Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Judges, Chapter 4שפטים 4

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Judges 4 tells the sixth oppression-and-deliverance cycle: Israel's evil delivers them to Jabin of Hazor and his commander Sisera's nine hundred iron chariots. Deborah the prophetess-judge commissions Barak against Sisera at the Kishon; her prophecy that a woman will win the day's glory is fulfilled not by her but by Jael, who kills Sisera with a tent peg.

Translation & textual notes

Judges 4 is textually stable in the Leningrad Codex, but holds real cruxes worth flagging, not smoothing over. Most consequential: Jabin king of Canaan/Hazor reappears after Joshua 11 already records Hazor's burning and a King Jabin's death there (Josh 11:1, 10-11); the MT gives no explanation — new dynasty, stock throne-name, or conquest-tradition doublet are all possible, and this note leaves the question open. Verse 11's toponym is doubled in the Leningrad Codex itself: an unpointed בצענים stands beside pointed בְּצַעֲנַנִּים, apparently preserving a defective and a fuller spelling of the Zaanannim of Josh 19:33 side by side, not a simple copyist slip. אֵשֶׁת לַפִּידוֹת (v.4) is deliberately ambiguous: לַפִּידוֹת may be a husband's name, otherwise unattested, or the plural 'torches/flames,' yielding 'woman of torches' — notably the one judge introduced without a father's name. שְׂמִיכָה (v.18, 'rug, covering') is a hapax legomenon of disputed sense. The chapter's feminine wayyiqtols for Deborah and Jael, and the rare infinitive-absolute durative idiom of v.24 (הָלוֹךְ וְקָשָׁה), are preserved and explained in the syntax layer rather than normalized into ordinary prose.

1

וַיֹּסִ֨פוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת הָרַ֖ע בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה וְאֵה֖וּד מֵֽת

And the sons of Israel again did what was evil in the eyes of YHWH, and Ehud was dead.

Cycle resumption — opens a new narrative unitwə (narrative)
The wayyiqtol opens a fresh turn of the judges-cycle refrain (cf. 2:19; 3:12); the closing disjunctive clause (וְאֵהוּד מֵת) supplies the background reason the oppression could return — the strongman deterrent is gone.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיֹּסִ֨פוּ֙again didHiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · יָסַף (H3254)Predicate verb (main clause) — auxiliary of repetition governing the infinitive לַעֲשׂוֹת→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — resumption of the judges cycleיָסַף (H3254) 'to add, do again'; Hiphil + infinitive construct is the standard Hebrew idiom for repeated action, 'they again did' — opens the cycle refrain (cf. 2:19; 3:12).
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject (construct chain with יִשְׂרָאֵל)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct plural forming the collective national title בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, 'sons of Israel'.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chain (subject)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant people's name; second member of the construct 'sons of Israel', the recurring subject of the judges refrain.
לַעֲשׂ֥וֹתto doprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Infinitival complement completing וַיֹּסִפוּ ('again did')→ Infinitive: complements the Hiphil of יסף to express repeated action rather than an independent predicationעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; the infinitive construct with לְ after הוסיף is the fixed idiom for repetition, cf. Judg 3:12.
הָרַ֖עthe evilart + Adj m sg abs (substantival) · רַע (H7451)Direct object of לַעֲשׂוֹתרַע (H7451) 'evil, bad'; substantized with the article, 'the evil (thing)' — the refrain's stock phrase for covenant infidelity, measured בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה.
בְּעֵינֵ֣יin the eyes ofprep בְּ + N com du constr · עַיִן (H5869)Adverbial prepositional phrase (standard of evaluation)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; dual construct בְּעֵינֵי 'in the eyes of' is the idiom of divine evaluation — evil as YHWH assesses it, not merely as Israel judges itself.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of construct (object of evaluation)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; here the standard against which the nation's evil is measured.
וְאֵה֖וּדand Ehudconj וְ + N proper · אֵהוּד (H164)Subject of the second, disjunctive clauseאֵהוּד (H164), the left-handed Benjamite judge of ch.3 who killed Eglon; his death here closes his generation and enables the new cycle.
מֵֽתwas deadQal perf 3ms (stative) · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb of the disjunctive clause (subject + verb = circumstantial background)→ Perfective stative: a settled state — Ehud's death as background fact enabling the cycle's resumptionמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the perfect of a stative verb describes the resulting state 'was dead' rather than the punctual act — explains why the oppression could return.
2

וַיִּמְכְּרֵ֣ם יְהוָ֗ה בְּיַד֙ יָבִ֣ין מֶֽלֶךְ כְּנַ֔עַן אֲשֶׁ֥ר מָלַ֖ךְ בְּחָצ֑וֹר וְשַׂר צְבָאוֹ֙ סִֽיסְרָ֔א וְה֥וּא יוֹשֵׁ֖ב בַּחֲרֹ֥שֶׁת הַגּוֹיִֽם

So YHWH sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor; the commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-hagoyim.

Result of v.1's evil — the standard cycle sequence (evil leads to sale into an enemy's hand)wə (narrative)
The verse layers three antagonists in descending rank — king, city, and army commander — before naming Sisera's base of operations; the chariot city Harosheth-hagoyim ('workshop of the nations') anticipates the iron-chariot force detailed in v.3.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיִּמְכְּרֵ֣םhe sold themQal wayyiqtol 3ms + 3mp suffix · מָכַר (H4376)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — YHWH's judicial response to v.1's evilמָכַר (H4376) 'to sell'; used metaphorically of YHWH handing Israel over to an oppressor as a quasi-legal transaction, the standard cycle-verb (cf. 2:14; 3:8).
יְהוָ֗הYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); subject of וַיִּמְכְּרֵם — the one who both judges Israel's evil (v.1) and executes the sentence.
בְּיַד֙into the hand ofprep בְּ + N com sg constr · יָד (H3027)Adverbial prepositional phrase (instrument/agency of the sale)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; בְּיַד 'into the hand of' is the standard idiom for being delivered into an oppressor's power.
יָבִ֣יןJabinN proper · יָבִין (H2985)Genitive complement of construct (object of בְּיַד)יָבִין (H2985) 'he discerns/understands'; a royal name also borne by a king of Hazor defeated and killed by Joshua (Josh 11:1, 10) — the recurrence here is one of the chapter's cruxes (see text_note).
מֶֽלֶךְking ofN m sg constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Apposition to יָבִין (title)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; construct before כְּנַעַן, titling Jabin as Canaan's king (vv.23-24 call him 'king of Canaan', v.17 'king of Hazor' — city and region interchange).
כְּנַ֔עַןCanaanN proper · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Genitive complement of construct (royal title)כְּנַעַן (H3667), the land/people; here Jabin's royal title 'king of Canaan' rather than merely 'king of Hazor', suggesting a broader (or idealized) domain.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing a subordinate clause modifying יָבִיןאֲשֶׁר (H834), the all-purpose Hebrew relative 'who, which, that'; introduces the relative clause 'who reigned in Hazor'.
מָלַ֖ךְreignedQal perf 3ms · מָלַךְ (H4427)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a settled, ongoing state of rule — background information about Jabinמָלַךְ (H4427) 'to reign, be king'; the perfect here describes Jabin's standing royal status rather than a punctual act of accession.
בְּחָצ֑וֹרin Hazorprep בְּ + N proper · חָצוֹר (H2674)Locative prepositional phrase (seat of Jabin's reign)חָצוֹר (H2674), the major Canaanite city of upper Galilee; per Josh 11:10-13 burned by Joshua and 'head of all those kingdoms' — its reappearance here as a functioning royal seat is the chapter's central historical crux.
וְשַׂרand the commander ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · שַׂר (H8269)Subject of the second, disjunctive clause; head of a construct chainשַׂר (H8269) 'chief, commander, official'; heads the construct 'commander of his army', introducing Sisera by rank before by name.
צְבָאוֹ֙his armyN com sg constr + 3ms suffix · צָבָא (H6635)Genitive complement of construct (whose commander)צָבָא (H6635) 'army, host'; the 3ms suffix refers back to Jabin — Sisera commands Jabin's forces, not an independent kingdom of his own.
סִֽיסְרָ֔אSiseraN proper · סִיסְרָא (H5516)Predicate nominative / apposition (naming the commander)סִיסְרָא (H5516), of uncertain (possibly non-Semitic) etymology; the chapter's chief antagonist, commander of Jabin's chariot army.
וְה֥וּאand heconj וְ + independent pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of a disjunctive circumstantial clauseהוּא (H1931) 'he'; the disjunctive וְהוּא shifts to background description of Sisera's residence before the main narrative resumes.
יוֹשֵׁ֖בwas livingQal ptc m sg abs · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate participle of the circumstantial clause→ Participle: durative/ongoing background state — where Sisera was basedיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell, live'; the participle marks Harosheth-hagoyim as Sisera's standing residence/headquarters, not a one-time stop.
בַּחֲרֹ֥שֶׁתin Haroshethprep בְּ + N proper · חֲרֹשֶׁת (H2800)Locative prepositional phrase (Sisera's base)חֲרֹשֶׁת (H2800) 'workshop, forging place' (from חרש 'to engrave/forge'); first element of the place name חֲרֹשֶׁת הַגּוֹיִם, likely a fortified chariot-manufacturing/staging town.
הַגּוֹיִֽםof the nationsN m pl abs (in place-name apposition) · גּוֹי (H1471)Second element of the compound place name חֲרֹשֶׁת הַגּוֹיִםגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation, people'; with the article, 'of the nations' — the full toponym 'Harosheth-hagoyim' suggests a mixed-population frontier garrison town on the edge of Israelite territory.
3

וַיִּצְעֲק֥וּ בְנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל אֶל יְהוָ֑ה כִּ֠י תְּשַׁ֨ע מֵא֤וֹת רֶֽכֶב בַּרְזֶל֙ ל֔וֹ וְ֠הוּא לָחַ֞ץ אֶת בְּנֵ֧י יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל בְּחָזְקָ֖ה עֶשְׂרִ֥ים שָׁנָֽה

And the sons of Israel cried out to YHWH, for he had nine hundred chariots of iron, and he oppressed the sons of Israel with harsh force for twenty years.

Israel's outcry — the standard cycle's next beat (oppression leads to outcry)wə (narrative)
כִּי introduces the cause clause explaining the outcry: the nine hundred iron chariots recall the unconquered chariot forces of 1:19, now returned at tenfold scale; בְּחָזְקָה ('with harsh force') and the twenty-year span quantify the oppression's severity before any deliverer is named.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיִּצְעֲק֥וּthey cried outQal wayyiqtol 3mp · צָעַק (H6817)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the cycle's outcry-beat responding to oppressionצָעַק (H6817) 'to cry out, cry for help'; the standard cry-of-distress verb that in the judges cycle regularly precipitates YHWH raising up a deliverer.
בְנֵֽיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject (construct chain with יִשְׂרָאֵל)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct plural forming 'sons of Israel', subject of the outcry.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chain (subject)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); second member of 'sons of Israel', subject of the cry to YHWH.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addressee of the cryאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks YHWH as the object of Israel's outcry.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of the preposition אֶליְהוָה (H3068); addressee of Israel's cry for help, the pivot that will lead to a deliverer's rise.
כִּ֠יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the reason for the outcryכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the cause clause explaining why Israel cried out — the iron chariots and oppression that follow.
תְּשַׁ֨עninecardinal number f sg abs · תֵּשַׁע (H8672)Numeral modifying מֵאוֹת (part of the number 'nine hundred')תֵּשַׁע (H8672) 'nine'; paired with מֵאוֹת to form 'nine hundred', quantifying Sisera's chariot force.
מֵא֤וֹתhundredcardinal number com pl abs · מֵאָה (H3967)Numeral governing רֶכֶב (the counted noun follows)מֵאָה (H3967) 'hundred'; plural מֵאוֹת with תְּשַׁע yields 'nine hundred' — the same figure given for Sisera's army in v.13.
רֶֽכֶבchariots ofN m sg constr (collective) · רֶכֶב (H7393)Head noun of the quantified construct phrase (subject of the causal clause, via ל֔וֹ)רֶכֶב (H7393) 'chariot(ry)' (collective singular); the technology that made the plains indefensible and grounds the whole chapter's military tension.
בַּרְזֶל֙ironN m sg abs · בַּרְזֶל (H1270)Genitive modifier of רֶכֶב (material)בַּרְזֶל (H1270) 'iron'; iron-clad/iron-fitted chariots recall the unconquered Canaanite chariots of 1:19 — the recurring symbol of what Israel's early tribal warfare could not overcome.
ל֔וֹhe hadprep לְ + 3ms suffix (possessive) · לְPredicate of possession ('to him [were]...' = 'he had')The idiom לוֹ + noun expresses possession, 'to him [belonged]' = 'he had'; here attributing the nine hundred iron chariots to Sisera/Jabin.
וְ֠הוּאand heconj וְ + independent pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject resuming within the כִּי-clauseהוּא (H1931) 'he'; resumes the subject (Jabin/Sisera) to introduce the oppression's severity and duration.
לָחַ֞ץoppressedQal perf 3ms · לָחַץ (H3905)Predicate verb within the כִּי-clause→ Perfective: a completed, extended course of oppression summarized as a single factלָחַץ (H3905) 'to press, oppress, squeeze'; describes sustained coercive pressure, intensified by the following adverbial בְּחָזְקָה.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the definite direct object בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל; untranslated in English.
בְּנֵ֧יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object (construct chain head)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct plural, direct object of לָחַץ — 'the sons of Israel' as the ones oppressed.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chain (direct object)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); second member of 'the sons of Israel', object of the oppression.
בְּחָזְקָ֖הwith harsh forceprep בְּ + N f sg abs · חָזְקָה (H2394)Adverbial prepositional phrase modifying לָחַץ (manner/degree)חָזְקָה (H2394) 'strength, force, harshness', from חָזַק 'to be strong'; intensifies the oppression as forceful/severe, not merely burdensome.
עֶשְׂרִ֥יםtwentycardinal number com pl abs · עֶשְׂרִים (H6242)Numeral modifying שָׁנָה (duration)עֶשְׂרִים (H6242) 'twenty'; quantifies the oppression's duration — the longest span of any cycle so far in Judges.
שָׁנָֽהyearsN f sg abs (distributive with numeral) · שָׁנָה (H8141)Head noun of the duration phraseשָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; singular form used distributively after a numeral, 'twenty years' — closing the verse's quantification of the crisis.
4

וּדְבוֹרָה֙ אִשָּׁ֣ה נְבִיאָ֔ה אֵ֖שֶׁת לַפִּיד֑וֹת הִ֛יא שֹׁפְטָ֥ה אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בָּעֵ֥ת הַהִֽיא

Now Deborah, a woman, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth — she was judging Israel at that time.

