Judges 4:21
"Then Jael Heber’s wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

Then Jael, Heber's wife, took a nail of the tent,.... When she perceived he was fast asleep, and it being now put into her heart to kill him, having an impulse upon her spirit, which she was persuaded, by the effect it had upon her, that it was of God; not filling her with malice and revenge, but a concern

for the glory of God, the interest of religion, and the good of Israel, she took this method to effect the death of this enemy of God, and his people; having no arms in the house, for the Kenites used none, she took up an iron pin, with which her tent was fastened to the ground: and took a hammer in her hand; which perhaps she knew full well how to handle, being used to drive the pins of the tents into the ground with it: and went softly unto him; lest she should awake him and smote the nail into his temples: as he lay on one side, these being the tenderest part of the head, from whence they have their name in the Hebrew language, and into which therefore a nail, or iron pin, might be more easily driven: and fastened it into the ground; she smote the nail with such force and violence, that she drove it through both his temples into the ground on which he lay; and then, as it seems, from Jdg 5:26 ; cut off his head, to make sure work of it: for he was fast asleep and weary; and so heard not; when she came to him: so he died; not in the field of battle, but in a tent; not by the sword, but by a nail; not by the hand of a man, but of a woman, as Deborah foretold, Jdg 4:9 .

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (24 words)

H3947 לָקַח
Definition:

22+,לָקָח֑Genesis 27:36+ (קָחEzekiel 17:5is textual error; omitted byᵐ5ᵑ6Co, compare Ges§ 19, 3. a); suffixלְקָחַנִיGenesis 24:7,לְקָחָםJeremiah 27:20(forקָחָםHosea 11:3read probablyאֶקָּחֵםᵐ5ᵑ7Ew St 22+,לָקָח֑Genesis 27:36+ (קָחEzekiel 17:5is textual error; omitted byᵐ5ᵑ6Co, compare Ges§ 19, 3. a); suffixלְקָחַנִיGenesis 24:7,לְקָחָםJeremiah 27:20(forקָחָםHosea 11:3read probablyאֶקָּחֵםᵐ5ᵑ7Ew St

Possible Meanings:
  • learning (semantic_range)
  • teaching (semantic_range)
  • what is received (semantic_range)
  • instruction (semantic_range)
  • teaching (semantic_range)
H3278 יָעֵל
Definition:

17,18,21,22;Judges 5:24, probably alsoJudges 5:6(others find here name of a man, a 'judge').Topical LexiconOccurrences and Narrative SettingYael appears six times, exclusively in the narrative ofJudge 17,18,21,22;Judges 5:24, probably alsoJudges 5:6(others find here name of a man, a 'judge').Topical LexiconOccurrences and Narrative SettingYael appears six times, exclusively in the narrative ofJudge

Possible Meanings:
  • mountain-goat (semantic_range)
H0802 אִשָּׁה
Definition:

33+; constructאֵשֶׁתGenesis 11:29+ (apparently absoluteDeuteronomy 21:11;1 Samuel 28:7;Psalm 58:9but compare Bö§ 728Ges§ 130. 5); suffixאִשְׁתִּיGenesis 20:11+;אִשְׁתְּךָGenesis 12:18+ (אֶשְׁתְּךָPsal 33+; constructאֵשֶׁתGenesis 11:29+ (apparently absoluteDeuteronomy 21:11;1 Samuel 28:7;Psalm 58:9but compare Bö§ 728Ges§ 130. 5); suffixאִשְׁתִּיGenesis 20:11+;אִשְׁתְּךָGenesis 12:18+ (אֶשְׁתְּךָPsal

Possible Meanings:
  • an offering made by fire (semantic_range)
H2268 חֶבֶר
Definition:

11,17 (twice in verse);Judges 4:21;Judges 5:24.2a man of AsherחִבֶרGenesis 46:17(P)ᵐ5Ξοβωρ1 Chronicles 7:31,32ᵐ5Ξαβερᵐ5LΙεχοβερ;חֵבֶרNumbers 26:45ᵐ5Ξοβερ; on possible identification with–abiriof Tel e 11,17 (twice in verse);Judges 4:21;Judges 5:24.2a man of AsherחִבֶרGenesis 46:17(P)ᵐ5Ξοβωρ1 Chronicles 7:31,32ᵐ5Ξαβερᵐ5LΙεχοβερ;חֵבֶרNumbers 26:45ᵐ5Ξοβερ; on possible identification with–abiriof Tel e

Possible Meanings:
  • fellow (semantic_range)
  • comrade (semantic_range)
H0853 אֵת
Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (semantic_range)
H3489 יָתֵד
Definition:

14peg, pin(Late Hebrewid.; Arabic) —יָתֵדDeuteronomy 23:149t.; constructיְתַדJudges 4:21;Judges 16:14(where with article but see Ges§ 127, R. 4 a); pluralיְתֵדֹתExodus 38:20; constructיִתְדֹתExodus 27 14peg, pin(Late Hebrewid.; Arabic) —יָתֵדDeuteronomy 23:149t.; constructיְתַדJudges 4:21;Judges 16:14(where with article but see Ges§ 127, R. 4 a); pluralיְתֵדֹתExodus 38:20; constructיִתְדֹתExodus 27

