Judges 5:25
Judges 5:25 in Multiple Translations
He asked for water, and she gave him milk. In a magnificent bowl she brought him curds.
He asked water, and she gave him milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish.
He asked water, and she gave him milk; She brought him butter in a lordly dish.
His request was for water, she gave him milk; she put butter before him on a fair plate.
He asked for water, and she gave him milk. In a bowl fit for nobles she brought him buttermilk.
He asked water, and shee gaue him milke: she brought forth butter in a lordly dish.
Water he asked — milk she gave; In a lordly dish she brought near butter.
He asked for water. She gave him milk. She brought him butter in a lordly dish.
He asked water, and she gave him milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish.
He asked her water and she gave him milk, and offered him butter in a dish fit for princes.
Sisera asked for some water, but Jael gave him some milk. She brought him some yogurt/curds in a bowl that was suitable for kings.
Berean Amplified Bible — Judges 5:25
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Judges 5:25 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מַ֥יִם
שָׁאַ֖ל
חָלָ֣ב
נָתָ֑נָה
בְּ/סֵ֥פֶל
אַדִּירִ֖ים
הִקְרִ֥יבָה
חֶמְאָֽה
מַ֥יִם
mayim
H4325
Water (Gate)
N-mp
שָׁאַ֖ל
shâʼal
H7592
to ask
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
חָלָ֣ב
châlâb
H2461
milk
N-ms
נָתָ֑נָה
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
בְּ/סֵ֥פֶל
çêphel
H5602
bowl
Prep | N-ms
אַדִּירִ֖ים
ʼaddîyr
H117
great
Adj
הִקְרִ֥יבָה
qârab
H7126
to present
V-Hiphil-Perf-3fs
חֶמְאָֽה
chemʼâh
H2529
curd
N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Judges 5:25
מַ֥יִם
mayim
H4325
"Water (Gate)"
N-mp
This word means water, referring to a liquid or a source of refreshment. It appears in the Bible as a literal and figurative term, including references to wasting or urine. The word is used in various contexts, such as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: This name means water, refreshment
Usage: Occurs in 525 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). See also: Genesis 1:2; Leviticus 14:9; Joshua 18:15.
שָׁאַ֖ל
shâʼal
H7592
"to ask"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To ask or inquire, this Hebrew word is used in the Bible to describe seeking information or requesting something. It can also mean to beg or borrow, and is used in many different contexts throughout the Old Testament. The KJV translates it as ask, beg, or borrow.
Definition: 1) to ask, enquire, borrow, beg 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to ask, ask for 1a2) to ask (as a favour), borrow 1a3) to enquire, enquire of 1a4) to enquire of, consult (of deity, oracle) 1a5) to seek 1b) (Niphal) to ask for oneself, ask leave of absence 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to enquire, enquire carefully 1c2) to beg, practise beggary 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to be given on request 1d2) to grant, make over to, let (one) ask (successfully) or give or lend on request (then) grant or make over to Aramaic equivalent: she.el (שְׁאֵל "to ask" H7593)
Usage: Occurs in 157 OT verses. KJV: ask (counsel, on), beg, borrow, lay to charge, consult, demand, desire, [idiom] earnestly, enquire, [phrase] greet, obtain leave, lend, pray, request, require, [phrase] salute, [idiom] straitly, [idiom] surely, wish. See also: Genesis 24:47; 2 Samuel 8:10; Psalms 2:8.
חָלָ֣ב
châlâb
H2461
"milk"
N-ms
Chalab means milk, symbolizing richness and abundance. In the Bible, it can refer to the richness of cattle or the abundance of the land. This term is also used to describe white or pale things, like milk or cheese.
Definition: 1) milk, sour milk, cheese 1a) milk 1b) abundance of the land (metaph.) 1c) white (as milk)
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] cheese, milk, sucking. See also: Genesis 18:8; Judges 4:19; Proverbs 27:27.
נָתָ֑נָה
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
בְּ/סֵ֥פֶל
çêphel
H5602
"bowl"
Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word means a bowl or basin, often used for holding or serving food and drinks, as seen in 2 Kings 21:13. It is a deep container, used in various biblical contexts. The KJV translates it as bowl or dish.
Definition: bowl, basin
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: bowl, dish. See also: Judges 5:25; Judges 6:38.
