Who was Sisera in the Bible?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Sisera, a commander of the Canaanite army, cruelly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years until he was defeated by Barak and Deborah with divine intervention and then was ultimately destroyed by Jael. Despite his military advantage, Sisera's army was routed, and he fled on foot. Seeking refuge with Heber the Kenite, he was betrayed and killed by Heber's wife, Jael. This victory brought forty years of peace to Israel. Sisera's defeat is remembered as an example of God's power over enemies of His people, and his name appears in later biblical texts as a symbol of downfall. Another Sisera is mentioned briefly in the Bible as a temple servant, but little else is known about him.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Two men are named Sisera in the Bible. The most well-known Sisera was the commander of the Canaanite army who cruelly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years trying to recover the territory once ruled by the kings of Hazor (Judges 4:1–3). Ultimately, he was killed by Jael, the wife of a Kenite he considered to be an ally, when she drove a tent peg through his skull while he slept. The record of his defeat is found in Judges chapters 4 and 5.
• Deborah, a prophetess judging Israel at the time, encouraged Barak to obey God's call to lead an army to Mount Tabor where God would deliver Sisera into Israelite hands (Judges 4:6–7). Barak agreed only on the condition that Deborah accompany them. Deborah assented, but prophesied, "Nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman" (Judges 4:9). It is important to note that while Jabin was the Canaanite king "who reigned in Hazor," it was Sisera, the commander of the army who posed the most threat to Israel.
• Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-hagoyim at the time, gathered nine hundred iron chariots and all the men from Harosheth-hagoyim (Judges 4:13). He most likely did this due to Hazor lying in ruins after Joshua's victory there (Joshua 11:10). Sisera would have had both a technological as well as a manpower advantage over the Israelites' ten thousand men gathered at Mount Tabor (Judges 4:10). However, "the LORD routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army before Barak by the edge of the sword. And Sisera got down from his chariot and fled away on foot. And Barak pursued the chariots and the army to Harosheth-hagoyim, and all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword; not a man was left" (Judges 4:15–16).
• Sisera fled to the nearby tent of Heber the Kenite. The Kenites had once been allies of Israel, but Heber had chosen to move north and there was peace between him and the Canaanites. Heber's wife, Jael, invited Sisera into her tent and made him feel safe, offering him shelter, milk, and a mat for sleeping. While he slept, she drove a tent peg through his temple and killed him. When Barak came in pursuit of Sisera, Jael showed him her accomplishment. "So on that day God subdued Jabin the king of Canaan before the people of Israel. And the hand of the people of Israel pressed harder and harder against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they destroyed Jabin king of Canaan" (Judges 4:23–24). "And the land had rest for forty years" (Judges 5:31). Thus God saved Israel, the land flowing with milk and honey (Exodus 3:8), by using Jael, whose name means "mountain goat" (that produces milk) and Deborah, whose name means "bee" (that produces honey). These two women are credited with Sisera's defeat and are mentioned in Deborah's song celebrating these events in Judges chapter 5.
• Sisera's cruel oppression of Israel is recalled by Samuel in 1 Samuel 12:9 and his resounding downfall is recalled by the psalmist in Psalm 83:9. So Sisera stands as an example of an enemy against God's people, whom God defeated so "that they may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth" (Psalm 83:18).
• There is one other person named Sisera in the Bible: a temple servant, listed in the list of names of exiles who returned in Ezra 2:53 and Nehemiah 7:55. Nothing else is known about him.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Sisera is not mentioned in the New Testament.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Sisera’s life teaches us that God will ultimately bring justice to those who oppress His people. Despite Sisera's military advantage and cruel oppression of the Israelites, he was ultimately defeated and killed by God’s divine intervention. Even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges or enemies, God is ultimately in control and will ensure that justice is served. Even in the face of oppression, we can be faithful to God and how He calls us to live, knowing that He will bring about justice in His time.

UNDERSTAND

• Sisera was a commander of the Canaanite army who oppressed the Israelites for two decades.
• Deborah, the prophetess, played a crucial role in Sisera's defeat by encouraging Barak to lead the Israelite army to victory, with God's assurance of delivering Sisera into their hands.
• Despite Sisera’s military advantage, he was defeated by Barak and Deborah, with Jael, the wife of a Kenite, delivering the fatal blow by driving a tent peg through his skull while he slept.

REFLECT

• What does the story of Sisera teach you of God’s justice and divine intervention?
• How can we persevere in faith even when there is evil and oppression?
• How does Sisera’s downfall encourage you in the midst of evil and oppression?

ENGAGE

• What do we learn about God in the role He played in Sisera's defeat, considering the military disadvantage of the Israelites? How does this narrative challenge conventional notions of power and strength?
• Discuss the significance of Deborah and Jael's roles in Sisera's downfall. How do their actions subvert gender expectations, and what lessons can we learn from their courage and leadership?
• How does the story of Sisera resonate with broader themes in biblical narratives, such as the struggle between good and evil, the consequences of oppression, and the eventual triumph of righteousness? How can we apply these themes to contemporary societal issues?