Jael

 

Yael Batyitro (English: Jael daughter of Jethro) was a heroine of Israel and the wife of Heber the Kenite, according to the Old Testament. She lived with her husband in a tent in the plain of Zaanaim, which is near Kedesh. Jael welcomed the cruel Sisera into her tent, she gave him milk although he asked for water. After, when he was sleeping soundly, Jael took a tent peg in one hand and the hammer in another, and stroke his temples till the tent peg stuck to the ground. She became Israel's heroine that day, after showing Barak the cadaver of Sisera.

The prophetess Deborah quotes in her poetic song:

"Blessed above all women be Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite, blessed above all women in the tents. He asked for water: she gave him milk; she offered him curds and a bowl fit for a chieftain. She reached out her hand for the tent-peg, her right hand for the workman’s hammer. With the workman’s hammer she struck Sisera, crushing his head. With a shattering blow she pierced his temple. At her feet he sank, he fell, he lay prone. At her feet he sank down and fell; Where he sank down, there he fell down to death."

- Segment of the Song of Deborah (Judges 5)