Lapidoth is a biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Judges, specifically in Judges 4:4. He is known primarily as the husband of Deborah, a prophetess and judge of Israel. The name "Lapidoth" is derived from the Hebrew word "lapid," meaning "torch" or "lightning," which may suggest a person of fiery or illuminating character. However, the biblical text provides little information about Lapidoth himself, focusing instead on the significant role of his wife, Deborah.

Biblical Reference:

Judges 4:4 : "Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time."

Context and Significance:

Lapidoth's mention in the Bible is brief, and he is not described as having any direct involvement in the events narrated in the Book of Judges. His significance lies in his association with Deborah, one of the most prominent female figures in the Scriptures. Deborah's leadership and prophetic role during a tumultuous period in Israel's history highlight the unique position she held as a woman in a predominantly patriarchal society.

Deborah's account unfolds during a time when the Israelites were oppressed by Jabin, the king of Canaan, and his military commander, Sisera. As a judge, Deborah held court under the Palm of Deborah, where the Israelites came to her for judgment. Her leadership was instrumental in rallying the Israelite tribes to rise against their oppressors. She summoned Barak, the son of Abinoam, to lead an army against Sisera, assuring him of the LORD's promise of victory.

Role and Interpretation:

While Lapidoth himself does not play an active role in the narrative, his mention as Deborah's husband may imply a supportive partnership that allowed Deborah to fulfill her God-given duties. In a cultural context where women's roles were often limited, Deborah's position as a judge and prophetess suggests that Lapidoth may have been a man who respected and supported his wife's divine calling.

The absence of further details about Lapidoth in the biblical text has led to various interpretations and speculations among scholars and theologians. Some suggest that his name, meaning "torch" or "lightning," could symbolize the light and guidance that Deborah provided to Israel during a dark period. Others propose that Lapidoth's mention serves to emphasize Deborah's exceptional status, as her identity is not solely defined by her marital relationship but by her own accomplishments and divine mission.

Theological Reflection:

From a theological perspective, the brief mention of Lapidoth alongside Deborah underscores the importance of recognizing and valuing the roles that both men and women play in fulfilling God's purposes. Deborah's account, with Lapidoth as her husband, serves as a reminder of the diverse ways in which God equips and calls individuals to serve His people, regardless of gender. The narrative encourages believers to support and affirm the gifts and callings of others within the community of faith, fostering an environment where all can contribute to the advancement of God's kingdom.Lapidoth

enlightened; lamps

Lapidoth

(torches), the inhabitants of Laodicea. (Colossians 4:16; Revelation 3:14)

Torches. Deborah is called "the wife of Lapidoth" (Judges 4:4). Some have rendered the expression "a woman of a fiery spirit," under the supposition that Lapidoth is not a proper name, a woman of a torch-like spirit.

Love Makes Suns
... Let us learn the lesson that Deborah learnt below the palm-trees of Lapidoth, and
if we want to understand what a religious man is, recognise that he is a man ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/love makes suns.htm

Though Many Other Widows came Near to Judith in virtue...
... Whether Lapidoth, however, was still alive is not so clear. St. Jerome, Ep. ad Furiam,
17. [3354] Jud. 4. 8 [LXX.]. [3355] The word Barak signifies lightning. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter viii though many other.htm

The Jewish Institutions and Laws of Far Higher Antiquity than the ...
... years. After him Deborah the wife of Lapidoth, of the tribe of Ephraim,
prophesied; and Ozias the son of Rhiesu was high priest. ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxi the jewish institutions and.htm

Letter iii. Having in the Former Two Letters Defined the Doctrine ...
... Was it that she called to mind any personal wrongs"rapine or insult"that she
or the house of Lapidoth had received from Jabin or Sisera? ...
/.../coleridge/confessions of an inquiring spirit etc/letter iii having in the.htm

The First Blast to Awake Women Degenerate.
... If they answer she was widowe, I wold lay against them the testimonie of
the holie ghost, witnessinge that she was wife to Lapidoth. ...
/.../knox/the first blast of the trumpet/the first blast to awake.htm

Songs of Deliverance
... how it is? It was that woman, the wife of Lapidoth, Deborah, who called
out Barak, and went with him to the battle. Have you not ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 13 1867/songs of deliverance.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... Some critics suppose that the prose narrative (Judges 4:5) has confounded the
prophetess Deborah, wife of Lapidoth, with Deborah, nurse of Rachel, who was ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
... Deborah the wife of Lapidoth, the judge, as well as the prophetess of that backsliding
people; Judges iv, 9. Into whose hands was Sisera, the captain of ...
/.../an appeal to the christian women of the south/appeal to the christian women.htm

Lapidoth (1 Occurrence)
... Deborah is called "the wife of Lapidoth" (Judges 4:4). Some have rendered the
expression "a woman of a fiery spirit," under the supposition that Lapidoth is ...
/l/lapidoth.htm - 6k

Deborah (10 Occurrences)
... (2.) A prophetess, "wife" (woman?) of Lapidoth. Jabin, the king of Hazor, had for
twenty years held Israel in degrading subjection. ... (see LAPIDOTH, JABIN .). ...
/d/deborah.htm - 14k

Lap (12 Occurrences)

/l/lap.htm - 15k

Lapis (3 Occurrences)

/l/lapis.htm - 7k

Lappidoth (1 Occurrence)
... lap'-i-doth, -doth (lappidhoth, "flames," "torches"; the King James Version, Lapidoth):
Deborah's husband (Judges 4:4). The Hebrew name is a feminine plural ...
/l/lappidoth.htm - 7k

Inspired (20 Occurrences)
... Dan. (See RSV). Judges 4:4 And Deborah, a woman inspired, wife of Lapidoth,
she is judging Israel at that time, (YLT). Proverbs 16 ...
/i/inspired.htm - 12k

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