Judges 4:17 Meaning and Explanation
“Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Sisera flees to the tent of Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite, where he expects safety because of a treaty.
What Does Judges 4:17 Mean?
The lone survivor runs to what seems a safe refuge. Sisera comes on foot to the tent of Jael, Heber's wife, counting on the peace between his king and Heber's household to shelter him. Here the earlier note about Heber's tent near Kedesh comes into play; the fleeing commander arrives at the very place quietly prepared in the account.
His calculation is shrewd by human reckoning, yet it leads him straight to his appointed end. The prophecy that Sisera would fall into the hand of a woman now begins to take shape in a place he believes is friendly. So the schemes of those who oppose God's people fail just where they feel most secure. There is no hiding place from the purposes of the Lord, and the refuge sought apart from Him becomes the very ground of judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Judges 4:17
What does Judges 4:17 mean?
Sisera flees to the tent of Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite, where he expects safety because of a treaty.