Character introduction — background/setting clause suspending the narrative sequencewə (disjunctive)
The disjunctive wə + subject (וּדְבוֹרָה) breaks the wayyiqtol chain to introduce Deborah with a stacked set of titles; שֹׁפְטָה is a feminine participle ('was judging'), the only place in Judges where a judge is shown actually performing the verb's core sense — legal adjudication, not just military deliverance.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וּדְבוֹרָה֙Now Deborahconj וְ + N proper · דְּבוֹרָה (H1683)Subject of the disjunctive introduction clauseדְּבוֹרָה (H1683) 'bee'; the prophetess-judge's name, possibly evoking industrious activity or a stinging threat to Israel's enemies.
אִשָּׁ֣הa womanN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Apposition to Deborah (first of a stacked triple title)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; here simply 'a woman' — an initial marker of gender before the more specific titles that follow, foregrounding what is unusual about her role.
נְבִיאָ֔הa prophetessN f sg abs · נְבִיאָה (H5031)Apposition to Deborah (second title)נְבִיאָה (H5031), feminine of נָבִיא 'prophet'; places Deborah among the rare named prophetesses (Miriam, Huldah) — one who speaks for YHWH, as her oracle to Barak in vv.6-7, 9 will show.
אֵ֖שֶׁתwife ofN f sg constr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Construct head (third title, marital status)אִשָּׁה (H802) in construct 'wife of'; introduces לַפִּידוֹת — see the lemma note there for the crux over whether this names a husband or is itself an epithet.
לַפִּיד֑וֹתLappidothN proper (or common noun, disputed) · לַפִּידוֹת (H3941)Genitive complement of construct (named/epithet complement)לַפִּידוֹת (H3941), formally the plural of לַפִּיד 'torch, flash of lightning'. Taken as a proper name it would be Deborah's otherwise-unattested husband; taken as a common noun it yields 'woman of torches/flames' — an epithet for her fiery character. Uniquely among Judges' judges, no father's or husband's genealogy is otherwise given here, which favors (without settling) the epithet reading.
הִ֛יאsheindependent pronoun 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Resumptive/emphatic subject before the participle שֹׁפְטָההִיא (H1931) 'she'; emphatic resumption of Deborah as subject, foregrounding her (not a male co-judge) as the one who judges.
שֹׁפְטָ֥הwas judgingQal ptc f sg abs · שָׁפַט (H8199)Predicate participle (main descriptive clause)→ Participle: durative/ongoing state — an established, continuing activity, not a single verdictשָׁפַט (H8199) 'to judge'; the feminine participle here is the verbal root behind the book's title 'Judges' (שֹׁפְטִים) — Deborah is the one judge actually shown exercising the judicial function the title names.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יִשְׂרָאֵל as the definite direct object of שֹׁפְטָה; untranslated in English.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Direct object of שֹׁפְטָהיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); direct object — the nation Deborah judges, distinguishing her office from the military deliverance more typical of other judges.
בָּעֵ֥תat the timeprep בְּ + art + N com sg abs · עֵת (H6256)Temporal prepositional phrase modifying שֹׁפְטָהעֵת (H6256) 'time'; with the article and the following demonstrative הַהִיא, 'at that time' — anchors Deborah's judgeship to the specific era of oppression just described.
הַהִֽיאthatart + demonstrative pronoun 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying עֵת ('that time')הִיא (H1931) used demonstratively with the article as 'that (very)'; ties Deborah's tenure specifically to the twenty years of oppression under Jabin.
5

וְ֠הִיא יוֹשֶׁ֨בֶת תַּֽחַת תֹּ֜מֶר דְּבוֹרָ֗ה בֵּ֧ין הָרָמָ֛ה וּבֵ֥ין בֵּֽית אֵ֖ל בְּהַ֣ר אֶפְרָ֑יִם וַיַּעֲל֥וּ אֵלֶ֛יהָ בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לַמִּשְׁפָּֽט

She used to sit under the palm of Deborah, between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the sons of Israel would go up to her for judgment.

Continues the background description of v.4 (habitual/customary scene)wə (disjunctive continued)
The participle יוֹשֶׁבֶת and the customary sense of וַיַּעֲלוּ describe recurring, not one-time, action — Deborah held a fixed seat of judgment, and Israel's habitual pilgrimage לַמִּשְׁפָּט ('for judgment') to her, not to a sanctuary, is unique among the judges.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְ֠הִיאAnd sheconj וְ + independent pronoun 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Subject, continuing the description of Deborahהִיא (H1931) 'she'; resumes Deborah as subject for the customary scene of her sitting in judgment.
יוֹשֶׁ֨בֶתused to sitQal ptc f sg abs · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate participle (habitual/customary description)→ Participle: durative/habitual — a fixed, recurring practice, not a single eventיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell'; the participle marks Deborah's seat of judgment as an established, ongoing fixture, like a throne or bench.
תַּֽחַתunderprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Locative prepositional phraseתַּחַת (H8478) 'under, beneath'; locates Deborah's judgment-seat under a specific, named tree.
תֹּ֜מֶרthe palm ofN m sg constr · תֹּמֶר (H8560)Object of תַּחַת (construct head)תֹּמֶר (H8560) 'palm tree, date palm'; construct before Deborah's own name, giving the landmark its enduring title 'the Palm of Deborah'.
דְּבוֹרָ֗הDeborahN proper · דְּבוֹרָה (H1683)Genitive complement of construct (name of the landmark)דְּבוֹרָה (H1683); here naming the tree itself — 'the Palm of Deborah' had apparently become a fixed geographic marker known to the book's audience.
בֵּ֧יןbetweenprep · בֵּין (H996)First half of a paired locative prepositional phrase (בֵּין...וּבֵין)בֵּין (H996) 'between'; paired with the following וּבֵין to bracket the tree's location between two named towns.
הָרָמָ֛הRamahart + N proper · רָמָה (H7414)Object of בֵּין (first landmark)רָמָה (H7414) 'height'; a town on the Ephraim/Benjamin border used here as one of two fixed points locating Deborah's tree.
וּבֵ֥יןand betweenconj וְ + prep · בֵּין (H996)Second half of the paired locative phraseבֵּין (H996) repeated with וְ to complete the 'between X and Y' construction locating the tree.
בֵּֽיתBeth-N m sg constr (place-name element) · בַּיִת (H1008)First element of the compound place name בֵּית אֵלבַּיִת (H1008) 'house'; construct first element of בֵּית אֵל 'house of God', the well-known sanctuary town on the Ephraim/Benjamin border.
אֵ֖ל-elN proper (place-name element) · אֵלSecond element completing the place name בֵּית אֵל ('Bethel')אֵל 'God' (place-name element); together with בֵּית forms 'Bethel' — one of the two fixed points bracketing Deborah's tree, alongside Ramah.
בְּהַ֣רin the hill country ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Locative prepositional phrase (broader regional setting)הַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill country'; construct before אֶפְרַיִם, placing the whole scene within Ephraim's central highlands.
אֶפְרָ֑יִםEphraimN proper · אֶפְרַיִם (H669)Genitive complement of construct (region name)אֶפְרַיִם (H669), the central hill-country tribe; Deborah's judgment-seat sits within its territory, though her summons in v.6 reaches north to Naphtali and Zebulun.
וַיַּעֲל֥וּwould go upQal wayyiqtol 3mp (customary sense) · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb — habitual action continuing the customary-scene description→ Wayyiqtol used in a customary/iterative sense: not a single ascent but Israel's regular practice of coming to herעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; though morphologically a simple wayyiqtol, in this habitual context it describes repeated pilgrimage-like visits to Deborah's seat, matching יוֹשֶׁבֶת's durative sense.
אֵלֶ֛יהָto herprep אֶל + 3fs suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the goal of the ascentאֶל (H413) 'to, toward' + 3fs suffix referring to Deborah; the object of Israel's habitual pilgrimage.
בְּנֵ֥יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject (construct chain with יִשְׂרָאֵל)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct plural forming 'sons of Israel', subject of the habitual ascent to Deborah.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chain (subject)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); second member of 'sons of Israel', those who come to Deborah for judgment.
לַמִּשְׁפָּֽטfor judgmentprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Adverbial prepositional phrase of purpose modifying וַיַּעֲלוּמִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment, justice, legal decision'; with the article and לְ, 'for the judgment/verdict' — states explicitly the purpose of Israel's pilgrimage, confirming Deborah's judicial (not merely military) office.
6

וַתִּשְׁלַ֗ח וַתִּקְרָא֙ לְבָרָ֣ק בֶּן אֲבִינֹ֔עַם מִקֶּ֖דֶשׁ נַפְתָּלִ֑י וַתֹּ֨אמֶר אֵלָ֜יו הֲלֹ֥א צִוָּ֣ה יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל לֵ֤ךְ וּמָֽשַׁכְתָּ֙ בְּהַ֣ר תָּב֔וֹר וְלָקַחְתָּ֣ עִמְּךָ֗ עֲשֶׂ֤רֶת אֲלָפִים֙ אִ֔ישׁ מִבְּנֵ֥י נַפְתָּלִ֖י וּמִבְּנֵ֥י זְבֻלֽוּן

She sent and summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali, and said to him, 'Has not YHWH the God of Israel commanded: Go, march to Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men from the sons of Naphtali and the sons of Zebulun.'

Main-line action resumes: Deborah's commission of Barakwə (narrative, resuming main line)
The rhetorical question הֲלֹא צִוָּה ('has not YHWH commanded') frames the coming campaign as a standing divine order Barak already knows, not a new revelation; the string of imperatives/converted perfects (לֵךְ, וּמָשַׁכְתָּ, וְלָקַחְתָּ) lays out troop numbers and destination before Sisera is even named.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
וַתִּשְׁלַ֗חshe sentQal wayyiqtol 3fs · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Deborah initiates the commissionשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; Deborah takes the initiative in dispatching for Barak, framing her as the active agent of the coming campaign.
וַתִּקְרָא֙and summonedQal wayyiqtol 3fs · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb, second in a paired sequence with וַתִּשְׁלַח→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the summons follows the sendingקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, summon'; paired with שָׁלַח as the standard idiom 'she sent and called (for)' — she dispatched messengers to summon Barak.
לְבָרָ֣קfor Barakprep לְ + N proper · בָּרָק (H1301)Object of וַתִּקְרָא (person summoned)בָּרָק (H1301) 'lightning'; the military commander Deborah summons — his name pairs ironically with Deborah's own possible epithet 'woman of torches/flames' (v.4).
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Apposition to Barak (patronymic)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; introduces Barak's patronymic, distinguishing him with a named father — unlike Deborah's own ambiguous 'wife of Lappidoth'.
אֲבִינֹ֔עַםAbinoamN proper · אֲבִינֹעַם (H42)Genitive complement of construct (patronymic)אֲבִינֹעַם (H42) 'my father is pleasantness'; Barak's father, otherwise unknown, named here and repeated in v.12 and Judg 5:1, 12.
מִקֶּ֖דֶשׁfrom Kedeshprep מִן + N proper · קֶדֶשׁ (H6943)Locative prepositional phrase (Barak's home town)קֶדֶשׁ (H6943) 'holy place, sanctuary'; here 'Kedesh-naphtali' (with the following word), a Galilean city of refuge (Josh 20:7) — Barak's home base.
נַפְתָּלִ֑יof NaphtaliN proper (tribal name in apposition) · נַפְתָּלִי (H5321)Apposition specifying which Kedesh (Kedesh-naphtali)נַפְתָּלִי (H5321), the northern tribe; qualifies Kedesh as the Galilean city in Naphtali's territory, distinguishing it from other Kedesh sites.
וַתֹּ֨אמֶרand saidQal wayyiqtol 3fs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — introduces Deborah's oracleאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; standard speech-introducing verb opening Deborah's commissioning oracle to Barak.
אֵלָ֜יוto himprep אֶל + 3ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addresseeאֶל (H413) + 3ms suffix referring to Barak; marks him as the recipient of Deborah's speech.
הֲלֹ֥אhas notinterrogative הֲ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Rhetorical-question marker introducing the quoted command as an assumed factלֹא (H3808) 'not', with interrogative הֲ; הֲלֹא is a rhetorical formula expecting 'yes' — 'has not YHWH commanded' presumes the answer is obviously affirmative.
צִוָּ֣הcommandedPiel perf 3ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb of the rhetorical question→ Perfective: a completed act of command, presented as an already-given, standing orderצִוָּה (H6680) 'to command'; Piel stem denotes an authoritative directive — here framing the whole campaign as one YHWH has already ordained, not a new idea of Deborah's.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of צִוָּהיְהוָה (H3068); the commander behind the human commission — Deborah relays, she does not originate, the order.
אֱלֹהֵֽיthe God ofN m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to YHWH (construct title)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; construct title 'the God of Israel' appositionally identifying YHWH, reinforcing the national and covenantal stakes of the command.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct (divine title)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); completes the title 'the God of Israel', YHWH's relational claim on the nation he commands.
לֵ֤ךְGoQal impv 2ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Volitional imperative opening the quoted command→ Volitional: a direct command, the first of a chain of imperatives/converted perfectsהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; the bare imperative launches YHWH's marching orders, continued by the following weqatal verbs.
וּמָֽשַׁכְתָּ֙and draw outweqatal (waw-consecutive perfect) 2ms · מָשַׁךְ (H4900)Continues the imperative chain begun by לֵךְ (command sequence)→ Weqatal continuing an imperative: a further directive in sequence, 'and you shall draw/march'מָשַׁךְ (H4900) 'to draw, drag, march (troops)'; repeated in v.7 with YHWH as subject drawing Sisera — the same verb pulls both armies toward the Kishon.
בְּהַ֣רto Mountprep בְּ + N m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Locative prepositional phrase (destination of the march)הַר (H2022) 'mountain'; construct before תָּבוֹר, naming Barak's staging point.
תָּב֔וֹרTaborN proper · תָּבוֹר (H8396)Genitive complement of construct (mountain name)תָּבוֹר (H8396), a prominent isolated peak on the Jezreel Valley's northeast edge — high enough to command the plain below where the chariots would be neutralized.
וְלָקַחְתָּ֣and takeweqatal 2ms · לָקַח (H3947)Continues the imperative chain (further directive)→ Weqatal continuing an imperative: 'and you shall take (with you)'לָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; here 'take with you' the specified troop levy, continuing the command sequence begun with לֵךְ.
עִמְּךָ֗with youprep עִם + 2ms suffix · עִם (H5973)Adverbial prepositional phrase modifying וְלָקַחְתָּעִם (H5973) 'with'; + 2ms suffix, specifying the troops are to accompany Barak personally.
עֲשֶׂ֤רֶתtencardinal number m sg constr · עֲשָׂרָה (H6235)Numeral construct governing אֲלָפִים ('ten thousand')עֲשָׂרָה (H6235) 'ten'; construct before אֲלָפִים forms 'ten thousand', the troop levy specified for the campaign.
אֲלָפִים֙thousandcardinal number com pl abs · אֶלֶף (H505)Governed noun completing the numeral phrase 'ten thousand'אֶלֶף (H505) 'thousand'; plural with עֲשֶׂרֶת yields 'ten thousand', the same figure repeated in v.14 for the men who followed Barak down from Tabor.
אִ֔ישׁmenN m sg abs (distributive with numeral) · אִישׁ (H376)Head noun of the quantified phrase (object of וְלָקַחְתָּ)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; singular used distributively after the numeral, 'ten thousand men' — the levy Barak is to take.
מִבְּנֵ֥יfrom the sons ofprep מִן + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Partitive prepositional phrase specifying the levy's sourceבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; with מִן, 'from (among) the sons of' — specifies the tribal origin of the ten thousand.
נַפְתָּלִ֖יNaphtaliN proper · נַפְתָּלִי (H5321)Genitive complement of construct (tribal source)נַפְתָּלִי (H5321); the first of the two northern tribes supplying troops, matching Barak's own home base at Kedesh-naphtali.
וּמִבְּנֵ֥יand from the sons ofconj וְ + prep מִן + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Second partitive prepositional phrase, coordinate with the firstבֵּן (H1121) repeated with וּמִן to add the second tribal source of troops, Zebulun.
זְבֻלֽוּןZebulunN proper · זְבוּלֻן (H2074)Genitive complement of construct (second tribal source)זְבוּלֻן (H2074); the second northern tribe supplying troops, paired throughout the chapter and the ch.5 poem with Naphtali as the core of Barak's force.
7

וּמָשַׁכְתִּ֨י אֵלֶ֜יךָ אֶל נַ֣חַל קִישׁ֗וֹן אֶת סִֽיסְרָא֙ שַׂר צְבָ֣א יָבִ֔ין וְאֶת רִכְבּ֖וֹ וְאֶת הֲמוֹנ֑וֹ וּנְתַתִּ֖יהוּ בְּיָדֶֽךָ

'And I will draw Sisera, the commander of Jabin's army, to you at the wadi Kishon, with his chariots and his multitude, and I will give him into your hand.'

