Judges 4:11
New International Version
Now Heber the Kenite had left the other Kenites, the descendants of Hobab, Moses’ brother-in-law, and pitched his tent by the great tree in Zaanannim near Kedesh.

New Living Translation
Now Heber the Kenite, a descendant of Moses’ brother-in-law Hobab, had moved away from the other members of his tribe and pitched his tent by the oak of Zaanannim near Kedesh.

English Standard Version
Now Heber the Kenite had separated from the Kenites, the descendants of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, and had pitched his tent as far away as the oak in Zaanannim, which is near Kedesh.

Berean Standard Bible
Now Heber the Kenite had moved away from the Kenites, the descendants of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, and had pitched his tent by the great tree of Zaanannim, which was near Kedesh.

King James Bible
Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.

New King James Version
Now Heber the Kenite, of the children of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, had separated himself from the Kenites and pitched his tent near the terebinth tree at Zaanaim, which is beside Kedesh.

New American Standard Bible
Now Heber the Kenite had separated himself from the Kenites, from the sons of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, and had pitched his tent as far away as the oak in Zaanannim, which is near Kedesh.

NASB 1995
Now Heber the Kenite had separated himself from the Kenites, from the sons of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, and had pitched his tent as far away as the oak in Zaanannim, which is near Kedesh.

NASB 1977
Now Heber the Kenite had separated himself from the Kenites, from the sons of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, and had pitched his tent as far away as the oak in Zaanannim, which is near Kedesh.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now Heber the Kenite had separated himself from the Kenites, from the sons of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, and had pitched his tent as far away as the oak in Zaanannim, which is near Kedesh.

Amplified Bible
Now Heber the Kenite had separated himself from the Kenites, from the sons of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, and had pitched his tent as far away as the terebinth tree in Zaanannim, which is near Kedesh.

Christian Standard Bible
Now Heber the Kenite had moved away from the Kenites, the sons of Hobab, Moses’s father-in-law, and pitched his tent beside the oak tree of Zaanannim, which was near Kedesh.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now Heber the Kenite had moved away from the Kenites, the sons of Hobab, Moses’ father-in-law, and pitched his tent beside the oak tree of Zaanannim, which was near Kedesh.

American Standard Version
Now Heber the Kenite had separated himself from the Kenites, even from the children of Hobab the brother-in-law of Moses, and had pitched his tent as far as the oak in Zaanannim, which is by Kedesh.

Contemporary English Version
At this time, Heber of the Kenite clan was living near the village of Oak in Zaanannim, not far from Kedesh. The Kenites were descendants of Hobab, the father-in-law of Moses, but Heber had moved and had set up his tents away from the rest of the clan.

English Revised Version
Now Heber the Kenite had severed himself from the Kenites, even from the children of Hobab the brother in law of Moses, and had pitched his tent as far as the oak in Zaanannim, which is by Kedesh.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Heber the Kenite had separated from the other Kenites (the descendants of Hobab, Moses' father-in-law). Heber went as far away as the oak tree at Zaanannim near Kedesh and set up his tent.

Good News Translation
In the meantime Heber the Kenite had set up his tent close to Kedesh near the oak tree at Zaanannim. He had moved away from the other Kenites, the descendants of Hobab, the brother-in-law of Moses.

International Standard Version
Meanwhile, Heber the Kenite had been separated from the Kenites, the descendants of Moses' father-in-law Hobab. He had pitched his tents far away, near the Elon-bezaanannim.

Majority Standard Bible
Now Heber the Kenite had moved away from the Kenites, the descendants of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, and had pitched his tent by the great tree of Zaanannim, which was near Kedesh.

NET Bible
Now Heber the Kenite had moved away from the Kenites, the descendants of Hobab, Moses' father-in-law. He lived near the great tree in Zaanannim near Kedesh.

New Heart English Bible
Now Heber the Kenite had separated himself from the Kenites, even from the descendants of Hobab the brother-in-law of Moses, and had pitched his tent as far as the oak in Zaanannim, which is by Kedesh.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now Heber the Kenite, who was of the children of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent to the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.

