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. At her feetThe phrase "at her feet" in Judges 5:27 is a vivid depiction of Sisera's defeat and submission. In the Hebrew text, the word used for "feet" can also imply a place of subjugation or humility. This imagery is powerful, as it contrasts the mighty warrior Sisera with his ultimate downfall at the hands of a woman, Jael. Historically, feet were often associated with authority and dominion, as seen in other biblical texts where enemies are placed under one's feet as a sign of victory ( Psalm 110:1). This phrase underscores the complete reversal of power dynamics in this narrative, highlighting God's sovereignty in delivering Israel through unexpected means. he collapsed
The Hebrew root for "collapsed" conveys a sense of sudden and complete downfall. This word choice emphasizes the abrupt end to Sisera's life and his plans. In the context of ancient warfare, a collapse signifies not just physical defeat but also the shattering of one's strength and spirit. Theologically, this serves as a reminder of the futility of opposing God's will. Sisera's collapse is not just a personal defeat but a symbol of the collapse of oppression over Israel, showcasing God's deliverance. he lay still
The phrase "he lay still" suggests a finality and peace in death that Sisera did not have in life. The Hebrew connotation here is one of cessation, indicating that all of Sisera's striving and violence have come to an end. This stillness contrasts with the chaos and turmoil he brought upon Israel. From a spiritual perspective, it reflects the peace that comes when God's justice prevails. It also serves as a narrative pause, allowing the reader to reflect on the divine justice executed through Jael. between her feet
Reiterating the position "between her feet" reinforces the image of Sisera's vulnerability and defeat. In ancient Near Eastern culture, being at someone's feet was a position of submission and defeat. This repetition in the verse serves to emphasize the completeness of Sisera's downfall. It also highlights the role of Jael, a woman, in God's plan, challenging the cultural norms of the time and demonstrating that God can use anyone to fulfill His purposes. he fell
The word "fell" in this context is rich with meaning, indicating not just a physical fall but a fall from power and pride. The Hebrew term can also imply being cast down or overthrown. This fall is both literal and symbolic, representing the overthrow of Canaanite oppression. It serves as a reminder of the biblical principle that pride goes before destruction (Proverbs 16:18). Sisera's fall is a testament to the ultimate triumph of God's justice over human arrogance. there he lay dead
The finality of "there he lay dead" underscores the complete and irreversible nature of Sisera's defeat. The Hebrew text conveys a sense of permanence, indicating that Sisera's threat is utterly removed. This phrase brings closure to the narrative, affirming God's deliverance of Israel. It also serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of opposing God's people. In the broader biblical context, it foreshadows the ultimate victory of God's kingdom over all forms of evil and oppression. Persons / Places / Events 1. JaelThe wife of Heber the Kenite, who played a crucial role in the defeat of Sisera by killing him. Her actions are celebrated in the Song of Deborah. 2. SiseraThe commander of the Canaanite army under King Jabin, who was defeated by the Israelites. He sought refuge in Jael's tent, where he met his demise. 3. DeborahA prophetess and judge of Israel who, along with Barak, led the Israelites to victory over the Canaanites. The Song of Deborah, found in Judges 5, celebrates this victory. 4. BarakThe military leader who, under Deborah's guidance, led the Israelite army against Sisera's forces. 5. The Tent of JaelThe place where Sisera sought refuge and was ultimately killed by Jael, marking a significant turning point in the battle against the Canaanites. Teaching Points Divine JusticeThe account of Sisera's defeat illustrates God's justice and the fulfillment of His promises. Believers can trust that God will ultimately bring justice to all situations. Courage and ObedienceJael's actions demonstrate courage and obedience to God's purposes. Christians are encouraged to act boldly in faith, trusting in God's guidance. The Role of Women in God's PlanJael's pivotal role in the victory over Sisera highlights the significant contributions women can make in God's redemptive history. This serves as a reminder of the value and importance of women in the church and society. The Power of God in WeaknessSisera's defeat at the hands of a seemingly weak and unexpected source underscores the biblical theme that God's strength is made perfect in weakness. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the account of Jael and Sisera challenge our understanding of God's justice and the ways He can bring about His purposes? 2. In what ways can we demonstrate courage and obedience in our own lives, similar to Jael's actions? 3. How does the role of women in this account encourage us to value and support the contributions of women in our communities and churches? 4. What are some situations in your life where you have seen God's strength made perfect in weakness, as demonstrated in the account of Sisera's defeat? 5. How can we apply the lessons of divine justice and trust in God's ultimate victory to current challenges we face in the world today? Connections to Other Scriptures Judges 4Provides the account account of the events leading up to and including Sisera's death, offering context to the poetic retelling in Judges 5. Psalm 68:21Speaks of God's enemies being crushed, echoing the theme of divine justice and victory over oppressors found in Judges 5. Proverbs 21:30Highlights that no wisdom, understanding, or counsel can prevail against the Lord, reflecting the futility of Sisera's attempts to escape God's judgment. People Abinoam, Amalek, Anath, Asher, Barak, Benjamin, Dan, Deborah, Heber, Issachar, Jael, Machir, Naphtali, Reuben, Seir, Shamgar, Sisera, ZebulunPlaces Canaan, Edom, Gilead, Jordan River, Kishon River, Megiddo, Meroz, Seir, Sinai, TaanachTopics Bent, Bowed, Dead, Death, Destroyed, Fell, Lay, Sank, Stretched, SunkDictionary of Bible Themes Judges 5:1-31 5420 music Judges 5:14-31 5091 Deborah Library Recreant Reuben
Why satest then among the sheepfolds, to hear the pipings for the flocks? At the watercourses of Reuben there were great searchings of heart.'--JUDGES v. 16 (R.V.). I. The fight. The warfare is ever repeated, though in new forms. In the highest form it is Christ versus the World, And that conflict must be fought out in our own souls first. Our religion should lead not only to accept and rely on what Christ does for us, but to do and dare for Christ. He has given Himself for us, and has thereby …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture 'All Things are Yours'