Continuation of the oracle — the divine promise completing the commissionwə (continuing direct speech)
The verb מָשַׁךְ ('draw out') is repeated from v.6 but now with YHWH as subject drawing Sisera rather than Barak drawing troops — a deliberate wordplay: the same verb pulls both armies toward the same river. The perfect-with-waw וּנְתַתִּיהוּ ('I will give him') seals the oracle with a certain future.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וּמָשַׁכְתִּ֨יand I will drawweqatal 1cs · מָשַׁךְ (H4900)Predicate verb continuing YHWH's oracle (first-person promise)→ Weqatal: a future-certain promise continuing the command sequence, now with YHWH as speaker/agentמָשַׁךְ (H4900) 'to draw, drag'; YHWH himself draws Sisera to the ambush, echoing v.6's use of the same verb for Barak's troop movement.
אֵלֶ֜יךָto youprep אֶל + 2ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the goal of מָשַׁכְתִּיאֶל (H413) + 2ms suffix referring to Barak; YHWH will draw Sisera to where Barak waits.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase specifying the location ('at the wadi Kishon')אֶל (H413) 'to, at'; introduces the specific battlefield location.
נַ֣חַלthe wadi ofN m sg constr · נַחַל (H5158)Construct head of the place nameנַחַל (H5158) 'wadi, stream, torrent-valley'; construct before קִישׁוֹן, naming the seasonal watercourse that plays a larger role in the poem of ch.5.
קִישׁ֗וֹןKishonN proper · קִישׁוֹן (H7028)Genitive complement of construct (wadi name)קִישׁוֹן (H7028), the stream draining the Jezreel Valley into the Mediterranean — site of the coming rout, whose flash-flooding the victory poem (5:21) will credit with sweeping Sisera's chariots away.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking סִיסְרָא as the definite direct object of מָשַׁכְתִּי; untranslated in English.
סִֽיסְרָא֙SiseraN proper · סִיסְרָא (H5516)Direct object of מָשַׁכְתִּיסִיסְרָא (H5516); the target of YHWH's drawing-out, now named for the first time in the oracle itself.
שַׂרcommander ofN m sg constr · שַׂר (H8269)Apposition to Sisera (construct chain head)שַׂר (H8269) 'chief, commander'; reiterates Sisera's rank as army commander before naming his master.
צְבָ֣אthe army ofN com sg constr · צָבָא (H6635)Genitive complement of construct (whose commander)צָבָא (H6635) 'army, host'; specifies whose army Sisera commands — Jabin's, named next.
יָבִ֔יןJabinN proper · יָבִין (H2985)Genitive complement of construct (owner of the army)יָבִין (H2985); reiterated here to keep the chain of command explicit — Jabin's army, Sisera's command, now YHWH's target.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (coordinate object)וְ joins a second object to the sentence; אֵת marks רִכְבּוֹ as a definite coordinate object of the drawing-out.
רִכְבּ֖וֹhis chariotsN m sg constr (collective) + 3ms suffix · רֶכֶב (H7393)Coordinate direct objectרֶכֶב (H7393) 'chariot(ry)'; with 3ms suffix, Sisera's chariot force — the very asset that made him formidable is what YHWH promises to draw into the trap.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second coordinate object)A second וְאֶת adds הֲמוֹנוֹ ('his multitude') as another coordinate definite object drawn to the Kishon.
הֲמוֹנ֑וֹhis multitudeN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · הָמוֹן (H1995)Coordinate direct objectהָמוֹן (H1995) 'multitude, throng, tumult/roar'; with 3ms suffix, the massed troops accompanying Sisera's chariots — the noun's noise-connotation subtly anticipates the panic-verb וַיָּהָם of v.15.
וּנְתַתִּ֖יהוּand I will give himweqatal 1cs + 3ms suffix · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb concluding the oracle's promise chain→ Weqatal: a certain future act sealing the promise, 'I will give him'נָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the standard cycle-verb for YHWH delivering an enemy commander into Israel's power, here made emphatically personal with the pronominal suffix.
בְּיָדֶֽךָinto your handprep בְּ + N com sg constr + 2ms suffix · יָד (H3027)Adverbial prepositional phrase (recipient/means of the giving)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; בְּיָדְךָ 'into your hand' completes the standard deliverance idiom, addressed directly to Barak — the oracle's climactic promise.
8

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלֶ֨יהָ֙ בָּרָ֔ק אִם תֵּלְכִ֥י עִמִּ֖י וְהָלָ֑כְתִּי וְאִם לֹ֥א תֵלְכִ֛י עִמִּ֖י לֹ֥א אֵלֵֽךְ

Barak said to her, 'If you will go with me, I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.'

Barak's reply — a conditional response that complicates the commissionwə (narrative)
Two mirror-image conditional clauses (אִם...וְאִם לֹא) make Barak's participation contingent on Deborah's presence — an unusual reversal of the expected general-follows-orders shape of a judge narrative, and the direct provocation for her prophecy in v.9.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרsaidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — introduces Barak's replyאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Barak's conditional response to Deborah's oracle.
אֵלֶ֨יהָ֙to herprep אֶל + 3fs suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addresseeאֶל (H413) + 3fs suffix referring to Deborah; marks her as recipient of Barak's reply.
בָּרָ֔קBarakN proper · בָּרָק (H1301)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶרבָּרָק (H1301) 'lightning'; named as the speaker of the conditional reply that follows.
אִםifconditional conj · אִם (H518)Introduces the protasis of the first conditional clauseאִם (H518) 'if'; opens Barak's first condition, making his participation contingent on Deborah's presence.
תֵּלְכִ֥יyou goQal impf 2fs · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb of the conditional protasis→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — a hypothetical future conditionהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'; the condition on which Barak's own going depends — Deborah's accompanying him.
עִמִּ֖יwith meprep עִם + 1cs suffix · עִם (H5973)Adverbial prepositional phrase modifying תֵּלְכִיעִם (H5973) 'with' + 1cs suffix; specifies Barak's condition as Deborah's personal accompaniment, not merely her authorization.
וְהָלָ֑כְתִּיthen I will goweqatal 1cs · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate verb of the apodosis (consequence clause)→ Weqatal following a conditional protasis: the promised consequence, 'then I will go'הָלַךְ (H1980) 'to go'; completes the conditional 'if you go with me, I will go' — Barak's compliance is contingent, not unconditional.
וְאִםbut ifconj וְ + conditional conj · אִם (H518)Introduces the protasis of the mirror-image second conditionalאִם (H518) with וְ; opens the negative counterpart condition, completing the symmetrical אִם...וְאִם לֹא structure.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the verb תֵלְכִי in the second protasisלֹא (H3808) 'not'; negates Deborah's going in the mirror condition.
תֵלְכִ֛יyou goQal impf 2fs · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb of the second conditional protasis→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — the negated hypothetical conditionהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'; repeated verb forming the negative mirror of the first condition.
עִמִּ֖יwith meprep עִם + 1cs suffix · עִם (H5973)Adverbial prepositional phrase modifying תֵלְכִיעִם (H5973) 'with' + 1cs suffix; repeats the condition of personal accompaniment.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the verb אֵלֵךְ in the apodosisלֹא (H3808) 'not'; negates Barak's own going in the concluding clause of the mirror condition.
אֵלֵֽךְI will goQal impf 1cs · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb of the apodosis (negated consequence)→ Yiqtol: modal/volitional — Barak's refusal absent Deborah's presenceהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'; closes Barak's ultimatum — his obedience to YHWH's command is made entirely conditional on Deborah's company.
9

וַתֹּ֜אמֶר הָלֹ֧ךְ אֵלֵ֣ךְ עִמָּ֗ךְ אֶ֚פֶס כִּי֩ לֹ֨א תִֽהְיֶ֜ה תִּֽפְאַרְתְּךָ֗ עַל הַדֶּ֨רֶךְ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַתָּ֣ה הוֹלֵ֔ךְ כִּ֣י בְֽיַד אִשָּׁ֔ה יִמְכֹּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה אֶת סִֽיסְרָ֑א וַתָּ֧קָם דְּבוֹרָ֛ה וַתֵּ֥לֶך עִם בָּרָ֖ק קֶֽדְשָׁה

She said, 'I will surely go with you; nevertheless, there will be no glory for you on the way you are going, for YHWH will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.' Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.

Deborah's answer — the chapter's hinge verse: acceptance plus a prophecy of reversalwə (narrative)
הָלֹךְ אֵלֵךְ (infinitive absolute + finite verb) intensifies her agreement, but אֶפֶס כִּי ('only, nevertheless') pivots hard into a qualification: תִפְאֶרֶת ('glory, splendor') will not be Barak's, because YHWH will sell Sisera בְיַד־אִשָּׁה ('into the hand of a woman'). The reader naturally assumes Deborah is meant; the narrative later redirects this to Jael — the ambiguity is deliberate and is resolved only in vv.21-22.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
וַתֹּ֜אמֶרsaidQal wayyiqtol 3fs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — introduces Deborah's decisive answerאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Deborah's reply, the chapter's hinge speech.
הָלֹ֧ךְsurelyQal inf abs · הָלַךְ (H1980)Infinitive absolute intensifying the following finite verb אֵלֵךְ→ Infinitive absolute + finite verb: intensifying construction, 'I will surely go'הָלַךְ (H1980) 'to go'; the infinitive absolute before the finite form of the same root emphasizes certainty — Deborah's agreement is unequivocal, not reluctant.
אֵלֵ֣ךְI will goQal impf 1cs · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb intensified by the preceding infinitive absolute→ Yiqtol: volitional/certain — completes the emphatic 'I will surely go'הָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'; finite verb completing הָלֹךְ אֵלֵךְ, Deborah's emphatic acceptance of Barak's condition.
עִמָּ֗ךְwith youprep עִם + 2fs suffix · עִם (H5973)Adverbial prepositional phrase modifying אֵלֵךְעִם (H5973) 'with' + 2fs suffix; Deborah accepts Barak's precise condition of personal accompaniment.
אֶ֚פֶסonlyN m sg abs (used adverbially) · אֶפֶס (H657)Adversative particle pivoting into Deborah's qualificationאֶפֶס (H657) 'end, cessation'; used adverbially with כִּי as 'only, nevertheless' — sharply qualifies the preceding full agreement.
כִּי֩thatconj · כִּי (H3588)Completes the adversative idiom אֶפֶס כִּי ('nevertheless')כִּי (H3588) here paired with אֶפֶס as the fixed idiom 'only, nevertheless' — not its usual causal sense.
לֹ֨אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the verb תִהְיֶהלֹא (H3808) 'not'; negates the coming glory for Barak.
תִֽהְיֶ֜הthere will beQal impf 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of the qualifying clause (existential)→ Yiqtol: future — a certain but negative future outcomeהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; existential 'there will be no glory' — the qualification's core predicate.
תִּֽפְאַרְתְּךָ֗your gloryN f sg constr + 2ms suffix · תִּפְאֶרֶת (H8597)Subject of תִהְיֶהתִּפְאֶרֶת (H8597) 'glory, splendor, beauty'; the honor/renown that would normally accrue to the victorious general — denied to Barak specifically.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase introducing the locative/temporal qualifierעַל (H5921) 'on, upon'; introduces 'on the way' — the specific occasion the denied glory pertains to.
הַדֶּ֨רֶךְ֙the wayart + N com sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Object of the preposition עַלדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road, journey'; here the campaign/expedition Barak is undertaking, on which the promised glory will not be his.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthat/on whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying הַדֶּרֶךְאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces 'the way that you are going', specifying which journey is meant.
אַתָּ֣הyouindependent pronoun 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Emphatic subject of the relative clause (with participle הוֹלֵךְ)אַתָּה (H859) 'you'; emphatic subject pronoun with the participle, underscoring that this is specifically Barak's own journey.
הוֹלֵ֔ךְare goingQal ptc m sg abs · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate participle of the relative clause→ Participle: ongoing present action — the journey currently underwayהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to go'; participle describing Barak's present undertaking, the campaign against Sisera now in motion.
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the reason for the denied gloryכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the causal explanation — a woman, not Barak, will receive the credit.
בְֽיַדinto the hand ofprep בְּ + N com sg constr · יָד (H3027)Adverbial prepositional phrase (agency of the sale)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; בְּיַד introduces the agent into whose hand YHWH will sell Sisera — the reader assumes Deborah, but the referent stays unnamed until vv.21-22.
אִשָּׁ֔הa womanN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Genitive complement of construct (unspecified agent)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; deliberately unnamed — the chapter's central misdirection, since the reader naturally assumes Deborah until Jael is revealed as the referent.
יִמְכֹּ֥רwill sellQal impf 3ms · מָכַר (H4376)Predicate verb of the causal clause→ Yiqtol: future — the certain but delayed outcome that will fulfill the prophecyמָכַר (H4376) 'to sell'; the same verb as v.2 (YHWH selling Israel to Jabin) now reversed — YHWH will sell Sisera into a woman's hand.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of יִמְכֹּריְהוָה (H3068); subject of the prophecy — the same God who sold Israel to Jabin will sell Jabin's commander to a woman.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking סִיסְרָא as the definite direct object of יִמְכֹּר; untranslated in English.
סִֽיסְרָ֑אSiseraN proper · סִיסְרָא (H5516)Direct object of יִמְכֹּרסִיסְרָא (H5516); the object of the prophecy, whose eventual death by a woman's hand (Jael's) will cash out this verse's promise.
וַתָּ֧קָםaroseQal wayyiqtol 3fs · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative resumption)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Deborah acts on her own promiseקוּם (H6965) 'to arise'; marks the transition from speech to action — Deborah immediately fulfills her word to go with Barak.
דְּבוֹרָ֛הDeborahN proper · דְּבוֹרָה (H1683)Subject of וַתָּקָםדְּבוֹרָה (H1683); named as the one who rises and departs with Barak, honoring her promise of v.9a.
וַתֵּ֥לֶךand wentQal wayyiqtol 3fs · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb, second in sequence with וַתָּקָם→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Deborah's departure with Barakהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'; the same root repeated throughout the exchange (vv.8-9) now finally enacted, not merely promised.
עִםwithprep · עִם (H5973)Adverbial prepositional phrase modifying וַתֵּלֶךעִם (H5973) 'with'; introduces Barak as Deborah's traveling companion, fulfilling her earlier promise.
בָּרָ֖קBarakN proper · בָּרָק (H1301)Object of the preposition עִםבָּרָק (H1301); named as the one Deborah accompanies, confirming she has met his condition from v.8.
קֶֽדְשָׁהto KedeshN proper + directional ה suffix · קֶדֶשׁ (H6943)Adverbial accusative of direction (goal of the journey)קֶדֶשׁ (H6943) with the he-locale suffix ('-ah', 'to/toward Kedesh'); the destination, Barak's home base named already in v.6, where troops will be mustered (v.10).
10

וַיַּזְעֵ֨ק בָּרָ֜ק אֶת זְבוּלֻ֤ן וְאֶת נַפְתָּלִי֙ קֶ֔דְשָׁה וַיַּ֣עַל בְּרַגְלָ֔יו עֲשֶׂ֥רֶת אַלְפֵ֖י אִ֑ישׁ וַתַּ֥עַל עִמּ֖וֹ דְּבוֹרָֽה

Barak summoned Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; ten thousand men went up at his feet, and Deborah went up with him.