H0168 אֹהֶל
Definition:

3tent(compare Assyrianâlu, above, Arabic,fellow-dwellers, family, SabeanאהלDHMZMG 1883, 341and others, also in proper names Sabean & Phoenician seeאהליאב) — absolute׳אGenesis 4:20+; constructid.Exodus 3tent(compare Assyrianâlu, above, Arabic,fellow-dwellers, family, SabeanאהלDHMZMG 1883, 341and others, also in proper names Sabean & Phoenician seeאהליאב) — absolute׳אGenesis 4:20+; constructid.Exodus

Possible Meanings:
  • aloe (semantic_range)
H7760 שׂוּם
Definition:

582verbput, place, set(compare NöZMG xxxvii (1883), 532; Late HebrewסוּסPi`eldesignate, fix,שׂוםEcclus 45:5c; Ecclus 49:6; Phoenicianשם, Assyrianšâmu. fix, determine;Sabeanשׂיםset, set up, SabDenkmNo. 582verbput, place, set(compare NöZMG xxxvii (1883), 532; Late HebrewסוּסPi`eldesignate, fix,שׂוםEcclus 45:5c; Ecclus 49:6; Phoenicianשם, Assyrianšâmu. fix, determine;Sabeanשׂיםset, set up, SabDenkmNo.

Possible Meanings:
  • make (semantic_range)
  • make (semantic_range)
  • make (semantic_range)
  • appoint (semantic_range)
H0853 אֵת
Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (semantic_range)
H4718 מַקֶּבֶת
Definition:

1(figurative),excavation of a pit, = quarry (""צוּר).Topical LexiconMeaning and ImageryThe term evokes two related pictures: an implement used to drive or pierce, and the cavity produced by repeated s 1(figurative),excavation of a pit, = quarry (""צוּר).Topical LexiconMeaning and ImageryThe term evokes two related pictures: an implement used to drive or pierce, and the cavity produced by repeated s

Possible Meanings:
  • hole (semantic_range)
H3027 יָד
Definition:

26+ often (masculineExodus 17:12see Di; onיִרְמּוּ יָדַיִם2 Samuel 4:1;Zephaniah 3:16; 2Chronicles 15:7;Nehemiah 6:9, see Ges§ 145, 7 a, R. 1)hand(Late Hebrewid.; Aramaicיְדָא,; ZinjirliידDHMSendsch.G 26+ often (masculineExodus 17:12see Di; onיִרְמּוּ יָדַיִם2 Samuel 4:1;Zephaniah 3:16; 2Chronicles 15:7;Nehemiah 6:9, see Ges§ 145, 7 a, R. 1)hand(Late Hebrewid.; Aramaicיְדָא,; ZinjirliידDHMSendsch.G

Possible Meanings:
  • power (semantic_range)
H0935 בּוֹא
Definition:

13+; 3 feminine singularבָּ֫אָהGenesis 15:17+; suffixבָּאַתְנוּPsalm 44:18; 2masculine singularבָּ֫אתָJoshua 13:1+,בָּ֫אתָה2 Samuel 3:7; 2feminine singularבָּאתְGenesis 16:8;Ruth 2:12,וּבָאתְconsecuti 13+; 3 feminine singularבָּ֫אָהGenesis 15:17+; suffixבָּאַתְנוּPsalm 44:18; 2masculine singularבָּ֫אתָJoshua 13:1+,בָּ֫אתָה2 Samuel 3:7; 2feminine singularבָּאתְGenesis 16:8;Ruth 2:12,וּבָאתְconsecuti

Possible Meanings:
  • come in (semantic_range)
  • come (semantic_range)
  • go in (semantic_range)
  • go (semantic_range)
  • come in (semantic_range)
H0413 אֶל
Definition:

22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE 22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE

Possible Meanings:
  • these (semantic_range)
H3814 לָאט
Definition:

Fromla'at(or perhaps for active participle ofluwt); properly, muffled, i.e. Silently -- softly.see HEBREWla'atsee HEBREWluwtNAS Exhaustive ConcordanceWord Originfrom a preposition prefix andat, q.v.Br Fromla'at(or perhaps for active participle ofluwt); properly, muffled, i.e. Silently -- softly.see HEBREWla'atsee HEBREWluwtNAS Exhaustive ConcordanceWord Originfrom a preposition prefix andat, q.v.Br

Possible Meanings:
  • cover (semantic_range)
H8628 תָּקַע
Definition:

