לַפִּידוֹת (lap.pi.dot)
lap.pi.dot
Lappidoth
N:N-F-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-F-P
Word Overview
The name Lappidoth, appearing only once in the Hebrew Bible at Judges 4:4, is traditionally understood to mean "torches." It identifies the husband of Deborah, the prophetess and judge who led Israel during a time of military crisis against Canaanite oppression. The text offers no further details about his life or character, focusing entirely on his role as her spouse.
While some ancient sources suggest Lappidoth might be a woman's name, the grammatical structure and context strongly support it being a male proper noun. The meaning "torches" may reflect a personal trait or perhaps a family background associated with light or guidance, though the text does not elaborate. His brief mention serves to anchor Deborah’s authority within the social fabric of her time, showing that even prominent female leaders operated within marital structures.
Deborah is celebrated for her spiritual leadership and military strategy, yet her partnership with Lappidoth remains a quiet backdrop to her public deeds. This single reference highlights how biblical narratives often preserve only essential connections, leaving the full picture of individuals like Lappidoth to the imagination while affirming their place in the story of Israel’s deliverance.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Lappidoth means "torches," appearing only once in Scripture as the husband of Deborah. In Judges 4:4, this brief mention anchors Deborah’s authority within her social context. It shows that even prominent female leaders operated within marital structures, finding strength in partnership rather than isolation.
For your faith, this word reminds us that God uses ordinary relationships to advance His purposes. We do not know much about Lappidoth’s character, yet his presence supports a leader who delivered Israel. This suggests that quiet support and shared life are vital parts of God’s plan, even when they remain unseen by the wider world.
May you find encouragement in knowing that your contributions, whether visible or hidden, matter to God. Whether you lead publicly or support quietly, you are part of a larger story of deliverance and hope.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Lappidoth1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לַפִּיד֑וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 4:4
Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, judged Israel at that time.
This verse identifies Lappidoth as Deborah’s husband, establishing the marital context that grounds her public role as judge and prophetess.