Girl · Hebrew · Old Testament

Jael

YAY-el · from Ya'el · means “Mountain goat, ibex”

Jael is a Hebrew name meaning "mountain goat" or "ibex," an animal known for sure footing in dangerous places. In Judges 4 and 5, Jael acted with striking boldness to defeat Israel's enemy general Sisera, and the prophetess Deborah praised her as most blessed among women.

“"Most blessed of women be Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, most blessed of tent-dwelling women."”

The story behind the name

Israel was oppressed for twenty years by King Jabin of Canaan and his army commander Sisera, until the prophetess Deborah and the general Barak led them to victory. When the battle turned against Sisera, he fled on foot toward the tent of Heber the Kenite, whose household was at peace with Jabin.

Jael, Heber's wife, welcomed the exhausted Sisera with hospitality, covering him with a blanket and giving him milk to drink. While he slept, she acted decisively to end the threat he posed to Israel, and with his death the oppression of Jabin was broken (Judges 4:17-22).

The prophetess Deborah's victory song calls Jael most blessed of women for what she did (Judges 5:24). A daughter named Jael carries a name for surprising courage, the kind found in ordinary people willing to act boldly when the moment calls for it.

Middle names that sing with Jael

Chosen for rhythm and meanings that speak to each other.

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