Most blessed among women is JaelJael is celebrated for her decisive action in the defeat of Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army. Her blessing is reminiscent of the praise given to other women in Scripture, such as Mary, the mother of Jesus, who is also called "blessed among women" (
Luke 1:42). This parallel highlights the significant role women play in God's redemptive history. Jael's actions are seen as divinely inspired, fulfilling Deborah's prophecy that a woman would claim victory over Sisera (
Judges 4:9).
the wife of Heber the Kenite
The Kenites were a nomadic tribe with connections to the Israelites through Moses' father-in-law, Jethro (Exodus 3:1). Heber, Jael's husband, had separated from the main Kenite group and settled near Kedesh (Judges 4:11). This separation allowed Jael to act independently, aligning with Israel against the Canaanites. The Kenites' metalworking skills may have contributed to their strategic importance, as they were often allied with Israel.
most blessed of tent-dwelling women
The reference to "tent-dwelling" emphasizes Jael's nomadic lifestyle, typical of the Kenites. Living in tents signifies a transient, humble existence, yet Jael's actions elevate her status. This phrase underscores the theme that God often uses the humble and unexpected to achieve His purposes, as seen throughout Scripture (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). Jael's story is a reminder that God's deliverance can come from the most unlikely sources, and her blessing is a testament to her courage and faithfulness.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JaelThe wife of Heber the Kenite, Jael is celebrated for her decisive action in killing Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army, thereby delivering Israel from oppression. Her actions are praised in the Song of Deborah.
2.
Heber the KeniteHeber was a member of the Kenite clan, which had separated from the other Kenites and pitched his tent near Kedesh. The Kenites were descendants of Moses' father-in-law, Jethro.
3.
SiseraThe commander of the Canaanite army under King Jabin of Hazor. He was defeated by the Israelites under the leadership of Deborah and Barak and was killed by Jael.
4.
DeborahA prophetess and judge of Israel who, along with Barak, led the Israelites to victory over the Canaanite forces.
5.
The TentThe setting of Jael's decisive act, symbolizing domesticity and hospitality, which Jael subverts to achieve a military victory.
Teaching Points
Courage in Unexpected RolesJael's account teaches that God can use anyone, regardless of their societal role, to accomplish His purposes. Her courage in a domestic setting challenges us to be bold in our faith, even in unexpected circumstances.
Divine ProvidenceThe account of Jael demonstrates God's providence in delivering His people. It reminds us to trust in God's timing and methods, even when they defy human expectations.
The Power of Righteous ActionJael's decisive action against Sisera illustrates the impact of righteous deeds. Believers are encouraged to act justly and courageously in the face of evil.
Blessing through ObedienceJael is called "most blessed among women" because of her obedience to God's will. This highlights the blessings that come from aligning our actions with God's purposes.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Judges 5:24?
2.How does Judges 5:24 highlight Jael's role in God's deliverance plan?
3.What qualities of Jael can we emulate in our spiritual battles today?
4.How does Judges 5:24 connect with Proverbs 31:10 on virtuous women?
5.Why is Jael called "most blessed" among women in Judges 5:24?
6.How can we apply Jael's courage in confronting evil in our lives?
7.Why is Jael called "most blessed of women" in Judges 5:24 despite her violent act?
8.How does Judges 5:24 align with the overall theme of divine justice in the Bible?
9.What historical evidence supports the events described in Judges 5:24?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Judges 5?
11.Judges 5:24-27: Is Jael’s method of killing Sisera a credible historical report, or is it exaggerated symbolism?
12.Who was Jael and what did she do?
13.Who was Sisera in the Bible?
14.Judges 4:9 features a prophecy about Sisera’s defeat by a woman—could this be a later editorial addition that conflicts with the main story?What Does Judges 5:24 Mean
Most blessed among women“Most blessed among women is Jael” (Judges 5:24) sets Jael beside the select few whom God calls “blessed among women,” such as Mary inLuke 1:42 and Leah inGenesis 30:13.
• This is a Spirit-inspired verdict, delivered in Deborah and Barak’s victory song (Judges 5:1–3), affirming that Jael’s deed carries divine approval.
• The double superlative (“most…among”) marks her as uniquely honored, in the same wayProverbs 31:28 praises the virtuous wife andPsalm 112:1 blesses those who fear the LORD.
• God is showing that blessing is tied to fearless obedience, not social standing (cf.1 Samuel 2:30).
Is JaelThe name that follows anchors the blessing to a specific historical woman (Judges 4:17–22).
