Original Word: סִיסְרָא
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Ciycra'
Pronunciation: see-se-rah
Phonetic Spelling: (see-ser-aw')
KJV: Sisera
NASB: Sisera
Word Origin: [of uncertain derivation]

1. Sisera, the name of a Canaanitish king and of one of the Nethinim

Sisera

Of uncertain derivation; Sisera, the name of a Canaanitish king and of one of the Nethinim -- Sisera.

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
a general of the king of Hazor, also the father of some returning exiles
NASB Translation
Sisera (21).

סִיסְרָא₂₁ proper name, masculine (GFM^{Judges 4:2; PAOS xix (1898), 160} compare Hittite names in #NAME?); —

1 general of Jabin, king of Hazor Judges 4:2 12t. Judges 4; apparently himself king Judges 5:20,26,28,30; compare 1 Samuel 12:9; Psalm 83:10; — on ׳ס see GFM^{Ju, 107 ff.; PAOS 1.c.}; ᵐ5 Σ(ε)ισαρα.

2 בְּנֵיסִֿיסְרָא returned exiles, Ezra 2:53 = Nehemiah 7:55; ᵐ5 Σεισαραθ, Σισαρα, etc.

Historical Background

Sisera emerges in the period of the Judges, when “every man did what was right in his own eyes” and Israel repeatedly cycled through sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. He served as the chief military commander of Jabin, king of Canaan, who reigned from Hazor and oppressed the northern tribes with nine hundred iron chariots (Judges 4:2–3).

Military Role and the Canaanite Oppression

The text lists Sisera’s base at Harosheth-haggoyim, a strategic location near the Kishon River that enabled rapid deployment of chariots across the Jezreel Valley. His mastery of iron technology intimidated the agrarian Israelites, who lacked comparable weaponry (Judges 4:3, 13). For twenty years he enforced brutal domination until the LORD “sold” Israel into his hand (Judges 4:2).

The Campaign against Barak and Deborah

God raised up Deborah, a prophetess and judge, who summoned Barak to muster ten thousand men from Naphtali and Zebulun. When Barak hesitated, Deborah foretold that honor would go to a woman (Judges 4:9). At the LORD’s command she declared, “Arise, for this is the day when the LORD has delivered Sisera into your hand” (Judges 4:14). A sudden cloudburst turned the Kishon into a torrent, bogging down Sisera’s chariots so completely that “the LORD routed Sisera” (Judges 4:15). Barak pursued the fleeing army to Harosheth-haggoyim; “not a man was left” (Judges 4:16).

Flight and Death at the Hand of Jael

Sisera abandoned his chariot and escaped on foot to the tent of Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite, counting on the traditional alliance between Jabin and the Kenites (Judges 4:17). Jael welcomed him, covered him with a blanket, gave him milk, and—after he fell asleep—drove a tent peg through his temple, fulfilling Deborah’s prophecy (Judges 4:18–21). When Barak arrived, Jael showed him the lifeless body: “There lay Sisera, fallen dead” (Judges 4:22).

Poetic Commemoration in Judges 5

The victory song of Deborah and Barak devotes considerable space to Sisera’s downfall.
• “From heaven the stars fought, from their courses they fought against Sisera” (Judges 5:20) highlights divine intervention.
• Jael is extolled: “She crushed his head; she shattered and pierced his temple” (Judges 5:26).
• The scene shifts to Sisera’s mother anxiously waiting at a lattice, ignorant of her son’s fate (Judges 5:28–30), adding pathos and underscoring the completeness of Israel’s deliverance.

Later Biblical References

1 Samuel 12:9 cites Sisera among the oppressors from whom the LORD delivered Israel, using his defeat as proof of covenant faithfulness.

Psalm 83:9 implores God, “Do to them as You did to Sisera,” treating his overthrow as a paradigm for future victories over hostile coalitions.

Ezra 2:53 and Nehemiah 7:55 record “the sons of Sisera” among the Nethinim—Temple servants who returned from exile. Their inclusion suggests descendants of foreign origin integrated into Israel’s worship community, a testimony to God’s grace toward repentant peoples.

Genealogical Note: The Temple Servants

The Nethinim were likely descendants of conquered peoples assigned to assist the Levites (Joshua 9:27). That a clan bearing Sisera’s name served in the Second Temple indicates a legacy transformed from hostility to service in the sanctuary.

Theological and Ministry Significance

1. Divine Sovereignty: Sisera’s sophisticated military power fell before the LORD’s command of nature, underscoring that deliverance comes “not by might nor by power” but by God’s Spirit.
2. The Role of Women: Deborah’s leadership and Jael’s decisive action affirm that God employs whomever He chooses, regardless of societal expectations.
3. Trust versus Fear: Israel’s victory began when Barak acted on the prophetic word. Obedience unlocks divine aid against seemingly invincible forces.
4. Memory and Worship: Subsequent texts recall Sisera to encourage faith. Remembering past deliverances fuels confidence for present trials.

Lessons for Contemporary Faith

• Oppression—whether personal or collective—cannot withstand the purposes of God.
• Faithful obedience, even amid inadequate resources, invites miraculous intervention.
• Past victories should be rehearsed in worship and testimony, strengthening the church for future battles.
• God’s grace can redeem former enemies, turning “sons of Sisera” into servants of His house.

וְסִֽיסְרָא֙ וסיסרא כְּֽסִֽיסְרָ֥א כסיסרא לְסִ֣יסְרָ֔א לְסִֽיסְרָ֑א לסיסרא סִֽיסְרָ֑א סִֽיסְרָ֔א סִֽיסְרָ֖א סִֽיסְרָ֛א סִֽיסְרָ֜א סִֽיסְרָ֨א סִֽיסְרָא֒ סִֽיסְרָא֙ סִֽיסְרָא֩ סִיסְרָֽא׃ סיסרא סיסרא׃ kə·sî·sə·rā kesiseRa kəsîsərā lə·sî·sə·rā lesiseRa ləsîsərā sî·sə·rā siseRa sîsərā sisRa vesiseRa wə·sî·sə·rā wəsîsərāInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts