Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Just then Barak came by in pursuit of Sisera, and Jael went out to meet him. “Come,” she said, “I will show you the man you’re looking for.” So he went in with her, and there lay Sisera with the tent peg through his temple—dead. New Living Translation When Barak came looking for Sisera, Jael went out to meet him. She said, “Come, and I will show you the man you are looking for.” So he followed her into the tent and found Sisera lying there dead, with the tent peg through his temple. English Standard Version And behold, as Barak was pursuing Sisera, Jael went out to meet him and said to him, “Come, and I will show you the man whom you are seeking.” So he went in to her tent, and there lay Sisera dead, with the tent peg in his temple. Berean Standard Bible 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. Berean Literal Bible 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. King James Bible 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. New King James Version And then, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said to him, “Come, I will show you the man whom you seek.” And when he went into her tent, there lay Sisera, dead with the peg in his temple. New American Standard Bible And behold, while Barak was pursuing Sisera, Jael came out to meet him and said to him, “Come, and I will show you the man whom you are seeking.” So he entered with her, and behold, Sisera was lying dead with the tent peg in his temple. NASB 1995 And 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 are seeking.” And he entered with her, and behold Sisera was lying dead with the tent peg in his temple. NASB 1977 And 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 are seeking.” And he entered with her, and behold Sisera was lying dead with the tent peg in his temple. Legacy Standard Bible Now behold, Barak was pursuing Sisera, and Jael came out to meet him and said to him, “Come, and I will show you the man whom you are seeking.” And he entered with her, and behold, Sisera was lying dead with the tent peg in his temple. Amplified Bible And 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 are seeking.” And he entered [her tent] with her, and behold Sisera lay dead with the tent peg in his temple. Berean Annotated Bible When Barak (lightning) arrived in pursuit of Sisera (battle array), Jael (mountain goat) 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. Christian Standard Bible 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 looking for.” So he went in with her, and there was Sisera lying dead with a tent peg through his temple! Holman Christian Standard Bible 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 looking for.” So he went in with her, and there was Sisera lying dead with a tent peg through his temple! American Standard Version 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. Contemporary English Version Meanwhile, Barak had been following Sisera, and Jael went out to meet him. "The man you're looking for is inside," she said. "Come in and I'll show him to you." They went inside, and there was Sisera--dead and stretched out with a tent-peg through his skull. English Revised Version 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 he came unto her; and, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the tent-pin was in his temples. GOD'S WORD® Translation Barak was still pursuing Sisera. When Jael came out [of her tent], she met him. She said to him, "Come in! I have something to show you-the man you've been looking for." So Barak went into her tent. He saw Sisera lying there dead with the tent peg through his temples. Good News Translation When Barak came looking for Sisera, Jael went out to meet him and said to him, "Come here! I'll show you the man you're looking for." So he went in with her, and there was Sisera on the ground, dead, with the tent peg through his head. International Standard Version Meanwhile, as Barak continued chasing Sisera, Jael went out to meet him. "Come with me," she told him, "and I'll show you the man you're looking for!" So he went with her, and there was Sisera, lying dead with the tent peg still embedded in his temple! NET Bible Now Barak was chasing Sisera. Jael went out to welcome him. She said to him, "Come here and I will show you the man you are searching for." He went with her into the tent, and there he saw Sisera sprawled out dead with the tent peg in his temple. New Heart English Bible Look, 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 look, Sisera lay dead, and the tent peg was in his temples. Webster's Bible Translation And behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said to him, Come, and I will show thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleWhen 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. World English Bible 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. