‘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)
The verse contrasts the ordinary soldiers' spoils of captive women with the richly embroidered garments Sisera's mother anticipates for him. This highlights a misplaced focus on vanity and material wealth, revealing her deep ignorance of the actual battle and her son's likely fate.
‘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 verse comes at the climax of Deborah's song of victory, right after the crushing defeat of Sisera and his army. It imaginatively portrays the Canaanite women anxiously awaiting Sisera's return, anticipating the division of spoils from their presumed victory, and picturing their leader bedecked in fancy, colorful garments. The passage starkly contrasts the women's materialistic thoughts with the brutal reality of Sisera's demise, as just revealed by Jael's actions.
The victory song of Deborah ends not with a bang, but with a strange, almost chilling conversation about the spoils of war. What does this reveal about the enemy?
This verse paints a stark picture of Sisera's mother and her attendants, obsessed with material wealth and human captives, even as their army faces defeat.
A Focus on Frivolity
Their conversation isn't about bravery, strategy, or even the survival of their soldiers. Instead, it's about dividing the 'prey': young women ('damsel or two') for the soldiers, and luxurious, intricately embroidered fabrics for Sisera. This highlights their deep-seated materialism and dehumanization of their enemies.
The Cost of Arrogance
This obsession with 'spoils'—especially the 'dyed materials' and 'needlework'—shows a culture that valued outward show and possessions over justice and righteousness. Their focus on luxury blinds them to the reality of their impending doom. It’s a chilling glimpse into a heart that delights in the idea of victory and its material rewards, rather than in any true honor or purpose.
The song of triumph concludes with a focus on the enemy's greed. How does this contrast with the true nature of God's victory?
While Sisera's mother dreams of fine clothes and captive women, Deborah's song has been building towards a different kind of climax. This verse acts as a stark counterpoint, revealing the emptiness of the enemy's aspirations.
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The Contrast in Values
Deborah and Barak fought for liberation and justice. The Canaanite army, represented by Sisera and his mother, fought for power and plunder. The 'spoil' they anticipate – young women and luxurious fabrics – represents their oppressive worldview. It's a world where human beings are objects and wealth is the ultimate prize.
A Divine Judgment
God’s victory through Israel, as celebrated by Deborah, is fundamentally about upholding righteousness and freeing the oppressed. The focus on the enemy's greedy anticipation of spoils underscores the moral bankruptcy of their cause and highlights the profound difference between a victory rooted in divine justice and one driven by human avarice.
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.
The verse reflects the brutal reality of ancient warfare, where captured women and richly dyed textiles were highly valued spoils of victory. It sharply contrasts the glorious deliverance celebrated in Deborah's song with the vanity and arrogance of Sisera's mother, highlighting God's judgment on those who trust in worldly wealth and power.
c. 11th century BC
Period of the Judges
Israel experiences a cycle of disobedience, oppression, and deliverance. This period is marked by a lack of centralized government and frequent regional conflicts.
c. 11th century BC
Israelite Oppression by Canaanites
Under King Jabin and his general Sisera, the Canaanites oppress Israel for twenty years, controlling the land with iron chariots. Israel cries out to God for help.
c. 11th century BC
Deborah and Barak Rally Israel
The prophetess Deborah calls Barak to lead an Israelite army against Sisera's forces. Barak agrees but insists Deborah accompany them.
c. 11th century BC— this verse
Battle of Mount Tabor
Deborah and Barak lead a decisive victory over Sisera's army. God causes a great flood, confusing the Canaanite chariots and scattering their forces.
c. 11th century BC
Sisera's Death
Sisera flees the battle and seeks refuge in the tent of Jael, a Kenite woman. Jael kills him by driving a tent peg through his temple.
c. 11th century BC
Song of Deborah
Deborah and Barak compose a victory song celebrating God's deliverance and recounting the events of the war, including the defeat of Sisera and the shame of his mother's anxious waiting.
This passage describes Jacob's grief over the presumed death of Joseph, seeing his 'coat of many colors' as a sign of a tragic end, similar to how Sisera's mother anticipates spoils of fine fabrics.
Exodus 15:9In the song of Moses, Pharaoh boasts 'I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil,' mirroring the self-assured anticipation of plunder seen in Sisera's mother's words.
2 Samuel 1:24David's lament for Saul and Jonathan mentions 'rich garments' and 'ornaments of gold' taken as spoil, highlighting the value placed on fine textiles and adornments in ancient warfare.
Proverbs 31:10-31While this passage celebrates the virtuous wife and her industry, the mention of 'purple robes' and 'fine linen' as her clothing and trade echoes the emphasis on fine fabrics, though from a vastly different perspective.
Ezekiel 16:10-13This passage vividly describes Jerusalem's adornment with fine clothing, including 'fine linen,' 'silk,' and 'embroidered cloth,' showing the cultural significance and desirability of such costly garments.
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 contrasts the ordinary soldiers' spoils of captive women with the richly embroidered garments Sisera's mother anticipates for him. This highlights a misplaced focus on vanity and material wealth, revealing her deep ignorance of the actual battle and her son's likely fate.
This verse comes at the climax of Deborah's song of victory, right after the crushing defeat of Sisera and his army. It imaginatively portrays the Canaanite women anxiously awaiting Sisera's return, anticipating the division of spoils from their presumed victory, and picturing their leader bedecked in fancy, colorful garments. The passage starkly contrasts the women's materialistic thoughts with the brutal reality of Sisera's demise, as just revealed by Jael's actions.
This verse comes at the climax of Deborah's song of victory, right after the crushing defeat of Sisera and his army. It imaginatively portrays the Canaanite women anxiously awaiting Sisera's return, anticipating the division of spoils from their presumed victory, and picturing their leader bedecked in fancy, colorful garments. The passage starkly contrasts the women's materialistic thoughts with the brutal reality of Sisera's demise, as just revealed by Jael's actions.
"‘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 contrasts the ordinary soldiers' spoils of captive women with the richly embroidered garments Sisera's mother anticipates for him. This highlights a misplaced focus on vanity and material w…
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Last reviewed October 2026