On that dayThis phrase indicates a specific moment in time, marking a significant event in the history of Israel. It emphasizes the immediacy and importance of the victory. The context is the aftermath of the battle led by Deborah and Barak, highlighting God's intervention in a decisive manner.
God subdued
The use of "God" as the subject underscores divine intervention. This reflects the recurring biblical theme that victories are attributed to God's power rather than human strength. It echoes other instances where God fights for Israel, such as inExodus 14:14 during the crossing of the Red Sea. The term "subdued" suggests a complete and overwhelming defeat, aligning with the idea that God is sovereign over all nations.
Jabin king of Canaan
Jabin is identified as the king of Canaan, ruling from Hazor, a significant city in northern Israel. Historically, Hazor was a major Canaanite city, and archaeological evidence supports its prominence during this period. The mention of Jabin connects to earlier biblical narratives, as Hazor was previously defeated by Joshua (Joshua 11:1-11), indicating a resurgence of Canaanite power that God once again dismantles.
before the Israelites
This phrase highlights the role of the Israelites as witnesses to God's power. It serves to strengthen their faith and trust in God, reinforcing the covenant relationship. The victory is not just a military success but a spiritual affirmation of God's promises to His people. It also foreshadows the ultimate victory of God's people over their enemies, a theme that resonates throughout the Bible, culminating in the eschatological triumph in Revelation.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
GodThe sovereign Lord who orchestrates the events and delivers His people. In this verse, God is the primary actor who subdues Jabin.
2.
JabinThe king of Canaan, representing the oppressive force against Israel. His defeat signifies the liberation of the Israelites from Canaanite oppression.
3.
IsraelitesThe people of God who are delivered from their enemies. Their victory is a testament to God's faithfulness and power.
4.
CanaanThe land where Jabin ruled, often representing opposition to God's people in the Old Testament account.
5.
Deborah and BarakThough not mentioned in this specific verse, they are key figures in the chapter who lead Israel to victory under God's guidance.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in DeliveranceGod is the ultimate deliverer, and His power is unmatched. Just as He subdued Jabin, He can overcome any obstacle in our lives.
Faithfulness in LeadershipDeborah and Barak's faithfulness to God's command led to victory. We are called to be faithful in our roles, trusting in God's guidance.
Victory Through Divine InterventionThe Israelites' victory was not by their might but by God's intervention. We should rely on God's strength rather than our own abilities.
God's Faithfulness to His PromisesGod promised to deliver Israel, and He fulfilled that promise. We can trust that God will be faithful to His promises in our lives.
Overcoming OppressionJust as God delivered Israel from Jabin's oppression, He can deliver us from spiritual and personal oppression today.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Judges 4:23?
2.How does Judges 4:23 demonstrate God's sovereignty over Israel's enemies?
3.What lessons can we learn from God's deliverance in Judges 4:23?
4.How does Judges 4:23 connect to God's promises in Genesis 12:3?
5.How can we apply God's victory in Judges 4:23 to modern challenges?
6.In what ways does Judges 4:23 encourage trust in God's timing and plan?
7.How does Judges 4:23 demonstrate God's sovereignty in Israel's history?
8.What does Judges 4:23 reveal about God's role in human conflicts?
9.How does the defeat of Jabin in Judges 4:23 reflect divine justice?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 4?
11.What challenges did Deborah overcome throughout her life?
12.Is the Bible divinely inspired and authoritative?
13.Who was Jael and what did she do?
14.How did God interact with humanity in the Old Testament?What Does Judges 4:23 Mean
On that dayThe phrase grounds the event in real time, reminding us that God acts in concrete history, not myth.
• “That day” links back to the immediate victory led by Deborah and Barak (Judges 4:14–16).
• Similar time-markers underline decisive interventions: “That day the LORD saved Israel from the hand of the Egyptians” (Exodus 14:30); “On that day Joshua took Makkedah” (Joshua 10:28).
• Each “day” of deliverance invites readers to remember God’s faithfulness in their own “days” of need.
God subduedThe verb centers the action on God, not human heroes.
