Judges 5:26

5:26 Her left hand reached for the tent peg,

her right hand for the workmen’s hammer.

She “hammered” Sisera,

she shattered his skull,

she smashed his head,

she drove the tent peg through his temple.

Judges 5:31

5:31 May all your enemies perish like this, O Lord!

But may those who love you shine

like the rising sun at its brightest!”

And the land had rest for forty years.


tn The adjective “left” is interpretive, based on the context. Note that the next line pictures Jael holding the hammer with her right hand.

tn The verb used here is from the same root as the noun “hammer” in the preceding line.

tn Or “head.”

tn The phrase “his head” (an implied direct object) is supplied in the translation for clarification.

tn Heb “she pierced his temple.”

tn Heb “But may those who love him be like the going forth of the sun in its strength.”