of Sisera's mother, who are attempting to console her. In the ancient Near Eastern context, it was common for women of high status to have a retinue of attendants. These women are described as "wisest," indicating their role as advisors or counselors. This reflects the cultural practice of seeking wisdom and counsel from trusted individuals, a theme seen throughout the Bible, such as in Proverbs 11:14, which emphasizes the value of wise counsel.

indeed she keeps telling herself,
This part of the verse highlights the self-deception or false reassurance that Sisera's mother engages in. The repetition suggests a desperate attempt to convince herself of a positive outcome despite the reality. This mirrors the human tendency to deny unpleasant truths, a theme explored in various biblical narratives. The phrase also foreshadows the futility of her hopes, as Sisera has already been defeated by the Israelites, led by Deborah and Barak. This can be seen as a contrast to the assurance and hope found in God's promises, as seen in passages like Romans 8:28, which speaks of God's sovereignty and purpose.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Sisera
A Canaanite commander defeated by the Israelites under Deborah and Barak's leadership. His death is a central event in Judges 4 and 5.

2. Sisera's Mother
She is depicted in Judges 5:28-30 as anxiously awaiting her son's return, unaware of his defeat and death.

3. The Wisest of Her Ladies
These are the attendants or noblewomen who attempt to comfort Sisera's mother with their words.

4. Deborah
A prophetess and judge of Israel who, along with Barak, led the Israelites to victory over Sisera.

5. Barak
The military leader who, under Deborah's guidance, led the Israelite army against Sisera.
Teaching Points
The Futility of False Hopes
Sisera's mother and her attendants represent misplaced trust in human strength and victory. Believers are reminded to place their hope in God, not in worldly powers.

The Role of Women in God's Plan
The passage highlights the influence and roles of women, both in leadership (Deborah) and in familial settings (Sisera's mother). It encourages recognizing and valuing the contributions of women in the faith community.

The Consequences of Wickedness
Sisera's defeat serves as a reminder of the ultimate justice of God. It encourages believers to live righteously, knowing that God sees and judges all actions.

The Power of Godly Leadership
Deborah's role as a leader and prophetess demonstrates the impact of godly leadership. It challenges believers to seek and support leaders who follow God's guidance.

The Importance of Community Support
The interaction between Sisera's mother and her attendants shows the human need for support and encouragement, even when misguided. Believers are encouraged to provide godly counsel and support to one another.(29) Her wise ladies.--Literally, the wise of her princesses. There is unconcealed scorn in this, showing that the wisest were most utterly mistaken. Their "wisdom" is the seductive flattery of delusive hopes.

Answered her.--The verb is in the singular, implying that one spoke after another. The Vulgate renders it. "One of his wives, wiser than the rest, answered."

Yea, she returned answer to herself.--The meaning of the clause is very uncertain. It may be, "yea, she repeats their answer to herself," accepting their flattering surmises; or, on the contrary, "but she repeats her words to herself," entirely unconsoled; or, again--but this is less likely--"yea, she retracted her own (anxious) words." The anxious foreboding or the inextinguishable hope would be equally true to nature, according to the temperament of the Canaanite princess.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Her wisest
חַכְמ֥וֹת (ḥaḵ·mō·wṯ)
Adjective - feminine plural construct
Strong's 2450: Wise

ladies
שָׂרוֹתֶ֖יהָ (śā·rō·w·ṯe·hā)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8282: A mistress, female noble

answer;
תַּעֲנֶ֑ינָּה (ta·‘ă·nen·nāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

indeed
אַף־ (’ap̄-)
Conjunction
Strong's 637: Meaning accession, yea, adversatively though

she
הִ֕יא (hî)
Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

keeps
תָּשִׁ֥יב (tā·šîḇ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

telling
אֲמָרֶ֖יהָ (’ă·mā·re·hā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

herself,
לָֽהּ׃ (lāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew


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OT History: Judges 5:29 Her wise ladies answered her Yes she (Jd Judg. Jdg)
Judges 5:28
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