World English Bible
Now Heber the Kenite had separated himself from the Kenites, even from the children of Hobab, Moses’ brother-in-law, and had pitched his tent as far as the oak in Zaanannim, which is by Kedesh.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Heber the Kenite has been separated from the Kenite, from the sons of Hobab father-in-law of Moses, and he stretches out his tent to the oak in Zaanaim, which [is] by Kedesh.

Young's Literal Translation
And Heber the Kenite hath been separated from the Kenite, from the sons of Hobab father-in-law of Moses, and he stretcheth out his tent unto the oak in Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Heber the Kenite separated himself from Kain, from the sons of Hobab, father-in-law of Moses, and he will stretch out his tent even to the oak in Zaanaim which is at Kadesh.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now Haber the Cinite had some time before departed from the rest of the Cinites his brethren the sons of Hobab, the kinsman of Moses: and had pitched his tents unto the valley which is called Sellnim, and was near Cedes.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now Heber, the Kenite, had previously withdrawn from the rest of the Kenites, his brothers, the sons of Hobab, the relative of Moses. And he had pitched his tents as far as the valley that is called Zaanannim, which was near Kedesh.

New American Bible
Now Heber the Kenite had detached himself from Cain, the descendants of Hobab, Moses’ father-in-law, and had pitched his tent by the terebinth of Zaanannim, which was near Kedesh.

New Revised Standard Version
Now Heber the Kenite had separated from the other Kenites, that is, the descendants of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, and had encamped as far away as Elon-bezaanannim, which is near Kedesh.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now Heber the Kenite had left the Kenites, the descendants of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, and had pitched his tent as far as the oak which is in Zaanaim, which is by Rakim.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Khuber Qainan went out from Qain of the sons of Khubab, father in law of Moshe, and he pitched his tent at the oak which is in Tsainin, that is on the side of Raqem
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now Heber the Kenite had severed himself from the Kenites, even from the children of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, and had pitched his tent as far as Elon-bezaanannim, which is by Kedesh.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Chaber the Kenite had removed from Caina, from the sons of Jobab the father-in-law of Moses, and pitched his tent by the oak of the covetous ones, which is near Kedes.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Deborah and Barak
10where he summoned Zebulun and Naphtali. Ten thousand men followed him, and Deborah also went with him. 11Now Heber the Kenite had moved away from the Kenites, the descendants of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, and had pitched his tent by the great tree of Zaanannim, which was near Kedesh. 12When Sisera was told that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up Mount Tabor,…

Cross References
Numbers 10:29-32
Then Moses said to Hobab, the son of Moses’ father-in-law Reuel the Midianite, “We are setting out for the place of which the LORD said: ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will treat you well, for the LORD has promised good things to Israel.” / “I will not go,” Hobab replied. “Instead, I am going back to my own land and my own people.” / “Please do not leave us,” Moses said, “since you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can serve as our eyes. ...

Exodus 18:1-5
Now Moses’ father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian, heard about all that God had done for Moses and His people Israel, and how the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt. / After Moses had sent back his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro had received her, / along with her two sons. One son was named Gershom, for Moses had said, “I have been a foreigner in a foreign land.” ...

Numbers 24:21
Next he saw the Kenites and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Your dwelling place is secure, and your nest is set in a cliff.

Genesis 25:1-4
Now Abraham had taken another wife, named Keturah, / and she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. / Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were the Asshurites, the Letushites, and the Leummites. ...

Genesis 31:49
It was also called Mizpah, because Laban said, “May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are absent from each other.

Exodus 2:15-22
When Pharaoh heard about this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian, where he sat down beside a well. / Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father’s flock. / And when some shepherds came along and drove them away, Moses rose up to help them and watered their flock. ...

1 Samuel 15:6
And he warned the Kenites, “Since you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt, go on and get away from the Amalekites. Otherwise I will sweep you away with them.” So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites.

1 Samuel 27:10
who would ask him, “What have you raided today?” And David would reply, “The Negev of Judah,” or “The Negev of Jerahmeel,” or “The Negev of the Kenites.”