Execution of the commission — troop mobilizationwə (narrative)
בְּרַגְלָיו ('at his feet') is idiomatic for troops following a commander on foot in his train; Deborah's continued presence (וַתַּעַל עִמּוֹ) confirms she has joined the campaign in person, fulfilling her own condition-setting promise of v.9.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיַּזְעֵ֨קsummonedHiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · זָעַק (H2199)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Barak's own mobilization beginsזָעַק (H2199) 'to cry out'; Hiphil causative here means 'to call out, summon (troops)' — Barak convenes the forces named in Deborah's oracle.
בָּרָ֜קBarakN proper · בָּרָק (H1301)Subject of וַיַּזְעֵקבָּרָק (H1301); the commander now executing the mobilization commanded through Deborah in vv.6-7.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking זְבוּלֻן as the definite direct object of the summons; untranslated in English.
זְבוּלֻ֤ןZebulunN proper · זְבוּלֻן (H2074)Direct object of וַיַּזְעֵקזְבוּלֻן (H2074); first tribe summoned, matching the levy specified in v.6.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second coordinate object)וְ joins a second object; אֵת marks נַפְתָּלִי as a definite coordinate object of the summons.
נַפְתָּלִי֙NaphtaliN proper · נַפְתָּלִי (H5321)Coordinate direct objectנַפְתָּלִי (H5321); the second tribe summoned, Barak's own tribal home.
קֶ֔דְשָׁהto KedeshN proper + directional ה suffix · קֶדֶשׁ (H6943)Adverbial accusative of direction (muster point)קֶדֶשׁ (H6943) with he-locale; the troops are summoned specifically to Kedesh, the staging point named in vv.6, 9.
וַיַּ֣עַלwent upQal wayyiqtol 3ms · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the muster becomes a marching forceעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; describes the troop levy's ascent toward the highlands/Tabor, echoing the same verb used of Israel's pilgrimage to Deborah in v.5.
בְּרַגְלָ֔יוat his feetprep בְּ + N f du constr + 3ms suffix · רֶגֶל (H7272)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner — troops following on foot)רֶגֶל (H7272) 'foot', dual; the idiom 'at his feet' describes troops marching behind/under a commander, here Barak leading his levy in person.
עֲשֶׂ֥רֶתtencardinal number m sg constr · עֲשָׂרָה (H6235)Numeral construct governing אַלְפֵי ('ten thousand')עֲשָׂרָה (H6235) 'ten'; construct before אַלְפֵי, repeating the troop figure specified in v.6.
אַלְפֵ֖יthousandcardinal number com pl constr · אֶלֶף (H505)Construct governing אִישׁ (numeral phrase 'ten thousand men')אֶלֶף (H505) 'thousand'; construct plural governing אִישׁ, confirming the full levy has assembled as ordered.
אִ֑ישׁmenN m sg abs (distributive with numeral) · אִישׁ (H376)Head noun of the quantified phrase (subject/object complement of the ascent)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; completes 'ten thousand men' — confirms the numeric promise of v.6 fully realized.
וַתַּ֥עַלwent upQal wayyiqtol 3fs · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb, second in sequence (subject: Deborah)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Deborah's continued presence with the troopsעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; feminine form confirms Deborah herself ascends alongside the army, not merely sending it off.
עִמּ֖וֹwith himprep עִם + 3ms suffix · עִם (H5973)Adverbial prepositional phrase modifying וַתַּעַלעִם (H5973) 'with' + 3ms suffix referring to Barak; confirms Deborah's condition from vv.8-9 is fully honored in the field.
דְּבוֹרָֽהDeborahN proper · דְּבוֹרָה (H1683)Subject of וַתַּעַלדְּבוֹרָה (H1683); named again to remove any doubt that she personally accompanies the army to the field, not merely to Kedesh.
11

וְחֶ֤בֶר הַקֵּינִי֙ נִפְרָ֣ד מִקַּ֔יִן מִבְּנֵ֥י חֹבָ֖ב חֹתֵ֣ן מֹשֶׁ֑ה וַיֵּ֣ט אָהֳל֔וֹ עַד אֵל֥וֹן בצענים בְּצַעֲנַנִּ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֶת קֶֽדֶשׁ

Now Heber the Kenite had separated from Kain, from the sons of Hobab, Moses' father-in-law, and pitched his tent as far as the oak/terebinth in Zaanannim, which is near Kedesh.

Narrative aside — background information suspending the battle sequencewə (disjunctive)
This notice looks like an incidental genealogical footnote, but it silently relocates the chapter's decisive weapon: by naming Heber's Kenite household and its tent-site near Kedesh before the battle even begins, the narrator has already positioned Jael's tent as Sisera's coming refuge — foreshadowing planted well before it matters.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְחֶ֤בֶרNow Heberconj וְ + N proper · חֶבֶר (H2268)Subject of the disjunctive asideחֶבֶר (H2268) 'associate, company'; here a personal name, introducing the Kenite whose tent will become Sisera's refuge.
הַקֵּינִי֙the Keniteart + gentilic adj m sg abs · קֵינִי (H7017)Apposition to Heber (gentilic identifier)קֵינִי (H7017), gentilic of קַיִן/Kenite; identifies Heber's clan, the metalworking people allied with Israel since Moses' father-in-law (cf. Judg 1:16).
נִפְרָ֣דhad separatedNiphal ptc m sg abs · פָּרַד (H6504)Predicate participle of the disjunctive clause→ Participle (Niphal, passive/reflexive sense): a completed state of separation, background to the narrativeפָּרַד (H6504) 'to divide, separate'; Niphal 'to be separated, have separated oneself' — Heber's clan had broken off from the main body of Kenites, explaining his independent tent-site.
מִקַּ֔יִןfrom Kainprep מִן + N proper · קַיִן (H7017)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source of separation)קַיִן (H7017), here the clan/place name Kain/the Kenites, not the individual of Gen 4; marks the group Heber separated from.
מִבְּנֵ֥יfrom the sons ofprep מִן + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Second, more specific adverbial prepositional phrase in apposition to מִקַּיִןבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; further specifies the Kenite group as 'the sons of Hobab', Moses' father-in-law's family line.
חֹבָ֖בHobabN proper · חֹבָב (H2246)Genitive complement of construct (family name)חֹבָב (H2246), identified in Num 10:29 and Judg 1:16 as Moses' father-in-law (or brother-in-law) — the ancestral link tying the Kenites to Israel's founding generation.
חֹתֵ֣ןfather-in-law ofQal ptc m sg constr (substantival) · חָתַן (H2859)Apposition to Hobab (relational title)חָתַן (H2859) 'to be related by marriage'; the participle used substantively as 'father-in-law', identifying Hobab's relation to Moses.
מֹשֶׁ֑הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Genitive complement of construct (whose father-in-law)מֹשֶׁה (H4872); anchoring the Kenites' presence in Israel's territory to the earliest exodus-era alliance, long before this chapter's events.
וַיֵּ֣טand pitchedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָטָה (H5186)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Heber's relocation, quietly loading the chapter's coming weaponנָטָה (H5186) 'to stretch out, extend, pitch (a tent)'; describes Heber's tent-site relocation, an apparently minor detail that proves decisive in vv.17-21.
אָהֳל֔וֹhis tentN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · אֹהֶל (H168)Direct object of וַיֵּטאֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'; Heber's dwelling, whose location near Kedesh places it directly in Sisera's coming flight path.
עַדas far asprep · עַד (H5704)Prepositional phrase introducing the extent/destinationעַד (H5704) 'until, as far as'; marks the terminus of Heber's tent-relocation.
אֵל֥וֹןthe oak/terebinth ofN m sg abs (construct-like) · אֵלוֹן (H436)Object of עַד (place-name head)אֵלוֹן (H436) 'oak, terebinth, large tree'; names a specific landmark tree, echoing תֹּמֶר דְּבוֹרָה (v.5) as another tree serving as a fixed geographic reference.
בצעניםin Zaanannim (Kethiv)unpointed consonantal form (defective spelling) · צַעֲנַנִּים (H6815)Place-name element, doubled with the following pointed form (see text_note)צַעֲנַנִּים (H6815); the Leningrad Codex preserves an unpointed, defective consonantal form here alongside the fully pointed בְּצַעֲנַנִּים that follows — a genuine textual doubling rather than a simple error (see chapter text_note).
בְּצַעֲנַנִּ֖יםZaanannimprep בְּ + N proper · צַעֲנַנִּים (H6815)Genitive complement/apposition completing the toponym אֵלוֹן בְּצַעֲנַנִּיםצַעֲנַנִּים (H6815), the fuller pointed spelling of the same toponym also named in Josh 19:33 as a landmark on Naphtali's border — near Kedesh, directly on the path armies and refugees would take.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the locating clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the clause specifying the landmark's proximity to Kedesh.
אֶתnearprep · אֵת/אֶת (H854)Prepositional phrase of proximity (not the object marker here)H854 אֵת 'with, near' (distinct from the object-marker אֵת H853, though written identically); here locates the oak 'near/by Kedesh'.
קֶֽדֶשׁKedeshN proper · קֶדֶשׁ (H6943)Object of the preposition אֶת (H854)קֶדֶשׁ (H6943); the same town already established as Barak's home and the troop-muster point — Heber's tent-site sits directly in the theater of the coming campaign.
12

וַיַּגִּ֖דוּ לְסִֽיסְרָ֑א כִּ֥י עָלָ֛ה בָּרָ֥ק בֶּן אֲבִינֹ֖עַם הַר תָּבֽוֹר

They told Sisera that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor.

Report to the antagonist — triggers Sisera's mobilizationwə (narrative)
The impersonal וַיַּגִּדוּ ('they told') keeps the informants anonymous; the verse's sole function is to move Sisera onto the battlefield in response to intelligence about Barak's position.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיַּגִּ֖דוּthey toldHiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · נָגַד (H5046)Predicate verb (main clause), impersonal subject→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — intelligence reaches Siseraנָגַד (H5046) 'to tell, declare'; Hiphil, impersonal 'they told/it was told' — the informants are left anonymous.
לְסִֽיסְרָ֑אSiseraprep לְ + N proper · סִיסְרָא (H5516)Indirect object of וַיַּגִּדוּסִיסְרָא (H5516); the recipient of the intelligence report that triggers his mobilization.
כִּ֥יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Introduces the content clause of what was toldכִּי (H3588) 'that'; introduces the reported content — Barak's ascent to Tabor.
עָלָ֛הhad gone upQal perf 3ms · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb of the content clause→ Perfective: a completed act reported as background fact — Barak's ascent already accomplishedעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; reports Barak's position on Tabor as already established, prompting Sisera's response in v.13.
בָּרָ֥קBarakN proper · בָּרָק (H1301)Subject of עָלָהבָּרָק (H1301); subject of the reported intelligence.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Apposition to Barak (patronymic)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; repeats Barak's patronymic, formally identifying him for Sisera's intelligence.
אֲבִינֹ֖עַםAbinoamN proper · אֲבִינֹעַם (H42)Genitive complement of construct (patronymic)אֲבִינֹעַם (H42); Barak's father, repeated from v.6 to fully identify the enemy commander for Sisera.
הַרMountN m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Locative accusative, construct head (destination of עָלָה)הַר (H2022) 'mountain'; construct before תָּבוֹר, the reported destination of Barak's ascent.
תָּבֽוֹרTaborN proper · תָּבוֹר (H8396)Genitive complement of construct (mountain name)תָּבוֹר (H8396); the strategic high point named already in v.6, now confirmed by intelligence as Barak's staging position.
13

וַיַּזְעֵ֨ק סִֽיסְרָ֜א אֶת כָּל רִכְבּ֗וֹ תְּשַׁ֤ע מֵאוֹת֙ רֶ֣כֶב בַּרְזֶ֔ל וְאֶת כָּל הָעָ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִתּ֑וֹ מֵחֲרֹ֥שֶׁת הַגּוֹיִ֖ם אֶל נַ֥חַל קִישֽׁוֹן

Sisera summoned all his chariots, nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people who were with him, from Harosheth-hagoyim to the wadi Kishon.

