In brief
The Bible mentions two Canaanite kings named Jabin, who reigned in Hazor. The first, in Joshua's time, gathers a vast coalition of the north against Israel; he is defeated near the waters of Merom, then struck down with the sword when Hazor is taken. The second, in the time of the judges, oppresses Israel for twenty years with his nine hundred iron chariots, until God humbles him through Deborah and Barak.
What does the name Jabin King of Hazor mean?
The name Jabin is generally linked to a Hebrew verb meaning to understand or to discern. The fact that two kings of Hazor bear this name has led some to see a dynastic name, but the Bible does not say so.
The story of Jabin King of Hazor
The northern coalition
Joshua 11:1-5The first Jabin, king of Hazor, hears of Israel's victories. He sends messengers to the kings of the north and to many Canaanite peoples. Their armies form a people as numerous as the sand by the sea, with horses and chariots in great abundance, and they camp together at the waters of Merom.
Do not be afraid of them
Joshua 11:6-9The Lord tells Joshua not to be afraid, for he will deliver all these kings up the next day. Joshua comes upon them suddenly at the waters of Merom. Israel defeats them and chases them as far as Sidon. As God commanded, Joshua hamstrings their horses and burns their chariots with fire.
The fall of Hazor
Joshua 11:10-15Joshua takes Hazor, formerly the head of all these kingdoms, and strikes its king with the sword. The city is put under the ban and burned; it is the only city on a mound that Israel burns. Joshua thus carries out everything the Lord had commanded Moses.
Another Jabin oppresses Israel
Judges 4:1-3Much later, after Ehud dies, Israel again does what is evil in the Lord's sight. God sells them into the hand of Jabin, king of Canaan, who reigns in Hazor. The commander of his army is Sisera. With his nine hundred iron chariots, this Jabin harshly oppresses Israel for twenty years.
The victory of Deborah and Barak
Judges 4:4-17The people cry out to the Lord. Deborah, a prophetess and judge, calls Barak to go up to Mount Tabor with ten thousand men. The Lord throws Sisera, his chariots and his army into a panic by the river Kishon. Sisera flees on foot to the tent of Jael, because Jabin was at peace with the house of Heber.
Jabin humbled
Judges 4:23-24On that day, God subdues Jabin, king of Canaan, before the children of Israel. The hand of Israel grows heavier and heavier against him, until he is destroyed. Later, Psalm 83 remembers Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon as an example of God's judgment.
What Jabin King of Hazor teaches us
- No human coalition, however large, can stand against God's purpose.
- God tells his people not to be afraid, even in front of horses and chariots in great numbers.
- When Israel does what is evil in the Lord's sight, it falls back under oppression: unfaithfulness has consequences.
- When his people cry out to him, God raises up deliverers and humbles the oppressor.
Key verses
“Don’t be afraid because of them; for tomorrow at this time, I will deliver them up all slain before Israel.” Facing the immense army Jabin has gathered, the victory rests on God's promise.
The nine hundred iron chariots of the second Jabin seemed invincible. For twenty years, Israel suffers his harsh oppression, until the people cry out to the Lord.
“So God subdued Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel on that day.” The text first credits the victory to God, before speaking of the hand of Israel.
“Do to them as you did to Midian, as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the river Kishon” The psalmist makes Jabin's defeat a reminder of God's power against the enemies of his people.
Sermons about Jabin King of Hazor
- Joshua 10-11: Victories That Speak of JudgmentThe message goes through the northern campaign: Jabin, king of Hazor, gathers an immense coalition, Joshua attacks by surprise and Hazor is burned, victories read as a judgment of God.
- Deborah: When a Woman Rises Up to Set Israel RightThe sermon recalls that Jabin, king of Canaan, had oppressed Israel for twenty years with his nine hundred iron chariots, because the people had disobeyed, before God raised up Deborah.
- The Mantle of Deborah: Rising into Divine AuthorityThe message describes a nation oppressed for twenty years under the hand of King Jabin and his commander Sisera, with iron chariots that filled men's hearts with fear.
Frequently asked questions
Is there one king named Jabin or two in the Bible?
The text describes two distinct reigns. The Jabin of Joshua 11 is struck with the sword when Hazor is taken and burned. The Jabin of Judges 4, king of Canaan who reigned in Hazor, lives much later, after Ehud's death, and oppresses Israel for twenty years. They are therefore two different kings.
What does the name Jabin mean?
Jabin is generally linked to a Hebrew verb meaning to understand or to discern. Since two kings of Hazor bear this name at different periods, some think it was a dynastic name. The Bible does not say so and does not comment on the meaning of the name.
Where can I find the story of Jabin in the Bible?
The first Jabin appears in Joshua 11:1-15, and the list of defeated kings mentions the king of Hazor in Joshua 12:19. The second is at the center of Judges 4, and the song of Deborah and Barak in Judges 5 celebrates this victory. Psalm 83 also recalls his defeat.