But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left.

JUDGES 4:16KJV
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Judges 4:16 (KJV)

What does Judges 4:16 mean?

Judges 4:16 describes how Barak chased after Sisera’s army and chariots all the way to Harosheth of the Gentiles, and every one of Sisera’s soldiers was killed by the sword—no one survived. This verse shows the complete defeat of Sisera’s forces in the battle.

The verse is part of the story where Barak, under Deborah’s leadership, leads Israel’s army against Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army. The action takes place after God throws Sisera’s army into confusion, allowing Barak’s forces to pursue and destroy them completely. The mention of “Harosheth of the Gentiles” pinpoints the location where the enemy was finally overtaken, emphasizing the totality of Israel’s victory.

The Hebrew behind Judges 4:16

  • The word for “fell” is נָפַל (nafal), which means to fall or be struck down. Here, it stresses that Sisera’s entire army was utterly defeated, not just scattered or routed.
  • “Edge” is פֶּה (peh), literally meaning “mouth.” In Hebrew, “mouth of the sword” is a common way to say “by the sword’s blade,” highlighting the violence and finality of the defeat.
  • “Left” is שָׁאַר (sha’ar), meaning to remain or be left over. The verse uses this to underline that not a single man from Sisera’s army survived the battle.

Why Judges 4:16 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Israel’s victory was absolute—no survivors from Sisera’s army remained, which sets up the next part of the story where Sisera flees alone.
  • The detail about pursuing “unto Harosheth of the Gentiles” connects this event to earlier verses and shows how far Barak’s forces chased the enemy, highlighting their determination and God’s intervention.
  • This total defeat fulfills Deborah’s prophecy and demonstrates the dramatic reversal of power, as Israel, once oppressed, now completely overcomes its oppressors.

Where else these words appear

“Harosheth” Hebrew H2800 · used in 3 verses

  • Judges 4:2 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.
  • Judges 4:13 And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon.

“Barak” Hebrew H1301 · used in 12 verses

  • Judges 4:6 And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?
  • Judges 4:10 And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him.
  • Judges 4:22 And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples.

“Sisera” Hebrew H5516 · used in 19 verses

  • Judges 4:2 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.
  • Judges 4:15 And 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.
  • Judges 5:28 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?

“chariots” Hebrew H7393 · used in 104 verses

  • Genesis 50:9 And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen: and it was a very great company.
  • 1 Kings 16:9 And his servant Zimri, captain of half his chariots, conspired against him, as he was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza steward of his house in Tirzah.
  • 2 Chronicles 12:3 With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians.