Judges 5:29 - Her wise ladies answered her, Yes, she returned answer to herself,

Generated Verse: Judges 5:29

What does "Judges 5:29" mean?


This verse in Judges 5:29 is part of the "Song of Deborah," a victory hymn celebrating the defeat of Sisera and the Canaanite army. The verse specifically refers to Sisera's mother, who is anxiously awaiting her son's return from battle. Let's break down the meaning:

"Her wise ladies answered her": Sisera's mother is surrounded by her female attendants, likely wise women who offer counsel and support. They are trying to reassure her, based on their understanding of how things usually go in war.

"Yes, she returned answer to herself": This is the key phrase and can be interpreted in a couple of ways, both related to her internal thoughts and desires:

Internal Dialogue: She is likely trying to convince herself of something that her wise ladies have suggested. Despite their attempts to reassure her, she is still anxious. The "answer to herself" is more like a hope or a wishful thought that she is repeating in her mind to ease her worries. She's engaging in a form of self-talk.
Reinforcing Her Own Desires: It could mean that she is actively embracing the image of her son's victorious return, thinking about the spoils of war and the honor he will bring. She might be rationalizing his delay by fantasizing about the riches he is gathering.

In essence, the verse conveys the following:

Sisera's mother is worried and impatient for her son's return.
Her female attendants offer comfort and explanations for his delay.
However, she is not fully convinced by their words. She is either trying to persuade herself with wishful thinking, or she is actively constructing an image of his triumphant return to ease her anxiety, even though deep down she might be worried.

The verse is important because it highlights the psychological impact of war on those who are not directly involved in the fighting. It reveals the fear, hope, and self-deception that can accompany the absence of loved ones in battle. It also foreshadows the tragic irony of Sisera's actual fate, which is far from the glorious return his mother imagines. He is already dead, killed by Jael, a woman. The reader knows the truth, creating dramatic irony and highlighting the futility of the mother's anxieties and wishful thinking.

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