Sisera's counter-mobilization — the two armies convergewə (narrative)
The repetition of 'nine hundred chariots of iron' from v.3 brings the chapter's opening threat physically onto the field at the Kishon, setting up the reversal that follows: this overwhelming force will be routed without any recorded Israelite tactics.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיַּזְעֵ֨קsummonedHiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · זָעַק (H2199)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Sisera's counter-mobilizationזָעַק (H2199) 'to cry out'; Hiphil 'to call out, summon (troops)' — the same verb used of Barak's mobilization in v.10, now mirrored by Sisera.
סִֽיסְרָ֜אSiseraN proper · סִיסְרָא (H5516)Subject of וַיַּזְעֵקסִיסְרָא (H5516); mobilizes his full force in direct response to the intelligence of v.12.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking כָּל רִכְבּוֹ as the definite direct object; untranslated in English.
כָּלallN m sg constr (used as quantifier) · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier construct governing רִכְבּוֹכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every, whole'; construct 'all his chariots' — total commitment of Sisera's chariot force to the field.
רִכְבּ֗וֹhis chariotsN m sg constr (collective) + 3ms suffix · רֶכֶב (H7393)Genitive complement of construct (quantified noun)רֶכֶב (H7393) 'chariot(ry)'; with 3ms suffix, Sisera's full chariot corps, immediately quantified as nine hundred.
תְּשַׁ֤עninecardinal number f sg abs · תֵּשַׁע (H8672)Numeral in apposition to רִכְבּוֹ (specifying the count)תֵּשַׁע (H8672) 'nine'; repeats the figure of v.3, now confirming Sisera brings his full force to the Kishon.
מֵאוֹת֙hundredcardinal number com pl abs · מֵאָה (H3967)Numeral completing 'nine hundred'מֵאָה (H3967) 'hundred'; completes 'nine hundred chariots of iron', identical to v.3's figure.
רֶ֣כֶבchariots ofN m sg constr (collective) · רֶכֶב (H7393)Apposition specifying the counted itemרֶכֶב (H7393); repeated in apposition to specify what is being counted — chariots, of iron.
בַּרְזֶ֔לironN m sg abs · בַּרְזֶל (H1270)Genitive modifier of רֶכֶב (material)בַּרְזֶל (H1270) 'iron'; the material specification repeated from v.3, bringing the full threat physically onto the battlefield.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second coordinate object)וְ joins a second object; אֵת marks כָּל הָעָם as a definite coordinate object of the summons.
כָּלallN m sg constr (used as quantifier) · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier construct governing הָעָםכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; 'all the people/troops' — Sisera commits his entire infantry alongside the chariots.
הָעָ֖םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive complement of construct (quantified noun)עַם (H5971) 'people, troops'; here Sisera's infantry/support forces, mustered alongside the chariot corps.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying הָעָםאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces 'who were with him', specifying the troops' allegiance to Sisera.
אִתּ֑וֹwith himprep אֵת/אִתּ + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H854)Predicate of the relative clauseאֵת (H854) 'with' (distinct from the object marker H853); + 3ms suffix, 'who were with him' — troops under Sisera's direct command.
מֵחֲרֹ֥שֶׁתfrom Haroshethprep מִן + N proper · חֲרֹשֶׁת (H2800)Locative prepositional phrase (point of departure)חֲרֹשֶׁת (H2800); Sisera's headquarters named in v.2, now the starting point of his march to battle.
הַגּוֹיִ֖םof the nationsN m pl abs (in place-name apposition) · גּוֹי (H1471)Second element of the compound place name חֲרֹשֶׁת הַגּוֹיִםגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; completes the toponym 'Harosheth-hagoyim', repeated from v.2.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the destination of the marchאֶל (H413) 'to'; introduces the destination — the wadi Kishon, where the battle will be fought.
נַ֥חַלthe wadi ofN m sg constr · נַחַל (H5158)Construct head of the destination place nameנַחַל (H5158) 'wadi'; construct before קִישׁוֹן, marking the site the two armies converge on.
קִישֽׁוֹןKishonN proper · קִישׁוֹן (H7028)Genitive complement of construct (wadi name)קִישׁוֹן (H7028); repeated from v.7, the site YHWH promised to draw Sisera to — now fulfilled by Sisera's own initiative.
14

וַתֹּאמֶר֩ דְּבֹרָ֨ה אֶל בָּרָ֜ק ק֗וּם כִּ֣י זֶ֤ה הַיּוֹם֙ אֲשֶׁר֩ נָתַ֨ן יְהוָ֤ה אֶת סִֽיסְרָא֙ בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ הֲלֹ֥א יְהוָ֖ה יָצָ֣א לְפָנֶ֑יךָ וַיֵּ֤רֶד בָּרָק֙ מֵהַ֣ר תָּב֔וֹר וַעֲשֶׂ֧רֶת אֲלָפִ֛ים אִ֖ישׁ אַחֲרָֽיו

Deborah said to Barak, 'Up! For this is the day on which YHWH has given Sisera into your hand — has not YHWH gone out before you?' So Barak went down from Mount Tabor, with ten thousand men following him.

Deborah's battle command — the signal to engagewə (narrative)
קוּם ('up!') is a volitional imperative launching the assault; the rhetorical question הֲלֹא יְהוָה יָצָא לְפָנֶיךָ ('has not YHWH gone out before you') echoes holy-war language (cf. Deut 20:4; Josh 3-4), casting the battle as YHWH's own advance with Barak merely following.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
וַתֹּאמֶר֩saidQal wayyiqtol 3fs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Deborah's battle commandאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Deborah's signal to engage, the final command before combat.
דְּבֹרָ֨הDeborahN proper · דְּבוֹרָה (H1683)Subject of וַתֹּאמֶרדְּבוֹרָה (H1683); gives the tactical order that launches the assault, continuing her active field role.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to'; introduces Barak as the recipient of the command.
בָּרָ֜קBarakN proper · בָּרָק (H1301)Object of the preposition אֶלבָּרָק (H1301); the field commander who now receives the order to attack.
ק֗וּםUpQal impv 2ms · קוּם (H6965)Volitional imperative opening Deborah's command→ Volitional: an urgent, immediate directive to engageקוּם (H6965) 'to arise'; the same root as v.9's וַתָּקָם — Deborah both rose herself and now commands Barak to rise for battle.
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction giving the reason for the commandכִּי (H3588) 'for'; grounds the imperative קוּם in the theological claim that follows — this is the appointed day.
זֶ֤הthisdemonstrative pronoun m sg · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative subject/predicate ('this is the day')זֶה (H2088) 'this'; points to the present moment as the divinely appointed occasion for victory.
הַיּוֹם֙the dayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Predicate nominative with זֶה ('this is the day')יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; 'this is the day' is holy-war language marking a divinely fixed moment of decision (cf. Josh 10:12; 1 Sam 14:12).
אֲשֶׁר֩on whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying הַיּוֹםאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the clause specifying what makes this day significant — YHWH's giving of Sisera.
נָתַ֨ןhas givenQal perf 3ms (prophetic/proleptic perfect) · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective (prophetic perfect): the victory spoken of as already accomplished though the battle has not yet occurredנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the perfect functions proleptically — Sisera's defeat is treated as a settled fact before the fighting even starts, underscoring certainty of the outcome.
יְהוָ֤הYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נָתַןיְהוָה (H3068); the one who has already 'given' Sisera into Barak's hand, per the oracle of v.7.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking סִיסְרָא as the definite direct object of נָתַן; untranslated in English.
סִֽיסְרָא֙SiseraN proper · סִיסְרָא (H5516)Direct object of נָתַןסִיסְרָא (H5516); the enemy commander whose defeat Deborah announces as already accomplished.
בְּיָדֶ֔ךָinto your handprep בְּ + N com sg constr + 2ms suffix · יָד (H3027)Adverbial prepositional phrase (recipient of the giving)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; בְּיָדְךָ completes the standard deliverance idiom, addressed to Barak — fulfilling the oracle's promise of v.7.
הֲלֹ֥אhas notinterrogative הֲ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Rhetorical-question marker introducing the theological grounding of the commandלֹא (H3808) with interrogative הֲ; הֲלֹא again expects 'yes' — 'has not YHWH gone out before you' presumes a self-evident affirmative, echoing v.6's same construction.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of יָצָאיְהוָה (H3068); the one who has already gone ahead of the army — holy-war language (cf. Deut 20:4; Josh 3:6).
יָצָ֣אgone outQal perf 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb of the rhetorical question→ Perfective: a completed act — YHWH has already gone ahead, presented as settled factיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; military idiom for a divine warrior marching ahead of the army into battle.
לְפָנֶ֑יךָbefore youprep לְ + N com pl constr + 2ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase modifying יָצָאפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; לְפָנֶיךָ 'before you/ahead of you' — the standard idiom for YHWH's vanguard presence in holy war.
וַיֵּ֤רֶדwent downQal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָרַד (H3381)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Barak's descent to engageיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down'; Barak descends from Tabor's height into the valley to engage Sisera's forces.
בָּרָק֙BarakN proper · בָּרָק (H1301)Subject of וַיֵּרֶדבָּרָק (H1301); obeys Deborah's command, initiating the attack.
מֵהַ֣רfrom Mountprep מִן + N m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Locative prepositional phrase (point of departure)הַר (H2022) 'mountain'; construct before תָּבוֹר, marking Barak's descent from the staging height.
תָּב֔וֹרTaborN proper · תָּבוֹר (H8396)Genitive complement of construct (mountain name)תָּבוֹר (H8396); the mountain named throughout the chapter, now the launching point of the attack.
וַעֲשֶׂ֧רֶתand tenconj וְ + cardinal number m sg constr · עֲשָׂרָה (H6235)Numeral construct governing אֲלָפִים (subject of the accompanying clause)עֲשָׂרָה (H6235) 'ten'; construct before אֲלָפִים, again quantifying the force following Barak into the valley.
אֲלָפִ֛יםthousandcardinal number com pl abs · אֶלֶף (H505)Governed noun completing the numeral phraseאֶלֶף (H505) 'thousand'; completes 'ten thousand', the same figure as vv.6, 10.
אִ֖ישׁmenN m sg abs (distributive with numeral) · אִישׁ (H376)Head noun of the quantified phrase (subject, with Barak, of the descent)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; completes 'ten thousand men following him' — the full force now committed to the attack.
אַחֲרָֽיוafter himprep אַחַר + 3ms suffix · אַחַר (H310)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner — troops following Barak)אַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; describes the ten thousand following Barak down from Tabor into the engagement.
15

וַיָּ֣הָם יְ֠הוָה אֶת סִֽיסְרָ֨א וְאֶת כָּל הָרֶ֧כֶב וְאֶת כָּל הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֛ה לְפִי חֶ֖רֶב לִפְנֵ֣י בָרָ֑ק וַיֵּ֧רֶד סִֽיסְרָ֛א מֵעַ֥ל הַמֶּרְכָּבָ֖ה וַיָּ֥נָס בְּרַגְלָֽיו

YHWH routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his camp with the edge of the sword before Barak; Sisera got down from his chariot and fled on foot.

The battle's outcome — divine intervention narrated before human combatwə (narrative)
וַיָּהָם ('routed, threw into panic') is the same verb used of YHWH's action at the Reed Sea (Exod 14:24) and at Gibeon (Josh 10:10) — the mechanism of the rout is left theologically opaque here, though the poem of ch.5 will credit the Kishon's flooding; Sisera's abandonment of his own chariot for flight on foot punctures the chariot-superiority set up in vv.3, 13.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וַיָּ֣הָםroutedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָמַם (H2000)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the decisive divine act of the battleהָמַם (H2000) 'to throw into confusion, panic, rout'; the same verb used of YHWH's action at the Reed Sea (Exod 14:24) and at Gibeon (Josh 10:10) — the mechanism stays theologically loaded and tactically unspecified here (contrast the flooding Kishon of 5:21).
יְ֠הוָהYHWHN proper (divine name) · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיָּהָםיְהוָה (H3068); the battle's true agent — the narrative gives no human tactics, only divine intervention.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking סִיסְרָא as the definite direct object of וַיָּהָם; untranslated in English.
סִֽיסְרָ֨אSiseraN proper · סִיסְרָא (H5516)Direct object of וַיָּהָםסִיסְרָא (H5516); the first and central object of YHWH's rout, though his chariots and camp are struck alongside him.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second coordinate object)וְ joins a second object; אֵת marks כָּל הָרֶכֶב as a definite coordinate object of the rout.
כָּלallN m sg constr (used as quantifier) · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier construct governing הָרֶכֶבכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; 'all the chariots' — the entire chariot corps caught in the rout, not merely scattered.
הָרֶ֧כֶבthe chariotsart + N m sg abs (collective) · רֶכֶב (H7393)Genitive complement of construct (quantified noun)רֶכֶב (H7393) 'chariot(ry)'; the nine-hundred-strong force of vv.3, 13, now thrown into panic.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (third coordinate object)A third וְאֶת adds כָּל הַמַּחֲנֶה ('all the camp') as another coordinate definite object of the rout.
כָּלallN m sg constr (used as quantifier) · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier construct governing הַמַּחֲנֶהכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; 'all the camp' — the entire mustered force, chariots and infantry alike.
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֛הthe campart + N com sg abs · מַחֲנֶה (H4264)Genitive complement of construct (quantified noun)מַחֲנֶה (H4264) 'camp, host'; the full mustered army summoned in v.13, now completely routed.
לְפִיby the edge ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Adverbial prepositional phrase (instrument/means of the rout)פֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; idiomatically 'edge (of a blade)' — לְפִי חֶרֶב 'by the edge of the sword' is the standard idiom for total defeat in battle.
חֶ֖רֶבthe swordN f sg abs · חֶרֶב (H2719)Genitive complement of construct (instrument)חֶרֶב (H2719) 'sword'; completes the idiom 'by the edge of the sword', though the narrative credits YHWH, not Israelite swordplay, as the operative cause.
לִפְנֵ֣יbeforeprep לְ + N com pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase (location relative to Barak)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; לִפְנֵי 'before, in front of' — locates the rout as happening in Barak's presence/at his advance, crediting the outcome to YHWH while Barak is present as instrument.
בָרָ֑קBarakN proper · בָּרָק (H1301)Object of the preposition לִפְנֵיבָּרָק (H1301); the human commander in whose presence/advance YHWH accomplishes the rout.
וַיֵּ֧רֶדgot downQal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָרַד (H3381)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Sisera's abandonment of his chariotיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down'; Sisera dismounts his own chariot — the very asset making him formidable becomes useless in the rout.
סִֽיסְרָ֛אSiseraN proper · סִיסְרָא (H5516)Subject of וַיֵּרֶדסִיסְרָא (H5516); now fleeing rather than commanding, his role reversed from the chapter's opening description.
מֵעַ֥לfrom uponcompound prep מִן + עַל · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source of the descent)עַל (H5921) 'upon' with מִן 'from'; מֵעַל 'down from (off of)' — describes Sisera's dismounting from the chariot itself.
הַמֶּרְכָּבָ֖הthe chariotart + N f sg abs · מֶרְכָּבָה (H4818)Object of the preposition מֵעַלמֶרְכָּבָה (H4818) 'chariot'; a synonym for רֶכֶב, here specifically Sisera's own vehicle, abandoned in the moment of panic.
וַיָּ֥נָסand fledQal wayyiqtol 3ms · נוּס (H5127)Predicate verb, second in sequence with וַיֵּרֶד→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Sisera's flight, the pivot into the Jael sceneנוּס (H5127) 'to flee'; the verb that will define Sisera for the rest of the chapter, repeated in v.17.
בְּרַגְלָֽיוon footprep בְּ + N f du constr + 3ms suffix · רֶגֶל (H7272)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner of the flight)רֶגֶל (H7272) 'foot', dual; 'on his feet' — the commander of nine hundred chariots (v.3) is reduced to fleeing as an ordinary foot soldier.
16

וּבָרָ֗ק רָדַ֞ף אַחֲרֵ֤י הָרֶ֨כֶב֙ וְאַחֲרֵ֣י הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה עַ֖ד חֲרֹ֣שֶׁת הַגּוֹיִ֑ם וַיִּפֹּ֞ל כָּל מַחֲנֵ֤ה סִֽיסְרָא֙ לְפִי חֶ֔רֶב לֹ֥א נִשְׁאַ֖ר עַד אֶחָֽד

Barak pursued after the chariots and after the army as far as Harosheth-hagoyim; all the camp of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword — not even one was left.

