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Jabin

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A Canaanite king in the Hebrew Bible defeated by the Israelite general Barak under the prophetess Deborah’s guidance.

Detailed Definition
Jabin, ruling from Hazor, oppressed Israel with his general Sisera until Deborah’s prophecy led to his army’s rout. His defeat marked a turning point in the Judges era. In poetry, Jabin symbolizes oppressive foreign dominion, the arrogance of military might, and the divine reversal that empowers the weak—often representing the cyclical pattern of sin, servitude, and salvation in Israel’s history.
Example
Example in poetry:
In John Milton’s "Paradise Lost," Jabin’s oppression (Judges 4) illustrates cyclical tyranny; In Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s "The Seraphim," Jabin symbolizes the Canaanite enemy of liberty; In George Herbert’s "The Church-porch," Jabin’s iron chariots warn against technological pride; In John Keble’s "Lyra Apostolica," Jabin represents the recurring foe; In Christina Rossetti’s "Goblin Market," Jabin’s army prefigures the forces that threaten the vulnerable; In T.S. Eliot’s "The Waste Land," Jabin’s Hazor echoes in modern ruins.
Additional Notes
Jabin: Canaanite king defeated by Deborah and Barak (Judges 4–5); also a king in Joshua 11. In poetry, Jabin symbolizes entrenched oppression, the cyclical nature of enemies, and the necessity of collaborative deliverance. His commander Sisera’s death by Jael adds dramatic irony—ideal for poems on tyranny, the geography of battle (Hazor), or the song of victory (Judges 5).
Also Known As
Jabin king of Hazor Jabin the Canaanite
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