Sisera

Sisera (Heb. סיסרא ) was a Canaanite army commander under King Jabin.

Biblical representation

Sisera is mentioned in Ri 4-5 and 1 Sam EU 12.9 EU. 1 Sam 12.9 is a note taking recourse to the narrative in the Book of Judges. There, the residence of Sisera is specified with Harosheth Hagojim חרשת הגוים, which is reproduced in translations with Harosheth of the Gentiles. The place is not exactly identified. At the river Kishon Sisera's army met on the Israelite army under the leadership of Deborah and Barak. At the sight of the Israelites, Sisera fled with his warriors to Harosheth Hagojim. There, the Canaanites were trounced, while Sisera escaped. He took refuge with Jael, an ally of Jabin. Jael killed Sisera while he slept by him drove a tent peg through his temple with a hammer. The motive for this act remains unclear. In Ri 5 Sisera is mentioned in the song of victory of Deborah.

Etymology of the name

The name of Sisera is not of Semitic origin. Presumably the name comes from the area of the Sea Peoples.

Midrash

The Midrash Yalkut Shim'oni to Richter 4.3 embellishes the exploits of Sisera, to make it appear as a dangerous opponent and the victory of the Israelites thus also further emphasized. This is in contrast to the humorous coloring of the biblical narrative, is shown after Sisera as a coward.

Effect in art and literature

• Johann Simon Mayr: Sisara, oratorio, Venice 1793
• Artemisia Gentileschi: Jael and Sisera, Budapest 1620
• Jacopo Palma the Younger: Giaele uccide Sisara, Paintings
• James Tissot: Jael killed Sisera, Paintings
• Gustave Doré: Jael kills Sisera, 1866