1 Samuel 30:29
to those in Racal and in the cities of the Jerahmeelites and Kenites;

1 Chronicles 2:55
and the clans of the scribes who lived at Jabez—the Tirathites, Shimeathites, and Sucathites. These are the Kenites who came from Hammath, the father of the house of Rechab.

1 Chronicles 5:9-10
They also settled in the east as far as the edge of the desert that extends to the Euphrates River, because their livestock had increased in the land of Gilead. / During the days of Saul they waged war against the Hagrites, who were defeated at their hands, and they occupied the dwellings of the Hagrites throughout the region east of Gilead.

1 Chronicles 12:8-15
Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the wilderness. They were mighty men of valor, trained for battle, experts with the shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions and who were as swift as gazelles on the mountains: / Ezer the chief, Obadiah the second in command, Eliab the third, / Mishmannah the fourth, Jeremiah the fifth, ...

Jeremiah 35:2-10
“Go to the house of the Rechabites, speak to them, and bring them to one of the chambers of the house of the LORD to offer them a drink of wine.” / So I took Jaazaniah son of Jeremiah, the son of Habazziniah, and his brothers and all his sons—the entire house of the Rechabites— / and I brought them into the house of the LORD, to a chamber occupied by the sons of Hanan son of Igdaliah, a man of God. This room was near the chamber of the officials, which was above the chamber of Maaseiah son of Shallum the doorkeeper. ...

Matthew 3:1-4
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea / and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” / This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’” ...

Mark 1:4-6
John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. / People went out to him from all of Jerusalem and the countryside of Judea. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. / John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey.


Treasury of Scripture

Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent to the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.

Heber

Judges 1:16
And the children of the Kenite, Moses' father in law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which lieth in the south of Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people.

Numbers 10:29
And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses' father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel.

Numbers 24:21
And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock.

Hobab

Exodus 2:18
And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day?

Exodus 3:1
Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.

Exodus 18:1
When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the LORD had brought Israel out of Egypt;

Zaanaim

Joshua 19:33,37
And their coast was from Heleph, from Allon to Zaanannim, and Adami, Nekeb, and Jabneel, unto Lakum; and the outgoings thereof were at Jordan: …

Kedesh

Judges 4:6
And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?

Joshua 19:37
And Kedesh, and Edrei, and Enhazor,

Jump to Previous
Brother-In-Law Children Descendants Heber Hobab Kedesh Kenite Ken'ite Kenites Ken'ites Law Moses Oak Oak-Tree Pitched Plain Rest Separated Separating Severed Tent Zaanannim
Jump to Next
Brother-In-Law Children Descendants Heber Hobab Kedesh Kenite Ken'ite Kenites Ken'ites Law Moses Oak Oak-Tree Pitched Plain Rest Separated Separating Severed Tent Zaanannim
Judges 4
1. Deborah and Barak deliver them from Jabin and Sisera
17. Jael kills Sisera














Now Heber the Kenite
The name "Heber" is derived from the Hebrew root "ḥāḇar," meaning "to join" or "to associate." This is significant as Heber's actions in this narrative show a departure from his association with the Kenites. The Kenites were a nomadic tribe, often associated with the Midianites, and known for their metalworking skills. They were descendants of Jethro (also known as Reuel), Moses' father-in-law, who had joined the Israelites during their wilderness journey. Heber's identity as a Kenite places him within a lineage that had a unique relationship with Israel, often serving as allies or neutral parties.

had moved away from the Kenites
The phrase "had moved away" indicates a deliberate separation or distancing. In Hebrew, the verb used here can imply a physical relocation or a more symbolic departure from a community or tradition. Heber's decision to move away from the Kenites suggests a significant choice, possibly for political or personal reasons. This separation sets the stage for his role in the unfolding events of Judges 4, where his actions will have implications for both Israel and their enemies.

