Bible Figure
Heber the Kenite
character in the Book of Judges (Judges)
Heber the Kenite was Jael's husband, a Kenite who had separated from his clan and pitched his tent near Kedesh during the conflict with Sisera.
Biography
Judges 4 identifies Heber as a Kenite descended from Hobab, Moses' relative. He had separated from the other Kenites and camped near the oak at Zaanannim by Kedesh. The text notes that there was peace between Jabin king of Hazor and Heber's household. After Sisera's army was defeated, Sisera fled to the tent of Heber's wife Jael, expecting safety, but Jael killed him with a tent peg.
Biblical Significance
Heber supplies the social and political setting for Jael's decisive act against Sisera. His household's apparent peace with Jabin made Sisera's choice of refuge understandable and his defeat unexpected.