Who was King Jabin in the Bible?

Jabin was a Canaanite king who ruled from Hazor and oppressed the Israelites for twenty years. He is noted as a key adversary in the Book of Judges (Judges 4:2-3).

How was King Jabin defeated?

Jabin was defeated by the Israelite forces led by the prophetess Deborah and the commander Barak. His army, commanded by Sisera, was routed, leading to Jabin's eventual destruction (Judges 4:23-24).

Why is King Jabin significant in the Bible?

Jabin's defeat is a major story of God delivering Israel from oppression, demonstrating His faithfulness. His name is also later recalled as an example of a defeated enemy in Psalm 83:9.

Jabin

Old TestamentMaleKing

Jabin, a Canaanite king of Hazor, oppressed Israel for twenty years until he was defeated by Deborah and Barak (Jdg.4.2,23-24; Psa.83.9).

Jabin

Biography

Jabin, identified as a Canaanite king of Hazor, appears in the era of the judges as a figure of prolonged oppression over Israel. Whether this represents a dynastic successor to the Jabin defeated by Joshua or an independent ruler carrying the same royal title, this Jabin subjugated the Israelites for twenty years through his military commander Sisera, who commanded nine hundred iron chariots (Judges 4:2-3). Israel's cry for deliverance prompted God to raise up the prophetess Deborah, who commissioned Barak to lead an army against Sisera. The Canaanite forces were routed at the Kishon River, and Sisera himself was killed by Jael. Jabin's power progressively diminished until he was completely destroyed (Judges 4:23-24), a victory celebrated in Psalm 83:9 as a model of divine deliverance.

Significance

The reign of this Jabin illustrates the recurring cycle of the judges narrative: Israel's apostasy, enemy oppression, repentant crying out, and God's faithful deliverance. His twenty-year grip on Israel serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of spiritual unfaithfulness. Yet the complete destruction of his kingdom demonstrates God's ultimate sovereignty over even the most entrenched earthly powers. Psalm 83:9 later invokes Jabin's defeat as a paradigm for prayer, showing how God's historical acts become lasting theological touchstones, templates through which later generations understand and appeal to divine intervention.

Authority Records

Wikidata VIAF GND

Verse Appearances (6)

Judg

Judg 4:2 Judg 4:7 Judg 4:17 Judg 4:23 Judg 4:24

Ps

Ps 83:9

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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