Jael, a remarkable figure in the Hebrew Bible, is celebrated for her courageous act during a critical moment in Israelite history. She was the wife of Heber the Kenite, a group that lived in peace with the Canaanites. Despite this, Jael chose to support the Israelites during their conflict against the Canaanite king, Jabin, and his commander, Sisera.
The story unfolds in the Book of Judges, chapters 4 and 5, during the time when Deborah, a prophetess and judge, led Israel. The Israelites, oppressed by Jabin’s harsh rule, rallied under the military leadership of Barak to fight against the Canaanite forces.
Jael’s Heroic Act
Sisera, after being defeated in battle, fled on foot and sought refuge in Jael’s tent, believing he would find safety there. Jael welcomed him, offering hospitality and a place to rest. However, once Sisera fell into a deep sleep, Jael seized the opportunity to act. She took a tent peg and a hammer and drove the peg through Sisera’s temple, killing him instantly. Her bold action not only eliminated a formidable enemy but also significantly contributed to Israel’s victory over the Canaanites.
Significance and Legacy
Jael’s deed is celebrated in the “Song of Deborah,” a victory hymn that honors her bravery and the triumph of the Israelites. Her story is often interpreted as a demonstration of divine intervention and the unexpected ways through which deliverance can come. Jael’s courage and decisive action highlight the role of women in the biblical narrative and their capacity to impact history profoundly.
Jael, however, is not the only great woman to have acted as a warrior on behalf of the Nation of Israel. Today, women form an important part of the Israel Defense Forces, serving at its highest levels. In 2011, Orna Barbavai made history, overcoming her underprivileged upbringing to become the first woman in IDF history to reach the rank of Aluf (אלוף), ‘Major General’. “I am proud to be the first woman to become a major general, and to be part of an organization in which equality is a central principle,” Barbivai said. The mother of three retired from the IDF in 2014, but serves as an inspiration to countless Israeli young women who enlist in the IDF each year and who know they can reach the highest levels not only in the IDF but throughout Israeli society.