אַדִּירִ֖ים
ʼaddîyr
H117
"great"
Adj
Describes something or someone as great or powerful, such as the mighty waters of the sea in Psalm 107.
Definition: 1) great, majestic 1a) of waters of sea 1b) of a tree 1c) of kings, nations, gods 2) great one, majestic one 2a) of nobles, chieftains, servants
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: excellent, famous, gallant, glorious, goodly, lordly, mighty(-ier one), noble, principal, worthy. See also: Exodus 15:10; Psalms 136:18; Psalms 8:2.
הִקְרִ֥יבָה
qârab
H7126
"to present"
V-Hiphil-Perf-3fs
To approach or come near someone or something, often with a sense of purpose or intention, like Moses approaching the burning bush in Exodus 3:5. This word can also mean to bring someone or something near, as in presenting an offering to God.
Definition: : come/approach 1) to come near, approach, enter into, draw near 1a) (Qal) to approach, draw near 1b) (Niphal) to be brought near 1c) (Piel) to cause to approach, bring near, cause to draw near 1d) (Hiphil) to bring near, bring, present
Usage: Occurs in 263 OT verses. KJV: (cause to) approach, (cause to) bring (forth, near), (cause to) come (near, nigh), (cause to) draw near (nigh), go (near), be at hand, join, be near, offer, present, produce, make ready, stand, take. See also: Genesis 12:11; Leviticus 22:22; 1 Samuel 10:21.
חֶמְאָֽה
chemʼâh
H2529
"curd"
N-fs
This term can refer to heat, fever, or burning anger, as well as curdled milk or cheese. It appears in Proverbs 30:33 and is related to strong emotions or physical sensations. The concept of heat is used to describe various ideas in the Bible.
Definition: curd, butter
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: butter. See also: Genesis 18:8; Job 20:17; Proverbs 30:33.
Study Notes — Judges 5:25
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Judges 5:25 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Judges 5:25
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 5:25
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 5:25
- Trapp's Commentary on Judges 5:25
- Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 5:25
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 5:25
- Cambridge Bible on Judges 5:25
- Barnes' Notes on Judges 5:25
- Whedon's Commentary on Judges 5:25
- Sermons on Judges 5:25
Context — The Song of Deborah and Barak
23‘Curse Meroz,’ says the angel of the LORD. ‘Bitterly curse her inhabitants; for they did not come to help the LORD, to help the LORD against the mighty.’
24Most blessed among women is Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, most blessed of tent-dwelling women.
25He asked for water, and she gave him milk. In a magnificent bowl she brought him curds.
26She reached for the tent peg, her right hand for the workman’s hammer. She struck Sisera and crushed his skull; she shattered and pierced his temple. 27At her feet he collapsed, he fell, there he lay still; at her feet he collapsed, he fell; where he collapsed, there he fell dead.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Judges 4:19–21 | Sisera said to her, “Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty.” So she opened a container of milk, gave him a drink, and covered him again. “Stand at the entrance to the tent,” he said, “and if anyone comes and asks you, ‘Is there a man here?’ say, ‘No.’” But as he lay sleeping from exhaustion, Heber’s wife Jael took a tent peg, grabbed a hammer, and went silently to Sisera. She drove the peg through his temple and into the ground, and he died. |
Judges 5:25 Summary
In this verse, Jael shows kindness to Sisera by giving him milk and curds, but she is also planning to harm him because he is an enemy of God's people. This shows that sometimes, we need to be wise and discerning in how we treat others, and trust in God's power and promises to guide us, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6. Jael's actions are an example of how God can use ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things, as seen in 1 Corinthians 1:27. By trusting in God and taking bold action in faith, we can also be used by Him to make a difference in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of Jael giving Sisera milk instead of water?
By giving Sisera milk, Jael showed him hospitality, which was a cultural expectation in ancient Israel, as seen in Genesis 18:1-8, but she also used this opportunity to lull him into a false sense of security before killing him, as described in Judges 5:26-27.
What is the symbolic meaning of the 'magnificent bowl' in this verse?
The 'magnificent bowl' may symbolize the abundance and richness of God's blessing, as seen in Deuteronomy 8:7-10, and Jael's willingness to use her resources to serve God's purpose, even if it meant harming an enemy of God's people.
How does Jael's actions in this verse relate to her character and faith?