Mop-up of the rout — completes the military half of the chapterwə (narrative)
The totalizing עַד אֶחָד ('to the last one') closes the battle narrative with maximal completeness — except, pointedly, for the one man the verse does not mention: Sisera, whose separate fate the narrative has already begun tracking in v.15b.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וּבָרָ֗קAnd Barakconj וְ + N proper · בָּרָק (H1301)Subject of the disjunctive clause (Barak's pursuit)בָּרָק (H1301); shifts focus from YHWH's rout (v.15) to Barak's human follow-through in pursuit.
רָדַ֞ףpursuedQal perf 3ms · רָדַף (H7291)Predicate verb of the disjunctive clause→ Perfective: a completed, sustained act of pursuit summarized as a wholeרָדַף (H7291) 'to pursue, chase'; describes Barak's mop-up campaign following the divinely wrought rout.
אַחֲרֵ֤יafterprep · אַחַר (H310)Prepositional phrase marking the object pursuedאַחַר (H310) 'after'; introduces the fleeing chariots as the object of pursuit.
הָרֶ֨כֶב֙the chariotsart + N m sg abs (collective) · רֶכֶב (H7393)Object of the preposition אַחֲרֵירֶכֶב (H7393); the fleeing chariot corps, now being chased rather than charging.
וְאַחֲרֵ֣יand afterconj וְ + prep · אַחַר (H310)Second, coordinate prepositional phraseאַחַר (H310) repeated with וְ to add a second pursued object, the infantry camp.
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔הthe campart + N com sg abs · מַחֲנֶה (H4264)Coordinate object of the preposition וְאַחֲרֵימַחֲנֶה (H4264) 'camp, host'; the routed infantry, pursued alongside the chariots.
עַ֖דas far asprep · עַד (H5704)Prepositional phrase marking the extent of the pursuitעַד (H5704) 'until, as far as'; marks the pursuit's terminus at Sisera's home base.
חֲרֹ֣שֶׁתHaroshethN proper · חֲרֹשֶׁת (H2800)Object of עַד (place-name head)חֲרֹשֶׁת (H2800); the pursuit drives the routed army all the way back to Sisera's own headquarters (v.2).
הַגּוֹיִ֑םof the nationsN m pl abs (in place-name apposition) · גּוֹי (H1471)Second element of the compound place name חֲרֹשֶׁת הַגּוֹיִםגּוֹי (H1471); completes the toponym 'Harosheth-hagoyim', repeated a third time in the chapter (vv.2, 13, 16).
וַיִּפֹּ֞לfellQal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the totality of the defeat statedנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; summarizes the outcome of the pursuit — the entire camp destroyed.
כָּלallN m sg constr (used as quantifier) · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier construct governing מַחֲנֵהכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; 'all the camp of Sisera' — total, not partial, destruction.
מַחֲנֵ֤הthe camp ofN com sg constr · מַחֲנֶה (H4264)Genitive complement of construct (quantified noun)מַחֲנֶה (H4264); construct before סִיסְרָא, naming whose entire force has fallen.
סִֽיסְרָא֙SiseraN proper · סִיסְרָא (H5516)Genitive complement of construct (whose camp)סִיסְרָא (H5516); his entire military force is destroyed even as he himself flees separately.
לְפִיby the edge ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Adverbial prepositional phrase (instrument/means of the fall)פֶּה (H6310) 'mouth', idiomatically 'edge'; repeats v.15's idiom 'by the edge of the sword' for the mop-up phase.
חֶ֔רֶבthe swordN f sg abs · חֶרֶב (H2719)Genitive complement of construct (instrument)חֶרֶב (H2719) 'sword'; completes the idiom, now describing the fate of the fleeing camp rather than the initial rout.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the verb נִשְׁאַרלֹא (H3808) 'not'; negates survival — introducing the totalizing conclusion of the pursuit.
נִשְׁאַ֖רwas leftNiphal perf 3ms · שָׁאַר (H7604)Predicate verb of the concluding clause→ Perfective (Niphal, passive sense): a completed state — total absence of survivorsשָׁאַר (H7604) 'to remain'; Niphal passive 'to be left/remain' — negated here to state that not a single survivor remained, the pursuit's totalizing conclusion.
עַדtoprep · עַד (H5704)Prepositional phrase forming the idiom 'to the last one'עַד (H5704) 'until, to'; with אֶחָד forms the idiom 'to the last one', i.e. none whatsoever.
אֶחָֽדonecardinal number m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Object of the preposition עַד (completing the totalizing idiom)אֶחָד (H259) 'one'; עַד אֶחָד 'to the last one' — total annihilation, though the narrative pointedly excludes Sisera himself, whose fate is tracked separately.
17

וְסִֽיסְרָא֙ נָ֣ס בְּרַגְלָ֔יו אֶל אֹ֣הֶל יָעֵ֔ל אֵ֖שֶּׁת חֶ֣בֶר הַקֵּינִ֑י כִּ֣י שָׁל֗וֹם בֵּ֚ין יָבִ֣ין מֶֽלֶךְ חָצ֔וֹר וּבֵ֕ין בֵּ֖ית חֶ֥בֶר הַקֵּינִֽי

Now Sisera fled on foot to the tent of Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite, for there was peace between Jabin king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite.

Scene shift — introduces Jael and the reason Sisera trusts her tentwə (disjunctive)
שָׁלוֹם ('peace/alliance') between Jabin's house and Heber's Kenite clan explains Sisera's confidence in seeking refuge there — a confidence the narrative will expose as fatally misplaced; whether Jael's act constitutes treachery against her own clan's treaty or a higher loyalty to Israel is left for the reader to weigh, not resolved by the text.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וְסִֽיסְרָא֙Now Siseraconj וְ + N proper · סִיסְרָא (H5516)Subject of the disjunctive scene-shift clauseסִיסְרָא (H5516); the disjunctive וְ shifts scenes from Barak's pursuit (v.16) to Sisera's separate flight, tracked since v.15b.
נָ֣סfledQal perf 3ms · נוּס (H5127)Predicate verb of the disjunctive clause→ Perfective: a completed act — Sisera's flight, resuming the thread of v.15נוּס (H5127) 'to flee'; repeats v.15's verb, now tracing Sisera's path to its destination.
בְּרַגְלָ֔יוon footprep בְּ + N f du constr + 3ms suffix · רֶגֶל (H7272)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner of the flight)רֶגֶל (H7272) 'foot', dual; repeats v.15's description, emphasizing Sisera's reduced, chariotless state.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the goal of the flightאֶל (H413) 'to'; introduces the destination — Jael's tent, the site of the chapter's climax.
אֹ֣הֶלthe tent ofN m sg constr · אֹהֶל (H168)Object of the preposition אֶל (construct head)אֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'; construct before יָעֵל, naming the destination that v.11's aside had already quietly prepared.
יָעֵ֔לJaelN proper · יָעֵל (H3278)Genitive complement of construct (whose tent)יָעֵל (H3278) 'mountain goat, ibex'; introduced here for the first time by name — the woman v.9 anonymously promised would receive the glory.
אֵ֖שֶּׁתwife ofN f sg constr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Apposition to Jael (marital identifier)אִשָּׁה (H802) in construct 'wife of'; identifies Jael's marital status before naming her husband, paralleling Deborah's own introduction in v.4.
חֶ֣בֶרHeberN proper · חֶבֶר (H2268)Genitive complement of construct (husband's name)חֶבֶר (H2268); the Kenite whose separation and tent-relocation were noted in v.11, now revealed as the reason his household is central to the plot.
הַקֵּינִ֑יthe Keniteart + gentilic adj m sg abs · קֵינִי (H7017)Apposition to Heber (gentilic identifier)קֵינִי (H7017); repeats Heber's clan identity from v.11, tying this scene back to that earlier aside.
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction explaining Sisera's confidence in fleeing thereכִּי (H3588) 'for'; introduces the reason Sisera trusted this particular tent — the political alliance about to be named.
שָׁל֗וֹםpeaceN m sg abs · שָׁלוֹם (H7965)Subject of the existential clause (implicit 'there was')שָׁלוֹם (H7965) 'peace, wellbeing, alliance'; here a treaty relationship between two houses, explaining why Sisera assumed safety at Heber's tent — a trust the narrative will overturn.
בֵּ֚יןbetweenprep · בֵּין (H996)First half of a paired locative prepositional phrase (בֵּין...וּבֵין)בֵּין (H996) 'between'; paired with the following וּבֵין to name the two parties to the alliance.
יָבִ֣יןJabinN proper · יָבִין (H2985)Object of בֵּין (first party to the alliance)יָבִין (H2985); named again as the treaty partner of Heber's clan — the same king whose army Sisera commanded, now shown to have diplomatic reach among the Kenites too.
מֶֽלֶךְking ofN m sg constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Apposition to Jabin (title)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; construct before חָצוֹר, titling Jabin — here 'king of Hazor' rather than 'king of Canaan' as in v.2, the two titles used interchangeably.
חָצ֔וֹרHazorN proper · חָצוֹר (H2674)Genitive complement of construct (royal title)חָצוֹר (H2674); repeated from v.2, reaffirming Jabin's city-based title alongside his regional one.
וּבֵ֕יןand betweenconj וְ + prep · בֵּין (H996)Second half of the paired locative phraseבֵּין (H996) repeated with וְ to name the second party to the alliance, Heber's house.
בֵּ֖יתthe house ofN m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Object of the second בֵּין (construct head)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; construct before חֶבֶר, naming the second treaty party as Heber's household/clan.
חֶ֥בֶרHeberN proper · חֶבֶר (H2268)Genitive complement of construct (house name)חֶבֶר (H2268); repeated to complete 'the house of Heber the Kenite', the second party in the peace with Jabin.
הַקֵּינִֽיthe Keniteart + gentilic adj m sg abs · קֵינִי (H7017)Apposition to Heber (gentilic identifier)קֵינִי (H7017); closes the verse by re-identifying Heber's clan, underscoring exactly why Sisera trusted this tent — and how badly that trust will be betrayed.
18

וַתֵּצֵ֣א יָעֵל֮ לִקְרַ֣את סִֽיסְרָא֒ וַתֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֗יו סוּרָ֧ה אֲדֹנִ֛י סוּרָ֥ה אֵלַ֖י אַל תִּירָ֑א וַיָּ֤סַר אֵלֶ֨יהָ֙ הָאֹ֔הֱלָה וַתְּכַסֵּ֖הוּ בַּשְּׂמִיכָֽה

Jael came out to meet Sisera and said to him, 'Turn aside, my lord, turn aside to me; do not fear.' So he turned aside to her, into the tent, and she covered him with a rug.

Jael's hospitality invitation — sets the trap in the language of welcomewə (narrative)
סוּרָה ('turn aside') repeated twice plus אַל תִּירָא ('do not fear') is stock ancient Near Eastern hospitality/asylum language; שְׂמִיכָה ('rug, covering') is a hapax legomenon whose precise referent (a blanket, a fly-net, a saddlebag) is debated — the covering itself, whatever it was, completes the picture of a guest put fully at ease.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַתֵּצֵ֣אcame outQal wayyiqtol 3fs · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Jael's initiative opens the climactic sceneיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; Jael takes the initiative to meet Sisera, echoing the same verb used of YHWH's advance in v.14.
יָעֵל֮JaelN proper · יָעֵל (H3278)Subject of וַתֵּצֵאיָעֵל (H3278); the woman of v.9's prophecy, now taking center stage in the chapter's climax.
לִקְרַ֣אתto meetprep לְ + Qal inf constr · קָרָא (H7125)Infinitival purpose clause modifying וַתֵּצֵא→ Infinitive: purpose — the goal of Jael's coming outקָרָא (H7125) 'to meet, encounter'; לִקְרַאת is the fixed idiom 'to meet/greet' — Jael goes out specifically to intercept Sisera.
סִֽיסְרָא֒SiseraN proper · סִיסְרָא (H5516)Object of the infinitive לִקְרַאתסִיסְרָא (H5516); the fleeing commander Jael intercepts before he can even reach the tent unassisted.
וַתֹּ֣אמֶרand saidQal wayyiqtol 3fs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Jael's welcoming invitationאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Jael's hospitality speech, the language that will lull Sisera into false security.
אֵלָ֗יוto himprep אֶל + 3ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addresseeאֶל (H413) + 3ms suffix referring to Sisera; marks him as recipient of Jael's invitation.
סוּרָ֧הTurn asideQal impv 2ms + paragogic ה · סוּר (H5493)Volitional imperative opening Jael's invitation→ Volitional: an urgent, welcoming command — stock hospitality/asylum languageסוּר (H5493) 'to turn aside'; the paragogic ה intensifies the imperative — a formal invitation into the tent's protective space, repeated for emphasis.
אֲדֹנִ֛יmy lordN m sg constr + 1cs suffix · אָדוֹן (H113)Vocative address to Siseraאָדוֹן (H113) 'lord, master'; Jael's deferential address to the defeated commander reinforces the appearance of loyal hospitality.
סוּרָ֥הturn asideQal impv 2ms + paragogic ה · סוּר (H5493)Repeated volitional imperative, intensifying the invitation→ Volitional: repetition intensifies the urgency/warmth of the welcomeסוּר (H5493); the imperative repeated a second time — emphatic, insistent hospitality that will prove fatal.
אֵלַ֖יto meprep אֶל + 1cs suffix · אֶל (H413)Adverbial prepositional phrase modifying the second סוּרָהאֶל (H413) + 1cs suffix referring to Jael; personalizes the invitation as coming into her own protection.
אַלdo notnegative particle (volitional) · אַל (H408)Negates the following jussive תִּירָא (prohibition)אַל (H408), the negative used with jussives/prohibitions (distinct from the plain negative לֹא); introduces the reassurance 'do not fear'.
תִּירָ֑אfearQal jussive/impf 2ms · יָרֵא (H3372)Predicate verb of the prohibition→ Volitional (negated jussive): a reassuring prohibition — 'do not be afraid'יָרֵא (H3372) 'to fear'; Jael's reassurance completes the hospitality formula, disarming any suspicion Sisera might have.
וַיָּ֤סַרhe turned asideQal wayyiqtol 3ms · סוּר (H5493)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Sisera accepts the invitationסוּר (H5493); Sisera complies with Jael's repeated invitation, entering the trap willingly and trustingly.
אֵלֶ֨יהָ֙to herprep אֶל + 3fs suffix · אֶל (H413)Adverbial prepositional phrase modifying וַיָּסַראֶל (H413) + 3fs suffix referring to Jael; Sisera turns aside specifically to her, into her domain.
הָאֹ֔הֱלָהinto the tentart + N m sg abs + directional ה suffix · אֹהֶל (H168)Adverbial accusative of direction (goal of the turning aside)אֹהֶל (H168) 'tent' with he-locale; 'into the tent' — Sisera enters the very space that will become his place of death.
וַתְּכַסֵּ֖הוּand she covered himPiel wayyiqtol 3fs + 3ms suffix · כָּסָה (H3680)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Jael's continued hospitality, concealing Siseraכָּסָה (H3680) 'to cover'; Piel intensive — Jael actively conceals Sisera, ostensibly for rest/protection, completing the picture of a trusted host.
בַּשְּׂמִיכָֽהwith a rugprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · שְׂמִיכָה (H8063)Adverbial prepositional phrase (instrument/means of covering)שְׂמִיכָה (H8063), a hapax legomenon of disputed meaning — variously rendered 'rug, blanket, mosquito-net, or saddle-cloth'; its precise referent is uncertain, but it completes the domestic, trust-inducing scene.
19

וַיֹּ֧אמֶר אֵלֶ֛יהָ הַשְׁקִינִי נָ֥א מְעַט מַ֖יִם כִּ֣י צָמֵ֑אתִי וַתִּפְתַּ֞ח אֶת נֹ֧אוד הֶחָלָ֛ב וַתַּשְׁקֵ֖הוּ וַתְּכַסֵּֽהוּ

He said to her, 'Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty.' So she opened the skin of milk and gave him drink, and covered him.