25+, 1 singularוְתָקַעְתִּ֫יJeremiah 7:18, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularתִּקְעוּJeremiah 3:37+, suffixוַיִּתְקָעֵהוּExodus 10:19, etc.;Imperativemasculine pluralתִּקְעוּHosea 5:8+;Infinitive absol 25+, 1 singularוְתָקַעְתִּ֫יJeremiah 7:18, etc.;Imperfect3masculine singularתִּקְעוּJeremiah 3:37+, suffixוַיִּתְקָעֵהוּExodus 10:19, etc.;Imperativemasculine pluralתִּקְעוּHosea 5:8+;Infinitive absol

Possible Meanings:
  • blast (semantic_range)
H0853 אֵת
Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (semantic_range)
H3489 יָתֵד
Definition:

14peg, pin(Late Hebrewid.; Arabic) —יָתֵדDeuteronomy 23:149t.; constructיְתַדJudges 4:21;Judges 16:14(where with article but see Ges§ 127, R. 4 a); pluralיְתֵדֹתExodus 38:20; constructיִתְדֹתExodus 27 14peg, pin(Late Hebrewid.; Arabic) —יָתֵדDeuteronomy 23:149t.; constructיְתַדJudges 4:21;Judges 16:14(where with article but see Ges§ 127, R. 4 a); pluralיְתֵדֹתExodus 38:20; constructיִתְדֹתExodus 27

H7541 רַקָּה
Definition:

Judges 4:21וַתִּתְקַע הַיָּתֵד בְּרַקָּתוֺ,Judges 4:22;Judges 5:26וּמָֽחְצָה וְחָֽלְפָה רִקָּתוֺ,Songs 4:3=Songs 6:7כְּפֶלַח הָרִמּוֺן רִקָּתֵךְ.Topical LexiconDefinition and Scope of the TermThe Hebr Judges 4:21וַתִּתְקַע הַיָּתֵד בְּרַקָּתוֺ,Judges 4:22;Judges 5:26וּמָֽחְצָה וְחָֽלְפָה רִקָּתוֺ,Songs 4:3=Songs 6:7כְּפֶלַח הָרִמּוֺן רִקָּתֵךְ.Topical LexiconDefinition and Scope of the TermThe Hebr

Possible Meanings:
  • the temple (semantic_range)
H6795 צָנַח
Definition:

14=Joshua 15:18and she descended(alighted)from the ass;בָּאָרֶץ׳וַתּJudges 4:21and it(the tent-peg)went down into the ground.Topical LexiconOverview of Usageצָנַח appears only three times in Scripture 14=Joshua 15:18and she descended(alighted)from the ass;בָּאָרֶץ׳וַתּJudges 4:21and it(the tent-peg)went down into the ground.Topical LexiconOverview of Usageצָנַח appears only three times in Scripture

H0776 אֶרֶץ
Definition:

11& (seldom)masculineGenesis 13:16earth, land(Phoenician, MIארץ, AssyrianirƒituCOTGloss, Arabic, Sabeanארץֿe.g. Os9DHMZMG 1875, 594, 614; Semitic Sprachf. 12, compare PräBAS i. 374 n., Aramaicאֲרַע,) 11& (seldom)masculineGenesis 13:16earth, land(Phoenician, MIארץ, AssyrianirƒituCOTGloss, Arabic, Sabeanארץֿe.g. Os9DHMZMG 1875, 594, 614; Semitic Sprachf. 12, compare PräBAS i. 374 n., Aramaicאֲרַע,)

H1931 הוּא
Definition:

23Kt, seeהוּא.הוּאmasculineהִיאfeminine(plural masculineהֵ֫מָּה,הֵם; feminineהֵ֫נָּה,הֵן[the latter only with prefixes]; see these words),pronoun of the 3rd person singular,he, she, used also(in both 23Kt, seeהוּא.הוּאmasculineהִיאfeminine(plural masculineהֵ֫מָּה,הֵם; feminineהֵ֫נָּה,הֵן[the latter only with prefixes]; see these words),pronoun of the 3rd person singular,he, she, used also(in both

H7290 רָדַם
Definition:

A primitive root; to stun, i.e. Stupefy (with sleep or death) -- (be fast a-, be in a deep, cast into a dead, that) sleep(-er, -eth).Brown-Driver-Briggs[רָדַם]verb Niph`albe in, or fall into, heavy sl A primitive root; to stun, i.e. Stupefy (with sleep or death) -- (be fast a-, be in a deep, cast into a dead, that) sleep(-er, -eth).Brown-Driver-Briggs[רָדַם]verb Niph`albe in, or fall into, heavy sl

Possible Meanings:
  • heavy sleep (semantic_range)
H5774 עוּף
Definition:

A primitive root; to cover (with wings or obscurity); hence (as denominative fromowph) to fly; also (by implication of dimness) to faint (from the darkness of swooning) -- brandish, be (wax) faint, fl A primitive root; to cover (with wings or obscurity); hence (as denominative fromowph) to fly; also (by implication of dimness) to faint (from the darkness of swooning) -- brandish, be (wax) faint, fl

Possible Meanings:
  • fowl (semantic_range)
H4191 מוּת
Definition:

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill -- X at all, X crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-manc to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill -- X at all, X crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-manc

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