• Jael drove the tent peg through Sisera’s head, fulfilling Deborah’s prophecy that “the LORD will deliver Sisera into the hand of a woman” (Judges 4:9).
• Her courage mirrors later heroes credited for faith-driven action—compareHebrews 11:32’s unnamed “others” who won battles by faith.
• Jael acted when Israel’s army was exhausted (Judges 4:15-16); God chose a single individual to finish the victory, reinforcingZechariah 4:6: “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit.”
The wife of Heber the KeniteMentioning her husband and clan (Judges 4:11) shows:
• Jael was not an Israelite; the Kenites traced back to Moses’ Midianite in-laws (Numbers 10:29;Judges 1:16).
• Heber had pitched his tent near Kedesh, away from his tribe, signaling mixed alliances. Yet Jael’s loyalty ultimately lay with Israel’s God, echoing Rahab inJoshua 2:11.
• Her identity underlines that family background neither guarantees nor hinders faithful service—seeEzekiel 18:20;2 Corinthians 5:10.
Most blessed of tent-dwelling womenThe phrase narrows the spotlight to her everyday setting.
• A “tent-dwelling” life was ordinary and domestic (Genesis 18:9; Songs 1:5), yet God turned routine tools—a hammer and tent peg—into instruments of deliverance (Judges 4:21).
• Jael’s sphere seemed insignificant compared with soldiers’ battlefields, but God delights in using what is “weak” to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27;1 Samuel 17:45).
• Her example elevates faithful homemakers alike, parallelingProverbs 31:27’s praise for one who “watches over the affairs of her household.”
summaryJudges 5:24 celebrates Jael as uniquely blessed because, in a humble tent, she courageously obeyed God and delivered Israel. Her story reminds us that God honors fearless faith wherever it is found, lifts up those the world overlooks, and turns ordinary settings into stages for extraordinary victory.
(24)
Blessed above women.--Jael would be regarded as a patriotic heroine, whose daring had secured to Israel the fruits of their victory. The morals of that early age were not sufficiently enlightened to understand that treachery and assassination are
neverjustifiable, however good may be the end in view. But, as serious moralists, even in the nineteenth century, have held up to admiration the murder of Marat by Charlotte Corday, and have even given to her the title of "the Angel of Assassination," we can hardly be surprised that Deborah should exult in Jael's heroism, and her choice of the right side, without expressing--perhaps even without the degree of later moral enlightenment which would have led her to feel--any moral reprobation of the means by which the end was accomplished. But to compare this outburst of patriotic approval for such a deed with the salutation of "Blessed art thou among women," addressed by the angel to the blessed Virgin Mary (as is done by some commentators), seems to me a most dangerous way of handling the mere words of Scripture, apart from their context and true significance.
Above women in the tent.--The honour paid to her because of her deed would raise her far above the common mass of ignorant and downtrodden nomad women. Instead of a Kenite woman, she would be lauded and honoured as a heroine of Israel.
Verse 24. -
Blessed above women, etc. With the selfish indifference of the men of Meroz she contrasts the valorous enthusiasm of Jael the Kenite, and blesses her for it as emphatically as she curses the inhabitants of Meroz.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Most blessedתְּבֹרַךְ֙(tə·ḇō·raḵ)Verb - Pual - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1288:To kneel, to bless God, man, to curseamong womenמִנָּשִׁ֔ים(min·nā·šîm)Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 802:Woman, wife, female[is] Jael,יָעֵ֕ל(yā·‘êl)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3278:Jael -- a Canaanite womanthe wifeאֵ֖שֶׁת(’ê·šeṯ)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 802:Woman, wife, femaleof Heberחֶ֣בֶר(ḥe·ḇer)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2268:Heber -- a Kenite, also several Israelitesthe Kenite,הַקֵּינִ֑י(haq·qê·nî)Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7017:Kenite -- members of the tribe of Kenitesmost blessedתְּבֹרָֽךְ׃(tə·ḇō·rāḵ)Verb - Pual - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1288:To kneel, to bless God, man, to curseof tent-dwellingבָּאֹ֖הֶל(bā·’ō·hel)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 168:A tentwomen.מִנָּשִׁ֥ים(min·nā·šîm)Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 802:Woman, wife, female
Links
Judges 5:24 NIVJudges 5:24 NLTJudges 5:24 ESVJudges 5:24 NASBJudges 5:24 KJV
Judges 5:24 BibleApps.comJudges 5:24 Biblia ParalelaJudges 5:24 Chinese BibleJudges 5:24 French BibleJudges 5:24 Catholic Bible
OT History: Judges 5:24 Jael shall be blessed above women (Jd Judg. Jdg) 
