Lappidoth לַפִּידוֹת
Husband of Deborah the prophetess and judge
Who is Lappidoth in the Bible?
Lappidoth was the husband of Deborah, a prophetess and judge of Israel mentioned in Judges 4:4. He appears only once in Scripture, identified simply as Deborah's husband, with no other details provided about his life or character. While the biblical account focuses on Deborah's leadership during Israel's oppression by the Canaanites and her military victory with Barak, Lappidoth remains a largely anonymous figure in the narrative. Some Jewish interpreters have suggested that the name Lappidoth, meaning "flames," may be connected to Barak, whose name means "lightning," though this remains speculative. His significance lies primarily in his association with one of Israel's most remarkable leaders, though Scripture itself offers little insight into their relationship or his role in supporting her ministry.
Biography
Lappidoth was the husband of Deborah, a prophetess and judge who led Israel during a time of oppression by the Canaanites (Jdg.4.4). No further information is provided about Lappidoth in the Bible, and he is not mentioned in the account of Deborah's leadership and the victory over the Canaanite army led by Sisera (Jdg.4-5). It is possible that Lappidoth supported Deborah in her role as a judge and prophetess, but the biblical text does not provide any specific details about his life or their relationship.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical bookJudges 1 verse
- Judges 4:4
"Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | לַפִּידוֹת |
Lappidoth
ef="Bible:1Chr.7.8">1Ch 7:8), Naboth (1Ki 21:1). The plural is probably intensive. Jewish interpreters have identified Lappidoth ("flames") with Barak ("lightning"). Some have taken the words rendered "wife of Lappidoth" ('esheth lappidhoth) as a description of Deborah, and have translated them, "woman of lights," i.e. maker of wicks for the sanctuary; or "woman of flames," referring to her prophetic zeal. These explanations are more interesting than probable.
John A. Lees
lap'-wing (dukhiphath; epops): A translation used in early VSS, now universally admitted to be incorrect. The lapwing had a crest, and resembled in size and color the hoopoe (Upupa epops). It appears in the lists of a