• Though Barak’s army fought, Scripture credits the triumph to the LORD, echoing “The battle belongs to the LORD” (1 Samuel 17:47).
• Judges repeatedly stresses this theme: Israel’s cycles of rebellion and rescue always pivot on divine intervention (Judges 2:16).
• As with Sisera’s chariots overwhelmed by a sudden storm (Judges 5:20-21), God turns overwhelming odds into testimony of His supremacy.
Jabin king of CanaanA tangible enemy with political and military clout.
• Jabin ruled from Hazor, a fortified city burned earlier by Joshua yet rebuilt (Joshua 11:10-13). Israel’s incomplete obedience allowed Canaanite oppression to return (Judges 4:2).
• His nine-hundred iron chariots (Judges 4:3) symbolized invincibility—until God stepped in, showing that no earthly power is unassailable (Psalm 20:7).
before the IsraelitesThe victory is public and covenant-focused.
• “Before” highlights visibility; Israel watched God honor His promise: “I will give the Canaanites into your hand” (Exodus 23:31).
• This reverses earlier fear where enemies stood “before” Israel in dominance (Numbers 14:42-45). Now Israel stands watching God fight for them (Deuteronomy 1:30).
• Corporate deliverance strengthens national faith and identity, preparing them for forty years of peace that followed (Judges 5:31).
summaryJudges 4:23 captures a single, history-anchored moment when the LORD personally broke Canaanite oppression. Marked by a specific day, driven by God’s power, toppling a formidable king, and done openly for all Israel to witness, the verse underscores that every triumph belongs to God and assures His people that no enemy—no matter how dominant—can stand when He moves on their behalf.
(23)
So God subdued.--The word used for God is here
Elohim,while Jehovah occurs through the rest of the narrative. We are not yet in a position to formulate the law which regulates the interchange of these names. It need hardly be added that this attribution of the deliverance of Israel to God's providence and aid does not necessarily involve the least approval of the false and cruel elements which stained the courage and faith of Jael. Though God overrules even criminal acts to the fulfilment of His own purposes, the crimes themselves meet with their own just condemnation and retribution. This may be seen decisively in the case of Jehu. His conduct, like that of Jael, was of a mixed character. He was an instrument in the hands of God to punish and overthrow the guilty house of Ahab, and in carrying out this Divine commission, he, too, showed dauntlessness and faith, yet his atrocious cruelty is justly condemned by the voice of the prophet (
Hosea 1:4), just as that of Baasha had been (
1Kings 16:7), though he, too, was an instrument of Divine retribution. To explain this clause, and the triumphal cry of Deborah--"So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord"--as Bishop Wordsworth does, to mean that "
the work of Jaelis represented by the sacred writer as
the work of God,"is to claim Divine sanction for a wish that wicked or hostile powers should always "so" perish by cruel and treacherous assassination. At the same time, Jael must not be classed with women actuated only by a demoniacal thirst for vengeance, like Criemhild, in the Niebelungen; or even with Aretophila, of Cyrene, whom Plutarch so emphatically praises (
On the Virtues of Women,p. 19, quoted by Cassel); but rather with women like Judith in ancient, or Charlotte Corday in modern times, who regarded themselves as the champions of a great and good cause.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
On thatהַה֔וּא(ha·hū)Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931:He, self, the same, this, that, as, aredayבַּיּ֣וֹם(bay·yō·wm)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117:A dayGodאֱלֹהִים֙(’ĕ·lō·hîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativesubduedוַיַּכְנַ֤ע(way·yaḵ·na‘)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3665:To bend the knee, to humiliate, vanquishJabinיָבִ֣ין(yā·ḇîn)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2985:Jabin -- 'one who is intelligent', two Canaanite kingskingמֶֽלֶךְ־(me·leḵ-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428:A kingof Canaanכְּנָ֑עַן(kə·nā·‘an)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3667:Canaan -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their land West of the Jordanbeforeלִפְנֵ֖י(lip̄·nê)Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440:The facethe Israelites.בְּנֵ֥י(bə·nê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121:A son
Links
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OT History: Judges 4:23 So God subdued on that day Jabin (Jd Judg. Jdg) 