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd behold, Barak is pursuing Sisera, and Jael comes out to meet him, and says to him, “Come, and I show you the man whom you are seeking”; and he comes to her, and behold, Sisera is fallen—dead, and the pin [is] in his temples. Berean Literal Bible 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. Young's Literal Translation And lo, Barak is pursuing Sisera, and Jael cometh out to meet him, and saith to him, 'Come, and I shew thee the man whom thou art seeking;' and he cometh in unto her, and lo, Sisera is fallen -- dead, and the pin in his temples. Smith's Literal Translation And behold, Barak pursued Sisera, and Jael will come up to meet him, and she will say to him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest And he will go in to her, and behold, Sisera fallen dead, and the peg in his temples. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd behold Barac came pursuing after Sisara: and Jahel went out to meet him, and said to him: Come, and I will shew thee, the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, be saw Sisara lying dead, and the nail fastened in his temples. Catholic Public Domain Version And behold, Barak arrived, in pursuit of Sisera. And Jael, going out to meet him, said to him, “Come, and I will show you the man whom you are seeking.” And when he had entered her tent, he saw Sisera lying dead, with the spike fixed in his temples. New American Bible Then when Barak came in pursuit of Sisera, Jael went out to meet him and said to him, “Come, I will show you the man you are looking for.” So he went in with her, and there lay Sisera dead, with the tent peg through his temple. New Revised Standard Version Then, as Barak came in pursuit of Sisera, Jael went out to meet him, and said to him, “Come, and I will show you the man whom you are seeking.” So he went into her tent; and there was Sisera lying dead, with the tent peg in his temple. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Anael went out to meet him and said to him, Come, and I will show you the man whom you seek. And he went into her tent, and, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the peg was through his temples. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And behold Baraq was chasing after Sisra and Anayl came out to meet him and she said to him: “Come, I shall show you the man whom you seek”, and he went into him and he saw and behold, Sisra lay and was dead and a peg in his temples OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And, 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. Brenton Septuagint Translation And, behold, Barac was pursuing Sisara: and Jael went out to meet him, and he said to him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest: and he went in to her; and, behold, Sisara was fallen dead, and the pin was in his temple. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jael Kills Sisera…21But 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. 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. 23On that day God subdued Jabin king of Canaan before the Israelites.… Cross References When Barak arrived in pursuit of Sisera, 1 Samuel 30:8 and David inquired of the LORD: “Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” the LORD replied, “for you will surely overtake them and rescue the captives.” Genesis 14:15 During the night, Abram divided his forces and routed Chedorlaomer’s army, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. Exodus 14:23-24 And the Egyptians chased after them—all Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and horsemen—and followed them into the sea. / At morning watch, however, the LORD looked down on the army of the Egyptians from the pillar of fire and cloud, and He threw their camp into confusion. Jael went out to greet him 1 Samuel 25:23-24 When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off the donkey, fell facedown, and bowed before him. / She fell at his feet and said, “My lord, may the blame be on me alone, but please let your servant speak to you; hear the words of your servant. Genesis 18:2 And Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. Genesis 24:17-18 So the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please let me have a little water from your jar.” / “Drink, my lord,” she replied, and she quickly lowered her jar to her hands and gave him a drink. and said to him, “Come, and I will show you the man you are seeking.” 2 Kings 6:19 And Elisha told them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will take you to the man you are seeking.” And he led them to Samaria. John 1:39 “Come and see,” He replied. So they went and saw where He was staying, and spent that day with Him. It was about the tenth hour. John 4:29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” So he went in with her, Genesis 24:67 And Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah and took Rebekah as his wife. And Isaac loved her and was comforted after his mother’s death. Genesis 19:3 But Lot insisted so strongly that they followed him into his house. He prepared a feast for them and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. Luke 24:29 But they pleaded with Him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So He went in to stay with them. and there lay Sisera dead, with a tent peg through his temple. Judges 5:26-27 She reached for the tent peg, her right hand for the workman’s hammer. She struck Sisera and crushed his skull; she shattered and pierced his temple. / At her feet he