Judges 5:29 (KJV)

What does Judges 5:29 mean?

Judges 5:29 describes how the wise women around Sisera’s mother try to comfort her as she waits for her son, and how she herself tries to reassure herself with their words. The verse shows a scene of anxious waiting, with Sisera’s mother and her attendants offering explanations for his delay.

In this part of the story, Sisera’s mother is looking out the window, wondering why her son has not returned from battle. Her “wise ladies” respond to her concerns, and she repeats their hopeful answers to herself. This verse gives a glimpse into the enemy’s camp, showing their assumptions and hopes, even as the reader knows Sisera will not return.

The Hebrew behind Judges 5:29

• “wise” (חָכָם, ḥākām): This word means “wise” or “skilled.” It highlights that the women speaking to Sisera’s mother are not just any attendants, but those considered thoughtful or discerning, which adds weight to their reassurances.
• “ladies” (שָׂרוֹת, śārōt): This word refers to noblewomen or ladies of rank. It shows that Sisera’s mother is surrounded by women of status, not common servants, which fits her high position.
• “answered” (עָנָה, ʿānāh): This word means “to answer” or “respond.” It is used for both the ladies’ reply and Sisera’s mother’s own response to herself, emphasizing the back-and-forth of reassurance in the scene.
• “returned” (שׁוּב, shuv): This word means “to return” or “turn back.” Here, it describes Sisera’s mother repeating or echoing the answer to herself, showing her effort to convince herself.
• “answer” (אָמַר, ʾāmar): This word means “to say” or “speak.” It is used for the content of the reassurance, focusing on the words spoken in the attempt to comfort.

Why Judges 5:29 matters

• Judges 5:29 gives a rare look at the emotional world of the enemy, showing that even those on the other side of the conflict have hopes, fears, and loved ones.
• This verse sets up a sense of dramatic irony, as the reader knows Sisera is dead, while his mother and her attendants are still hoping for his return.
• The scene highlights the completeness of Israel’s victory and the reversal of expectations, as the confident hopes of Sisera’s household are shown to be in vain.