And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-hagoyim.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "Harosheth of the Gentiles" suggests this wasn't just a Canaanite stronghold, but a place where various nations mingled, possibly for trade or as refugees. This detail hints at a broader regional presence and influence of the oppressors, making the situation for Israel even more complex than a simple ethnic conflict.
And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-hagoyim.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After Israel had again turned away from God, they fell under the oppressive rule of Jabin, a Canaanite king reigning from the northern city of Hazor. He maintained a powerful army, led by his commander Sisera, who was based in the town of Harosheth-hagoyim. This sets the stage for a period of intense hardship and subjugation for the Israelites, paving the way for the emergence of Deborah as a national leader.
The verse starts with a shocking statement: 'And the LORD sold them...' What does this mean when God is said to 'sell' His people?
When Scripture says God 'sold' Israel into the hands of their enemies, it's a powerful way to describe the consequences of their disobedience. It's not that God is indifferent or malicious, but rather that He allows the natural, disastrous outcomes of sin to play out.
Think of it like a parent allowing a child to face the consequences of breaking rules. The parent isn't suddenly 'evil' for letting the child experience hardship; they are allowing the natural results of the child's choices to teach a lesson.
This 'selling' signifies a complete loss of control and sovereignty for Israel. They were delivered into the power of their oppressors, no longer under God's direct protection because they had broken their covenant with Him.
The names Jabin and Sisera might sound like just more ancient adversaries, but they represent a significant resurgence of Canaanite power.
This verse introduces us to Jabin, king of Canaan, reigning in Hazor, and Sisera, the commander of his army. The commentators point out that this Jabin was likely a descendant of the Jabin Joshua defeated centuries earlier. This means the Canaanites hadn't been completely eradicated; they regrouped and regained strength.
Hazor, their capital, was a powerful ancient city. Sisera, described as the captain of the host, was a formidable military leader with a significant army, including the feared 'chariots of iron' (mentioned later in the chapter).
'Harosheth of the Gentiles' was Sisera's base, a place noted for its mixed population. This signifies a broad coalition of peoples united against Israel, making this oppression particularly severe and widespread.
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Understand the original words
makar · Hebrew Verb
The act of God handing over His people to their enemies as a consequence of their disobedience; it illustrates God's sovereign control over history even in judgment.
This verse highlights a period where the Israelites, having fallen away from God, are subjected to severe oppression by a resurgent Canaanite power. The mention of Jabin and Hazor echoes Joshua's earlier conquest, suggesting a cyclical pattern of disobedience, judgment, and eventual deliverance.
c. 1400 BC
Joshua defeats Canaanite kings
Joshua and the Israelites conquer northern Canaan, destroying Hazor and slaying its king, Jabin. This victory initially frees the land but doesn't eradicate all Canaanite presence.
c. 1300-1200 BC
Canaanite resurgence
Over time, Canaanite kingdoms, including Hazor under a new king named Jabin, rebuild and regain strength, taking advantage of Israel's spiritual decline.
c. 1175-1150 BC— this verse
Israelite oppression by Jabin
Jabin, king of Canaan reigning in Hazor, and his powerful general Sisera, oppress the Israelites for twenty years with 900 iron chariots.
c. 1150 BC
Deborah calls Israel to arms
Prophetess Deborah rallies the discouraged Israelites, calling Barak to lead an army against Sisera's oppressive forces.
c. 1150 BC
Battle of Kishon River
Barak's forces, aided by a divine intervention causing a flash flood, crush Sisera's army, leading to Sisera's flight and death.
This passage describes the recurring cycle of Israel's sin and God's subsequent 'selling' them into the hands of oppressors, directly paralleling the language and consequence in Judges 4:2.
Joshua 11:1This chapter recounts Joshua's victory over a previous King Jabin of Hazor, highlighting the resilience and eventual resurgence of Canaanite power that would later oppress Israel again, as seen in Judges 4.
Judges 5:19This verse, part of Deborah's song, lists the kings who came to fight against Israel, indirectly confirming the widespread Canaanite opposition led by Jabin and Sisera, as introduced in Judges 4:2.
Psalm 106:41-42This psalm reflects on Israel's history of disobedience leading to oppression by surrounding nations, mirroring the theological explanation for their subjugation under Jabin that is stated in Judges 4:2.
1 Kings 9:15This verse mentions Solomon fortifying Hazor, indicating its historical significance and the continued presence of a fortified city even after Joshua's conquest, which provides context for Jabin's reign in Judges 4:2.
jfbJudges 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."
2, 3. Jabin king of Canaan—"Jabin," a royal title (see on [215]Jos 11:1). The second Jabin built a new capital on the ruins of the old (Jos 11:10, 11). The northern Canaanites had recovered from the effect of their disastrous overthrow in the time of Joshua, and now triumphed in their turn over Israel. This was the sev…
bensonJudges 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."
Jdg 4:2 . Jabin — This Jabin was probably descended from the other prince of that name, who fell by the hands of Joshua, Joshua 11:11 . He doubtless had watched all opportunities to recover his ancient possessions, and to revenge his own and his father’s quarrel. King of Canaan — That is, of the land where most of the…
The phrase "Harosheth of the Gentiles" suggests this wasn't just a Canaanite stronghold, but a place where various nations mingled, possibly for trade or as refugees. This detail hints at a broader regional presence and influence of the oppressors, making the situation for Israel even more complex than a simple ethnic conflict.
After Israel had again turned away from God, they fell under the oppressive rule of Jabin, a Canaanite king reigning from the northern city of Hazor. He maintained a powerful army, led by his commander Sisera, who was based in the town of Harosheth-hagoyim. This sets the stage for a period of intense hardship and subjugation for the Israelites, paving the way for the emergence of Deborah as a national leader.
After Israel had again turned away from God, they fell under the oppressive rule of Jabin, a Canaanite king reigning from the northern city of Hazor. He maintained a powerful army, led by his commander Sisera, who was based in the town of Harosheth-hagoyim. This sets the stage for a period of intense hardship and subjugation for the Israelites, paving the way for the emergence of Deborah as a national leader.
"And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth-hagoyim." — The phrase "Harosheth of the Gentiles" suggests this wasn't just a Canaanite stronghold, but a place where various nations mingled, possibly for trade or as refugees. This detail hints at a broader r…
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Last reviewed October 2026