collapsed, he fell, there he lay still; at her feet he collapsed, he fell; where he collapsed, there he fell dead. 1 Samuel 17:49-50 Then David reached into his bag, took out a stone, and slung it, striking the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. / Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. Psalm 110:6 He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead; He will crush the leaders far and wide. Judges 5:24-27 Most blessed among women is Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, most blessed of tent-dwelling women. / He asked for water, and she gave him milk. In a magnificent bowl she brought him curds. / She reached for the tent peg, her right hand for the workman’s hammer. She struck Sisera and crushed his skull; she shattered and pierced his temple. … Treasury of Scripture And, 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. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples. and I will 2 Samuel 17:3,10-15 And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace… Jump to Previous Barak Dead Entered Jael Ja'el Lay Meet Nail Peg Pursued Seek Seekest Seeking Show Sisera Sis'era Temples TentJump to Next Barak Dead Entered Jael Ja'el Lay Meet Nail Peg Pursued Seek Seekest Seeking Show Sisera Sis'era Temples TentJudges 4 1. Deborah and Barak deliver them from Jabin and Sisera17. Jael kills Sisera When Barak arrived in pursuit of Sisera Barak, the military leader of Israel, was pursuing Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army. This pursuit follows the battle at Mount Tabor, where God delivered Sisera's forces into Barak's hands. The context highlights God's sovereignty in delivering Israel from oppression, as prophesied by Deborah, the judge and prophetess. Barak's pursuit signifies the fulfillment of God's promise of victory. 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. Persons / Places / Events 1. BarakA military leader of Israel who, under the guidance of the prophetess Deborah, pursued the Canaanite army led by Sisera. 2. Sisera The commander of the Canaanite army, who fled the battlefield and sought refuge in the tent of Jael. 3. Jael The wife of Heber the Kenite, who played a pivotal role in the defeat of Sisera by killing him with a tent peg. 4. Heber the Kenite Jael's husband, whose family was at peace with King Jabin of Canaan, Sisera's superior. 5. The Tent The setting where Jael executed her decisive act, symbolizing a place of refuge turned into a place of judgment. Teaching Points God Uses Unexpected InstrumentsJael, a non-Israelite woman, becomes the instrument of God's deliverance, reminding us that God can use anyone, regardless of background or status, to fulfill His purposes. Courage in Obedience Jael's bold action demonstrates the courage required to act in alignment with God's will, even when it involves personal risk or unconventional methods. Prophecy Fulfilled The fulfillment of Deborah's prophecy through Jael underscores the reliability of God's word and the certainty of His promises. The Role of Women in God's Plan This passage highlights the significant roles women can play in God's redemptive history, challenging cultural norms and expectations. Victory Over Evil Sisera's defeat symbolizes the ultimate victory of God's people over their oppressors, encouraging believers to trust in God's deliverance in their own battles. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Judges 4:22?2. How does Judges 4:22 demonstrate God's deliverance through unexpected means? 3. What can we learn about God's sovereignty from Jael's actions in Judges 4:22? 4. How does Judges 4:22 connect to God's promise in Judges 4:9? 5. How can we trust God's plan when facing overwhelming challenges today? 6. What does Judges 4:22 teach about courage and obedience in serving God? 7. How does Judges 4:22 reflect God's justice and judgment? 8. What does Jael's action in Judges 4:22 reveal about God's use of unlikely instruments? 9. How does Judges 4:22 challenge traditional gender roles in biblical narratives? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 4? 11. Who was Sisera in the Bible? 12. Judges 4:9 features a prophecy about Sisera’s defeat by a woman—could this be a later editorial addition that conflicts with the main story? 13. Judges 4:21 tells of Jael killing Sisera with a tent peg--are there archaeological or extra-biblical sources supporting the historicity of this event? 14. Who was Jael and what did she do? What Does Judges 4:22 Mean When Barak arrived in pursuit of SiseraThe chase had been fierce. Judges 4:16 tells us, “Barak pursued the chariots and army as far as Harosheth-hagoyim, and the whole army of Sisera fell by the sword; not a man was left.” Yet the commander himself was still missing. • God had already guaranteed victory (Judges 4:6-7), so Barak’s pursuit is an act of obedience, not uncertainty. • The moment mirrors other God-directed pursuits, such as Joshua 10:19 and Exodus 14:25, reminding us that when the Lord gives a command, finishing the task matters. • Barak’s arrival sets up the fulfillment of Deborah’s prophecy that “the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman” (Judges 4:9). Jael went out to greet him Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite (Judges 4:17), steps out of her tent. • Hospitality was her cover, but courage was her motive—much like Rahab in Joshua 2:4-6 and Hebrews 11:31. • By moving toward Barak, she bridges the gap between Israel’s commander and God’s completed judgment. • Her initiative shows that victory often comes through unexpected vessels (1 Corinthians 1:27). “Come, and I will show you the man you are seeking” Jael’s invitation echoes Deborah’s earlier words and God’s own promise. • “Come” is the same simple call Jesus uses in John 1:39; it invites discovery of God’s work already accomplished. • The phrase confirms that God’s word never falls to the ground (1 Samuel 3:19). • Deborah’s prophecy (Judges 4:9) now has a human witness ready to testify. So he went in with her Barak follows without hesitation, a sign of trust in both Jael’s report and the Lord’s sovereignty. • Like Peter entering the empty tomb in John 20:6, Barak steps into a scene where God has moved ahead of human effort. • Obedience sometimes means walking into a finished victory to see it with our own eyes (2 Chronicles 20:24). • Barak’s humility contrasts with Sisera’s arrogance earlier in the chapter. There lay Sisera dead, with a tent peg through his temple The sight is graphic, but it underscores divine justice. • Judges 5:24-27 celebrates Jael’s act, picturing Sisera’s defeat as a blow to the head—reminiscent of Genesis 3:15, where the serpent’s head is crushed. • Psalm 68:21 affirms, “Surely God will crush the heads of His enemies.” • The tent peg, an everyday tool, illustrates how God can weaponize the ordinary to accomplish extraordinary deliverance (1 Samuel 17:50). • This moment secured 40 years of peace for Israel (Judges 5:31), proving that when God declares victory, no enemy can overturn it (Romans 8:31). summary Judges 4:22 captures the climax of God’s promised triumph. Barak’s obedient pursuit, Jael’s fearless initiative, and Sisera’s humiliating end weave together to confirm the certainty of God’s word. What began as a military chase ends with the quiet revelation of a completed victory, reminding believers that the Lord often finishes what He starts long before we arrive on the scene. (22) Behold, Sisera lay dead.--Thus the glory, such as it was, of having slain the general of the enemy passed to a woman (Judges 4:9). The scene which thus describes the undaunted murderess standing in the tent between the dead and the living chieftains--and glorying in the decision which had led her to fling to the winds every rule of Eastern morality and decorum--is a very striking one.Hebrew When Barakבָרָק֮ (ḇā·rāq) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1301: Barak -- 'flash of lightning', an Israelite leader arrived in pursuit of רֹדֵ֣ף (rō·ḏêp̄) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute Sisera, סִֽיסְרָא֒ (sî·sə·rā) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 5516: Sisera -- a general of the king of Hazor, also the father of some returning exiles Jael יָעֵל֙ (yā·‘êl) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3278: Jael -- a Canaanite woman went out וַתֵּצֵ֤א (wat·tê·ṣê) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim to greet him לִקְרָאת֔וֹ (liq·rā·ṯōw) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 7125: Against he come, help, meet, seek, to, in the way and said וַתֹּ֣אמֶר (wat·tō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to him, ל֔וֹ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's Hebrew “Come, לֵ֣ךְ (lêḵ) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk and I will show you וְאַרְאֶ֔ךָּ (wə·’ar·’e·kā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular | second person masculine singular Strong's 7200: To see the man הָאִ֖ישׁ (hā·’îš) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person you אַתָּ֣ה (’at·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you are seeking.” מְבַקֵּ֑שׁ (mə·ḇaq·qêš) Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after So he went in וַיָּבֹ֣א (way·yā·ḇō) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go with her, אֵלֶ֔יהָ (’ê·le·hā) Preposition | third person feminine singular Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to and there וְהִנֵּ֣ה (wə·hin·nêh) Conjunctive waw | Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! lay נֹפֵ֣ל (nō·p̄êl) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 5307: To fall, lie Sisera סִֽיסְרָא֙ (sî·sə·rā) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 5516: Sisera -- a general of the king of Hazor, also the father of some returning exiles dead, מֵ֔ת (mêṯ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 4191: To die, to kill with a tent peg וְהַיָּתֵ֖ד (wə·hay·yā·ṯêḏ) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 3489: A peg, pin through his temple. בְּרַקָּתֽוֹ׃ (bə·raq·qā·ṯōw) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 7541: Thinness, the side of the head Links Judges 4:22 NIVJudges 4:22 NLT Judges 4:22 ESV Judges 4:22 NASB Judges 4:22 KJV Judges 4:22 BibleApps.com Judges 4:22 Biblia Paralela Judges 4:22 Chinese Bible Judges 4:22 French Bible Judges 4:22 Catholic Bible OT History: Judges 4:22 Behold as Barak pursued Sisera Jael came (Jd Judg. 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