Judges 5:30
‘Have they not found and divided the spoil?— A womb or two for every man; spoil of dyed materials for Sisera, spoil of dyed materials embroidered, two pieces of dyed work embroidered for the neck as spoil?’
English Standard Version (ESV)
Judges 5:30
‘Have they not found and divided the spoil?— A womb or two for every man; spoil of dyed materials for Sisera, spoil of dyed materials embroidered, two pieces of dyed work embroidered for the neck as spoil?’
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse highlights a stark contrast: while the Israelite warriors are described as fighting for God, Sisera's mother anticipates spoils of luxurious, richly embroidered fabrics—the kind of opulent feminine plunder, not the glory of victory. This reveals how her desires are focused entirely on material wealth and personal adornment, completely missing the divine intervention at play.
This verse presents the imagined thoughts of Sisera's mother and her attendants, anticipating his triumphant return with plunder. After the Israelites, led by Deborah and Barak, have decisively defeated Sisera and his Canaanite army, this passage shifts perspective to the enemy side. It imagines their greedy excitement over the spoils of war, focusing on human captives and luxurious, intricately decorated garments, highlighting their shallow values in contrast to the divine justice just enacted.
This verse paints a stark picture of what happens after a battle. It's not just about victory, but about the 'fruits' of that victory. And those fruits are chilling.
In ancient warfare, the spoils of victory included not only material wealth but also people. The text here speaks of 'a womb or two for every man,' a dehumanizing way to describe the enslaved women taken captive.
This wasn't just a possibility; it was a common reality. The commentary notes that young maidens were a valued part of the booty for conquerors. It highlights a deeply disturbing aspect of human history where people were treated as property, a stark contrast to God's value for every individual.
While the main focus is often on the material wealth, this verse reminds us that the human cost of conquest was immense and deeply personal for those captured.
While the victorious Israelites are focused on dividing captives, Sisera's mother and her ladies are eagerly awaiting news. But what are they hoping for?
The mother of Sisera, and her attendants, represent a different kind of 'spoil' – one focused on luxury and status. They are not concerned with the battle's outcome in terms of justice or even their army's strength, but with the 'dyed materials' and 'needlework.'
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Judges 5:30 is available in the Sola app.
This detail reveals a profound shallowness and a warped perspective. They imagine Sisera returning with rich, colorful garments, perhaps to adorn their necks or for his own use. This reflects a culture that valued outward appearances and material wealth above all else, even in the midst of war.
It's a powerful commentary on how greed and pride can blind people to reality. While their enemy is being routed, they are lost in daydreams of decorative fabrics, utterly oblivious to the true devastation and the impending doom.
Understand the original words
shalal · Hebrew Noun
Goods or property taken from an enemy in war, often representing the spoils of conquest or, metaphorically, the rewards of faithfulness or divine judgment.
This verse vividly captures the material spoils of war, focusing on the captured women and finely woven fabrics that the victorious Canaanites imagined they would take. It starkly contrasts their greedy anticipation with the actual outcome of their defeat and serves as a somber reflection on the harsh realities of ancient conquest.
c. 11th century BC
Israelite Tribal Disunity
Following the conquest of Canaan, the Israelite tribes often failed to unite, leading to internal conflicts and vulnerability to external enemies like the Canaanites.
c. 11th century BC
Canaanite Oppression under Jabin and Sisera
King Jabin of Hazor, with his general Sisera commanding 900 iron chariots, brutally oppressed the Israelites for twenty years. This period created immense suffering and a desperate need for deliverance.
Undated, likely 11th century BC— this verse
The Battle of Mount Tabor
Prophetess Deborah rallied the Israelite tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun to confront Sisera's forces at Mount Tabor. Despite being vastly outnumbered and out-equipped, the Israelites, aided by a divine flood that mired the Canaanite chariots, achieved a decisive victory.
Immediately following the battle
Sisera's Flight and Death
After his army was routed, Sisera fled to the tent of Jael, a Kenite woman. Jael, acting with divine inspiration and in defiance of her husband's neutrality, killed Sisera by driving a tent peg through his temple.
Following the battle
Division of Spoils
The victory led to the division of spoils among the victorious Israelites. This included captive women and richly dyed, embroidered garments, highlighting the material rewards of conquest and the lingering brutality of ancient warfare.
This passage mirrors the confidence of the enemy anticipating victory and dividing spoils, highlighting the theme of arrogant presumption before defeat.
Numbers 31:17This verse speaks to the common practice of taking women as spoil in ancient warfare, providing context for the 'damsel or two' mentioned.
2 Samuel 1:24This lament over Saul and Jonathan mentions the rich spoils of dyed materials and other costly items taken in battle, showing the value placed on such booty.
Psalm 45:14This verse describes the bride being brought to the king 'in richly woven garments,' highlighting the significance and beauty of finely crafted, dyed, and embroidered textiles, which were highly prized.
Ezekiel 16:10-13This passage vividly describes Jerusalem adorned with fine fabrics, including dyed materials and embroidery, showcasing the luxurious nature of the spoils Sisera's mother anticipated and the cultural significance of such items.
jfbJudges 5:30: "Have they not sped? have they not divided the prey; to every man a damsel or two; to Sisera a prey of divers colours, a prey of divers colours of needlework, of divers colours of needlework on both sides, meet for the necks of them that take the spoil?"
- to every man a damsel or two—Young maidens formed always a valued part of Oriental conquerors' war-spoils. But Sisera's mother wished other booty for him; namely, the gold-threaded, richly embroidered, and scarlet-colored cloak…
ellicottJudges 5:30: "Have they not sped? have they not divided the prey; to every man a damsel or two; to Sisera a prey of divers colours, a prey of divers colours of needlework, of divers colours of needlework on both sides, meet for the necks of them that take the spoil?"
(30) Have they not sped? have they not divided the prey? —Literally, Are they not finding? are they not dividing the spoil? Is not the wealth of their booty the cause of their delay? (Comp. Exodus 15:9 : “The enemy said, I will pur…
The verse highlights a stark contrast: while the Israelite warriors are described as fighting for God, Sisera's mother anticipates spoils of luxurious, richly embroidered fabrics—the kind of opulent feminine plunder, not the glory of victory. This reveals how her desires are focused entirely on material wealth and personal adornment, completely missing the divine intervention at play.
This verse presents the imagined thoughts of Sisera's mother and her attendants, anticipating his triumphant return with plunder. After the Israelites, led by Deborah and Barak, have decisively defeated Sisera and his Canaanite army, this passage shifts perspective to the enemy side. It imagines their greedy excitement over the spoils of war, focusing on human captives and luxurious, intricately decorated garments, highlighting their shallow values in contrast to the divine justice just enacted.
This verse presents the imagined thoughts of Sisera's mother and her attendants, anticipating his triumphant return with plunder. After the Israelites, led by Deborah and Barak, have decisively defeated Sisera and his Canaanite army, this passage shifts perspective to the enemy side. It imagines their greedy excitement over the spoils of war, focusing on human captives and luxurious, intricately decorated garments, highlighting their shallow values in contrast to the divine justice just enacted.
"‘Have they not found and divided the spoil?— A womb or two for every man; spoil of dyed materials for Sisera, spoil of dyed materials embroidered, two pieces of dyed work embroidered for the neck as spoil?’" — The verse highlights a stark contrast: while the Israelite warriors are described as fighting for God, Sisera's mother anticipates spoils of luxurious, richly embroidered fabrics—the kind of opulent…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.