Jael's actions demonstrate her bravery, cunning, and faith in God, as she took initiative to defeat Sisera, trusting in God's power and promises, similar to the faith of other biblical heroes like Deborah in Judges 4:4-16 and David in 1 Samuel 17:1-58.
What can we learn from Jael's example in this verse about trusting God in difficult situations?
Jael's example teaches us to trust in God's sovereignty and provision, even in the midst of uncertainty and danger, as seen in Psalm 23:4 and Proverbs 3:5-6, and to be willing to take bold action in faith, trusting that God will guide and empower us.
Reflection Questions
- How can I, like Jael, demonstrate hospitality and kindness to those around me, while also being mindful of God's will and purposes?
- In what ways can I trust in God's power and promises, even when faced with difficult or frightening situations, and take bold action in faith?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to trust in God's sovereignty and provision, and how can I practically apply this trust in my daily life?
- How can I, like Jael, use my resources and abilities to serve God's purpose and advance His kingdom, and what steps can I take to discern God's will in this area?
Gill's Exposition on Judges 5:25
He asked water, and she gave him milk,.... That is, Sisera asked it of her, as the Targum expresses it, when he turned into her tent: she brought him fresh butter in a lordly dish; which signifies
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Judges 5:25
He asked water, and she gave him milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish. Butter , [ chem'aah (H2529), curdled milk; Septuagint, bouturon: a favourite beverage in the East].
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Judges 5:25
Butter, or, cream, i.e. the choicest of her milk; so the same thing is repeated in differing words. In a lordly dish; which you are not to understand of such a stately and costly dish as the luxury of after-ages brought in, which is not agreeable to the simplicity, either of this family, or of those ancient times; but of a comely and convenient dish, the best which she had, and such as the better sort of persons then used.
Trapp's Commentary on Judges 5:25
Judges 5:25 He asked water, [and] she gave [him] milk; she brought forth butter in a lordly dish.Ver. 25. She gave him milk.] See Judges 4:19. Butter in a lordly dish.] Butter to eat, as well as milk to drink. Such are the murdering morsels of sin, εχθρωναδωραδωρακαιιυκονησιμα: the giftless gifts of Satan.
Ellicott's Commentary on Judges 5:25
(25) Butter.—Rather, curdled milk.In a lordly dish.—Rather, in a dish of the nobles: sephel, a splendid bowl, reserved for great occasions. All this was done to lull his suspicions into a false security.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Judges 5:25
Verse 25. She brought forth butter] As the word חמאה chemah, here translated butter, signifies disturbed, agitated, c., it is probable that buttermilk is intended. The Arabs form their buttermilk by agitating the milk in a leathery bag, and the buttermilk is highly esteemed because of its refreshing and cooling quality but there is no reason why we may not suppose that Jael gave him cream: Sisera was not only thirsty, but was also exhausted with fatigue; and nothing could be better calculated to quench his thirst, and restore his exhausted strength, than a bowl of cream. I am surprised that Mr. Harmer should see any difficulty in this. It is evident that Deborah wishes to convey the idea that Jael was more liberal and kind than Sisera had requested. He asked for water, and she brought him cream; and she brought it to him, not in an ordinary pitcher, but in the most superb dish or bowl which she possessed. See at the end of Jdg 4:24.
Cambridge Bible on Judges 5:25
25. The original is more forcible: Water he asked, milk she gave, In a bowl fit for nobles she offered him curd. A bowl of (i.e. fit for) nobles was a large, rich bowl. The word, only here and Judges 6:38 in Hebr., is mentioned in Assyrian inscriptions as an object of plunder or tribute, e.g. a bowl was brought to Shalmaneser by Jehu (Schrader, COT. i. p. 199). Not butter, which the Bedouin do not use, but curdled milk is meant, a refreshing drink such as would be offered to a guest. Genesis 18:8.
Barnes' Notes on Judges 5:25
Butter - Rather curdled milk, probably a fermented and intoxicating drink. All these marks of respect and friendship would lull Sisera into security.
Whedon's Commentary on Judges 5:25
25. A bowl of the nobles — A costly bowl, such as only nobles were wont to use. Curd — Or, curdled milk, a common and favourite beverage in the East.
Sermons on Judges 5:25
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Now We Have Received by C.H. Spurgeon | The preacher delves into the Greek word 'huperecho,' which means to excel, be superior, and hold others in higher regard. Paul emphasizes the importance of esteeming others as more |