Sisera
The Canaanite general whose nine hundred iron chariots terrorised Israel for twenty years.
Old Testament · c. 1200 BC · Judges, 1 Samuel, Psalms · Also known as Captain of Jabin’s army
About Sisera
Sisera was "the captain of Jabin’s army," the king of Canaan who reigned in Hazor. "He had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel." When Barak came down from Mount Tabor, "the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots," and "Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet" to the tent of Jael, where he died. Deborah’s song pictures his mother waiting at a window: "Why is his chariot so long in coming?" Centuries later, a psalm prays, "Do unto them... as to Sisera, as to Jabin."
This guide speaks about Sisera, not as him, out of care. Jabin’s capital, Hazor, was one of the largest cities in Canaan. Sisera’s name may not be Semitic, and some think he came from the Sea Peoples, the same wave as the Philistines.
The story
Twenty years
"And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles. And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel."
Judges 4:2-3
Fled away on his feet
When Barak charged from Tabor, "the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet." The song says, "The river of Kishon swept them away, that ancient river."
Judges 4:14-17; 5:21
Why is his chariot so long in coming?
Deborah’s song turns to Sisera’s home: "The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through the lattice, Why is his chariot so long in coming? why tarry the wheels of his chariots?" Her wise ladies assure her he is dividing the spoil. The song ends, "So let all thine enemies perish, O LORD."
Judges 5:28-31
Key moments
- Oppresses Israel: Twenty years, with nine hundred chariots. (Judges 4:3)
- Gathers at the Kishon: Against Barak. (Judges 4:13)
- Routed: "The LORD discomfited Sisera." (Judges 4:15)
- Flees on foot: To the tent of Jael. (Judges 4:17)
- Remembered in a psalm: "As to Sisera, as to Jabin." (Psalm 83:9)
Questions about Sisera
Who was Sisera?
He commanded the army of Jabin, king of Canaan in Hazor, and "dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles." With "nine hundred chariots of iron," he "twenty years... mightily oppressed the children of Israel." Samuel later reminded Israel that God "sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor" when they forgot Him.
How was Sisera defeated?
Barak charged down Mount Tabor, and "the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots." Deborah’s song adds that "the stars in their courses fought against Sisera. The river of Kishon swept them away," which suggests a storm flooded the plain where chariots were strongest. Sisera abandoned his chariot and "fled away on his feet."
Connected people
Read it yourself
Start with Judges 4:1-17; 5:19-31.