the descendants of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses
Hobab is identified as the father-in-law of Moses, though there is some debate among scholars about whether Hobab is another name for Jethro or a separate individual. The Kenites' connection to Moses through Hobab highlights their historical and familial ties to Israel. This relationship is crucial in understanding the dynamics at play, as the Kenites were often seen as allies or at least non-hostile towards Israel. The mention of Hobab serves to remind readers of the longstanding relationship between the Kenites and the Israelites.

and had pitched his tent by the great tree in Zaanannim
The act of pitching a tent is emblematic of nomadic life, reflecting the transient and adaptable nature of the Kenites. The "great tree in Zaanannim" is a specific landmark, possibly a terebinth or oak, which would have been a notable feature in the landscape. Such trees were often used as reference points or meeting places in ancient times. Zaanannim's location is near Kedesh, a city of refuge in Naphtali, indicating that Heber's new dwelling place was strategically chosen, perhaps for its proximity to trade routes or for political neutrality.

which was near Kedesh
Kedesh was a significant city in the territory of Naphtali, known as a city of refuge where those accused of manslaughter could seek asylum. Its mention here situates Heber geographically and culturally within the broader narrative of Israel's tribal territories. The proximity to Kedesh may imply that Heber was positioning himself in a place of safety or neutrality, which would be consistent with the Kenites' historical role as intermediaries or neutral parties in regional conflicts.

(11) Heber the Kenite.--See Judges 1:16; Judges 3:31; Numbers 10:29.

Which was of the children of Hobab.--Rather, had separated himself from Kain,from the children of Hobab. Nomadic settlements are constantly liable to send off these separate colonies. The life and movements of the Kenites resembled those of gipsies, except that they had flocks and herds. To this day a small Bedouin settlement presents very nearly the same aspect as a gipsy camp.

The father in law of Moses.--Rather, the brother-in-law. The names for these relationships are closely allied. (See Note on Judges 1:16.)

Pitched his tent.--(Genesis 12:8, &c.) The "tents" of the Bedouin are not the bell-shaped tents with which we are familiar, but coverings of black goats' hair, sometimes supported on as many as nine poles. The Arab word for tent is beit, "house." . . .

Verse 11. - Translate, Now Heber the Kenite had severed himself from the Kenites, viz., from the sons of Hobab, etc. The Kenites, as we read in Judges 1:16, had settled in the wilderness of Judah, south of Arad, in the time of Joshua. Heber, with a portion of the tribe, had migrated later to Naphtali, probably at the time When the Philistines were pressing hard upon Judah, in the days of Shamgar and Jael (Judges 3:31 and Judges 5:5).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now Heber
וְחֶ֤בֶר (wə·ḥe·ḇer)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2268: Heber -- a Kenite, also several Israelites

the Kenite
הַקֵּינִי֙ (haq·qê·nî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7017: Kenite -- members of the tribe of Kenites

had moved away
נִפְרָ֣ד (nip̄·rāḏ)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6504: To break through, spread, separate

from the Kenites,
מִקַּ֔יִן (miq·qa·yin)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7017: Kenite -- members of the tribe of Kenites

the descendants
מִבְּנֵ֥י (mib·bə·nê)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Hobab
חֹבָ֖ב (ḥō·ḇāḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2246: Hobab -- father-in-law of Moses

the father-in-law
חֹתֵ֣ן (ḥō·ṯên)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2859: To give, away in marriage, to contract affinity by marriage

of Moses,
מֹשֶׁ֑ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

and had pitched
וַיֵּ֣ט (way·yêṭ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5186: To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend

his tent
אָהֳל֔וֹ (’ā·ho·lōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 168: A tent

by
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

the great tree
אֵל֥וֹן (’ê·lō·wn)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 436: An oak, other strong tree

of Zaanannim,
בְּצַעֲנַנִּ֖ים (bə·ṣa·‘ă·nan·nîm)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6815: Zaanannim -- a place on the border of Naphtali

which
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

was near
אֶת־ (’eṯ-)
Preposition
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

Kedesh.
קֶֽדֶשׁ׃ (qe·ḏeš)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6943: Kedesh -- 'sanctuary', the name of several places in Israel


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OT History: Judges 4:11 Now Heber the Kenite had separated himself (Jd Judg. Jdg)
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