Sisera's request and Jael's exceeding of it — hospitality escalatedwə (narrative)
Sisera asks only for water; Jael gives milk instead — a richer, more soporific gift that both exceeds the request (reinforcing his trust) and hastens the exhaustion that will let her act while 'he was fast asleep' in v.21.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיֹּ֧אמֶרsaidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Sisera's requestאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Sisera's request, unwittingly deepening his vulnerability.
אֵלֶ֛יהָto herprep אֶל + 3fs suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addresseeאֶל (H413) + 3fs suffix referring to Jael; marks her as the recipient of Sisera's request.
הַשְׁקִינִיgive me to drinkHiphil impv 2fs + 1cs suffix · שָׁקָה (H8248)Volitional imperative opening Sisera's request→ Volitional: a direct request, softened by the following particle נָאשָׁקָה (H8248) 'to give drink'; Hiphil causative imperative, Sisera's plea for water — the request Jael will exceed with milk.
נָ֥אpleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Softens the imperative הַשְׁקִינִינָא (H4994), a particle of polite entreaty; softens Sisera's command into a courteous request, fitting his position as a guest, however powerful he once was.
מְעַטa littleN m sg constr (used adverbially) · מְעַט (H4592)Quantifier modifying מַיִםמְעַט (H4592) 'little, few'; modifies the water requested — a modest ask that Jael will answer with more than requested.
מַ֖יִםwaterN m pl abs (plural of substance) · מַיִם (H4325)Direct object of הַשְׁקִינִימַיִם (H4325) 'water'; the modest request Sisera makes — Jael's actual gift of milk (v.19b) is an escalation, not a mere substitution.
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction giving the reason for the requestכִּי (H3588) 'for'; introduces Sisera's stated reason — his thirst after the flight and battle.
צָמֵ֑אתִיI am thirstyQal perf 1cs (stative) · צָמֵא (H6770)Predicate verb of the causal clause→ Perfective stative: describes Sisera's present physical state, not a completed past actionצָמֵא (H6770) 'to be thirsty'; the perfect of a stative verb expresses present condition — Sisera's exhaustion after the rout and flight, priming him for the deeper sleep to come.
וַתִּפְתַּ֞חshe openedQal wayyiqtol 3fs · פָּתַח (H6605)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Jael's response exceeding the requestפָּתַח (H6605) 'to open'; Jael opens the milk-skin, moving beyond mere compliance into deliberate escalation of hospitality.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking נֹאוד הֶחָלָב as the definite direct object; untranslated in English.
נֹ֧אודthe skin ofN m sg constr · נֹאד (H4997)Direct object of וַתִּפְתַּח (construct head)נֹאד (H4997) 'skin, leather bottle'; construct before הֶחָלָב, the container of the milk Jael offers instead of plain water.
הֶחָלָ֛בthe milkart + N m sg abs · חָלָב (H2461)Genitive complement of construct (contents of the skin)חָלָב (H2461) 'milk'; a richer, more soporific gift than the water requested, hastening the exhaustion the narrative will note in v.21.
וַתַּשְׁקֵ֖הוּand gave him drinkHiphil wayyiqtol 3fs + 3ms suffix · שָׁקָה (H8248)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Jael personally serves Siseraשָׁקָה (H8248) 'to give drink'; Hiphil causative, repeating Sisera's own verb from his request — Jael delivers exactly (and more than) what was asked.
וַתְּכַסֵּֽהוּand covered himPiel wayyiqtol 3fs + 3ms suffix · כָּסָה (H3680)Predicate verb, closing sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — repeats v.18's covering, reinforcing Sisera's false sense of securityכָּסָה (H3680) 'to cover'; repeated from v.18, now after he has been given drink — the hospitality sequence completed, priming him for sleep.
20

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלֶ֔יהָ עֲמֹ֖ד פֶּ֣תַח הָאֹ֑הֶל וְהָיָה֩ אִם אִ֨ישׁ יָב֜וֹא וּשְׁאֵלֵ֗ךְ וְאָמַ֛ר הֲיֵֽשׁ פֹּ֥ה אִ֖ישׁ וְאָמַ֥רְתְּ אָֽיִן

He said to her, 'Stand at the door of the tent, and if a man comes and asks you, "Is there a man here?" you shall say, "There is not."'

Sisera's instructions for concealment — dramatic irony embedded in his own wordswə (narrative)
אָיִן ('there is not') is the answer Sisera scripts for Jael to protect him — and it will, in fact, become true within moments, though not in the sense he intends: the narrative lets his own words prophesy his death without his knowing it.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרsaidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Sisera's instructions for concealmentאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Sisera's final instructions before falling asleep.
אֵלֶ֔יהָto herprep אֶל + 3fs suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addresseeאֶל (H413) + 3fs suffix referring to Jael; marks her as the recipient of Sisera's instructions.
עֲמֹ֖דStandQal impv 2ms · עָמַד (H5975)Volitional imperative opening Sisera's instruction→ Volitional: a direct command, entrusting Jael with sentry duty at the tent's entranceעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'; Sisera positions Jael as lookout, unwittingly ceding her full control over anyone who might discover him.
פֶּ֣תַחat the door ofN m sg constr · פֶּתַח (H6607)Adverbial accusative of location (construct head)פֶּתַח (H6607) 'opening, doorway'; construct before הָאֹהֶל, specifying the exact post Jael is to guard.
הָאֹ֑הֶלthe tentart + N m sg abs · אֹהֶל (H168)Genitive complement of construct (location)אֹהֶל (H168); Jael's own tent, whose entrance she is asked to guard — a request that will let her control who has access to the sleeping Sisera.
וְהָיָה֩and if it happensweqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb introducing a conditional scenario→ Weqatal: a hypothetical future scenario Sisera anticipates and prepares forהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen'; וְהָיָה אִם introduces a conditional 'and if it should be that' — Sisera plans for the contingency of discovery.
אִםifconditional conj · אִם (H518)Introduces the conditional protasisאִם (H518) 'if'; opens the hypothetical scenario of someone approaching the tent.
אִ֨ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of the conditional protasisאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the hypothetical searcher Sisera anticipates might come looking for him.
יָב֜וֹאcomesQal impf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb of the conditional protasis→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — a hypothetical future eventבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; describes the hypothetical arrival of a searcher at the tent.
וּשְׁאֵלֵ֗ךְand asks youweqatal 3ms + 2fs suffix · שָׁאַל (H7592)Continues the conditional sequence (further hypothetical action)→ Weqatal continuing a conditional: the anticipated question that would follow the man's arrivalשָׁאַל (H7592) 'to ask'; anticipates the exact interrogation Jael would face — and prescribes her answer in advance.
וְאָמַ֛רand saysweqatal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Continues the conditional sequence, introducing the hypothetical question's content→ Weqatal continuing a conditional: introduces the specific words of the hypothetical questionerאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces the exact hypothetical question Sisera scripts for the searcher to ask.
הֲיֵֽשׁIs thereinterrogative הֲ + existential particle · יֵשׁ (H3426)Existential interrogative opening the hypothetical questionיֵשׁ (H3426) 'there is'; with interrogative הֲ, 'is there?' — the exact question Sisera anticipates and, ironically, scripts the (true) answer to.
פֹּ֥הhereadverb · פֹּה (H6311)Adverbial modifier of the existential questionפֹּה (H6311) 'here'; locates the hypothetical question at this specific tent.
אִ֖ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of the existential questionאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the object of the hypothetical inquiry — Sisera himself, hidden inside.
וְאָמַ֥רְתְּthen you shall sayweqatal 2fs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb of the apodosis (Jael's scripted response)→ Weqatal: the prescribed response Sisera instructs Jael to giveאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Sisera dictates Jael's answer in advance, unwittingly scripting the very words that will misdirect his pursuer.
אָֽיִןThere is notnegative existential particle · אַיִן (H369)Predicate of the scripted denial (Jael's prescribed answer)אַיִן (H369) 'there is not, nothing'; the denial Sisera scripts for his own protection — a statement that will, within moments, become literally true in a sense he never intended.
21

וַתִּקַּ֣ח יָעֵ֣ל אֵֽשֶׁת חֶ֠בֶר אֶת יְתַ֨ד הָאֹ֜הֶל וַתָּ֧שֶׂם אֶת הַמַּקֶּ֣בֶת בְּיָדָ֗הּ וַתָּב֤וֹא אֵלָיו֙ בַּלָּ֔אט וַתִּתְקַ֤ע אֶת הַיָּתֵד֙ בְּרַקָּת֔וֹ וַתִּצְנַ֖ח בָּאָ֑רֶץ וְהֽוּא נִרְדָּ֥ם וַיָּ֖עַף וַיָּמֹֽת

Then Jael, Heber's wife, took a tent peg and put the hammer in her hand, and went to him softly, and drove the peg into his temple, and it went down into the ground — for he was fast asleep and exhausted — and he died.

The assassination — the chapter's climactic act, narrated with unflinching physical detailwə (narrative)
בַּלָּאט ('softly, stealthily') marks the approach as deliberate and controlled, not panicked; the chain of four wayyiqtols (took, put, went, drove) plus the concluding causal clause (he was asleep and exhausted) narrates the killing without commentary or apology, leaving its moral evaluation to the reader and to the poem of ch.5.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
וַתִּקַּ֣חtookQal wayyiqtol 3fs · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the assassination beginsלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; the first act of the killing sequence — Jael arms herself with tools of her own domestic craft.
יָעֵ֣לJaelN proper · יָעֵל (H3278)Subject of וַתִּקַּחיָעֵל (H3278); named again at the moment of decisive action, the chapter's true agent of Sisera's death.
אֵֽשֶׁתwife ofN f sg constr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Apposition to Jael (marital identifier)אִשָּׁה (H802) in construct 'wife of'; her marital identity restated at the decisive moment, tying the act back to the household of v.17.
חֶ֠בֶרHeberN proper · חֶבֶר (H2268)Genitive complement of construct (husband's name)חֶבֶר (H2268); named once more, underscoring that Jael acts from within the household whose treaty with Jabin Sisera trusted.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יְתַד הָאֹהֶל as the definite direct object; untranslated in English.
יְתַ֨דthe peg ofN f sg constr · יָתֵד (H3489)Direct object of וַתִּקַּח (construct head)יָתֵד (H3489) 'peg, pin'; construct before הָאֹהֶל, the ordinary tent-peg that becomes the chapter's murder weapon.
הָאֹ֜הֶלthe tentart + N m sg abs · אֹהֶל (H168)Genitive complement of construct (whose peg)אֹהֶל (H168); the peg belongs to Jael's own tent-craft — she uses what is ready to hand, a woman's domestic implement, not a soldier's weapon.
וַתָּ֧שֶׂםand putQal wayyiqtol 3fs · שִׂים (H7760)Predicate verb, second in the killing sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Jael arms her other handשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, place'; Jael takes up the hammer, completing her preparation with both hands armed.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַמַּקֶּבֶת as the definite direct object; untranslated in English.
הַמַּקֶּ֣בֶתthe hammerart + N f sg abs · מַקֶּבֶת (H4718)Direct object of וַתָּשֶׂםמַקֶּבֶת (H4718) 'hammer, mallet'; another domestic tent-craft tool, paired with the peg to complete the makeshift but lethal instrument.
בְּיָדָ֗הּin her handprep בְּ + N com sg constr + 3fs suffix · יָד (H3027)Adverbial prepositional phrase (location of the hammer)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; Jael's own hand grips the hammer — the deed is personal and direct, not delegated.
וַתָּב֤וֹאand cameQal wayyiqtol 3fs · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb, third in the killing sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Jael's approach to the sleeping Siseraבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; Jael approaches the sleeping Sisera, the deed now imminent.
אֵלָיו֙to himprep אֶל + 3ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Adverbial prepositional phrase modifying וַתָּבוֹאאֶל (H413) + 3ms suffix referring to Sisera; marks him as the goal of Jael's approach.
בַּלָּ֔אטsoftlyprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs (used adverbially) · לַאט (H3814)Adverbial prepositional phrase of manner modifying וַתָּבוֹאלַאט (H3814) 'stealth, quietness'; בַּלָּאט 'softly, stealthily' — a rare word marking Jael's approach as deliberate and controlled, not panicked or accidental.
וַתִּתְקַ֤עand droveQal wayyiqtol 3fs · תָּקַע (H8628)Predicate verb, the climactic act of the killing sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the decisive, fatal blowתָּקַע (H8628) 'to thrust, drive, blow (a trumpet)'; here the forceful driving of the peg — the chapter's central violent act, narrated without flinching.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַיָּתֵד as the definite direct object; untranslated in English.
הַיָּתֵד֙the pegart + N f sg abs · יָתֵד (H3489)Direct object of וַתִּתְקַעיָתֵד (H3489); the same tent-peg taken up in v.21a, now driven home.
בְּרַקָּת֔וֹinto his templeprep בְּ + N f sg constr + 3ms suffix · רַקָּה (H7541)Adverbial prepositional phrase (target of the driving)רַקָּה (H7541) 'temple (of the head)'; the precise, vulnerable target — the strike is exact and immediately fatal.
וַתִּצְנַ֖חand it went downQal wayyiqtol 3fs · צָנַח (H6795)Predicate verb, describing the peg's continued penetration→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the physical completeness of the blowצָנַח (H6795) 'to go down, descend'; describes the peg continuing through Sisera's head into the ground beneath — a detail underscoring the force and finality of the blow.
בָּאָ֑רֶץinto the groundprep בְּ + art + N com sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Adverbial prepositional phrase (endpoint of the peg's descent)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, ground'; the peg's final resting point, pinning Sisera to the ground on which he slept.
וְהֽוּאfor heconj וְ + independent pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of the causal/circumstantial clause explaining why the blow succeededהוּא (H1931) 'he'; introduces the explanatory aside — Sisera's own exhausted state made the killing possible.
נִרְדָּ֥םwas fast asleepNiphal ptc m sg abs · רָדַם (H7290)Predicate participle of the circumstantial clause→ Participle (Niphal): a deep, ongoing state of sleep — the condition that enabled the fatal blowרָדַם (H7290) 'to be in a deep/trance-like sleep'; a stronger word than ordinary sleep, describing the profound unconsciousness brought on by exhaustion and Jael's hospitality.
וַיָּ֖עַףand exhaustedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָעֵף (H5774)Predicate verb, second in the explanatory clause→ Wayyiqtol: describes Sisera's state, continuing the explanation for why the blow was fatal unresistedיָעֵף (H5774) 'to be weary, exhausted'; compounds with נִרְדָּם to explain Sisera's total vulnerability — spent from battle and flight, deeply asleep.
וַיָּמֹֽתand he diedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb, concluding the killing sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the final, simple statement of deathמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the same verb as v.1's מֵת (Ehud's death opening the chapter) now closes the antagonist's arc — stated with stark simplicity, no embellishment.
22

וְהִנֵּ֣ה בָרָק֮ רֹדֵ֣ף אֶת סִֽיסְרָא֒ וַתֵּצֵ֤א יָעֵל֙ לִקְרָאת֔וֹ וַתֹּ֣אמֶר ל֔וֹ לֵ֣ךְ וְאַרְאֶ֔ךָּ אֶת הָאִ֖ישׁ אֲשֶׁר אַתָּ֣ה מְבַקֵּ֑שׁ וַיָּבֹ֣א אֵלֶ֔יהָ וְהִנֵּ֤ה סִֽיסְרָא֙ נֹפֵ֣ל מֵ֔ת וְהַיָּתֵ֖ד בְּרַקָּתֽוֹ

Then, look — Barak was pursuing Sisera; Jael came out to meet him and said to him, 'Come, and I will show you the man you are seeking.' So he went in to her, and look — Sisera was fallen, dead, with the peg in his temple.

