Sisera is a prominent figure in the Old Testament, known primarily as the commander of the Canaanite army under King Jabin of Hazor. His account is recounted in the Book of Judges, chapters 4 and 5, where he plays a central role in the narrative of Israel's deliverance from Canaanite oppression.

Historical Context

Sisera's military leadership is set during the period of the Judges, a time characterized by a cyclical pattern of Israel's disobedience, oppression by foreign powers, cries for deliverance, and subsequent rescue by judges raised by God. Sisera commanded a formidable force, including 900 iron chariots, which symbolized significant military might and technological advancement for the time (Judges 4:3).

Biblical Account

The account of Sisera begins with the Israelites doing evil in the sight of the LORD, leading to their subjugation by Jabin, king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. Sisera, as Jabin's general, oppressed the Israelites cruelly for twenty years, prompting them to cry out to the LORD for help (Judges 4:1-3).

In response to their cries, God raised up Deborah, a prophetess and judge, who summoned Barak son of Abinoam to lead an Israelite army against Sisera. Deborah prophesied that the LORD would deliver Sisera into Barak's hands, but that the honor of killing Sisera would go to a woman (Judges 4:4-9).

The Battle and Sisera's Defeat

Barak, with Deborah accompanying him, gathered 10,000 men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun and went to Mount Tabor. Sisera, informed of Barak's movements, assembled his chariots and troops at the Kishon River. In a divinely orchestrated battle, the LORD routed Sisera and his chariots, causing panic and confusion among his forces. Sisera abandoned his chariot and fled on foot (Judges 4:10-15).

Death of Sisera

Sisera sought refuge in the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, who offered him hospitality. Exhausted, Sisera fell asleep, and Jael seized the opportunity to fulfill Deborah's prophecy. She drove a tent peg through Sisera's temple, killing him while he slept (Judges 4:17-21). When Barak arrived in pursuit, Jael showed him the lifeless body of Sisera, confirming the LORD's deliverance of Israel through the hand of a woman.

The Song of Deborah and Barak

Judges 5 records the Song of Deborah and Barak, a poetic retelling of the victory over Sisera. The song celebrates the LORD's intervention, the bravery of the Israelite leaders, and the decisive role of Jael. It also highlights the cosmic elements of the battle, such as the stars fighting from their courses and the Kishon River sweeping away Sisera's forces (Judges 5:20-21).

Legacy

Sisera's defeat marked a significant turning point for the Israelites, leading to forty years of peace. His account serves as a testament to God's sovereignty and faithfulness in delivering His people, often using unexpected means and individuals to accomplish His purposes. Sisera's narrative underscores the themes of divine justice and the reversal of human expectations, as seen in the unlikely victory achieved through the courage of a woman.

The Marvels of Holy Scripture, --Moral and Physical. --Jael's Deed ...
... God promises deliverance: and Deborah is raised up to organize the resistance against
Jabin, "the captain of whose host was Sisera." Now, while Heber the ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon vii the marvels of.htm

Though Many Other Widows came Near to Judith in virtue...
... fought for her, who in a mystery revealed to us the rising of the Church from among
the Gentiles, for whom should be found a triumph over Sisera, that is, over ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter viii though many other.htm

Judges
... has been built up, and the account of Sisera's death in this chapter, iv.21, which
differs from that in v.26, 27, rests on a misunderstanding of the situation ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/judges.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... enemy.* They had for some time been under the Amorite yoke, and the sacred writings
represent them at this juncture as oppressed either by Sisera of Harosheth ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Sleep Not
... Hot of foot and full of fear, Sisera came into the tent of Jael to ask for water,
and she gave him milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/sleep not.htm

Sisera's (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sisera's (2 Occurrences). Judges 4:16 But Barak went
after the war-carriages and the army as far as Harosheth ...
/s/sisera's.htm - 7k

Deborah (10 Occurrences)
... She gave the signal for attack, and the Hebrew host rushed down impetuously upon
the army of Jabin, which was commanded by Sisera, and gained a great and ...
/d/deborah.htm - 14k

Sis'era (19 Occurrences)
Sis'era. Sisera, Sis'era. Sisera's . ... (See RSV). Ezra 2:53 the children of Barkos,
the children of Sisera, the children of Temah; (See RSV). ...
/s/sis'era.htm - 12k

Poetry
... We have an illustration in Judges 5:28, which may be thus literally translated:
"Through the window she looked, And Sisera's mother x through the x." Here we ...
/p/poetry.htm - 48k

Zaanannim (2 Occurrences)
... This agrees also with the indications in Judges, if the direction of Sisera's
flight suggested in MEROZ (which see) is correct. ...
/z/zaanannim.htm - 8k

Kenites (8 Occurrences)
... At the time of Sisera's overthrow, Heber, a Kenite, at "peace" with Jabin, king
of Hazor, pitched his tent far North of his ancestral seats (Judges 4:17). ...
/k/kenites.htm - 13k

Lattice (6 Occurrences)
... Judges 5:28 "Through the window she looked out, and cried: Sisera's mother looked
through the lattice.'Why is his chariot so long in coming? ...
/l/lattice.htm - 9k

Lamented (19 Occurrences)
... Judges 5:28 "Through the window she looked out, and cried: Sisera's mother looked
through the lattice.'Why is his chariot so long in coming? ...
/l/lamented.htm - 12k

Wheels (30 Occurrences)
... Judges 5:28 "Through the window she looked out, and cried: Sisera's mother looked
through the lattice.'Why is his chariot so long in coming? ...
/w/wheels.htm - 16k

Window (24 Occurrences)
... Judges 5:28 "Through the window she looked out, and cried: Sisera's mother looked
through the lattice.'Why is his chariot so long in coming? ...
/w/window.htm - 16k

Who was Sisera in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the story of Deborah and Barak? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Jael in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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