'They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera.'--JUDGES v. 20. 'For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.'--Job v. 23. These two poetical fragments present the same truth on opposite sides. The first of them comes from Deborah's triumphant chant. The singer identifies God with the cause of Israel, and declares that heaven itself fought against those who fought against God's people. There may be …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Love Makes Suns
'Let them that love Him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might.' JUDGES V. 51. These are the closing words of Deborah, the great warrior-prophetess of Israel. They are in singular contrast with the tone of fierce enthusiasm for battle which throbs through the rest of the chant, and with its stern approval of the deed of Jael when she slew Sisera. Here, in its last notes, we have an anticipation of the highest and best truths of the Gospel. 'Let them that love Him be as the sun when he goeth …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Songs of Deliverance
The results which accrued from the conquest achieved by Barak, are upon a small scale similar to those which come to us through the deliverance wrought out by the Lord Jesus Christ. I shall take our text and spiritualize it, viewing its joyous details as emblematic of the blessings granted to us through our Redeemer. Those who went to draw water at the wells after Barak's victory, were no longer disturbed by the robbers who lurked at the fountains for purposes of plunder; and instead of drawing the …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 13: 1867 Whether the Orders Will Outlast the Day of Judgment?
Objection 1: It would seem that the orders of angels will not outlast the Day of Judgment. For the Apostle says (1 Cor. 15:24), that Christ will "bring to naught all principality and power, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God and the Father," and this will be in the final consummation. Therefore for the same reason all others will be abolished in that state. Objection 2: Further, to the office of the angelic orders it belongs to cleanse, enlighten, and perfect. But after the Day of …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Why is it that Our Lord Has Tarried Till Now? Why Has not the Redeemer Returned Long Ere This?
At first sight perhaps this inquiry might appear almost irreverent and some may feel inclined to remind us that "secret things belong unto the Lord." In response we would say, It is not in any spirit of idle curiosity nor is it to indulge an inquisitive speculation that we take up this question, but simply because we believe that a humble examination of it will prove profitable to our souls, inasmuch as the answer to our inquiry demonstrates the wisdom and grace of Him with whom we have to do. Of …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return Hindrances to Revivals.
Text.--I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you."--Nehemiah vi. 3. THIS servant of God had come down from Babylon to rebuild the temple and re-establish the worship of God at Jerusalem, the city of his fathers' sepulchres. When it was discovered by Sanballat and certain individuals, his allies, who had long enjoyed the desolations of Zion, that now the temple, and the holy city were about to be rebuilt, they raised a great …
Charles Grandison Finney—Lectures on Revivals of Religion The Publication of the Gospel
The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it [or of the preachers] P erhaps no one Psalm has given greater exercise to the skill and patience of commentators and critics, than the sixty-eighth. I suppose the difficulties do not properly belong to the Psalm, but arise from our ignorance of various circumstances to which the Psalmist alludes; which probably were, at that time, generally known and understood. The first verse is the same with the stated form of benediction …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Salvation Published from the Mountains
O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid: say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! I t would be improper to propose an alteration, though a slight one, in the reading of a text, without bearing my testimony to the great value of our English version, which I believe, in point of simplicity, strength, and fidelity, is not likely to be excelled by a new translation …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 The Sovereignty of God in Operation
"For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be the glory for ever. Amen" (Romans 11:36). Has God foreordained everything that comes to pass? Has He decreed that what is, was to have been? In the final analysis this is only another way of asking, Is God now governing the world and everyone and everything in it? If God is governing the world then is He governing it according to a definite purpose, or aimlessly and at random? If He is governing it according to some purpose, then …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God Appendix ix. List of Old Testament Passages Messianically Applied in Ancient Rabbinic Writings
THE following list contains the passages in the Old Testament applied to the Messiah or to Messianic times in the most ancient Jewish writings. They amount in all to 456, thus distributed: 75 from the Pentateuch, 243 from the Prophets, and 138 from the Hagiorgrapha, and supported by more than 558 separate quotations from Rabbinic writings. Despite all labour care, it can scarcely be hoped that the list is quite complete, although, it is hoped, no important passage has been omitted. The Rabbinic references …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 Judges
For the understanding of the early history and religion of Israel, the book of Judges, which covers the period from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the struggle with the Philistines, is of inestimable importance; and it is very fortunate that the elements contributed by the later editors are so easily separated from the ancient stories whose moral they seek to point. That moral is most elaborately stated in ii. 6-iii. 6, which is a sort of programme or preface to iii. 7-xvi. 31, which constitutes …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Judges 5:27 NIVJudges 5:27 NLTJudges 5:27 ESVJudges 5:27 NASBJudges 5:27 KJV
Judges 5:27 Commentaries
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