Jael

Jael (Hebrew: יָעֵל, Modern: Ya'el, Tiberian: Yāʻēl) is a figure from the Hebrew Bible, known for her role in the Book of Judges. Her name is often translated as "mountain goat" or "ibex" in English, and it is also found in other languages such as Spanish (Jael), French (Jaël), and Italian (Iael). In the biblical narrative, Jael is a Kenite woman who is celebrated for killing Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army, by driving a tent peg through his temple while he sleeps. This act is seen as a decisive victory for the Israelites, and Jael is praised for her bravery and cunning. Her story is significant in the context of the broader themes of the Book of Judges, which explores the cycles of faithlessness and deliverance in ancient Israel. The Song of Deborah, found in Judges 5, also commemorates Jael's actions, highlighting her as a key figure in Israelite history.