Discovery scene — resolves v.9's prophecy visuallywə + הִנֵּה (presentative)
The double הִנֵּה ('look, behold') frames both Barak's arrival and his discovery as vivid, eyewitness-style scenes; the sight of Sisera 'fallen, dead, the peg in his temple' cashes out v.9's prophecy that YHWH would sell Sisera into the hand of a woman — and that woman is Jael, not Deborah, resolving the misdirection planted three scenes earlier.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
וְהִנֵּ֣הAnd lookconj וְ + presentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle introducing a vivid sceneהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; introduces the scene with immediacy, as if the narrator points at the action unfolding — Barak's pursuit approaching.
בָרָק֮BarakN proper · בָּרָק (H1301)Subject of the presentative clauseבָּרָק (H1301); his pursuit of Sisera (v.16) now brings him directly to Jael's tent.
רֹדֵ֣ףwas pursuingQal ptc m sg abs · רָדַף (H7291)Predicate participle of the presentative clause→ Participle: ongoing action in progress, vividly presentedרָדַף (H7291) 'to pursue'; repeats v.16's verb, describing Barak's continued chase as he nears the fatal discovery.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking סִיסְרָא as the definite direct object of רֹדֵף; untranslated in English.
סִֽיסְרָא֒SiseraN proper · סִיסְרָא (H5516)Direct object of רֹדֵףסִיסְרָא (H5516); the man Barak still believes he is chasing, unaware he is already dead.
וַתֵּצֵ֤אcame outQal wayyiqtol 3fs · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Jael intercepts Barak just as she intercepted Siseraיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; repeats v.18's verb, Jael again taking the initiative — this time to bring Barak to the body.
יָעֵל֙JaelN proper · יָעֵל (H3278)Subject of וַתֵּצֵאיָעֵל (H3278); having killed Sisera, she now controls the reveal of that fact to Barak.
לִקְרָאת֔וֹto meet himprep לְ + Qal inf constr + 3ms suffix · קָרָא (H7125)Infinitival purpose clause modifying וַתֵּצֵא→ Infinitive: purpose — the goal of Jael's coming out, now toward Barakקָרָא (H7125) 'to meet'; the same idiom as v.18, this time with the 3ms suffix referring to Barak.
וַתֹּ֣אמֶרand saidQal wayyiqtol 3fs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Jael's invitation to Barakאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Jael's brief, confident announcement to Barak.
ל֔וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְPrepositional phrase marking the addresseeלְ + 3ms suffix referring to Barak; marks him as the recipient of Jael's words.
לֵ֣ךְComeQal impv 2ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Volitional imperative opening Jael's announcement→ Volitional: a confident summons, inviting Barak to see the result himselfהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'; Jael's imperative confidently ushers Barak toward what she has already accomplished.
וְאַרְאֶ֔ךָּand I will show youHiphil weqatal/cohortative 1cs + 2ms suffix · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb continuing the invitation→ Volitional/cohortative: Jael's confident offer to reveal the outcomeרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; Hiphil causative 'to show, cause to see' — Jael takes credit for the reveal, controlling the moment of Barak's discovery.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הָאִישׁ as the definite direct object of וְאַרְאֶךָּ; untranslated in English.
הָאִ֖ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Direct object of וְאַרְאֶךָּאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; a deliberately generic reference to Sisera, delaying the explicit naming until the visual confirmation.
אֲשֶׁרwhomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying הָאִישׁאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the clause identifying 'the man' as the one Barak is seeking.
אַתָּ֣הyouindependent pronoun 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject of the relative clause (with participle מְבַקֵּשׁ)אַתָּה (H859) 'you'; emphatic subject pronoun identifying Barak specifically as the seeker.
מְבַקֵּ֑שׁare seekingPiel ptc m sg abs · בִּקֵּשׁ (H1245)Predicate participle of the relative clause→ Participle: ongoing present action — Barak's continued searchבִּקֵּשׁ (H1245) 'to seek'; Piel intensive, describing Barak's active, ongoing pursuit — now about to be resolved for him.
וַיָּבֹ֣אhe wentQal wayyiqtol 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Barak follows Jaelבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, go in'; Barak follows Jael's invitation, entering the tent to see for himself.
אֵלֶ֔יהָto herprep אֶל + 3fs suffix · אֶל (H413)Adverbial prepositional phrase modifying וַיָּבֹאאֶל (H413) + 3fs suffix referring to Jael; Barak comes to her, into her tent, to see the result of her own action.
וְהִנֵּ֤הand lookconj וְ + presentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle introducing the climactic visual revealהִנֵּה (H2009) repeated from v.22a; the second 'behold' frames Barak's discovery as an immediate, vivid tableau — the chapter's visual climax.
סִֽיסְרָא֙SiseraN proper · סִיסְרָא (H5516)Subject of the presentative clause (with participles נֹפֵל, מֵת)סִיסְרָא (H5516); now revealed, finally, as the corpse Barak has been chasing this entire time.
נֹפֵ֣לfallenQal ptc m sg abs · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate participle describing Sisera's position→ Participle: a vivid, stative present description — the visual state Barak encountersנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; participle describing Sisera's collapsed body, the same verb used of his entire camp's fall in v.16 — now personal and final.
מֵ֔תdeadQal ptc m sg abs (stative/adjectival) · מוּת (H4191)Second predicate participle in apposition to נֹפֵל→ Participle (stative): describes Sisera's confirmed state of deathמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; here functioning adjectivally 'dead', confirming what v.21 already narrated — visual, undeniable proof for Barak.
וְהַיָּתֵ֖דand the pegconj וְ + art + N f sg abs · יָתֵד (H3489)Subject of a final descriptive clause (implicit 'was')יָתֵד (H3489); the murder weapon itself, still visibly embedded — the tableau's most damning detail, cashing out v.9's prophecy.
בְּרַקָּתֽוֹin his templeprep בְּ + N f sg constr + 3ms suffix · רַקָּה (H7541)Predicate locative completing the final descriptive clauseרַקָּה (H7541) 'temple'; repeats v.21's precise anatomical detail, the visible confirmation of exactly how Sisera died.
23

וַיַּכְנַ֤ע אֱלֹהִים֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא אֵ֖ת יָבִ֣ין מֶֽלֶךְ כְּנָ֑עַן לִפְנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל

So God subdued Jabin king of Canaan on that day before the sons of Israel.

Theological summary — reframes the battle's outcome as God's act, not Israel's victorywə (narrative)
וַיַּכְנַע ('subdued') shifts the verb's subject to אֱלֹהִים ('God') rather than Barak or Jael, retroactively crediting the entire campaign — commission, battle, and assassination alike — to divine action; this is the narrator's own theological verdict on the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיַּכְנַ֤עsubduedHiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · כָּנַע (H3665)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the chapter's theological summary verdictכָּנַע (H3665) 'to be humbled, subdued'; Hiphil causative 'to subdue, humble' — the narrator's own summarizing verdict on the whole campaign, crediting God directly.
אֱלֹהִים֙GodN m pl abs (plural of majesty, singular referent) · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of וַיַּכְנַעאֱלֹהִים (H430); notably the general divine title here rather than the covenant name יְהוָה used throughout the rest of the chapter — the narrator's summarizing theological register.
בַּיּ֣וֹםon the dayprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phrase modifying וַיַּכְנַעיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; 'on that day' — recalling the 'this is the day' of Deborah's command in v.14, now fulfilled.
הַה֔וּאthatart + demonstrative pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying יוֹם ('that day')הוּא (H1931) used demonstratively with the article, 'that (very)'; specifies the day of battle as the moment of God's decisive subduing act.
אֵ֖ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יָבִין as the definite direct object of וַיַּכְנַע; untranslated in English.
יָבִ֣יןJabinN proper · יָבִין (H2985)Direct object of וַיַּכְנַעיָבִין (H2985); the king whose oppression opened the chapter (v.2) is now, at its close, personally subdued by God.
מֶֽלֶךְking ofN m sg constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Apposition to Jabin (title)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; construct before כְּנָעַן, reprising Jabin's royal title from v.2, bracketing the chapter with the same designation.
כְּנָ֑עַןCanaanN proper · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Genitive complement of construct (royal title)כְּנַעַן (H3667); completes 'king of Canaan', matching the chapter's opening designation of Jabin exactly (v.2).
לִפְנֵ֖יbeforeprep לְ + N com pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase (location relative to Israel)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; לִפְנֵי 'before' — the subduing takes place in Israel's presence/sight, publicly vindicating the nation's cause.
בְּנֵ֥יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive complement of the preposition לִפְנֵי (construct chain head)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct plural forming 'sons of Israel', in whose sight God's subduing act is publicly displayed.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); closes the verse — the nation whose cry (v.3) opened the crisis now witnesses its resolution.
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וַתֵּ֜לֶךְ יַ֤ד בְּנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ הָל֣וֹךְ וְקָשָׁ֔ה עַ֖ל יָבִ֣ין מֶֽלֶךְ כְּנָ֑עַן עַ֚ד אֲשֶׁ֣ר הִכְרִ֔יתוּ אֵ֖ת יָבִ֥ין מֶֽלֶךְ כְּנָֽעַן

And the hand of the sons of Israel went, going and pressing harder, against Jabin king of Canaan, until they had cut off Jabin king of Canaan.

Closing summary — extends the single day's victory into an ongoing campaignwə (narrative)
הָלוֹךְ וְקָשָׁה (infinitive absolute + adjective, an unusual durative pairing meaning something like 'growing continually harder') stretches the action past the single battle into a protracted campaign of attrition, formally closing the cycle with Jabin's dynasty 'cut off' (הִכְרִיתוּ) — the oppression named in vv.2-3 is fully undone.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַתֵּ֜לֶךְwentQal wayyiqtol 3fs · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the extended campaign following the day of battleהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'; here idiomatically describing the ongoing progress of Israel's power, not literal motion — 'the hand of Israel went (on)'.
יַ֤דthe hand ofN com sg constr · יָד (H3027)Subject of וַתֵּלֶךְ (construct head)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiomatic for power/strength — 'the hand of the sons of Israel' personifies the nation's growing dominance.
בְּנֵֽיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive complement of construct (whose hand)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct plural continuing the chain 'the hand of the sons of Israel'.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙IsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); completes 'the hand of the sons of Israel', the subject whose strength is described as growing.
הָל֣וֹךְgoingQal inf abs · הָלַךְ (H1980)Infinitive absolute forming a durative construction with the following adjective וְקָשָׁה→ Infinitive absolute + adjective: a rare durative idiom, 'going and (growing) harder' — continuous, intensifying actionהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to go'; paired with the adjective קָשָׁה in an unusual construction expressing continuous progression, 'growing ever more' — Israel's pressure on Jabin steadily intensifying rather than a single blow.
וְקָשָׁ֔הand harderconj וְ + adj f sg abs · קָשֶׁה (H7186)Predicate adjective completing the durative idiom with הָלוֹךְקָשֶׁה (H7186) 'hard, harsh, severe'; paired with the infinitive absolute הָלוֹךְ to express a progressively intensifying pressure — Israel's campaign against Jabin grew steadily harsher over time.
עַ֖לagainstprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase marking the object of Israel's pressureעַל (H5921) 'against, upon'; introduces Jabin as the target of Israel's intensifying campaign.
יָבִ֣יןJabinN proper · יָבִין (H2985)Object of the preposition עַליָבִין (H2985); the target of Israel's growing pressure, still standing after the single day's battle of vv.14-16, 21-22.
מֶֽלֶךְking ofN m sg constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Apposition to Jabin (title)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; construct before כְּנָעַן, the third repetition of Jabin's title within the chapter's closing two verses.
כְּנָ֑עַןCanaanN proper · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Genitive complement of construct (royal title)כְּנַעַן (H3667); completes 'king of Canaan', repeated once more before the final clause.
עַ֚דuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Prepositional phrase introducing the temporal endpoint of the campaignעַד (H5704) 'until'; marks the campaign's ultimate goal — the total elimination of Jabin's dynasty.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthat/whenrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative/temporal particle introducing the concluding clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); with עַד forms 'until (the point) that', introducing the campaign's final outcome.
הִכְרִ֔יתוּthey had cut offHiphil perf 3cp · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb of the concluding clause→ Perfective: a completed, final act — the total elimination of Jabin's line, ending the campaignכָּרַת (H3772) 'to cut'; Hiphil causative 'to cut off, exterminate' — the standard idiom for ending a dynasty or lineage, closing the chapter's conflict permanently.
אֵ֖ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יָבִין as the definite direct object of הִכְרִיתוּ; untranslated in English.
יָבִ֥יןJabinN proper · יָבִין (H2985)Direct object of הִכְרִיתוּיָבִין (H2985); the king named at the chapter's start (v.2) and now, at its very close, permanently eliminated.
מֶֽלֶךְking ofN m sg constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Apposition to Jabin (title)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; construct before כְּנָעַן, the final repetition of the title that has bracketed the entire chapter.
כְּנָֽעַןCanaanN proper · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Genitive complement of construct (royal title)כְּנַעַן (H3667); the chapter's final word — completing 'king of Canaan' one last time, closing the narrative exactly as it began (v.2).